Capacity plates and float plans for Indiana online boating safety course Your Boat's Capacity A boat operator should never take a boat on the water with too many people or too much gear onboard. Boats loaded beyond their capacity will more easily swamp or capsize and will be more difficult to control. Look for a capacity plate near the operator s position or on the transom of the boat. You must not exceed either the stated maximum weight capacity for persons or the maximum number of people. Maximum weight includes the combined weight of passengers, gear and motors.
Many states have fines and penalties for exceeding capacity.
Maximum Capacity Plate PWC and sailboat manufacturers are not required to attach a capacity plate. Always follow the recommended capacity found in the owner s manual and on the manufacturer s warning decal. Never exceed these capacity recommendations. On outboard powerboats, the capacity plate will also display the recommended maximum horsepower rating of the boat. Your boat s motor should never exceed this rating.