Association Forum - Upper limit on passengers for C-250 WK?

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Upper limit on passengers for C-250 WK?

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Member Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/18/2013 : 14:08:19

A couple of friends of ours want to go crabbing with us this weekend. There would be a total of six adults and one child, who I'd guess at about 8 years old. Obviously the kid needs to be in a PFD, which we've got for him and lots of PFDs for the adults as well. The question is, how many can I get into the cockpit safely? The most I've ever had on board before was six people, and two of those were small children. None of the adults (other than me) are very big, so weight isn't really an issue. According to one calculator I've found on the interpipes, the theoretical carrying capacity of a C-250 is 14(!), which is ridiculous. I think I'm OK with six adults and a single child (other than a bit cramped), but wanted to run it by the sages here.

Edit: Looks like one of the couples has dropped out, so it's just the other couple & their son, so now no longer worried.

David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor

Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain --

Edited by - delliottg on 07/18/2013 14:11:17

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2013 : 18:30:52

My question is why you would want to have that many people on board? Can't be very comfortable with people on top of people. I feel cramped when it's just my wife and I. Then again maybe if I lost some weight...

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2013 : 19:24:11

Looks like it's no longer an issue, the other couple has dropped out as well, they have tickets to the baseball game.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2013 : 19:42:08

A couple of years ago I took out a couple with their 3 kids along with my wife and daughter. Won't do that again. I never felt unsafe (light wind that day) but man was it crowded. 4 adults + 4 kids = too many people on a small boat.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2013 : 19:57:19

I assume the formula you found was Length * Beam / 15, which is the default method for boats under 20', which are required to have a capacity plate. The incident on Long Island last year calls that formula to question--particularly whether it scales up past 20'. But I'd say your group would have been "safe" from a stability point of view. The question is whether it would be safe from an operational point of view--whether you could sail safely that way. (Your boat has a bigger cockpit than my C-25 did.)

One variable is how many of these people could be reliable crew--familiar with sailing and nautical procedures--perhaps able to help with a sheet instead of just being in the way. If the answer is nobody but you, I'd say you're overloaded for <i>sailing</i>--you could probably safely motor around in calm water. But consider a situation like somebody falling overboard (even you)--would anybody be able to help, or would you be dealing with a panicked crowd?

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 07/18/2013 19:57:54

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2013 : 20:17:57

Very much along the lines of what I was thinking Dave, and you're right about the formula, even though the version I found made no mention of 20' or less.

We've known these folks for several years, but this is the first time they've shown an interest, and I think the interest is more in the crabbing, than the sailing. Since it's now a moot point for this weekend, I'll have some time to find out if any of them actually know how to sail. I know I can depend on Rita, even if she doesn't think she's capable. I've seen her act when things started going south, and she's dependable if a bit excitable. All of them seem pretty level headed, but it's hard to know what someone's going to do in an emergency situation.

I'd agree motoring would probably have been the way to go unless it was a very calm day. Plus you need some deck space to empty a crab pot. We've been out crabbing with my best friend & his son, and that's about the right amount of people with enough deck space to work in.

I think we'll offer to take them out again, but maybe only one couple per trip.

Edited by - on

Dave Brown
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
174 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2013 : 20:31:56

I run a small sailing school
in the area, and have only 4 + myself for the class, (and a reefed sail) .
But I have had 7 + myself for a day sail with friends.
( 6 in the cockpit and 2 on the bird seats.) on a nice day " I never push the envelop".
Now for the ones who say NAY, I say, do you own a 250 ?
And just to let you know, the wind was less than 15mph. and I was reefed.
The more people, the more you should know what your doing +
the lower the wind speed.
My 2 cents worth.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2013 : 07:20:34

Another consideration--especially with people who are not familiar with sailing... How many people can fit on one side of the cockpit? People without sailing experience are generally at least a little uncomfortable with the boat "tipping", and even more uncomfortable being on the "low side." There will have to be some moving around, and enough space to help minimize the discomfort. You and Rita might have to be moving to the leeward side.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.