How Many

[Dave_Knowles]

Hi,

This may be a piece of string question but on my Cleopatra 7m what is the maximum number of people that could be safely carried across the solent in reasonable conditions. The reason for asking this is that the Cowes fireworks are looming and I know that as soon as I say that I am going in the boat everyone will want to come so it would be useful to draw on the forums knowledge before offering a place to too many.



<hr width=100% size=1>Take care.

Dave

Dave Knowles
Southampton - UK

http://www.MyCleopatra.co.uk<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Dave_Knowles on 30/06/2003 14:57 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Chris_d]

Think the legal maximum is 12, then you become a passenger vessel and need license , liferafts etc.. But that may be too much on a 7m boat, have to use common sense i would say and knowledge of your boat and abilities.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[MedDreamer]

Does your boat havs an CE marking/RCD plate? If it does it will say the maximum number allowed. If it does not I suggest you look at RCD rating for a similar design/size boat.

<hr width=100% size=1>Martyn

 

[jhr]

Your boat will be, ahem, a little pre RCD days, so probably no helpful hints on passenger numbers or weight limits are available. A modern mobo of this size will probably be certified to take 8 people but that would be a hell of a squash and might not be desirable in the Solent on one of the busiest nights of the year. I'd recommend 6, maximum.

Have you ever been off Cowes on fireworks night? It's total screaming chaos and I'd only recommend it to the stout hearted or insane. Lots of p*ss artists dashing around far too fast, confused seas, general disorder and (apparently) last year the Old Bill sat outside the entrance to the Hamble with their blue lights flashing when people were going home, ruining everybody's night vision and obscuring several crucial lights. My advice is to stay at home and have a nice cup of cocoa.



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Dave_Knowles]

Thanks for the response. Yes I have been to Cowes many time in the past but this will be the first time in my boat. We were going last year but due to weather we decided to stay at home. One good point is I will be coming frome the Bucklers Hard so I will miss the absolute madness up Southampton Water.



<hr width=100% size=1>Take care.

Dave

Dave Knowles
Southampton - UK

http://www.MyCleopatra.co.uk

 

[jleaworthy]

I had a clinker built 24' lifeboat once. That was certified to carry 33 passengers. Just make sure your buoyancy tanks are in place.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Solitaire]

I presume you are talking about 7 metres? Thats 21 foot give or take. I'd say 6 (as long as they don't all weigh 15 stone!) at the most, including yourself if you want get on the plane(I don't know the boat and again I'm assuming it is a planning hull) - you've only got an AQ 151 petrol. As others have said it gets frisky on the way home - just make sure you have life jackets for them all.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[duncan]

I (the boat) am 7.8m and displace around 2900 kg wet. My CE gives 8 persons.
I would thought 5-6 for yours in 'sheltered waters' - ie around 500 kg
Can you ask the manufacturer at all?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[BarryH]

No more than you can comfortably seat in the cockpit. So I'd say 5 maybe six at the max. Its all very well taking 7 or 8, but people don't stay in the same place for long and tend to want to wander about.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[BrendanS]

I've a similar sized boat which is CE plated 6 persons. If nice conditions 6 ok for such a short trip, but bouncing around in the Solent if sea conditions aren't 'slight' you'll have much happier passengers if you stick to 4 or maybe 5

<hr width=100% size=1>Err, let me know if Depsol enters the forum, I'll go and hide

 

[hlb]

Then again. There was the ferry that everyone went to one side to look at the dolphins and......................../forums/images/icons/frown.gif

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[BrendanS]

Ahhhh! Hadn't heard of that one

That's why they have CE plates. If it's CE rated for 6 people, they should all be able to stand on one side without it sinking (wouldn't fancy trying that in rough conditions though) whereas if you take 14 out you're asking for trouble

Best bet is not to point out the dolphins to the passengers /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Err, let me know if Depsol enters the forum, I'll go and hide

 

[longjohnsilver]

Bit difficult to ask Cleopatra, they went out of business years and years ago!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[kingfisher]

life jackets

Hope you have enough PFD's?

<hr width=100% size=1>Group of people on the pontoon: skipper is the one with the toolbox.
http://sirocco31.tripod.com