Convert a 15 hp to a 9.9

[Gatordenny]

There is a lake near by that has a 10hp motor limit. Is there a way to convert my 15hp Johnson to a 9.9 so I can go in there and be legal? Maybe put some kind of governor? I know I could put new decals on the motor and it would look like a 9.9, but that just doesn't seem right.

 

[JB]

Re: Convert a 15 hp to a 9.9

Hi, Denny.

:welcome:

Try to find one of those guys that has a 9.9 and wants to hop it up to a 15. Swap with him. There are a bazillion of them.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Convert a 15 hp to a 9.9

^ Gator I knew that was comming. I would replace the decals or the hood. Gator seem right to MEEEE.???

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Convert a 15 hp to a 9.9

That request has got to be a first. I gotta agree with JB. You will have no problem swapping.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Convert a 15 hp to a 9.9

bhile? decals are cheaper. I would not miss a bit of sleep changing decals.
Loose lips sink ships.?

 

[JB]

Re: Convert a 15 hp to a 9.9

9.9 decals on a 15 constitute fraud if you get caught. We don't support or recommend lawbreaking here.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Convert a 15 hp to a 9.9

I recently went the other way, from a 9.9 to a 15, and yes I am on a 15 hp limited hp lake. When the DNR and the core pull a surprise inspection here in West Virginia, they ignore the decals and look directly at the serial numbers, and look them up on the spot. Last year they did just that, I dont remember the exact numbers but their was some thing like 270 boats sighted for over hp, most were tourney people, 15 had 40 hp motors and those boats were seized and the rest were given a 250.00 fine plus court costs. About the only way you would be allowed to get by with that is to take the motor to a dealer for the conversion and get a notarized statement from them. From what I understand its a carb swap on a lot of the Johnson. The best way would be to talk to the governing body of the lake you want to use it on, or as was suggested swap the motor to a 9.9.

 

[slate1234]

Re: Convert a 15 hp to a 9.9

just buy a 9.9 from the breakers change the top cowel and plate, mmmm I would love a 15hp

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Convert a 15 hp to a 9.9

I am not recommending that you break the law. If it were me, I would replace the decals and install a stop that restricts full throttle movement. Would also remove the decal or plate that identifies the motor. FRED

 

[gm280]

Re: Convert a 15 hp to a 9.9

Well they do that all the time to race cars to control speed. So install a restrictor plate between the carb and the intake manifold...problem solved... Can't go fast without the gas...

 

[JB]

Re: Convert a 15 hp to a 9.9

How would those changes avoid inspection that includes Model numbers? It is just so much simpler to obey the law than to try to outsmart it.

 

[nwcove]

Re: Convert a 15 hp to a 9.9

Well they do that all the time to race cars to control speed. So install a restrictor plate between the carb and the intake manifold...problem solved... Can't go fast without the gas...

geez, thats like saying to the officials that the plugs are fouled, and the 15hp motor is only making 9.9 hp. :faint2:

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Convert a 15 hp to a 9.9

Blah-blah-blah! The LEO doesn't care what you did or did not do. His job is to enforce the law, not interpret what your engine is. SO: Either buy a 9.9. OR If you want to be illegal and immoral, change both hood decals and serial numbers--IF YOU CAN. Modern serial numbers will show VOID if removed.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Convert a 15 hp to a 9.9

And around my little lake a missing serial number is a instant big ticket, and a confiscated boat for a stolen motor.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Convert a 15 hp to a 9.9

My suggestion on restricting the throttle movement was for the poster to feel good that he is not operating an overpowered motor, nothing more. For his own satisfaction, not anyone else s.
Just for discussion purposes, is there a law against removing the data plate or decal? If it is gone, does that suggest that the motor is either stolen or mis represented? There are thousand of OBs around me, am sure some decals are unreadable. Does that suggest that the motors are stolen? Unless there is a law controlling the ID on a motor, seems the LEOs have to much time on their hands and are eager to demonstrate their authority, common practice with anyone who has a badge, by confiscating someones boat and assuming a law has been broken. The expensive motors if stolen make it to TAMPA or MIAMI and are shipped along with all the used appliances that are rebuilt in central or south america.
I have a good job creation idea. Lets start another government unit. A swat team can descend into your neighborhood and check the S/N on your truck engine. Thru a mfg. data base they can see if the motor came out of a stolen truck.
On a different note. If you buy a pistol in the parking lot of a bar, do not check to see if it is stolen. It is. It has not been used in a serious crime otherwise it would be thrown deep water. regards FRED

 

[matt167]

Re: Convert a 15 hp to a 9.9

No law against removing and replacing decals, but removing the serial number can be illegal.. It's not like removing a car vin in many states, but some states require titles for outboards and removing the serial would make that OB illegal in those states.. LEO's can't call something stolen and make it stick if it's not stolen, it would just be up to the violator to get the proof or a lawyer but in the case of all these 'what if's', that would verify to the LEO's that it was over the hp if the s/n was removed because of a HP limitation so it would still get the hefty ticket and depending on the laws, boat could still remain seized

Now if you bought a motor with a scratched S/N, your an idiot

 

[nwcove]

Re: Convert a 15 hp to a 9.9

My suggestion on restricting the throttle movement was for the poster to feel good that he is not operating an overpowered motor, nothing more. For his own satisfaction, not anyone else s.
Just for discussion purposes, is there a law against removing the data plate or decal? If it is gone, does that suggest that the motor is either stolen or mis represented? There are thousand of OBs around me, am sure some decals are unreadable. Does that suggest that the motors are stolen? Unless there is a law controlling the ID on a motor, seems the LEOs have to much time on their hands and are eager to demonstrate their authority, common practice with anyone who has a badge, by confiscating someones boat and assuming a law has been broken. The expensive motors if stolen make it to TAMPA or MIAMI and are shipped along with all the used appliances that are rebuilt in central or south america.
I have a good job creation idea. Lets start another government unit. A swat team can descend into your neighborhood and check the S/N on your truck engine. Thru a mfg. data base they can see if the motor came out of a stolen truck.
On a different note. If you buy a pistol in the parking lot of a bar, do not check to see if it is stolen. It is. It has not been used in a serious crime otherwise it would be thrown deep water. regards FRED

i dont think there is a law against having a motor with the data plate missing. i see many with the riveted tags that corroded and fell off.
suggesting to the op to jerry rig something to limit throttle is putting his head in a noose...just the same as changing decals!!
what if the op did bend the rules and had an accident on the water that involved loss of life or serious injury?.....we all know he would be sued into oblivion without any possible defense for blatantly breaking the law.

 

[matt167]

Re: Convert a 15 hp to a 9.9

The OP actually wants to be legal, changing the 15hp specific parts for 9.9hp parts, not just swapping decals.

 

[tomhath]

Re: Convert a 15 hp to a 9.9

The OP actually wants to be legal, changing the 15hp specific parts for 9.9hp parts, not just swapping decals.

True, but throttling the motor won't make him legal any more than pulling a spark plug wire and running on one cylinder. I think the best advice is buy a 9.9 motor, whether he also sells/trades the 15 is his choice.

 

[Gatordenny]

Re: Convert a 15 hp to a 9.9

Sounds like it is tough! How do I know if the person who sold it to me didn't upgrade it from a 9.9 to a 15 and just didn't tell me. The odds of that are probably slim but how could I find out before I try to buy a new one? I don't see any serial numbers on it anywhere