Here is what I dug up at Boat US on the capacity plate: "Under the U.S. Coast Guard Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971, boats less than 20 feet powered with an inboard, outboard, or stern drive engine manufactured after November 1, 1972, must display a capacity plate defining the safe load limits. This plate must be mounted where you can see it when preparing to get underway." Here is the reference: http://www.boatus.com/foundation/guide/boat_1.html Here is what I found on the HIN stamped in the transom from Boat US: "Your vessel will also have (if manufactured since 1972) a Hull Identification Number which is the 12 digit serial number of your vessel. This number is usually located on the upper right portion of the vessels' transom. This number indicates the boat manufacturer, its serial number, and the month and year of production. This number is used to register the boat, and to identify an individual boat." Here is the reference: http://www.boatus.com/foundation/guide/boat_4.html It looks like (after) Nov 1972 is the date. jim
When I purchased my 18' it had no capacity plate mounted anywhere. I do not know if it was because the boat was not finished, and just in a shell form, or what. Who knows? Just thought I would throw in my 2 cents here.
Very Interesting!! Mark Bano wrote back in April '07, "My boat had a blank capacity plate (the boxes for the numbers did not have formal, etched numbers in them). In the HP box, someone, whether the factory or someone later - I don't know - etched with an electric tool the following ("2-150HP) which apparently meant 2 engines at 150 HP each." Funny,, my plate had the exact same thing, "2 - 150" etched on the plate. I now believe that they came from the manufacturer's this way. (sorry for the poor picture quality,, this picture is slightly better than the others and if you zoom in on the plate you can make out the HP rating at 2 - 150) Kevin
OK,, second cup of coffee has me thinkin now. Would these boats have been rated at a max HP of "2 -150" because there was no such thing as a single 300 HP engine back in the early 70's?? Was the Merc straight 6 150 HP outboard engine the largest outboard in production at that time?? I think I know the answer,, but can anyone verify this. Thanks, Kevin
Here is more information for you to wonder about. Stranny has a '78 with a 300 hp Coast Guard capacity plate: http://www.hydrodyners.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=459&p=2461#p2461 jim
My `76 OB came with the capacity plate unattached to the hull. The boat has an upholstered coaming pad that matches the interesting(?) upholstered back-to-back seats so I guess there was no good place to mount a plate. For the record, it does say "2-150" for the HP rating. I believe 1976 was the first year the 200 HP Johnson was available. According to the literature I have collected, that was the biggest outboard available in '76. Scott
I think the boats with the pads on the sides and dash were called the Imperial model. My boat had the pads on it when I got it but didn't have the original seats. Here is a pic of one: http://www.fiberglassics.com/forms/foru ... rk_Gallant
