Would I get in TROUBLE....???

[Imtrying]

Hope the DNR isn't loged on....Would I get in trouble if I put a 70hp motor on a boat that is rated for a 60hp? Should I take the label off the boat? Take the stickers off the motor, and paint the whole thing white?????????? Name with heald upon request....

 

[muskyone]

Re: Would I get in TROUBLE....???

yes you would

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Would I get in TROUBLE....???

It depends on what state you are in. I know that in california It is not illegal to over power your boat. Your state may be different. I know your insurance company will flip out and not pay off if they find out due to a wreck or a claim.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Would I get in TROUBLE....???

Depends on how good of a boater you are. And what type of boat and engine it is.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Would I get in TROUBLE....???

In other words DON'T GET CAUGHT! If you are a good boater and stay of of trouble so the DNR does not suspect anything, you will be fine. If you have a boat from the sixty's with a 2004 70hp outboard they would suspect something.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Would I get in TROUBLE....???

My boat's rated for 120hp...it's had 150hp on it for the last 30 years with no problems. If you can get decals/cowls that say 50hp, nobody will ever know, but I wouldn't worry about it. Even if you DID get caught it's only 10hp, I don't think they'll give you the death penalty over it.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Would I get in TROUBLE....???

I posed this exact question to the USCG in Alameda, Calif. They said just what Bluewater posted. When doing a boat inspect, the engine is regarded as cargo weight and as long as it’s safe to have that weight in that location, it’s not an issue. They don’t care what is written on the cert label…overpowering isn’t the issue. How you use the boat on the water is and that is what they look for.<br /><br />I have a 18-ft ’75 Avon RIB without a cert label. I contacted Avon and they said that boat for that year only was rated at 115hp. It has two steel reinforcing bars angled from the transom to the floor. The same boat for every year after does not have those bars and is rated for 85hp. The point is your transom design may be the weak link in determining the max hp…overpower with care.<br /><br />Btw, removing the boat's cert label may be a bigger isuue. I wouldn't do that.

 

[Imtrying]

Re: Would I get in TROUBLE....???

GREAT REPLY'S EVERYONE..!! I had a 40hp on it that was made in 1963. That old motor weighs more that the 1974 70hp I'm switching to. Oh, by the way, the boat is a Starcraft 197? 16ft. fishing boat. Thanks again.........

 

[DJ]

Re: Would I get in TROUBLE....???

Imtrying,<br /><br />Just because something is legal does not mean it is smart.<br /><br />The real issue here is insurance. I'm sure your boat can handle it, but. If you are involved in an accident, you are AUTOMATICALLY at fault and guilty. Regardless of what the law says. Don't think for a minute that the insurance company won't check that.<br /><br />No claim no pay. You just hung yourself out there for a trial lawyer. Not a smart thing to do in todays legal climate.

 

[mred 2436]

Re: Would I get in TROUBLE....???

i just dragged a old starcraft out back today and set it on fire because the transom is waterlogged to the point where it will no longer support a 9.9. now you say that you have an older boat, that you want to over power past its saftey rating? hmmmmmmmm......

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Would I get in TROUBLE....???

How does your boat have anything to do with his? Just because yours is a peice of crap doesn't mean every other old boat is. Like I said...my Glastron has been overpowered for the last 30 years and the transom couldn't be stronger. You're a new poster here and I've already seen more than once that you speak without having a clue what you're talking about. Hmmmmmm.....

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Would I get in TROUBLE....???

Does anybody know how authorities interprets old time's hp rates on flywhell into our day's prop-shaft rating?<br /><br />Or is 'hp' simply the value given by manufacturer at any time?

 

[DJ]

Re: Would I get in TROUBLE....???

UU,<br /><br />I suspect our laws (US) are different from Denmark.<br /><br />Here, it doesn't matter.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Would I get in TROUBLE....???

Originally posted by UU:<br />Does anybody know how authorities interprets old time's hp rates on flywhell into our day's prop-shaft rating?<br /><br />Or is 'hp' simply the value given by manufacturer at any time?

They probably just go by what's written on the outboard; however, if you really had to go to court I bet you could prove that an old outboard has less hp than a new one with the same sticker...

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Would I get in TROUBLE....???

Measure the boat.. Then, with the formula posted here, figure the boats max HP.... Bet it's good for more HP than the label says..

 

[DJ]

Re: Would I get in TROUBLE....???

Don't count on the watercops knowing, or caring, anythying about a formula. Although they should.<br /><br />Same applies for the insurance co.

 

[mred 2436]

Re: Would I get in TROUBLE....???

zm aaaah yes you're right! i AM a new poster. however, if you're gonna offer ADVICE to folks, always remember the number one rule........SAFETY<br /><br />and you can stick yer attitude up yer ol' dirt road !

 

[Mikevn1500]

Re: Would I get in TROUBLE....???

I had an old boat,it had a 100hp motor that was the same year as the boat. When I restored it,I lost or didn't have a capicity plate. I sent to the PA Fish and Boat commision,and they sent me a form to take some measurments.The new plate rated the boat for 75hp. I thought it was probably because of the age of the boat. I sold the boat to some kid who hung a 15hp on it.