Final answer:
The best way to avoid overloading a boat is by not exceeding the limits listed on the boat's capacity plate. This is because a boat's maximum buoyant force, equal to the weight of the water it displaces, dictates its carrying capacity. Exceeding this limit can lead to sinking.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best way to prevent overloading your boat is option C: 'Don't exceed the limits listed on the capacity plate.' This is because each boat, depending on its size, shape, and the material it's made from, has a specific maximum buoyant force it can exert. Exceeding this limit can lead to the boat sinking.
As the given information indicates, the maximum buoyant force is equal to the weight of the water the boat displaces when it's on water, and this is the principle that dictates the boat's carrying capacity. The weight of the boat, its passengers, and any material on it, must not exceed this buoyant force. So it's always crucial to know the maximum weight your boat can carry as mentioned on the capacity plate and ensure you do not exceed this limit.
Options 'A' and 'D' may help to some extent in avoiding overloading but they lack the preciseness of option 'C'. 'B' involves a rule of thumb and could vary depending on specific conditions like weather and water currents.
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