Loading Your Boat
Source: Transport Canada
Overloading your boat with people, equipment or both is dangerous. Your boat’s safety on the water depends on how much you put on the boat and where you put it. Too much weight will make your boat unstable and allow small waves to come on board. It will also reduce the amount your boat can roll before its sides dip under water. The higher the weight is carried on board, the more your boat is likely to roll, making it harder for it to return to normal.
As the boat operator, you should follow the recommended maximum safe limits on the Transport Canada compliance notice. But remember – these limits apply only in good weather and they assume that the weight is evenly distributed on board – so you should use your judgment when conditions are less than perfect. Keep the load as low as possible and secure equipment to keep it from shifting and making your boat unstable.
If your boat is over 6 m (19’8”), its compliance notice will not have any recommended limits. However, these boats can also become unstable, if overloaded. You should refer to your boat’s manufacturer for guidance and use your judgment when loading and operating the boat.
