motor to big?

[don86]

have a 90 model 150hp evinrude that me and my pa-in-law just put on a 16 ft center console. It's only rated at 110hp. Had a 69 model chrysler 85. Is this legal? Will it sink? Any help is greatly appreciated!!!

 

[samo_ott]

Re: motor to big?

You wont get insurance for it and if you do, they could void it when they find out... which is usually when you're trying to make a claim... after an accident... or something... It's highly not recommended... And highly unsafe...

 

[TensawRiver]

Re: motor to big?

In most states that I know of Yes it is ilegal by state law and is ilegal by Federal law I also believe regardless of state. The boat capcity plate is there for a reson and should never be over powered or Yes you could sink your boat or possibly loose your life. I know folks that do over power their boat but my life is more precious to me. Their is another thread on the forum somewhere concerning this also. I have recently joined so if you can't find it then I will try for you.

 

[don86]

Re: motor to big?

thanks alot. i'm not going to full throttle it or anything. And the plate says 1250 with motor gear persons. hopefully I can find another one just needed it now to get on the water. as long as it's not to stern heavy you think it will fly or just find another one asap.

 

[TensawRiver]

Re: motor to big?

That depends on your local Law Enforcement and how strict they are. For me the answer is simple, I would find another one and even go out with that one. My wife and kids are way more important than me going fishing.

 

[MikDee]

Re: motor to big?

Yes, I would say it's too big, it's a lot of motor,,, have you put it in the water yet? the weight of it alone may swamp your boat from the cutout in the transom, especially backing down the ramp, or in reverse My low slung 19' Bayliner ski boat gets water over the transom splash well launching, when I use my truck with a higher bumper hitch then my cars frame hitch, and that's only a 125hp Force.

 

[David Greer]

Re: motor to big?

when considering weight, the 1200# is spread out but your motor is concentrated. If the boat is rated for 6, it doesn't mean 6 people can stand on the transom.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: motor to big?

A 150 HP Evinrude is a V6 and it weighs approximately 400 lbs. A 100 HP or even a 115 HP Evinrude is a V4 and would weigh approximately 300-350 lbs. So, the weight could be a significant issue. The transom may not be tall enough to keep the boat from getting swapped with the extra weight right at the stern. Let alone the fact that the transom probably wasn't designed to be able to handle extra 40 hp over the rated capacity.

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: motor to big?

Way to much power!!!!

I believe it is illegal by Federal standards. No one will insure you.

I guess the question is, how much do you care about your life, your father-in-laws, or anyone out with you?

I wouldn't do it. Sell it and find the right size with the money from the sell.

 

[JB]

Re: motor to big?

Law or no law, it is a dumb idea. A good 100lb. more than the design was intended to handle on the transom, probably 50lb-ft more torque than expected.

"I won't use full throttle" is as empty a promise as "the check's in the mail".

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: motor to big?

Ummmm. no it won't sink it..... and many many people run larger motors than their boats are rated.

Of course the stock answer is you shouldn't, but it's really up to you what you do with your boat.

Are you concerned for a reason, you know like do you really think it's way too much?

Motor weight really doesn't mean anything cause a new 4 stroke that is legal hp weighs more then than an old 2 stroke.

What kind of hull?

Different ones handle speed differently and some really are not designed for high speeds.

I doubt you really want to hold onto that center console if it starts chine walking at high speed.

Tabs will help but if the boat isn't made to do it then...

I'd put money down that your prop is gonna be wrong so factor that in.

 

[Varago]

Re: motor to big?

Would any of you who say this is illegal please site the source? I know a lot of this info is word of mouth and we all know how that works. Not saying anyone is wrong but would like to read it myself.

Dave

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: motor to big?

I don't think the "legality" of the situation is your biggest problem.

The problem is the unknowns. Are you sure your boat will handle the higher weight and power? Are you sure you can handle it? What will happen if you are in an accident? Will your insurance company cover you? Will that oversized engine become the thing that enables a plaintiff's attorney to take everything you own?

Most of all, is this motor worth the potential downside of having it on your boat?

 

[don86]

Re: motor to big?

Thanks to all for the concern.. I'm new to boating and really didn't think that It weighed that much more than my other one. 90lbs I think. I really wanted to try it just because i'm hard headed. lol... mikedee - I did watch for the boat being swamped with water when we put it in the water, everything alright there. The boat ramp we use is not steep at all. got out in it and seem to be okay i guess. haven't had it open up cause half throttle it seemed fast enough. david -our gas tank is mounted in front of the center console and livewells are up front as well. nsb craig -It's a v-hull boat. I didn't feel it walking sideways neither. jb -I will get another motor because i'm now concerned about the transom. Thank you very much for your concern and post, sorry it took awhile to get back on here to much to do!

 

[scoutabout]

Re: motor to big?

Good call, Don on getting a more suitable motor. Some good points have been raised about weight, torque, insurability, legality, etc.

Something else people can take for granted is the assumption that you will always be in control of your throttle. Not always so. I had the unpleasant experience of taking my uncle's greatly overpowered boat for a spin years ago. You had to finesse the thing onto plane as there was so much weight hanging off the back it was reluctant to go....until it DID go then off like a shot it went. Coming off plane was tricky as, again, there was way too much weight back there and you had to do it in stages with a lot of feathering of the throttle to keep from swamping.

On my particular ride, the vent for the gas tank wasn't open properly and it spun closed which starved the engine and killed it. Well, it was like turning off the key at wide open throttle. The boat coasted or a bit, then fell of the plane very suddenly. The nose went straight up and the arse end went the opposite way. If I had not been able to throw myself over the windshield onto the bow it would have kept going straight down and disappeared under the water. I think that was my last ride in that thing...

 

[xxturbowesxx]

Re: motor to big?

Its common for people to overpower performance boats and in most cases they are one seaters so your chances of getting sued are slim.. But over powering a center console would be dumb because the hull is only designed to reach a certain speed(one achieved with rated hp) and anything over that is very dangerous for the simple fact that the boat will not be predicable and not have a performance pad to handle speeds that the motor could push it to.

When it comes to performance boats i say go for it because you are buying a boat for the simple purpose of speed and if so your willing to risk your life for that speed then more power to you but why risk your life to go fishing?