How Many People Can You Carry On A Boat

[DJB]

We are going to hire a large boat that can sleep 4+2.

There are more of us going who will be land based. 

In total there will be two of us living on the boat and 7 plus a toddler and two infants onshore. I'd like to take us all to a pub during the day. Would the hire company object to this? It's not a major issue if they do as I can send the overspill via taxi.

[Chelsea14Ian]

For hire boats it will have _2 for example. Our boat is ex hire sleeps four but is a _ six.which means it can carry six but only sleep four.I would however speak to the hire company. That way you are covered. 

[Graham47]

Usually hire boats display a plaque which gives a max weight allowed of passengers + luggage. I would think in your case that the hire company may not be covered by insurance in the event of an accident if it is overloaded. Best check with the boatyard.

[DJB]

I was going to speak to them anyway regarding life jackets.

[Smoggy]

Chances are they will be more amiable about it if you speak to them first than they are with the crews that pick up a boat aas a couple then pick up the rest down river for a week on the lash.

That said a lot of private boats are rated as so many berths which is fine while you are all laying down but when everyone is awake and wanting to move about it's a nightmare, my old boat could (and did on one occaision) sleep 7 but 2+ dog was enough and 3+dog was hard work.

 

Edit: remember if something cute floats by (it's duckling season) 9 people all going to gawp over the same side is a hell of a weight shift, I've seen a freeman 22 do a full flip over many years ago.

[marshman]

Depends entirely how many it is licensed for - after the registration it will have a number. That is the maximum and above that, technically I guess you may be uninsured so I would check carefully.

[MauriceMynah]

So you are talking about cruising with 9 adults and 3 children onboard. That's twelve souls which makes it a big ask. Good luck but I think you will be having some going by road.