[Fr. Frank]

Fr. Frank,

Im slightly confused because you contradict something written in the specifications section. For a 20 SF it states "Outboard capacity - maximun total weight, persons, motor and gear in lbs -1508" the way that reads I would conclude the motor is to be included in that figure. Am I mistaken?

No, you are correct, and I am not mistaken.
I said,

The max load capacity rating for a vessel does not include full fuel load, that's merely part of the vessel's max gross displacement. It does include propulsion machinery only when that propulsion is externally mounted, i.e., an outboard motor.
emphasis is new

An outboard is externally mounted propulsion, and so is included in the weight calculations. Max load in this case includes the weight of the motor.

In a stern-drive or inboard, the listing is normally "Maximum capacity: Persons and gear", (motor is omitted) as the propulsion machinery is part of the vessel weight, not the vessel's capacity.