Boat Weighing Method

[Michele]

How do you weigh a boat? I need to weigh my boat.

[Moderator's note: separated from an old thread on a different topic; changed topic to solicit advice on how to weigh a boat. Thread moved to THE GAM for discussion.]

[Phil T]

Michele- Visit a commercial vehicle scale. Subtract the weight of the trailer.

Note there is a significant variation to hull weights for the classic models as they were hand built. Many say the official weights were less than accurate. A variance of up to 75-lbs is not unheard of.

[jimh]

How do you weigh a boat?

See this article on how to use a commercial scale to determine the weight of a boat:

Boat Weight From Certified Scale
https://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/016667.html

A small boat can be weighed if the boat is off the trailer and light enough to be able to put the boat on a bathroom scale.

If the scale is near to a launch ramp, weigh just the boat and trailer; go to the ramp and launch the boat; return to the scale and weigh just the trailer.

[porthole]

I use CAT scales several times a year for our truck and 5th wheel camper. My F-450 is capable of towing quite bit but I know my 5th wheel is usually close to or at max GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating). At 21,000 GVWR I like to know where I'm at.

I'd recommend a CAT scale to find out the weight of your boat using the weigh and re-weigh method described in the above link.

My research over the years regarding CAT scales is that they are either rated to 200,000 or 300,000 pounds max weight, the readings are in 20 pound increments and the accuracy is .1% and they are typically calibrated monthly.
They are supposed to be accurate across the entire weight spectrum but I think they start the calibration with 3,000 pound weights.

The easiest way to use a CAT scale is with the free CAT Scale phone app, even if you only plan a one time weigh.
It allows hands free weighing, no need to try and reach the intercom set at a height for large trucks and you get an email of the ticket so you don't have to go inside.

Although I'm told it doesn't matter, I try and set the tow vehicle tires in the same location for a weigh and re-weigh.

I use an excel spreadsheet to enter the weigh ticket numbers and let the spreadsheet do the math for the various weight and loads.

Note that on the CAT Scale website there is no listing of the accuracy specification and if you google that query you get multiple hits but none by CAT Scales.