Important question about motor capacity plate

[junglejoe39]

I own 2 boats. 1 starcraft 16 foot bowrider with a 1977 merc 70 hp and a 71 glastron Jetflite 143 14 foot 3 inch speedboat with a 1965 merc 65 hp. Ive been intending to swap motors but recently spoke to a guy I know who has a boat dealership and sold me the starcraft and he told me since the glastron has a capacity plate that says max 65 hp that I could not put the 70 hp on it or I would risk the coast guard taking the boat and not giving it back. Does anyone know if this is true or if it is true any way around it

 

[JB]

Re: Important question about motor capacity plate

It is a bad idea to overpower a boat for a lot of reasons, but USCG rules are not one of the reasons.

Local laws may be another matter.

 

[junglejoe39]

Re: Important question about motor capacity plate

Its only an extra 5 hp. Any Idea who I would talk to to find a reliable answer

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Important question about motor capacity plate

You just heard the most reliable answer here

 

[donnyskz1]

Re: Important question about motor capacity plate

i have not heard of the coast gaurd taking the boat but if you ever have an accident on the water and it is yout fault the first thing the they would say is that you could not keep control of your boat becuase it is overpowered. If you have insurance on the boat your insurance company would not want to insure the boat anymore because the boat is overpowered. I know a few people that have over powered there boat and one was stopped by the coast guard he did not have any problems with it being overpowered as far as regulations are concerned

 

[roscoe]

Re: Important question about motor capacity plate

In many states, Wisconsin is one of them, it is illegal to over power a boat.

Check you MI boating regs.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Important question about motor capacity plate

Its only an extra 5 hp. Any Idea who I would talk to to find a reliable answer

You just did find a reliable answer.
The fact that it is not what you wanted to hear most likely made you ask that question.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Important question about motor capacity plate

Take your boat thats the biggest bunch of B.S.

You probably could get a ticket and maybe get sent of the water but take your boat.

Lots and I mean lots of boats have larger motors than rated.


5hp is nothing and that old 70hp doesn't even put out 70 hp to the prop.

I'd never do business again with that guy he has truth issues big time.