Boat Capacity & Safety Calculator — Know Your Vessel's Safe Passenger and Gear Limits

Vessel Details

Vessel Length (feet)

Vessel Type

Life Raft On Board?

Yes No

Number of Life Jackets

Capacity & Safety

Maximum Passengers

—

Maximum Gear Weight —

Safety Equipment —

Compliance Note —

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How It Works

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Enter Vessel Info

Input your boat's length, type, and current safety equipment. The calculator uses USCG guidelines and industry standards to determine safe capacity.

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Get Capacity Limits

See the maximum number of passengers and gear weight your vessel can safely carry. These estimates account for vessel type and hull design differences.

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Check Compliance

Instantly see if your safety equipment meets requirements. The calculator flags missing life jackets and recommends additional equipment for your vessel size.

Manage Your Charter Fleet with Reservety

Track vessel capacity, manage passenger manifests, and handle safety compliance for your charter fleet. Reservety keeps your operations organized and legal.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is boat passenger capacity determined?

For boats under 26 feet, the USCG requires a capacity plate showing maximum passengers and weight. The general formula is based on vessel length, beam width, and hull type. As a rough guide, multiply the boat's length by its width and divide by 15 to get the maximum number of people. This calculator uses vessel type to refine the estimate since catamarans and cruisers have more usable space than dinghies.

How many life jackets do I need on a boat?

Federal law requires one USCG-approved life jacket per person on board, plus one throwable device (Type IV) for boats 16 feet and longer. Children under 13 must wear their life jacket at all times in most states. For rental operations, always carry extra life jackets in various sizes to accommodate all passengers.

Do I need a life raft on my boat?

Life rafts are not required by the USCG for recreational vessels, but they are strongly recommended for boats operating more than a few miles offshore. For charter and rental operations, having a life raft on vessels over 20 feet adds a critical layer of safety and may reduce your insurance premiums.