How heavy's a person?

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How heavy\'s a person?

...for the purposes of the RCD CE categories? I ask because I'm pondering acquiring a trailer sailer for self, wife and 3 small kids. One boat I'm musing over is a cape cutter 19, which is cat. C for 4 peeps. Although my 3 urchins are presently small and cute and collectively weigh less than 60 kilos, I'm conscious that in not too short a time, they'll be hulking great teenagers weighing a good bit more, so I'm trying to work out how long we could sail on this boat for before requiring something bigger. I'm aware that cockpit space will also be an issue, weather conditions will be a big factor, and kids over 13 rarely get out of bed anyway, but is 100kg a universal rule of thumb for the weight of a theoretical EC person ? Do you also have to deduct the weight of other kit on the boat (eg outboard) from the people carrying capacity? Strangely the RCD seems to leave it up to the builder to decide what constitutes the weight of a "person".

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Re: How heavy\'s a person?

I think you should ignore the EU or whoever decides and try the boat for size! when it gets too crowded you need a bigger one, its only if people are going to use vessels commercially they'll look at regulations as to max capacity. Nearly every boat tender under MCA is spec'd for less than they are usually used for, our supposed 3 man was capable of 4 easily in flat water, but in rough weather even 2 was getting a bit busy!
Your not going to sink the boat unless you load in too many crates of beer when you sail to france! after all boats have to carry a lot of weight other than passengers or crew and there are no rules for this!
Getting the right boat for you is more important....thats what I reckon anyhow....happy sailing

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Re: How heavy\'s a person?

mine seems to relate 8 people to 600kg - don't know if this is a common equation; and certainly don't want to get too deep into whether it's valid!

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Re: How heavy\'s a person?

Much more important than weight is bunk arrangement so kids can't fall out if you have a lean on and it’s a bit bumpy. Small kids often take to a bunk in these conditions along with their Teddy.

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Nigl leads a sheltered life

And doesn't realise that a <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.buyclothing.net/Sexy-Teddy.htm> teddy</A> is no longer the same thing as a teddy bear.

At least, I think that's what he meant

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>
 
Re: How heavy\'s a person?

It based on the weight of the person on the Clapham omnibus .. 8.5 stones due to war rationing .. hope that helps

<hr width=100% size=1>I Have The Body Of A God... Buddha
 
Re: How heavy\'s a person?

Bear in mind that the RCD categories are quite arbitrary.

RCD Category C is defined as Inshore, Significant Wave Height Up to & including 2m, Wind (Beaufort) Up to & including 6.

The Cape Cutter 19 shares that category with most sailing dinghies. Just how Brussels considers that the CC19 should be equated with (for example) a RS800 is a mystery to me.

Dare I suggest that the RCD is another piece of almost entirely useless bureaucracy... of no real benefit to the end user, costly to comply with, and serving to exclude perfectly safe boats built elsewhere from the EU market.

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Re: How heavy\'s a person?

>>>
Dare I suggest that the RCD is another piece of almost entirely useless bureaucracy... of no real benefit to the end user, costly to comply with, and serving to exclude perfectly safe boats built elsewhere from the EU market.
>>>
Exactly. A friend in the Gulf wanted to buy a locally built high spec Gulfcraft, due to a very good deal available (strong smell of baksheesh). He was prepared to wear the VAT and shipping cost when he came home. The cost and administrative palaver of obtaining RCD compliance was too much on top and the plan fell through. Even the company offering to sort out compliance suggested that it was "EU protectionism design to support sales of boats whose maker's name ends in ...eau"

<hr width=100% size=1>Two beers please, my friend is paying.
 
Re: How heavy\'s a person?

We use an average weight for an adult child and infant for the purpose of weight and balance calculation for commercial aircraft.

I can tell you that this has steadily increased over the years and when I started in this business it was about 10kg less than it is now.. says something doesn't it?

We at Switzerlands favourite use adult 88kg child 35kg including 10kg hand baggage.

Different companies use different standart weights JAL prob use 55kg and United 120kgs!

I once did a calculation for a 29ft boat that I was casting a lead keel for and it is quite amazing how little difference a tonne makes to the height of the waterline of a boat ( it was somthing like an inch). However trim is somthing different and yr 4 big teens will make a big difference especially if the stern is quite narrow..mind you they most likely will never sail with you so it wont matter..

Regds Nick

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtsite.co.uk/fairweather>http://www.yachtsite.co.uk/fairweather</A>

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Re: How heavy\'s a person?

many thanks for all your helpful replies - I think the answer is (as suggested) to try one. For what it's worth, I've since discovered that Honnor Marine (who build the CC19 and the Devon Lugger) seem to work on the basis that one person = 75kg, which means that I am 1.06 people and will have to go on a diet.

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Re: How heavy\'s a person?

I wonder if the insurance companies will start to use the RCD as a get out of jail free clause?

As Castaway said; Wouldn't worry too much. When the kids become teenagers, they'll have other things on their mind than sailing in any case.

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I love your optimism

2 of them wont want to go near it after 18 months then there'll be GCSE's and that'll mean you'll be on your own matey as wee wifie will be supervising revision
So what you have is many hands to help out for the first couple of seasons until you get used to it, then you'll have it all to yourself. After that, there's only one thing to do, buy something bigger for when there's just the two of you, funny old game, life, don't you think

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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I think physical volume will cater first ...

Your decision will most likely NOT be based on Kg's - but physical volume of people filling the cockpit / cabin etc. and you'll decide to move up before weight decides for you.

Three on a boat less than 26ft is enough anyway ..... I regularly carry 4 on my 25ft'r and there are times I wish one would swim ..... what was that my love ????? (joke !)


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ... and of course Yahoo groups :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/
 
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