How does law enforcement interpret jet rated hp?

[speed_demon]

I have a 17ft Wooldridge and I'm trying to make it upper Kenai legal which is 50hp max. My current motor is a 115hp powerhead but rated and factory decaled 80hp because it was a factory jet. Do they go by the powerhead or by the net jet rating? Does it make a difference if it is a factory jet? I'm hoping to install a Yamaha F70 with a jet and re-decal it 50hp. Anything less would be grossly underpowered and I don't want to keep a 2nd boat around for maybe two Kenai trips a year.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: How does law enforcement interpret jet rated hp?

Power is always rated at the prop or output. SO: For example, the Mercury 40 horsepower engine with NO changes is rated 30 horsepower in the jet version. Law enforcement officials do not interpret-- that is not their job. They go by what the engine hood and horsepower placard say. If the sticker says 80 HP, it doesn't matter what the power head was--the engine is an 80 HP engine. If you mount it on a boat with an 80 HP max rating, you are legal.

Most jets lose the equivalent of 25% power so your 70 in a jet version would be about 50 HP. (52.5 but you are allowed 5% leeway) Remove the engine HP and serial plate (to avoid confusion) and re-sticker the hood as 50 and you should be OK.

 

[Outsider]

Re: How does law enforcement interpret jet rated hp?

I'd suggest getting in touch with Alaska Fish and Game, it's likely not as simple as changing the decals, and they're the ones that you'll meet on the river. You won't be their first exposure to it, jets are common in Alaska, and commonly mis-understood ...

 

[cecho]

Re: How does law enforcement interpret jet rated hp?

I once went to a mountain lake in California that had a 10 HP engine limit. Didn't matter how big the engine was as long as it read 10 HP or less. The engines I saw on that lake were the biggest 10 HP motors I've seen in my life!

 

[the machinist]

Re: How does law enforcement interpret jet rated hp?

When I fished there with a guide a few years ago, they were using larger motors than which would rate for the jet HP. He told me that he took it to the mechanic who detuned the motor and placed a plate under the cowling specifying the detuned jet rating.

 

[V153]

Re: How does law enforcement interpret jet rated hp?

'Least down here the water cops got better things to do than check how many HP you're running. They don't carry dyno's on their utility belts, yet. Wish they would cuz I know most of em, 'ceptin the feds that is. Diffiicult to make friends with those boys, ain't known for their sense of humor ... But even they have better things to do. I have never heard of anybody getting cited for having too much HP.

I realize you guys on lil lakes are dealing with a whole difrent set of circumstances. Yet a few extra horses under the hood cain't hurt? Just don't overadvertise it.

"Stealth" motors are the best.

 

[speed_demon]

Re: How does law enforcement interpret jet rated hp?

I'd suggest getting in touch with Alaska Fish and Game, it's likely not as simple as changing the decals, and they're the ones that you'll meet on the river. You won't be their first exposure to it, jets are common in Alaska, and commonly mis-understood ...

The local yamaha shop and fish and game both said they look at the powerhead rating but I got the feeling neither knew for sure and they were giving me better safe then sorry advice. When I asked fish and game about my 115/80 and all the 50/35's running around (back when the Kenai was 35hp max) he gave me the number for the head honcho down in Kenai who is currently on a long vacation.

With all the hoopla surrounding the Kenai 50hp 4-stroke restriction enforcement is just itching to stop potential violators. Anything Yamaha bigger than an F50 would stick out like a sore thumb. I know I'm going to get stopped but as long as I'm legal and I can talk my way out I'm happy.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: How does law enforcement interpret jet rated hp?

I am on a limited HP lake, and last year the DNR did a surprise inspection on motors. They went by the serial numbers on the motors. In this case it was some thing like 170 citations and 10 boats were confiscated.

 

[cecho]

Re: How does law enforcement interpret jet rated hp?

I am on a limited HP lake, and last year the DNR did a surprise inspection on motors. They went by the serial numbers on the motors. In this case it was some thing like 170 citations and 10 boats were confiscated.

Sounds like the city/state coffers were getting low. :fear: