NR 5.12(3)(a)(a) Weight capacity shall be determined by the following tests or by the substitute method provided if the conditions stated therein are met. The tests shall be conducted with the maximum horsepower motor for which the boat is recommended and with full fuel tanks and operating equipment in normal position.
NR 5.12(3)(a)1.
1. The transverse stability shall be tested by adding weight on the lower deck in the extreme outboard position which the arrangement permits (i.e., within one foot of the edge) until the top of the pontoon on the loaded side becomes awash.
NR 5.12(3)(a)2.
2. The longitudinal stability shall be tested by adding weight on the lower deck evenly about a point 1/4 of the length of the deck from forward until the edge of the lower deck becomes immersed. This test shall be repeated at the after end of the craft by adding weight evenly about a point 1/4 of the length of the deck from aft until the edge of the lower deck or the top of the motor mounting bracket becomes immersed, whichever occurs first.
NR 5.12(3)(a)3.
3. In a design having more than one deck intended to support passengers (i.e., having railings and means of access), the tests in
subds. 1. and
2. shall also be conducted by adding weight in the specified locations on the upper deck until the conditions specified in
subds. 1. and
2. respectively are attained.
NR 5.12(3)(a)4.
4. Ninety percent of the least of the weights attained by the tests in
subds. 1. and
2. shall be the weight for passengers.
TABLE I - CAPACITY FORMULA WORK SHEET
Step 1.
Compute Areas of Sections
NR 5.12 Note
Note: For maximum allowable height (H) in any section, check inside this form.
Area A = Section Quarter Length Forward:
Area B = Section Amidships:
Area C = Section Quarter Length Aft:
Area D = Section Aft:
Compute Cubic Capacity
Step 2.
Compute Maximum Weight Capacity
NR 5.12 Note
Note: The volume of integral structure aft of the transom below the static float line may be added to the calculated cubic capacity.
NR 5.12(3)(a)5.
5. The weight capacity for the craft shall then be the sum of the weight for passengers plus the weight for the maximum horsepower motor for which the boat is recommended, full fuel tanks and operating equipment.
NR 5.12(3)(b)
(b) A substitute method for determining the weight capacity of pontoon boats may be applied to pontoon boats having only one deck. The deck must be within the width of the pontoons, must be no more than 6 inches above the pontoons, its length within the railings must be no more than 80% of the pontoon length, must not overhang the pontoon, and must be capable of draining overboard freely. If the boat complies with these conditions, the weight capacity shall not exceed one half of the reserve buoyancy of the boat which shall be determined by subtracting the weight of the vessel including the weight of the maximum horsepower motor for which the boat is recommended, full fuel tanks and normal operating equipment from the buoyant force of the boat's pontoons or similar flotation devices.
NR 5.12(4)
(4) Passenger capacity. The recommended passenger capacity of those vessels covered by s.
30.501, Stats., shall be determined by the following equations, using whichever is less:
-
See PDF for table 
NR 5.12(5)
(5) Linear measurements. In the preceding paragraphs of this section all linear measurements are taken outside planking or plating and recorded in feet with decimal equivalents for inches and eighths, all volume measurements in cubic feet and all weight measurements are in pounds.
NR 5.12(6)
(6) Maximum safe horsepower capacity. The determination of maximum safe horsepower capacity of outboard equipped motorboats less than 20 feet in length covered by s.
30.501, Stats., shall be calculated by the use of the following formulas:
NR 5.12(6)(a)
(a) Step 1. Measure length of vessel (midline measurement) and the width of the transom (or back of the boat) (across the top), recording in feet and inches. Convert inches to hundredths of a foot (Table 1). Multiply length times width to determine FACTOR. For .5 or above round off FACTOR to the next higher whole number. If FACTOR number is between 0 and 52, use Table 2 to determine maximum safe horsepower capacity in calm water.
NR 5.12(6)(b)
(b) Step 2. If FACTOR number is larger than 52.0, the safe outboard horsepower capacity is figured according to the type of steering and the height of the transom. Measure transom height in inches (measure from bottom of keel to lowest point of the transom). For outboards with remote steering and a transom height of at least 20 inches, multiply the FACTOR by 2, subtract 90 and raise the answer to nearest multiple of 5. The resulting number is the maximum safe horsepower in calm water.
NR 5.12 Note
Note: Following are examples of how to raise answer to nearest multiple of 5:
NR 5.12 Note
If the second numeral in your answer is a 5 or a 0, DO NOT CHANGE ANSWER.
NR 5.12 Note
If the second numeral in your answer is 1, 2, 3, or 4, change it to 5. For example, 21, 22, 23, or 24 would all be changed to 25.
NR 5.12 Note
If the second numeral in your answer is 6, 7, 8, or 9, change it to a 0 and raise the first numeral by 1. For example, 26, 27, 28, or 29 would all be changed to 30.
NR 5.12(6)(c)
(c) Step 3. For outboards that do not have remote steering or the transom height is less than 20 inches, multiply FACTOR by 0.8, subtract 25 and raise the answer to nearest multiple of 5. The final answer is the maximum safe horsepower in calm water.
NR 5.12(6)(d)
(d) Step 4. For flat-bottomed, hard chine (where the side meets the bottom) outboards that do not have remote steering or the transom height is less than 20 inches, multiply FACTOR by 0.5 and subtract 15, raise answer to the nearest multiple of 5, the final answer is the maximum safe horsepower in calm water.
NR 5.12 Note
Note: The above formulas and tables used to determine maximum safe horsepower capacity for outboard motorboats appear in
33 CFR 183.53.
NR 5.12 History
History: Cr.
Register, March, 1966, No. 123, eff. 4-1-66; renum. from WCD 5.12 to be NR 5.12,
Register, March, 1971, No. 183, eff. 4-1-71; cr. (6),
Register, April, 1985, No. 352, eff. 5-1-85; am. (6) (intro.),
Register, July, 1993, No. 451, eff. 8-1-93; am. (6) (b),
Register, May, 1995, No. 473, eff. 6-1-95.
NR 5.125
NR 5.125 Noise level standards for motor boats. NR 5.125(1)(a)(a) The operator of any boat, when requested by a law enforcement officer who reasonably suspects a violation of s.
30.62 (2), Stats., shall operate his or her boat in a manner prescribed by the officer, to determine compliance with s.
30.62 (2), Stats.
NR 5.125(1)(b)
(b) An officer requesting a boat operator to submit to a noise test shall test the boat using testing methods J34, J1970 or J2005.
NR 5.125(1)(c)
(c) When the J2005 testing method is used, the officer shall deduct 2 decibels from the decibel reading.
NR 5.125 Note
Note: Copies of the Society of Automotive Engineers Recommended Practice Report J34, J1970 and J2005 entitled “Exterior Sound Level Measurement Procedure for Pleasure Motorboats" may be obtained from the Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, Pennsylvania 15096.
NR 5.125(2)(a)(a) The manufacturer of any engine model manufactured after September 1, 1986 and offered for sale in this state will send a letter of compliance to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, Wisconsin 53707 (Attention: Boating Safety Section).
NR 5.125(2)(b)
(b) The letter shall contain the following information:
NR 5.125(2)(b)2.
2. A statement that a representative sample of each model or model group, properly installed on a motorboat on which it is typically used, has been tested in accordance with Society of Automotive Engineers Recommended Practice SAE J34a, dated April, 1977, and meets the requirements of s.
30.62 (2), Stats.
NR 5.125(2)(b)3.
3. The description and model designation of each representative engine and the motorboat on which it was tested.
NR 5.125(2)(c)
(c) The department may request additional information from the manufacturer to determine if the engine complies with SAE J34a, dated April, 1977, and s.
30.62 (2), Stats.
NR 5.125(3)(a)(a) Manufacturer's standard. The noise level testing procedures of the Society of Automotive Engineers Recommended Practice Report J34a, dated April, 1977, shall be adhered to by manufacturers when submitting proof of compliance according to s.
30.62 (2) (d), Stats.
NR 5.125(3)(b)
(b) Operation standard. Noise level testing procedures J34a, J1970 or J2005 of the Society of Automotive Engineers shall be adhered to by boat operators when requested to submit to one or more of them by officers conducting noise tests on boats operating in the state of Wisconsin.
NR 5.125(4)
(4) Cutout mechanisms. No person may operate a boat that is equipped with a muffler cut out, by-pass switch or similar device unless the operator of the boat can demonstrate at the time of inspection that the boat cannot operate contrary to s.
30.62 (2) (b), Stats.
NR 5.125(5)
(5) Refusal to allow testing. No operator of any boat may refuse to operate his or her boat in a manner prescribed by the law enforcement officer who reasonably suspects a violation of s.
30.62 (2), Stats.
NR 5.125(6)
(6) Exemptions. Any boat being operated for one of the following purposes is exempt from the noise level requirements established for motorboats under s.
30.62 (2) (b), Stats.
NR 5.125(6)(a)
(a) A boat being used by an authorized agent of the federal, state or municipal government to carry out his or her official duty of enforcement, search and rescue, fire fighting or research programs.
NR 5.125(6)(b)
(b) A boat being used for search and rescue or training for search and rescue operations at the request of a governmental agency, while being used under the direction or control of a governmental agency.
NR 5.125(6)(c)
(c) A boat being used by a trapper for the sole purpose of trapping from November 1 thru March 31. This paragraph does not apply after March 31, 2009.
NR 5.125 Note
Note: Section
30.62 (2)(b), Stats., states that no person may operate a motorboat powered by an engine on the waters of this state in such a manner as to exceed a noise level of 86 measured on an “A" weighted decibel scale.
NR 5.125 Note
Note: Copies of the Society of Automotive Engineers Recommended Practice Report J34a, entitled “Exterior Sound Level Measurement Procedure for Pleasure Motorboats", dated April, 1977, may be obtained from the Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, Pennsylvania 15096 and are also available for inspection at the following offices: The Department of Natural Resources, 101 South Webster, Box 7921, Madison, Wisconsin 53707; the Office of the Secretary of State, Madison, Wisconsin; and the Legislative Reference Bureau, One East Main Street, Madison, Wisconsin.
NR 5.125 History
History: Cr.
Register, August, 1986, No. 368, eff. 9-1-86; renum. (1) (a) to (d) to be 5.001 (8), (11), (9), (10),
Register, July, 1993, No. 451, eff. 8-1-93; cr. (1), (4) and (5),
Register, May, 1995, No. 473, eff. 6-1-95; r. and recr. (1) (b), renum. (3) to be (3) (a), cr. (3) (b), am. (4),
Register, March, 2000, No. 531, eff. 4-1-00;
CR 01-007: r. and recr. (1) (c),
Register November 2001 No. 551, eff. 12-1-01;
CR 06-039: cr. (1) (d), (e) and (6)
Register December 2007 No. 624, eff. 1-1-08;
CR 14-048: am. (1) (b) and (c), r. (1) (d) and (e) Register May 2015 No. 713, eff. 6-1-15.
NR 5.13
NR 5.13 Personal flotation and life saving device requirements. NR 5.13(1)(1) This section applies to all boats that are propelled or controlled by machinery, sails, oars, paddles or poles or another vessel including inflatables, used on waters subject to the jurisdiction of this state except:
NR 5.13(1)(a)
(a) Racing shells, rowing sculls, and racing kayaks that are recognized by national or international racing associations for use in competitive racing and one in which all occupants row, scull, or paddle with the exception of a coxswain, if one is provided, and is not designed to carry and does not carry any equipment not solely for competitive racing.
NR 5.13(1)(b)
(b) Foreign boats temporarily using waters subject to state jurisdiction.
NR 5.13(1)(c)
(c) Military or public boats of the United States, except recreational-type public vessels.
NR 5.13(2)
(2) Personal flotation device (PFD) requirements. NR 5.13(2)(a)(a) No person may operate or use a boat unless all of the following requirements are met:
NR 5.13(2)(a)2.
2. Each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements on the approved label.
NR 5.13(2)(a)3.
3. Each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements in its owner's manual, if the approval label makes reference to such a manual.
NR 5.13(2)(b)
(b) No person may operate or use a boat 16 feet or more in length, except a canoe or kayak, unless at least one throwable PFD is on board in addition to the total number of wearable PFDs required in
par. (a).
NR 5.13(2)(c)
(c) No person may operate or use a boat of any size to carry passengers for hire unless at least one wearable PFD is on board for each person and in addition one throwable PFD must be carried on board such recreational vessels which are 26 feet or more in length.
NR 5.13(3)(a)(a) No person may use a boat unless each wearable PFD required by
sub. (2) is readily accessible.
