What is the best way to avoid overloading your boat?

The most effective way to avoid overloading your boat is to not exceed the limits listed on the capacity plate. The capacity plate provides essential guidelines that ensure safety by indicating the maximum number of people and total weight the boat can safely carry, including gear and equipment. Adhering to these limits helps maintain proper balance and stability while ensuring that the boat can operate within its designed performance parameters.

While distributing weight evenly throughout the boat is important for maintaining stability, it doesn't address the overall weight limit set forth on the capacity plate. Using a smaller boat for larger groups can be an alternative, but it could also lead to an extreme situation if the smaller boat is overloaded. Removing unnecessary gear is beneficial for reducing weight, but to ensure compliance with safety standards, the first step is always to respect the capacity plate's specifications.