Putting a 110 on a boat rated for 80, would you do it?

[DJ]

Re: Putting a 110 on a boat rated for 80, would you do it?

NOPE!<br /><br />There is a HUGE difference between the '80' of yesteryear and a more modern (post 1983) 110.<br /><br />A modern 70/75 will wake that boat up.

 

[dakotashooter2]

Re: Putting a 110 on a boat rated for 80, would you do it?

I know I've seen formulas to determine the HP rating for a boat. A search on here might turn something up. If the boat has no "plate" it might be hard for the law to enforce any regulations they may have, thought you might get hit for not having a "plate". I believe this may be one of the reasons the formula I mentioned was derived. A hike to 110 is a bit more than I personally would be comfortable with but as mentioned there are ways to tone it down.

 

[dennisrhall]

Re: Putting a 110 on a boat rated for 80, would you do it?

i have a 15ft. vip rated for a 50hp i changed to a 65hp, i posted it here a while back, most said don't do it, because of the law, a few said go for it, soooo i did i changed the rateing plate, from a 50hp max to a 115hp, this 65hp does good,but mine just uped 15 more hp not much, good luck on your desion.

 

[v12mac]

Re: Putting a 110 on a boat rated for 80, would you do it?

I once saw a 17' boston whaler (rated 100hp) with a 225 hung on it down in the keys. I believe this was the worst offender of over power I've ever seen. <br /><br />But lots of the back water guys around here have "150" hp mercs that seem to perform like +200's. Just a quick stop at the parts counter for a set of 150 stickers and they are on their way.<br /><br />Mac

 

[SeaJayacas]

Re: Putting a 110 on a boat rated for 80, would you do it?

"because no matter who is actually at fault, if the law finds you overpowered the boat it is automatically your fault in some states,"<br /><br />That is NOT the way that the law works in just about every state that I am familiar with. If someone knows of some specific statutes saying otherwise, please bring them to our attention.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Putting a 110 on a boat rated for 80, would you do it?

That's not a Criminal aspect, but a Civil one. Called Contributory Negligence. Theoretically, all involved in accidents are partially responsible. If you're speeding in a car and are involved in an accident, it shifts your contribution to 100%. Same would apply to overpowering. Theoretically, you wouldn't be in that place at that time if you were within the rated capacity. So you assume full responsibility. Ambulance Chasers live on this stuff!

 

[johnz8]

Re: Putting a 110 on a boat rated for 80, would you do it?

I hav a 79 tri hull rated at 50hp but have a 90hp on it Ive been told to look out cause of the over horse rating legal problems and cant get insurance.

 

[Jcstratt]

Re: Putting a 110 on a boat rated for 80, would you do it?

In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Putting a 110 on a boat rated for 80, would you do it?

Insurance was not an issue with my 150 rated, with a 200+ on the back...the state never said a word either... some, it may be different.<br />If I'm cruising at 40 and someone hits ME, I am in no way, at fault, 400hp or other-wise. the boat will do 40 with an 85HP...bassboat will do 100...LEGALLY....does that mean he should've had a 90HP on so he wouldn't have "been" in that location at the wrong time??? No...It doesn't work that way....In KS and the 4 states around me, it's legal to have what I have, and my insurance has no clause that says it's not insured in those other states. In fact..I'm going to check with a known attourney in the marine industry I met in Texas, and see what he can tell me on this once and for all.

 

[sergioy]

Re: Putting a 110 on a boat rated for 80, would you do it?

Some states explicitly forbid it, others don't really care. What does your state have to say about it? I sure would not want to put myself in a possition where the law man has an excuse to slap me around. When I get on the water, I make sure I follow the letter of the law and the law of common sense. I just bought a bass boat with a 200 hp outboard on it. The boat is rated for that motor. But when I went flying across the lake and I hit 70 common sense told me that this was a bad idea. So I backed of and cruised at around 35 - 40.

 

[txswinner]

Re: Putting a 110 on a boat rated for 80, would you do it?

Problems usually are not caused by the motor on the rear but the NUT behind the wheel.

 

[Dellonn]

Re: Putting a 110 on a boat rated for 80, would you do it?

HAHAHA! Don't ask me.

 

[Dellonn]

Re: Putting a 110 on a boat rated for 80, would you do it?

Maverick:<br /><br />Check out the topic "whatcha think" and you'll get a great idea about how most of these guys feel about overpowering.<br /><br />--Dellonn

 

[jimmbo]

Re: Putting a 110 on a boat rated for 80, would you do it?

In Canada the HP rating is considered to be a recommendation and not a legal maximum. I've seen a Merc 225 rigged on a Glastron GT150, rated for 90hp. 3 weeks ago my dealer installed a Merc 2.5 hi pro motor on a 16 ft sidewinder, and a 2005 Glastron GX180 had a 2005 Evinrude 200 HiOutput ETec put on it.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Putting a 110 on a boat rated for 80, would you do it?

That's the key....it does not say Max allowable..it says max RECOMMENDED.

 

[Triton II]

Re: Putting a 110 on a boat rated for 80, would you do it?

RANimmo put up a US Coastguard formula on the "whatcha think" thread:<br /><br />

The coast gurd uses the formula (beam x length x 2-90) to determine the maxium H.P. There are other things they also test to put the number on the plate but this will give you a base ideal for maxium H.P. for your boat.

If this formula is correct why then does my 2003 Quintrex which is 7.3ft beam x 16.5ft long have a MAX rating of 80hp and a recommended rating of 60hp. Do the maths and you'll find the USCG rating would be 145hp! Therefore, I'd use every resource possible to find out what the old girl was rated for. An 80 from those days is about a 70 from today's prop derived HP, so if you put a more modern motor onthe boat you'll be ahead anyway. Good luck with your decision.

 

[keith8496]

Re: Putting a 110 on a boat rated for 80, would you do it?

If its legal in your area, build-up your transom and go for it.<br /><br />I have a 235 Evinrude on a 17' tri-hull rated for 145. After about 15 years the motor finally cracked the fiberglass around the transom. My dad and I fixed the fiberglass and plated over the width of the transom. Stronger than when it <br />was new!<br /><br />In Oklahoma, i had no problem registering the boat and motor, had no trouble with insurance.<br /><br />We want big motors on our boats, just like we want big motors in our trucks! Just make sure you boat can handle the strain.