In the U.S. for some reason, "a boatload" has become a slangy colloquial term for "a huge amount."
In fact, checking, I see oxforddictionaries.com includes it as "informal: A large amount" under both U.S. and U.K. English.
"Wow, we got a boatload of junk mail today."
"There are a boatload of things I need to get before we go on our trip."
(It is also fairly common for people to use a vulgar variation, "shitload." Don't try to use it yourself. Like most bad language, a non-native speaker won't be able to judge accurately when it is acceptable).