Types and Capacities of PWC

A very important point to remember is that PWC are powerboats, not toys.

Over 90 percent of all recreational boats in use today are less than 20 feet in length. More than half of those are less than 16 feet long. Most PWC are 7 to 12 feet long and are regarded simply as boats less than 16 feet, making them subject to the same laws and requirements as all other powerboats of that size. In addition, PWCs are often prohibited from night operation. Even in states where nighttime operation is not prohibited, the USPS, Personal Watercraft manufacturers, the Coast Guard, and PWCSafetySchool.com strongly recommend against it.

Stand-up Model	Sit-down Model

Personal watercraft, or PWC, are boats that use an inboard motor to power a water jet pump, the primary source of motive power. They are designed to be operated by someone sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than sitting or standing inside it. States may have adopted other definitions of PWC. Be aware of your state's definition and laws relating to them. PWCs are boats and therefore subject to the same rules.

There are several types of personal watercraft and they differ in performance, stability, and the amount of skill necessary to operate them. Some have the capacity for one person while others can carry up to three people or even four people. Boats have a capacity plate on them. Check your owner's manual and on the PWCs onboard label to determine the load capacity of your PWC. Vessel capacity is critical, especially when dealing with stability and PWCs. Do not exceed the recommended capacity. Doing so is unsafe. Exceeding the recommended limits will change the operating characteristics of your PWC and may put you in danger. In addition, many states have laws stating that no person is to operate a vessel beyond the maximum weight capacity, person capacity or horsepower capacity as identified on the vessel's capacity label.

On motorized boats less than 20 feet in length Federal law requires boat builders to place a capacity plate in sight of the helm (steering area). Usually capacity plates are found on the port or starboard side of the helm or at the stern. The capacity plate must cover three important items: the maximum weight of persons on board in pounds, the maximum carrying weight of the vessel in pounds and the maximum horsepower recommended for the boat.

The capacity information, located near the operator's position, will tell you the number of people, total weight and maximum power your boat can safely accommodate. The information is also available in the owner's manual. Don't exceed these limits.

This picture is a capacity plate most commonly seen on personal watercraft.	This picture shows where a capacity plate is usually located on a PWC.

Always check the capacity plate (like the ones above) to make sure you are not overloading or over-powering the vessel. Too many people (and/or gear) will also cause the boat to become unstable. Always balance the load so that your vessel maintains proper trim. Remember that the capacity plate limits are suitable for normal operating conditions. In rough seas, bad weather or when operating in congested areas you will want to carry a lighter load.

PWC Characteristics

One thing that all personal watercraft have in common is that they are designed to allow you to fall overboard and safely re-board the boat with little risk if you follow safety and manufacturer guidelines. This reduced risk is because the jet propulsion system in personal watercraft replaces the usual rudder and propeller on the outside of a boat's hull.

Motorboats fall into one of four categories of vessels depending on length. The categories are:

• Less than 16 feet



• 16 to less than 26 feet



• 26 to less than 40 feet



• 40 to less than 65 feet

Most PWCs fit into the Deep Vee Hull category. The design provides a relatively smooth ride and the ability to bank in sharp turns. Other hull shapes include the Flat Bottom Hulls that have a shallow draft, which is ideal for fishing. Round Bottom Hull boats move easily through the water while Multi-Hull boats feature stability because of their wide beam.

BOAT TYPES AND USES	PWC TYPES AND USES
There are many types of boats: Powerboats, sailboats, and paddleboats. Powerboats have many different types and uses, with a variety of engines and hull designs.	Three Main Styles: Stand-up, sit-down sport class (one or two people) and sit-down for three to four people. The stand-up style carries only one person, who stands while operating the vessel, while the sit- down style has seats for one to four people.
Flat Bottom Hull Has a shallow draft that is often used for fishing on small lakes and rivers. Handles rough waters.	Main Components: Hull, deck, throttle, "kill" switch with an attached lanyard, and steering nozzle.
Deep Vee Hull Provides a smoother ride than a Flat Bottom Hull but needs more power to move as fast. This type has a tendency to roll on sharp turns.	Safety Devices: US Coast Guard approved fire extinguisher, sound signaling device, backfire flame arrestor that is clean and well secured, and ventilation of the engine compartment in order to clear the compartment of fumes.
Round Bottom Hull Moves easily through the water at slow speeds. Sailboats often employ a Round Bottom Hull. This type needs a keel or stabilizers.
Multi-Hull The wide beam means greater stability but this boat type needs a large area to turn.
Flat Bottom and Deep Vee Hull are what are known as planing hulls which means they ride on top of the water. Round Bottom and Multi-Hull are displacement hulls which means they plow through the water.
Powerboats come in classes, determined by length, and each class has its own set of rules and regulations for trailering and required safety equipment. Sailboats also come in a variety of sizes and designs and have four basic parts: hull, sails, centerboard or keel, and rudder. Paddleboats include canoes, rafts, kayaks, utility boats and rowing shells and are each used in a different manner. Some are used in flat-water, some in white water and others on the ocean.

Documented Vessels

A PWC can not be a documented vessel.

Recreational boats 5 net tons and over and owned by a U. S. citizen may be documented by the U. S. Coast Guard. This includes, but is not limited to, vessels used exclusively for recreational purposes and vessels used in foreign trade. A vessel of less than five net tons is excluded from documentation.

Upon application for any Certificate of Documentation the owner of a vessel must designate a hailing port to be marked upon the vessel. The hailing port must be a place in the United States included in the U.S. Department of Commerce's Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 55DC. The hailing port must include the State, territory, or possession in which it is located. The Director, National Vessel Documentation Center, has final authority to settle disputes as to the propriety of the hailing port designated.

The hailing port of the vessel must be marked on some clearly visible exterior part of the stern of the vessel. The official number of the vessel, must be marked in block-type Arabic numerals not less than three inches in height on some clearly visible interior structural part of the hull. The number must be permanently affixed to the vessel so that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious.

For vessels having a square bow, the name of the vessel must be marked on some clearly visible exterior part of the bow in a manner to avoid obliteration. The name and hailing port must be marked on some clearly visible exterior part of the stern.

For vessels documented exclusively for recreation, the name and hailing port must be marked together on some clearly visible exterior part of the hull.

Contact the U. S. Coast Guard Documentation Center at 1-800-799-8362 for more information. PWCs do not meet the tonnage requirements for vessel documentation.