F26 Model 261 1978 Capacity Placard

[ochie629]

IMG_5441.jpg (69.63 KiB) Viewed 4911 times

I have a '78 F26 w/ flybridge, and we love it. The capacity plate is worn away, and I have the full owner's manual, but I can't find what the person capacity is for this vessel. Can anyone help? If you have an F-26, could you take and post a photo of your capacity placard? The Coast Guard tells us we don't have to have one, but we'd still like to know what it should say. Thank you!

[The Dog House]

I don't think my 1971 F26 ever had a capacity plate. Boats 26 feet and longer do not need them.

[gitchisum]

I have the same exact boat in a 1977 model year, no placard on mine.

Where is yours located on the boat?

[comodave]

Your boat probably did not have a capacity plate. If it is by the helm, it may have been the warning plate about running the bilge blower. A rough calculation for capacity is length in feet times beam in feet divided by 15. Keep in mind that this figures that the average person weighs 150 pounds... I would derate the calculated number.

[captainmaniac]

On a 26, I would probably draw the line on 10-12 people. I have had 17 on my F32 (hosting my sister's wedding), and won't do it again (32 length, 13 beam).

If you do load up, distribute people intelligently. Minimal number of people on the flybridge, or deck. Keep the weight low. Distribute it reasonably evenly port and starboard and forward/aft.

There are videos around of boats capsizing because of stupid captains overloading the boat and allowing too many people on the deck or flybridge (and then arguing the only reason the boat flipped was an errant wake.... B.S..... the reason it flipped is that the captain was criminally negligent!)

[comodave]

I know, the calculations for an F32 comes out to 27. I would not want more than 8 to 10 on my F32. It is too crowded and how would you keep track of 27 people anyway?

[The Dog House]

Underway I can't imagine having more than 5 people in the cockpit. The cockpit on an F26 is not very big. I'm hesitant to have people below decks when I'm underway because of the station wagon effect these boats have. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a possibility. I always keep my windshield vents open to try and minimize backdraft of the exhaust, but I still don't like having people below decks when I'm underway.

[Paul]

I believe the capacity plate on my 78 F-26 states max 7 persons. The next time that I'm at the marina, I'll take a picture of the plate and post it here for you.

[Paul]

I thought so, 7 people at 150 lbs each.

[ochie629]

Paul,
That's exactly what I needed. Thanks!