Flotation - Preconditioning
Regardless of the flotation system, or the type of flotation materials used, the boat must be prepared and then pre-conditioned before beginning the test procedure. To prepare for preconditioning, the following must be done:
- the two largest air chambers, if used, must be vented at their high and low points.
- fuel tanks must be filled to their rated capacity with fuel and all external tank openings sealed.
- water tanks and holding tanks must be filled with water.
- provisions for flooded bait well, storage and iceboxes, and dry wells must be made.
- all compartments that may entrap air must be thoroughly vented.
- seats, seat cushions, and upholstery items must be vented so that they cannot entrap air.
Following preparation as outlined above, the boat must be pre-conditioned. Preconditioning consists of swamping the boat for 18 hours. Weights to simulate the outboard motor, controls and battery where applicable (outboard boats), the persons capacity, and the dead weight in accordance with the type of flotation system must be in place. At the end of the pre-conditioning, testing may begin. The type of test(s) to be performed will be determined by the type of flotation system used, i.e.: Basic, Level or Modified Level.
Subpart F – Inboard Boats, Inboard/Outdrive (Sterndrive) and Airboats
Inboard boats, Sterndrives and Airboats have to be submerged in fresh water for at least 18 hours. See 183.105.
Subpart G – Outboard Boats Rated for More Than 2 Horsepower
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FEDERAL LAW
183.220 - Preconditioning for tests
A boat must meet the following conditions for at least 18 hours before the tests required by Secs. 183.225, 183.230, and 183.235
(a) Manufacturer supplied permanent appurtenances such as windshields and convertible tops must be installed on the boat.
(b) The boat must be loaded with a quantity of weight that, when submerged, is equal to the sum of the following:
(1) The sum of 50 percent of the first 550 pounds of the persons capacity marked on the boat and 12-1/2 percent of the remainder of the persons capacity.
(2) Twenty-five percent of the result of the following calculation, but not less than zero: The maximum weight capacity marked on the boat; less the weight shown in Column 6 of Table 4 for maximum horsepower marked on the boat; less the persons capacity marked on the boat.
(c) The weights required by paragraph (b) of this section must be placed in the boat so that the center of gravity of each amount of weight required by paragraphs (b) (1) and (b) (2) of this section is within the shaded area illustrated in Figure 11. The location and dimensions of the shaded area are as follows:
(1) The shaded area is centered at the mid-length of the passenger carrying area and at the mid-breadth of the boat;
(2) The length of the shaded area, measured along the centerline of the boat, is equal to 40 percent of the length of the passenger carrying area of the boat; and
(3) The breadth of the shaded area, measured at the midlength of the passenger carrying area, is equal to 40 percent of the breadth of the passenger carrying area of the boat.
(d) Weight must be placed in the normal operating position of the motor and controls and the battery in lieu of this equipment. The required quantity of weight used for this purpose depends upon the maximum rated horsepower of the boat being tested and is specified in Columns 2 and 4 of Table 4 for the swamped weight of the motor and controls and for the submerged weight or the battery, respectively.
(e) Permanent fuel tanks must be filled with fuel and each external opening into the fuel tank must be sealed.
(f) The boat must be keel down in the water.
(g) The boat must be swamped, allowing water to flow between the inside and outside of the boat, either over the sides, through a hull opening, or both. Entrapped air in the flooded portion of the boat must be eliminated.
(h) Water must flood the two largest air chambers and all air chambers integral with the hull.
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NOTE: See Appendix A for Table 4. See Appendix B for 33 CFR Subpart H, Figures 2 – 13.
Subpart H – Flotation Requirements for Outboard Boats Rated for Engines of 2 Horsepower or Less
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FEDERAL LAW
183.320 - Preconditioning for tests
A boat must meet the following conditions for at least 18 hours before the tests required by Secs. 183.325, 183.330, and 183.335:
(a) Manufacturer supplied permanent appurtenances such as windshields, and convertible tops must be installed on the boat.
(b) The boat must be loaded with a quantity of weight that, when submerged, is equal to the sum of the following:
(1) Two-fifteenths of the persons capacity marked on the boat.
(2) Twenty-five percent of the result of the following calculation, but not less than zero: the maximum weight capacity marked on the boat; less the weight shown in column 6 of Table 4 for the maximum horsepower marked on the boat; less the persons capacity marked on the boat.
(c) The weights required by paragraph (b) of this section are placed in the boat so that the center of gravity of each amount of weight required by paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section is within the shaded area illustrated in Figure 11. The location and dimensions of the shaded area are as follows:
(1) The shaded area is centered at the mid-length of the passenger carrying area and at the mid-breadth of the boat;
(2) The length of the shaded area, measured along the centerline of the boat, is equal to 40 percent of the length of the passenger carrying area of the boat; and
(3) The breadth of the shaded area, measured at the mid-length of the passenger carrying area, is equal to 40 percent of the breadth of the passenger carrying area of the boat.
(d) Weight must be placed in the normal operating position of the motor and controls in lieu of this equipment. The quantity of weight used for this purpose depends upon the maximum rated horsepower of the boat being tested and is specified in Column 2 of Table 4 for the swamped weight of the motor and controls.
(e) Permanent fuel tanks must be filled with fuel and each external opening into the fuel tank must be sealed.
(f) The boat must be keel down in the water.
(g) The boat must be swamped, allowing water to flow between the inside and the outside of the boat, either over the sides, through a hull opening, or both. Entrapped air in the flooded portion of the boat must be eliminated.
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NOTE:
See Appendix A for Table 4. See Appendix B for 33 CFR Subpart H, Figures 2 – 13.
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