Can I get away with a 15hp Johnson/Evinrude?

[LoudDog]

This may have been asked before, since the johnson/evinrude 9.9 and 15 are indetical minus the carb, would anyone notice or care if i put a 9.9 cowling on a 15?

I want to stay under 10hp so i can go on lakes with a 10hp limit and not have to register it. 9.9's are hard to find but I keep running into 15's. Has anyone ever been stopped and had their engine hp checked or is it on the honor system?

 

[fishdog4449]

Re: Can I get away with a 15hp Johnson/Evinrude?

I doubt they would go as far as to check your powerhead and carbs. I guess the rules there to prevent speed-crazy bass fishermen with their 250HP Mercurys on a 16 foot boat tearin up the lakes.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Can I get away with a 15hp Johnson/Evinrude?

If it were me, I'd get on ebay and go to Nana's decals and get myself some 9.9 decals so I wouldn't have to buy a cowl, and make my motor look new again. I'd have to repaint, too.
I don't have any hp. limits on lakes in my area but I don't think anyone would be a rear-end about you fudging on 5 measly horsepower, and they'd have to have a johnson serial # list to be able to tell if you switched decals, which I doubt they have with 'em. I hate to be a "lawbreaker" but in your situation, I would have to try it if I was that close to the limit before I'd buy a new motor.
Just a suggestion,
JBJ

 

[5150abf]

Re: Can I get away with a 15hp Johnson/Evinrude?

I have been on a troll only lake, you can have whatever you want on your boat but you have to pull your prop.
I have seen some pretty rabid DNR guys but I doubt anyone is gonna notice,if it says 9.9 it's a 9.9, I doubt they will go so far as to check a serial number.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Can I get away with a 15hp Johnson/Evinrude?

If the lake is a 10 HP or less and you run your 15 wide open you might catch the eye of the DNR. Most don't pay that much attention but there is always one or two that are speed savy and can spot a "cheater". And yes -- a 15 will outrun a 10.

 

[JB]

Re: Can I get away with a 15hp Johnson/Evinrude?

Cheating is cheating. You probably wouldn't get caught, but if you did you could lose you boat and motor as well as some bux.

One glance at the model number is all the fuzz would need to bust you, and lacking a model number plate a look at the registration.

Hold out for a 9.9. These guys aren't water cops and their okay is less than worthless to a judge.

 

[F_R]

Re: Can I get away with a 15hp Johnson/Evinrude?

Cheating is cheating. You probably wouldn't get caught, but if you did you could lose you boat and motor as well as some bux.

One glance at the model number is all the fuzz would need to bust you, and lacking a model number plate a look at the registration.

Yep, that's the way it is here. They can confisticate the rig if you are breaking fish/game laws. And your car and trailer that you used to get it there. Prolly doesn't happen very often, but they can if they want to.