max HP rating

mellowyellow

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jun 8, 2002
Messages
5,327
how do they figure max HP on different hulls?<br />my cousin and I both have 16' bowriders, his is<br />rated for 85 and mine for 135...anyone know why?
 

blifsey

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 17, 2002
Messages
769
Re: max HP rating

Search here for the link to the Coast Guard document that details the "formula" for figuring max HP on home built boats. I've ran it on an older aluminum v-hull type jon boat and got within a few HP of the tag on it. In addition to LOA, it takes beam and few other factors into consideration. Another thought, are the boats drastically different in their mfr year or hull type? The mfr may have put a lower rating on one due to construction maybe?<br /><br />BL...
 

mellowyellow

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jun 8, 2002
Messages
5,327
Re: max HP rating

hello Hotbyte,<br />boats are VERY similar 16' tri-hulls mine is a '72<br />sea sprie and his is a '79 ? (some Fla. mfg.)<br />will have to look at his beam now and see if that's smaller.
 

Boatist

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2002
Messages
4,552
Re: max HP rating

Beam, transom height and weight of boat are factors. Also construction and strength of the hull and stringer system. Bottom line is rated for your safety and if buying a boat one of the thing you should check.
 

sho305

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 18, 2002
Messages
172
Re: max HP rating

My Bayliner 16' OB BR is rated for only a 90hp. I found out why when replacing the transom and a chunk of floor. The transom was only a 18" wide piece of 3/4" doubled only at the clamps. And the floor stringers consist of only two 1 x 4's! Yes, 3/4" by 3.5" on each side is all the wood you get.<br /><br />I guess it should be pretty light though for that 85hp Force...
 
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