can i put a 125 force on my 14' bayliner capri

[suprhwk36]

so here is my next question can i put my 300lb 125hp force on my 14' Bayliner Capri that originally came with a 50hp force... i have seen them with 80hp older blue stripe Merc's. i know this is not coast guard approved but what do you guys think...

 

[pnwboat]

Re: can i put a 125 force on my 14' bayliner capri

One of the factors that determine what size outboard you can install is how much stress will the transom take. I doubt that the transom for a 14' Bayliner will handle the weight and thrust of a 125HP motor. It may work for a while....until it tears your transom apart sending both motor and boat to the bottom.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: can i put a 125 force on my 14' bayliner capri

Not safely.

That hull is rated for 50hp. More than doubling it is more than asking for trouble. It will probably work for long enough to get comfortable prior to a major disaster at an inopportune moment.

I'd stick with the CG rating and get a bigger boat if you want a bigger motor.

 

[Ike-110722]

Re: can i put a 125 force on my 14' bayliner capri

Legally you can. It's not a violation of Federal Regulations. But in some states it is illegal to exceed the maximum capacities on the capacity label. I I think it's not a good idea.

Safe horsepower ratings are based on boat length, maximum transom width, transom height and what kind of steering the boat has. If you have a stering whell and a 20 inch transom, it's probably (length X transom width X 2) - 90. The amount is rounded up to the nearest multiple of five. Many mfrs downrate by about 10% for safety and liability purposes.

The amount of flotation (swamped flotation) in your boat is also based on the weight of the outboard. A 120 weighs far more than a 50. Bayliner calculated the amount of flotation, to make the boat float level when swamped, based on a 50 HP motor. The dry weight for a 50 is 235 lb for a 125 it's 405 lbs. So what does that mean. It means that if your boat should swamp, it probably won't sink with 125 on it but it will not float upright, it will roll over and dump you and your passenger in the drink.

Also many manufacturers run their boats through a maneuvering test. The test is designed to determine what maximum power the boat can have and safely manuever through the course at the max throttle setting. I am sure that if it's rated for 50 it will not pass the test with a 125 because of torque and the added weight on the transom. It will proabably be really squirelly.

And your boat will be seriously out of trim. An extra 200 pounds on the transom will really reduce the freeboard at the transom which will make it a lot easier for your own wake to swamp you when you slow down. If you want to see, find a friend who weighs around 200 pounds and have them stand back as close to the transom as they can get.

This doesn't even consider the extra cost for fuel (a 125 burns a lot more than a 50) and maintenance.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: can i put a 125 force on my 14' bayliner capri

Here is a 14 foot flat bottom originally rated for about 40 HP. Photo shows a Force 90 at 55 MPH but it now has a 125 at 60. If you do some planning and reinforcing, yeah, it is possible.

Oh, yeah: I can watch the tank go down. At full throttle, 5900 RPM, 15 gallons gets me 2-2 1/2 hours.

Particulars: Stock 125 Force, old style, Chrysler NOS Stainless 12 X 21 cleaver prop, fully cupped.

Flat bottom fiberglass of unknown origin (probably early 60s) with a 2 foot wide running pad. 15 inch transom raised to 20 and fully reinforced through the splashwell. Floor removed and stringers replaced with fiberglass I beam stringers, three crossmembers added. Steering replaced with Teleflex rack and pinion. One seat supported on a 2 X 4 frame bolted to the crossmembers. Rub rail removed and top of hull glassed to the bottom--screws work loose.

 

[suprhwk36]

Re: can i put a 125 force on my 14' bayliner capri

right on guys i value all your opinions, i have just traded my 125 for a 90 and some cash. now that right there fellas is called a compromise... thanks again.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: can i put a 125 force on my 14' bayliner capri

Not a good idea.Some places check for overpower and can cite you.J

 

[N Wolf]

Re: can i put a 125 force on my 14' bayliner capri

Last summer here in Missouri I saw a guy towed off the lake for it. How bad would it be to pack your family to the lake only to be forced to leave because of that, Especiely when you consider that the cheapest way to buy a motor is to find one with a boat attatched.

 

[USMCMatt]

Re: can i put a 125 force on my 14' bayliner capri

I would totally do it, how badass would it be FLYING across the water making all those other boat suck your wake.