Can I pass an 18 hp for a 10 hp outboard?

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Can I pass an 18 hp for a 10 hp outboard?

A few have tried that here, they've been writing tickets but people were fighting it since the law said nothing about multiple motors, but now they state that a boat can not be powered by more than 10 hp.

I watched one guy from out of state back in, launch a boat with twin 70hp motors, he thought we were kidding when we told him that there was a 10 hp ban. They were on him in seconds, they towed the boat, wrote several tickets, and hauled him away. You would have thought he robbed a bank. They sat there and waited for him to start both engines, then came right down on him.
There are no signs anywhere at that location, but the fish and game fliers all list the restrictions, but you have to buy a fishing license or at least read the fishing regulations to see those regulations. I'm not sure how a pleasure boater would ever know if from out of state.

What makes it even less obvious is the boat ramp picture signs showing what appears to be a big engined fiberglass bass boat backing down a ramp.

lol..Y'all aint from round here are ya boy?

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Can I pass an 18 hp for a 10 hp outboard?

I got pulled over for a safety check on my local waterbody a couple years ago. I had just bought a "new" 12' boat and was testing it out. I had a 10 hp on the back and no license on the boat (all boats with 10 hp or greater must be licensed). When the officer asked what size the motor was I said 10 hp. He asked if I knew the boat must be licensed due to the size of the motor. I answered yes, but also said that I had just bought the boat and was eager to try it out with a 10 hp before I committed to getting it licensed. And here is what he said...

"You could just scratch off the 10 and no one would know any better"

I told him I'd get it licensed instead. No ticket for me that day. And I did get it licensed a few days later.

 

[Titanium48]

Re: Can I pass an 18 hp for a 10 hp outboard?

A few have tried that here, they've been writing tickets but people were fighting it since the law said nothing about multiple motors, but now they state that a boat can not be powered by more than 10 hp.

I watched one guy from out of state back in, launch a boat with twin 70hp motors, he thought we were kidding when we told him that there was a 10 hp ban. They were on him in seconds, they towed the boat, wrote several tickets, and hauled him away. You would have thought he robbed a bank. They sat there and waited for him to start both engines, then came right down on him.
There are no signs anywhere at that location, but the fish and game fliers all list the restrictions, but you have to buy a fishing license or at least read the fishing regulations to see those regulations. I'm not sure how a pleasure boater would ever know if from out of state.

What makes it even less obvious is the boat ramp picture signs showing what appears to be a big engined fiberglass bass boat backing down a ramp.

That's like setting up a speed trap on a road where someone had stolen the speed limit signs. It's almost entrapment. This is why people hate law enforcement officers. Do they enjoy being hated? Would it have killed them to warn the poor tourist beforehand that what he was about to do was illegal? Or just write a ticket and tell him to go elsewhere rather than towing the boat? That was just mean.

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: Can I pass an 18 hp for a 10 hp outboard?

Depends on who set the 10hp regulation for that lake also. I have a lake near me where the Home owners association set a 10hp limit and put up signs and stuff. The lake has a public landing so I use my 70hp 16' boat on that lake all the time as they don't have a leg to stand on since the limit wasn't set by the state. I've be approached a few time by the head of the home owners association at the landing about my "big motor" but since I don't Live on the lake nor am I a member of the association she can't fine me. I respect the reason for the 10hp limit and keep my speed down. All lakes are public in Minnesota, getting to them is another story. If someone owns all the property around a lake you could still land a chopper or float plane on the lake and fish it!

 

[jauguston]

Re: Can I pass an 18 hp for a 10 hp outboard?

I have a '92 Evinrude 15 that is identical to a 9.9 in physical appearance. It will run circles around a 9.9.

Jim