Having a pontoon boat is a great way to enjoy your vacations whether it’s with family or friends. And while you can enjoy tons of different activities on board, you might start to question the right capacity of a pontoon boat.
If you want to find out more about pontoon boat capacity and how many people and/or equipment you can fit on the deck, this article has got you covered!
Today, I’ll provide you with a brief yet comprehensive guide on everything you need to know regarding this topic. So without further ado, let’s head right in!
How to Find Your Pontoon Boat Capacity
There are plenty of ways to find the weight capacity of any pontoon boat. Of course, the easiest one is by checking the model of the pontoon boat whether online or by looking for the suggested weight capacity by the manufacturer.
There’s also another way to find out the weight capacity of the pontoon boat, which is by finding the capacity plate sticker on the boat.
This sticker is considered a legal requirement by the U.S. Coast Guard within the borders and should be in a clear view of the captain’s helm.
In most cases, it should be pretty easy to spot the sticker because of the flashy color. When you check this sticker, you’ll find that it states different aspects of the pontoon boat. These include:
- Number of people allowed on the pontoon boat
- The maximum weight limit of the boat
- The horsepower of the motor
Some pontoon boats may not come with the capacity plate sticker. But luckily, the sticker is readily available from many sources, including Amazon, where you can customize the weight capacity and number of persons according to your boat.
How Many People Can You Have on Your Pontoon Boat?
Each pontoon boat model is built differently and has unique specs, so a pontoon boat capacity will vary depending on these aspects.
Luckily, most manufacturers would provide you with a suggested maximum number of passengers.
However, you can always calculate the maximum weight limit and number of persons allowed on the boat based on weight.
Pontoon Tubes Volume Formula
There’s an easy formula that you can use to find out the weight limit of a pontoon boat. Ideally, a pontoon boat is designed as a deck that floats over pontoon tubes (usually two).
As a rule of thumb, most pontoon tubes are designed to carry 62 lbs per cubic foot of water. In other words, to find a pontoon boat’s capacity, you only need to find the volume of the pontoon tubes and multiply them by 62, then again according to the number of tubes you have.
After finding the maximum weight that the pontoon boat can handle, you can subtract the weight of all the gear, chairs, and objects that are found onboard. The remaining amount is the overall weight capacity left for humans.
The average weight of an adult is about 160 to 180 lbs, so you can divide the remaining lbs by 170 to get a picture of the number of people you can have on board.
Standard Deck Sizes
The overall weight capacity isn’t the only factor that you should keep in mind while figuring out the maximum number of passengers on your pontoon boat.
The deck size also has a huge significance in that matter as you should make sure that people are sitting comfortably on board with enough deck space for everyone.
Luckily, there’s a standard deck sizing system that most manufacturers use when figuring out the ideal passenger capacity, and is now considered a golden rule.
This one states that a 17 to 19 feet pontoon boat is considered a small one, which is enough for use in calm and limited bodies of water, which should be enough for up to 8 passengers.
Pontoon boats that average between 20 to 22 feet are middle-sized pontoon boats, which are suitable for offering a little more space to invite up to 13 or 14 passengers on the deck.
However, if you want the maximum number of passengers on a recreational boat, you need a 23 to 28 feet pontoon boat, which is capable of accommodating up to 15 passengers comfortably.
How to Prepare a Pontoon Boat for Larger Crowds (Maximize Weight Capacity)
Here are some tips to make the most out of your available space:
- Make sure that you get rid of any unnecessary gear and gadgets because they can add up in weight
- If applicable, try to install a third pontoon tube to enhance the buoyancy of the boat
- Always arrange the passengers so that their weights are evenly distributed over the deck.
Will A Pontoon Boat Sink If You Exceed the Capacity
It’s quite rare for a pontoon boat to sink due to its design. However, these boats might still capsize or nosedive if you exceed the recommended pontoon boat capacity.
In fact, the weight capacity is not the only factor that can cause that because even if you’re under-capacity, cramming all the passengers on one side of the boat can easily cause it to tilt or capsize
What Else Can Happen If You Increase Pontoon Boat Load
In addition to capsizing and nosediving, there are other implications that may result due to using the pontoon boat beyond its maximum capacity.
For example, you might suffer from a huge decline in the boat’s performance, such as failure to move, difficulty in handling, or extremely low speeds.
Moreover, some state laws will require you to pay a fine if you exceed the stated weight limit that is stated on the capacity plate sticker.
Wrap Up
In the end, I hope that this guide has helped you find out more about the pontoon boat capacity and how to measure it.
As you can see, the capacity of your pontoon boat is controlled by how much weight it can carry safely.
Remember to always check the weight capacity of your boat or the one you’re going to buy and make sure that it suits your needs and the number of people you’re planning to invite on board!