Person capacity

[50-Desoto]

I have a 1986 44 foot Gibson Standard houseboat, It doesn't have a capacity placard, I need to know how many people can be on the boat?

[easttnboater]

Houseboats do not have capacity limits. In my opinion, you should never have more people on your boat than you can keep track of. Most people that visit me are lake novices. They have no idea the dangers on a boat and on the water. Make sure you give them the safety talk and make sure they wear flotation - at least while underway or in the water. If you are only concerned about the effect on the trim of the boat, then it is much more about weight and distribution than it is about number of people.

[50-Desoto]

Thank for the info easttnboater.

[BananaTom]

I kept 30 life jackets on my 36' Gibson, and would put that many people on board for events Like 4th of July Fireworks.

[42gibson]

I never let more on than I can comfortably seat.

[Stmbtwle]

I agree with Easttnboater and 42gibson. PROPERLY DISTRIBUTED, houseboats can handle a lot more weight than is safe to carry. However people move around; should 20 or so decide to go up on the roof or onto the bow for a better view, handling and/or stability can be compromised. Then there's the problem of keeping track of everyone, particularly children. Maybe I just don't like crowds; if I wanted to run a tour boat I'd have a tour boat and charge admission.

[Fork-lift-king]

It will "PARTY" fifty but, it only sleeps TWO.

[Ike]

I would suggest you ask Gibson what they consider a safe number of passengers. http://www.gibsonboats.com/default.htm. As has been mentioned above weight distribution is all important. Too many people on the fly bridge will have a much greater affect on stability than the same number on a lower deck. ABYC (abyicinc.org) now requires a label on the flybridge that specifies how many people can safely be on the flybridge. The important issue here is stability. A surveyor or a naval architect could do an inclining experiment and tell you exactly how many you can carry but it wouldn't be cheap. That's what the USCG does on small passenger (for hire) vessels to determine how many passengers they can carry.

[42gibson]

I would suggest you ask Gibson what they consider a safe number of passengers. http://www.gibsonboats.com/default.htm. As has been mentioned above weight distribution is all important. Too many people on the fly bridge will have a much greater affect on stability than the same number on a lower deck. ABYC (abyicinc.org) now requires a label on the flybridge that specifies how many people can safely be on the flybridge. The important issue here is stability. A surveyor or a naval architect could do an inclining experiment and tell you exactly how many you can carry but it wouldn't be cheap. That's what the USCG does on small passenger (for hire) vessels to determine how many passengers they can carry.

when did Gibson reopen ?

[JTAlberts]

Just a matter of time. Getting permits ironed out....