1993 Captiva 209 Capacity

[bdemerath]

I recently purchased a 1993 Captiva 209 BR with 4.3LX engine.  The boat doesn't have a capacity sticker in it.  Maybe it never had one, or maybe the prior owner took it off.  Anyone with the same boat have the sticker and can let me know the capacities?  I realize that this boat doesn't need one per CG laws, and I know of the rough formula for LxW divided by 15.  I would just like a little more peace of mind by knowing what Rinker and NMMA calculated for a capacity.  Thanks in advance for any info.

[nlma1995]

I have the exact same boat.  I had the same question as mine doesn't have a capacity sticker either.  I did the "length beam" calculation and came up with a ridiculous capacity like (11) people.  I can fit (8) comfortably and that is about all I will do.  I owned a 1989, 17' Thompson bowrider previously and it's sticker capacity was (9) so I figure I'm pretty safe with only (8) in this larger boat.

If you find out for sure I would like to know also.

[bdemerath]

Thanks for the response.

Unfortunately, we may never know.  The Rinker parts department said they didn't have that sticker anymore and gave me the phone number to NMMA and said they could provide a replacement.  I called them today and they said they don't do that.  At this point I don't care about the sticker itself.  I would just like to the official rating.  I plan on getting back in touch with Rinker next seek (Parts is closed this week) to see if they can at least find the specs and give them to me.  I'll post back if I get any info from them.

I agree that the calculation of 11 is too much. Looking at other similar boats, I'm pretty confident that it would be rated for 10 people, but they calculate it using an average weight of 140 lbs so it also depends on who is on board.  With a couple of smaller kids I'd feel comfortable stretching it to 9, and that's just for days with a short ride to the sand bar to beach it and play in the water.

BTW, I saw a thread of yours from a while back about the single/double axle trailer.  I too have a single axle trailer and wish they had set it up as a double axle.  Like you said, the tires bulge.  But after 15 years it's still in fine shape so I guess it's ok.

[nlma1995]

It's funny/coincidental that you mentioned the trailer thread.  I just spent an hour changing a tire on my trailer because in developed a broken radial belt and put a hole through the bottom of the tread.  I looked at the load rating on the tires that are on there and they are at the low end.  I'm going to go with a load rating of "E" now instead of "C" like the ones that are on there.

[bdemerath]

Well, glad to hear it wasn't a blowout.  I too have "C" tires and plan on replacing them soon with a higher range tire.  They look great but they are probably long overdue for replacement.  Every place I look says to replace them at least every 5 years, not necessarily based on mileage or wear.  I know they are much older than that.

[nlma1995]

Discount tire:
Carlyle ST225 75/R15 Load rating "E"
$305.00 out the door

I wanted GoodYear, but they don't sell them in that size.

[bdemerath]

I too would prefer the Goodyear Marathon, but I'm at 14" and they don't offer anything more than a "C" range in that size.  You had mentioned about how much your old tires bulged.  Thought you might like to see the Goodyear bulletin I found on TireRack.com. (attached) Says that if you want to exceed 65 MPH, you should increase the pressure by 10psi in order to increase the max speed in the 65-75 range.  Just thougt it was interesting that they would publish that. Not a long term solution in my book.  But that would have taken the bulge out!!

[nlma1995]

update on the tires.....the family and I went down to the river today and the new tires handled very well on the trip there.  I didn't see the bulge as the old tires had.  Hopefully these work out.

[bdemerath]

I got in touch with Dave at Rinker.  While they didn't have any replacement stickers given the age of the boat, he was able to give me the capacity specifications.  It is 8 people or 1,200 lbs.