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Federal capacity plate rules cover which boats?

Monohull boats under 20 feet, with some exceptions.

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  1. All boats over 26 feet
  2. Only sailboats and kayaks
  3. Monohull boats under 20 feet ✔

Why: 33 CFR 183 requires capacity markings on monohull boats under 20 feet, except sailboats, canoes, kayaks and inflatables. The plate shows maximum persons, maximum weight and maximum horsepower.

Huh, didn't know that: For a boat with no plate, the guide's rough rule is length times width divided by 15 for the number of 150 pound people.

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References

Answer: Monohull boats under 20 feet. 33 CFR 183 requires capacity markings on monohull boats under 20 feet, except sailboats, canoes, kayaks and inflatables. The plate shows maximum persons, maximum weight and maximum horsepower.

  1. 33 CFR 183.21 Applicability www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-S/part-183/subpart-B/section-183.21
    This subpart applies to monohull boats less than 20 feet in length, except sailboats, canoes, kayaks, and inflatable boats.
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  2. 33 CFR 183.23 Capacity marking required www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-S/part-183/subpart-B/section-183.23
    and the maximum horsepower capacity determined under § 183.53 or the statement “This Boat Not Rated for Propulsion by a Motor”.
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  3. USCG A Boater's Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats (2023) www.uscgboating.org/assets/1/AssetManager/Boaters-Guide-to-Federal-Requirements-for-Receational-Boats-20231108.pdf
    Maximum Number of Persons = Boat Length X Boat Width/15.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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