Too Big of a outboard ???

[AllAboard]

Hello, new boat owner here. Just picked up a 1977 Ranger Fish & Play w/ a Mercury 150 HP outboard. Well, haven't had it on the water yet but noticed the Highest HP Rating on the tag by the throttle says 115 HP. Well, how screwed am I? Am I way overpowered??? Illegal ??? Help !!! Do I need to start looking for a smaller motor ???

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Too Big of a outboard ???

If the capacity plate says 115hp then yes you are overpowered and illegal, not to say automatically liable for any accident you get into.

 

[AllAboard]

Re: Too Big of a outboard ???

Well that sux. Looks like I'm not ready to hit the water yet.

 

[Leardriver]

Re: Too Big of a outboard ???

Taking off the capacity plate is a big no-no, but you're on the right track. Peel the 150 decals off of the motor and buy new 115 decals. And really, the max power rating is there for a purpose. You already know what the proper solution is.

 

[Saginaw Bay]

Re: Too Big of a outboard ???

Taking off the capacity plate is a big no-no, but you're on the right track. Peel the 150 decals off of the motor and buy new 115 decals. And really, the max power rating is there for a purpose. You already know what the proper solution is.

Yup,
Pull 1 plug wire off a sparkplug.
you would be under 115HP I am sure.

J/K

 

[mbgaski]

Re: Too Big of a outboard ???

If the 150 on there is running good, then it's not worthless. Just sell it and use the funds to get a smaller motor - OR, even see if someone else has a smaller motor that they're willing to trade.

 

[convergent]

Re: Too Big of a outboard ???

Hello, new boat owner here. Just picked up a 1977 Ranger Fish & Play w/ a Mercury 150 HP outboard. Well, haven't had it on the water yet but noticed the Highest HP Rating on the tag by the throttle says 115 HP. Well, how screwed am I? Am I way overpowered??? Illegal ??? Help !!! Do I need to start looking for a smaller motor ???

Where do you live? I have a fish and ski with a 115HP Merc, and my plate has a max rating of 150HP. Maybe we could work something out.

 

[AllAboard]

Re: Too Big of a outboard ???

I'd love to work something out..... but I'm in central Indiana.

 

[Kender]

Re: Too Big of a outboard ???

Being legal or illegal will depend on your state. Check local laws to be sure. Depending how the boat is built you may be within the "engineered" safety tolerance. If it is legal and you are worried about safety then don't use the full power of the motor. Avoid gunning it hard, don't run top speed, the boat will do up to a certain speed with the 115 so doing that same speed with the 150 wouldn't be any extra strain. It's mainly the max speed and instant torque that the larger engine provides that is the safety concern. This will at least get you on the water for now and you can wait for a good deal on the 115 instead of having to take a crappy deal just to get back on the water.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Too Big of a outboard ???

Besides the extra power is the issue of engine weight. A 6 cylinder is going to be a good bit heavier than a 4. I'd think about putting an add on craigslist to the effect that you'd like to trade for a 115 plus cash contingent on a test drive, compression check, and no water in the gear lube.

 

[tcgobucks]

Re: Too Big of a outboard ???

I'd love to work something out..... but I'm in central Indiana.

Wait, they don't have mail in Indiana yet????

 

[lncoop]

Re: Too Big of a outboard ???

Mail, but no motor mail.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Too Big of a outboard ???

Sound's like a road trip might be in order!

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Too Big of a outboard ???

You likely won't be able to get the boat insured if the motor exceeds the boat's max hp rating. If you get it insured but the company doesn't know about that, you may (I'm no expert) be committing insurance fraud. All I know is that there are a lot of tricks you can play here, but the right move if you want to be on the up-and-up is to trade down to a 115hp motor.

You could also see if your state has a "buyer's remorse" law that allows you to return the boat because it was sold under the false pretense of being safe and legal to use. Worth looking into but probably a long shot.

 

[Cudos]

Re: Too Big of a outboard ???

What about a boat rated for 115 but has a 120 on it. Same legalities or does 5hp really make a difference?

Sorry not trying to hijack your thread.

 

[AllAboard]

Re: Too Big of a outboard ???

HELP !!!! I've been hijacked !! LOL OK, I have checked with some boat salvage yards in my area and they're interested in my 150. But, there's a waiting list for 115's currently. I talked to one of the owners & told him my situation. He explained to me the law here was, "If the tag is there, you have to abide by it, BUT if there is no tag, then there's nothing to abide by. HINT HINT..... I told him I'd rather not do that and he goes on to explain to me that the 115 & the 150 is the same block motor, same bore & stroke, weight similar, just the carburetion is different.

What he recommended to me was for him to sell me a band off of him for $45 that says 115HP Mercury and for all wandering eyes, I have a 115.

I may go this route to finish this season, and try to sell my 150 & look for a 115 in the offseason.

I know what the "right" thing to do is but still interested in more opinions on why I shouldn't "re-band" it as a 115HP. Thanks, Doug

 

[JimS123]

Re: Too Big of a outboard ???

HELP !!!! I've been hijacked !! LOL OK, I have checked with some boat salvage yards in my area and they're interested in my 150. But, there's a waiting list for 115's currently. I talked to one of the owners & told him my situation. He explained to me the law here was, "If the tag is there, you have to abide by it, BUT if there is no tag, then there's nothing to abide by. HINT HINT..... I told him I'd rather not do that and he goes on to explain to me that the 115 & the 150 is the same block motor, same bore & stroke, weight similar, just the carburetion is different.

What he recommended to me was for him to sell me a band off of him for $45 that says 115HP Mercury and for all wandering eyes, I have a 115.

I may go this route to finish this season, and try to sell my 150 & look for a 115 in the offseason.

I know what the "right" thing to do is but still interested in more opinions on why I shouldn't "re-band" it as a 115HP. Thanks, Doug

Do you own a home, a car, have kids in school, god forbid have some money in the bank? If you are involved in an accident, whether your fault or not, if the other guy hires a better lawyer than you can afford, put simply you are screwed. During the discovery process, Dewey Cheatem & Howe, LLC will hire an expert to go thru your rig and they will uncover the discrepancy.

Not saying you are a bad boater or that you will ever be in an accident, but crap happens. There was a local guy that made a habit of cutting people off and then hitting the brakes. Unfortunately, my son was one of the ones that was behind him and then rear-ended him. Guess who won the lawsuit...LOL....it was the fifth time he sued and won. Took 3 years and messed up my son's insurance payments real bad.

Taking chances can go either way....Doing things right usually won't come back and bite you!