According to federal law, what is the maximum length of a boat required to have a capacity plate?

The correct answer is that a boat that is 20 feet or longer is required to have a capacity plate according to federal law. The capacity plate provides crucial safety information, including the maximum number of occupants and the total weight capacity the boat can safely handle. This requirement is in place to ensure that boaters operate their vessels safely and within the designed limits, which helps prevent accidents caused by overcrowding or overloading.

Boats shorter than 20 feet, while still needing to adhere to safety guidelines, do not fall under this federal mandate for a capacity plate. This distinction emphasizes the importance of size in regulations and safety measures for recreational boating.