Boats stated max hp is 50, can I use a 55 hp.

[lmsmith]

I tried to find an answer searching, but nothing specific enough comes up. My boat is a 1956 DuraCraft aluminum and the dash lable states the max motor as 50 hp. I found a 55 hp Johnson that runs and has all the cables for $100.

Would you put a 55 hp on the boat? Is there a difference between 50 and 55 hp that would keep you from doing it? Is it legal?

 

[robert graham]

Re: Boats stated max hp is 50, can I use a 55 hp.

It won't matter to the boat, but in the case of an accident/law-suit/legal, you'd be about 5HP outside the law. You could remove the dash label, keep it somewhere, claim you never saw it!...pleading ignorant has worked great for me all these years!....Seriously, if it was me I'd find a 50HP or less just for peace of mind!

 

[nwcove]

Re: Boats stated max hp is 50, can I use a 55 hp.

for $100? get the motor and trade it for a 50...0r even a 40!

 

[JB]

Re: Boats stated max hp is 50, can I use a 55 hp.

for $100? get the motor and trade it for a 50...0r even a 40!

What he said.

 

[lmsmith]

Re: Boats stated max hp is 50, can I use a 55 hp.

It won't matter to the boat, but in the case of an accident/law-suit/legal, you'd be about 5HP outside the law.

hahaha Sounds funny when you say it that way.

for $100? get the motor and trade it for a 50...0r even a 40!

Very clever. Good idea. I didn't think of that. Thank you.

 

[Whoopbass]

Re: Boats stated max hp is 50, can I use a 55 hp.

Won't make a bit of difference. I wouldn't even consider five extra hp as being over powered on a boat/motor of that size.

 

[JB]

Re: Boats stated max hp is 50, can I use a 55 hp.

Won't make a bit of difference. I wouldn't even consider five extra hp as being over powered on a boat/motor of that size.

Are you an attorney?? What you think is of no value in a civil action.

 

[Whoopbass]

Re: Boats stated max hp is 50, can I use a 55 hp.

Whatever JB.
I would like to see the attorney that would slap a lawsuit against someone that's driving a 1956 tin boat with a $100 motor.
The thing is probably only putting out 40-45 hp tops.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Boats stated max hp is 50, can I use a 55 hp.

doesnt matter in the event of an incident, lawyers will sue everyone

 

[Sprky]

Re: Boats stated max hp is 50, can I use a 55 hp.

doesnt matter in the event of an incident, lawyers will sue everyone

Bingo!..............Over powered or underpowered they will sue everyone. Anyone who thinks they are safe because they are within rating limits is foolish or just plain stupid!

 

[lncoop]

Re: Boats stated max hp is 50, can I use a 55 hp.

Bingo!..............Over powered or underpowered they will sue everyone. Anyone who thinks they are safe because they are within rating limits is foolish or just plain stupid!

Did you really just say that?:facepalm:

 

[Sprky]

Re: Boats stated max hp is 50, can I use a 55 hp.

There is nothing for sure in this life..............and when dealing with lawyers it's a free for all. I live in a town with the most percapita lawyers for our state.

I have seen a lot of stupid stuff.

If you think you are safe in an accident................your foolish!

Who do you think runs our country?

 

[Sprky]

Re: Boats stated max hp is 50, can I use a 55 hp.

Example.................

John Q customer comes into a glass shop for some cosmetic repair on his 35 plus foot go fast boat. The work is performed, the boat looks great, the customer is happy.

Said customer is out on the lake with his daughter jumping rollers that are comming off a big cruiser (our lake is full of them). The boat trips on a roller and stuffs the bow.

The daughter is kill from blunt force trauma when she impacted the dash.

The owner of the glass shop is now being sued because he was the last person to touch the boat.

My buddie has well over 30k in lawyers and hasn't gone to trial yet.

All this over someones stupidity and a lawyer!

 

[lncoop]

Re: Boats stated max hp is 50, can I use a 55 hp.

There is nothing for sure in this life..............and when dealing with lawyers it's a free for all. I live in a town with the most percapita lawyers for our state.

I have seen a lot of stupid stuff.

If you think you are safe in an accident................your foolish!

Who do you think runs our country?

There's no question our society is hyper-litigious, but that disappointing fact doesn't excuse irresponsible behavior. Your post implies very strongly that it does. I've "seen a lot of stupid stuff" too, and I'd rather not see a fellow iboater engage in more of it as a result of your broad and silly statement.

 

[Sprky]

Re: Boats stated max hp is 50, can I use a 55 hp.

Your interpretation of my post is twisted!

Are you a lawyer?

 

[pootnic]

Re: Boats stated max hp is 50, can I use a 55 hp.

Different states have different laws in regards to hp overpowering(from what I've read)...check with yours,some go by the recommendation plate.
Alot of insurance companies will still give you insurance,at a higher price(from what I've read).
Will that save your butt if an accident occurs...I'm not sure.
I've never been to court but by the the statements I read,common sense doesn't seem to apply.
I mean 5hp probably isn't going to make much difference preformance wize then a 50hp,it may well be worse then a newer 50hp,plus the new 4 stroke or etec is going to be heavier then an older 2 stroke 55hp.
Where I live and at that price,I know what I'd be doing but maybe you better lean on the side of caution.

On a side note...does anyone know or ever read of anyone going to court and the hp overpowerin being the main issue?I'm talking 5/10hp over not some dueybird with a grossly overpowered boat.I've never heard of anyone,in any forums saying they had an accident and this was a issue(court) but we talk about it almost as it's fact.(maybe it is...)
My current boat has 2 ratings 35hp tiller and 60hp console so I know the boat can handle the power/weight.I've used a 40hp tiller(30hp current) and if I find another 40hp at a fair price,I'd put it on for sure.

Again check with your state and the people that hand out the tickets...+5hp,phew your a rebel

 

[lncoop]

Re: Boats stated max hp is 50, can I use a 55 hp.

Your interpretation of my post is twisted!

Are you a lawyer?

My interpretation of your post is as follows: One is likely to be sued or killed regardless of whether an accident he is involved in is caused by his failure to follow the rules. If that's a misinterpretation please enlighten me accordingly, preferably without the use of ludicrous hypothetical scenarios that have no relevance to this thread. Finally, my profession is immaterial. One hardly needs a doctorate of jurispudence to know that an overpowered boat involved in an accident, regardless of the cause, is a magnet for a plaintiff's attorney. Now, if you'll excuse me I must go remove the hook line and sinker from my mouth so I can work on my boat.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Boats stated max hp is 50, can I use a 55 hp.

I'm certainly no lawyer. But a lawyer would have to PROVE the the extra hp was the cause and/or a contributing factor to the accident.

Lawyers can sue you for anything...doesn't mean they are going to win.

No different that driving a car. Get in an accident and the lawyer can sue you for not having proper air pressure in your tires, traveling 3mph over the speed limit, having the radio playing too loudly etc etc etc etc.

Worrying about be so-called "overpowered" by 5hp is a bit much. If someone is that worried about being sued...they might want to spend more of their time making sure their automobile is in absolutely perfect running order. The chances of having a car accident are much much greater than a boat collision.

Buy the 55hp and go enjoy your boat!

 

[tonk62]

Re: Boats stated max hp is 50, can I use a 55 hp.

ok back on topic.

lmsmith, i would stick to the rated horsepower of boat............... now where is that motor? I'll go pick it up, my boat is rated for 60 hp, and I only have a 30 hp on it, LOL.

what part of Oklahoma are you in?

 

[Sprky]

Re: Boats stated max hp is 50, can I use a 55 hp.

Now, if you'll excuse me I must go remove the hook line and sinker from my mouth so I can work on my boat.

Way too easy