Over-powering a boat

[Ironsides]

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[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Over-powering a boat

If you are ever involved in an accident the insurance companies will have a field day with you.

 

[billy4hp]

Re: Over-powering a boat

I have a 1999 Hydra Sport - 17' Seahorse. It's rated for a 90hp, but I want to put a 115hp OceanPro on it. The transom is strong and in excellent shape. I?m going to use a jack plate as well. I don't go out jumping waves/wake but naturally do run into rough seas on occasion. Is overpowering my hull by this amount something I shouldn't do under any circumstance, or should I be ok with it? I'm looking for more top-end speed.

Input please.....

Well they rated it for 90hp for a reason, right?? The 115 will be heavier than a 90hp so it will sit lower in the water at rest. Depending on the boat design the 115 will be using more fuel at WOT, so does the boat have the fuel capacity to go anywhere with the 115 using 11 plus gallons per hour at WOT vs. the 9 gallons per hour the 90 uses (rough estimates of course)?

IMHO the next questions are the most important, ultimately the 115 will push you faster than the 90hp would so is it going to push you into a unrecoverable chine walk causing risk to life and limb? Is it going to accelerate a lot harder and cause the boat to torque push over to one side and be dangerous in novice hands?

The answers to above questions can only be answered by someone who has done this before, possibly by the boat manufacturer, and last but not least you might be able to answer the questions yourself if you go ahead and do this repower...

In my neck of the woods, if the Coasties checked you out either on the water or at a boat lauch or sling, your registration would be confiscated until you repowered and had the boat reinspected... If the boat was insured they would also probably threaten to inform your insurance company.

If it was a closed course competition boat I would say go for it, if it's a family cruiser or pleasure boat I would say search out the proper powerplant....

JMHO...

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Over-powering a boat

Many threads out here on this subject. Legally it is a no no, insurance wise it is a no no.
Many different opinions as well.
My 2 cents is don't do it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Over-powering a boat

The United States Coast Guard has an opinion on this frequently asked question, and their answer from their website is reproduced below:
Can I use a bigger motor on my boat than what it's rated for?
It is not a violation of Coast Guard regulations to install or use an engine larger than specified on the capacity label, but there may be state regulations prohibiting it, and restrictions from your own insurance company regarding this.
There are no Coast Guard regulations against exceeding the safe loading capacity, however, there may be State regulations or restrictions from your insurance company which prohibit this. There is a Coast Guard regulation that gives Coast Guard Boarding Officers the power to terminate the use of a boat (send it back to shore) if, in the judgment of the Boarding Officer, the boat is overloaded. There is no fine for this, unless the operator refuses the Boarding Officer's order. We certainly hope that you will abide by the rating, as overloading may lead to capsizing or swamping of the boat.
NOTE: The Coast Guard Capacity Information label is required only on monohull boats less than 20' in length. The label is not required on multi-hull boats, pontoon boats (catamarans), or on any sailboats, canoes, kayaks, or inflatable boats, regardless of length.
As the Coast Guard mentions, local regulations may apply. For example, in the state of Ohio one should be guided by this regulation:
Capacity Plates
(ORC 1547.39 & ORC 1547-40)
No person shall operate or permit operation of a watercraft in excess of any of the stated limits on the capacity plate. When no capacity plate exists, no person shall operate or permit operation of a watercraft if a reasonably prudent person would believe the total load aboard or the total horsepower of any motor or engine presents a risk of physical harm to persons or property.


don't do it.

 

[Ironsides]

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