10HP limit on the lake vs 90HP boat. Will it be a problem?

[BMW91]

Hello everybody. I have kind of a "dumb" question... I'm restoring an 18ft boat, and when I'm done I wanna take it to the local lake. I'm new to boating and not too comfortable with taking the boat to the bay just yet, and this lake is literally a few miles away from my house.

There is a sign stating that you cannot launch a boat that has over 10hp at that particular lake. Pretty self explanatory.

My two questions are: why 10hp and not more?

Also, WHAT IF I decide to launch my 90hp boat there, in the evening, when the place is pretty much deserted, JUST to see how the boat handles, if everything is working like it's supposed to, if it's not leaking etc. I realize the boat is capable of doing in excess of 40mph, but my goal is not to test how fast it'll go.

Would something like this be treated with a little discretion from whoever is in charge there, or would I just get a ticket and get kicked out? I don't wanna bother anybody or compromise safety. I just feel that it would be safer to go to that lake when it's empty, than to go in the bay, without any experience.

 

[roscoe]

Re: 10HP limit on the lake vs 90HP boat. Will it be a problem?

find another lake or suffer/pay the consequences. could get expensive if they take your boat.

 

[nimmor]

Re: 10HP limit on the lake vs 90HP boat. Will it be a problem?

We have a local lake with the 10HP restriction, You can have a bigger motor mounted on the boat but can't use it. I know a fellow coworker who was fishing the lake one day using his trolling motor when the battery died. He used the his 75HP motor to get back and was greeted by the game warden. The fine was only $50 but I think he said he had another $100 for court cost. I'd find another lake or if you don't want to try the bay because of congestion try a time when there is less traffic.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 10HP limit on the lake vs 90HP boat. Will it be a problem?

or would I just get a ticket and get kicked out?

Ayuh,... Yes...

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 10HP limit on the lake vs 90HP boat. Will it be a problem?

What's the problem with going to the bay? If you'll get there at first light in the morning you can get in a couple hours of testing/boating and be gone before water starts getting crowded. Pick a nice calm morning and don't stray far from the launch and you should be ok.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: 10HP limit on the lake vs 90HP boat. Will it be a problem?

Advising someone to disobey the law? Are you ready to back him up by paying his fine if he gets caught? May be unlikely, but not impossible.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: 10HP limit on the lake vs 90HP boat. Will it be a problem?

so... how much do you really want to test? Do you just need to see if it floats, no leaks, and the motor runs? keep reading then!

Motors are rated at the prop. No prop, no hp rating. Take the prop off! If your goal is only to test the above, you can unload the boat, and then lead it over to the side of the ramp/courtesy dock without power. Of course, you could do that same testing on a hose, so... do you even need to start the engine or is this just a float/leak test?

 

[JB]

Re: 10HP limit on the lake vs 90HP boat. Will it be a problem?

Advising someone to disobey the law? Are you ready to back him up by paying his fine if he gets caught? May be unlikely, but not impossible.

Please re-read the thread, Brewman. I can't find anyone giving that kind of advice.

 

[southkogs]

Re: 10HP limit on the lake vs 90HP boat. Will it be a problem?

I think it also depends on who has issued the restrictions and why: A private lake that has a 10hp or no wake (or whatever) restriction is one type of mess to deal with. A county/state/(insert favorite civil agency here) lake may restrict for conservation, EPA or wildlife (or a host of other) reasons - and that's a whole 'nuther deal.

You might be able to go the "no-prop" route mentioned above and be okay, but I'd say it's worth it to make the drive to something else.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: 10HP limit on the lake vs 90HP boat. Will it be a problem?

Just passing on a quick story - a friend of mine has a 15 hp with 9.9 stickers on the cowl. He used it several times at a 10 hp limit lake with out problem. Then one day, a camper called the game warden because it seemed faster than a 9.9 should be. That extra 5.1 hp cost him $250.

Point is, this guy had a motor that looked identical to a 9.9. Your 90 will be a dead give away. I wouldn't chance it in the least.

 

[CaptOchs]

Re: 10HP limit on the lake vs 90HP boat. Will it be a problem?

I think it also depends on who has issued the restrictions and why: A private lake that has a 10hp or no wake (or whatever) restriction is one type of mess to deal with. A county/state/(insert favorite civil agency here) lake may restrict for conservation, EPA or wildlife (or a host of other) reasons - and that's a whole 'nuther deal.

You might be able to go the "no-prop" route mentioned above and be okay, but I'd say it's worth it to make the drive to something else.

Or drinking... You could be responsible putting gasoline in someone's drinking water. If you want to test the engine, use the ears and run your engine off a garden hose. Otherwise go to the bay earlier when there isn't anyone around.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: 10HP limit on the lake vs 90HP boat. Will it be a problem?

Or drinking... You could be responsible putting gasoline in someone's drinking water. If you want to test the engine, use the ears and run your engine off a garden hose. Otherwise go to the bay earlier when there isn't anyone around.

except its a 10hp restricted lake, not electric only... hp restricted lakes are usually just done to protect the lake environment and people from fast moving boats.

 

[drrpm]

Re: 10HP limit on the lake vs 90HP boat. Will it be a problem?

Its hard to answer why there is a 10 HP restriction when the lake is not named. Probably its too small or shallow to allow for bigger engines. Testing the 90 HP boat will be a problem if you're caught. You might get lucky but there's plenty of examples of less obvious violations being punished. That would be a no brainer for LEO's interested in revenue enhancement. Take it to the Bay (again not named)
on a calm day. See if you can find a more experienced boater to go with you too.

 

[CaptOchs]

Re: 10HP limit on the lake vs 90HP boat. Will it be a problem?

except its a 10hp restricted lake, not electric only... hp restricted lakes are usually just done to protect the lake environment and people from fast moving boats.

That's not true at all. Take Candice lake for example. Canadice is a small finger lake in NY.

DEC's site clearly states motors must be 10HP or less.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/23880.html

...and Canadice lake is one of the City of Rochester NY's water supply. There is a 25 mile pipe that runs from Canadice to reseviours in the city.
http://www.nyfalls.com/lakes/canadice.html

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: 10HP limit on the lake vs 90HP boat. Will it be a problem?

i got an idea you could scribble out the 0 and add a .9 so it looks like a 9.9 great idea lets see if it works let us know. ( yes i know it's against the rules to tell some one to break the law this is clearly a joke)

 

[1980Galaxy]

Re: 10HP limit on the lake vs 90HP boat. Will it be a problem?

The answer to your 2 questions are as follows:

1. Q: why 10hp and not more?
A: we don't know. no one on this forum knows. you provided no details as to where this body of water is. best anyone can do is speculate, and that won't get you any solid answers.

2. Q: "WHAT IF I decide to launch my 90hp boat there..."
A: we don't know. we don't know where this is, we don't know who enforces the rules. once again, speculation.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: 10HP limit on the lake vs 90HP boat. Will it be a problem?

What's the problem with going to the bay? If you'll get there at first light in the morning you can get in a couple hours of testing/boating and be gone before water starts getting crowded. Pick a nice calm morning and don't stray far from the launch and you should be ok.

I'm with you on this. Take it to the bay: not just in the morning but on a WEEKDAY morning. That's when the very least number of people will be around to watch him if he's prone to making mistakes. That lake sounds like an expense just waiting to jump in his wallet needlessly.

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: 10HP limit on the lake vs 90HP boat. Will it be a problem?

Guys like you just want to see what you can get away with. Just man up and take it to the bay and test it out. 10 HP restriction means just that, 10 HP. If you do use the restricted lake with your 90 and get away with it, someone might see you and think they can get away with it too. Then more people will do the same thing until one day when you see a sign that says "no boats allowed" and the ramp is closed.

Play nice and play by the rules, that's what responsible boating is all about.

People with your attitude screw it up for everyone else.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: 10HP limit on the lake vs 90HP boat. Will it be a problem?

Hello everybody. I have kind of a "dumb" question... I'm restoring an 18ft boat, and when I'm done I wanna take it to the local lake. I'm new to boating and not too comfortable with taking the boat to the bay just yet, and this lake is literally a few miles away from my house.

There is a sign stating that you cannot launch a boat that has over 10hp at that particular lake. Pretty self explanatory.

My two questions are: why 10hp and not more?

Also, WHAT IF I decide to launch my 90hp boat there, in the evening, when the place is pretty much deserted, JUST to see how the boat handles, if everything is working like it's supposed to, if it's not leaking etc. I realize the boat is capable of doing in excess of 40mph, but my goal is not to test how fast it'll go.

Would something like this be treated with a little discretion from whoever is in charge there, or would I just get a ticket and get kicked out? I don't wanna bother anybody or compromise safety. I just feel that it would be safer to go to that lake when it's empty, than to go in the bay, without any experience.

No, the rules do not apply to you, only to everyone else.

Proceed as you wish. :facepalm:

 

[RIDEPATE]

Re: 10HP limit on the lake vs 90HP boat. Will it be a problem?

Just passing on a quick story - a friend of mine has a 15 hp with 9.9 stickers on the cowl. He used it several times at a 10 hp limit lake with out problem. Then one day, a camper called the game warden because it seemed faster than a 9.9 should be. That extra 5.1 hp cost him $250.

Point is, this guy had a motor that looked identical to a 9.9. Your 90 will be a dead give away. I wouldn't chance it in the least.

That's funny right there. Sounds like something I'd do....