Passenger Capacity ?

TwoRivers

Deckhand
Joined
May 26, 2012
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Little Rock Arkansas
Boat Make
BHM Flyepointe 32' 1989
In light of the recent catastrophe in Long Island where the boat capsized and three children drowned ,what is the safe passenger capacity for my boat,a 32 ' BHM ? Also I've been reading about types of hulls, builtdown ,displacement, etc. Also, my boat is powered with a 5.9 BTA Cummins and top speed is about 11 knots ? Is this normal ? What kind of hull do I have ?;)

DSCN1463.jpg
 
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greg

Commodore
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Sep 3, 2011
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Point Judith, RI
In light of the recent catastrophe in Long Island where the boat capsized and three children drowned ,what is the safe passenger capacity for my boat,a 32 ' BHM ? Also I've been reading about types of hulls, builtdown ,displacement, etc. Also, my boat is powered with a 5.9 BTA Cummins and top speed is about 11 knots ? Is this normal ? What kind of hull do I have ?;)


There are way too many variables to give a blanket definition of how many people is a safe number. Sea conditions, weather, visibility, other boat traffic, the condition of your vessel, your skill as a pilot, the abilities of your passengers, etc, are all factors that would impact whether your boat is overloaded or at a safe capacity.

Boats larger than 20 feet aren't required to post a capacity plate. I doubt bhm has one for their boats, but might have a working load limit since these are work boats.

From the looks of your picture, I'd say by 10 people you would be running into each other and while safe, your guests wouldn't be comfortable. ;)

As for speed, your engine at 250 hp is only going to push that boat so fast. It sounds about right, but what you want to check is whether you can hot the manufacturers spec for max rpm's when wot. Each engine has a max rpm rating, and you should be able to hit it at wot. If you can't, you are either over propped or have an issue that needs attention. Neither is good.

Barring that, enjoy life at a leisurely pace. ;)
 

MDI45

Admiral
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Sep 1, 2011
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Freeport , new york
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45MDI /28WB
TwoRivers,Greg layed it out very well for you about passengers...i feel that 12 on my boat is the max and it's 45 feet ....also your boat is a semi-displacment ..built down hull
 
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DBM

1st Mate
Joined
Sep 9, 2011
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Annapolis MD
I agree that there are too many variables. It should be a relatively easy call. I've got a RP 31 and i can get a two families of 6 on her comfortably but that only 4 adults and 8 little kids. our rule is everyone keeps two feet on the floor of the boat. We designed the boat with really high washboards so with the transom door locked no little kids are going anywhere.

Wieght wise we built her 100% composite. She's got a 5.9 cummins down below and her superstructure is very light. I'm convinced i could park a VW bug in the cockpit and not adversly effect the handling, but that's our boat. I have a friend who has an old silverton that when you put 4 people on the flybridge the boat becomes very unstable.

Use your best judgment would be my advice. If you are not comfortable, there is probalby a good reason for it.

take care and be safe,

DBM
 


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