1960’s Boat with No Capacity Plate

[pool-13]

I recently bought a 1960’s old flat boat that was built in someone’s garage. It is an old commercial fishing flat boat and is rock solid aluminum and they don’t build them like this anymore. I am told that because it was built prior to the U.S. Coast Guard Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971 which states “boats less than 20 feet powered with an inboard, outboard, or stern drive engine manufactured after November 1, 1972, must display a capacity plate defining the safe load limits.” I found this info after hours digging on the internet, however I doubt “I read it on the internet” would hold up to a new NWS or IDNR officer in my area or where ever I trailer the boat to. Has anyone else had to prove the capacity worthiness of an old boat in a safety inspection? Thoughts

[oldemtr]

I don’t think it will be a problem – I think it’s really a requirement for the manufacturers, not homebuilt .
I do know, that in some states, having a TITLE for the boat (if it’s a powerboat), or, if from out of state, a current registration, can be the deal killer –
Here in Florida, that issue has sent more boats to the dump, than I like to think about .
If you go to register an old boat, they just assume it’s stolen, and you have to prove otherwise.

[pool-13]

Thanks, but do you mean “not” having a title? I do have a title for this boat.

[oldemtr]

If you have a title, and it’s registered, I’ll bet you’ll be fine – I think the DNR officers are just concerned if you have current registration numbers on it.
Those registration fees are what helps pay their salaries, so they have a vested interest in that.
Boats are painted all the time, and most of those manufacturers capacity decals, stuck on the back of a seat or somewhere, are history.

To register a boat in Florida (Which I think is pretty strict about this stuff), for a commercially made boat with a manufacturers hull number,
I’ve only had to hand them the signed over title, or current out of state registration, and bill of sale.

If a home built, with no hull number, a DNR officer may have to come out to look at it, and confirm it’s as you say – He then submits a form, and you can register it.
No safety inspection, unless it’s for commercial / passenger use.

But I don’t know – Maybe where you are, it’s different.

[crosbyman]

You may be able to get a capacity plate from the authorities… years ago I purchased my Crosby… Cruisette with no capacity plate. The Gov. folks sent me a form and I simply indicated the boat type, shape etc … and provided cross measurements every 2 feet from back to front along with the depth measurements .

They analyzed the numbers and generated a capacity plate for me .. voila ! took some time…. they don’t work very fast but it came in the mail.

Rated at 90hp that thing ran great with my Merc Classic 50

shouldn’t have sold it 🙁 It is R.I. P on a lot next to my cottage burning under the sun waiting for a savior….

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

• This reply was modified 4 years, 11 months ago by crosbyman.

[oldemtr]

If you’re really concerned about it, you can roll your own :~) :

https://www.outboarddecals.com/boat_capacity_decal_generic_type_b_us_coast_guard1

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