Fishing Vessel Hold Capacity Calculator
Estimate the weight of fish your hold can stow based on hold volume and a typical stowage rate. Stowage rates are drawn from FAO guidance on the use of ice and chilled seawater on fishing vessels and reflect how fish are packed with ice — they are not universal physical densities. This is a volume-and-stowage estimate only, not a safe, legal, stability, structural, or rated vessel carrying capacity. Consult your vessel documentation for rated capacity.
What this calculator determines
It estimates fish hold weight capacity by multiplying usable hold volume by a selected FAO typical stowage rate (lb/ft³) and also converts hold volume to cubic meters and gallons.
Related calculators
Examples
800 ft³ hold — bulk stowage
800 ft³; average/large fish bulk with ice (31.2 lb/ft³)
Calculation
- 800 × 31.2 = 24,960 lb
Estimated fish weight capacity: 24,960 lb
800 ft³ hold — boxed stowage
800 ft³; average/large fish boxed with ice (21.8 lb/ft³)
Calculation
- 800 × 21.8 = 17,440 lb
Estimated fish weight capacity: 17,440 lb
Assumptions & Conventions
- FAO stowage-rate basis
- Preset stowage rates are FAO typical stowage-rate guidance, not universal physical densities: average/large fish bulk with ice ≈ 500 kg/m³ (31.2 lb/ft³); average/large fish boxed with ice ≈ 350 kg/m³ (21.8 lb/ft³); small fish/small pelagics bulk with ice ≈ 650 kg/m³ (40.6 lb/ft³). Actual stowage density varies with fish size, stowage method, ice ratio, boxes/containers, structural members, equipment, and hold geometry.Source: FAO — "The use of ice and chilled seawater on fishing vessels," Table 4.3, Typical stowage rates, materials and methods of stowage.
- Not rated vessel capacity
- This is a volume-and-stowage estimate, not a safe, legal, stability, structural, or rated carrying capacity for the vessel. It does not determine allowable vessel load.