Motor size v boat length

[Dadwith2boys]

If this is not the correct location to post this, my apologizes.

I Purchased 1972 Glastron V156 and with a 100HP motor. I have spent a lot of money fixing the motor and now it runs great. I think the max motor size for that boat is 85HP. My dilemma is I just found out that in Minnesota it is illegal to have a motor lager then what the boat is rated for. I guess my only choice is to try take the motor off, sell it and buy another one and try to install it or just leave it and take the risk.... Any suggestions??

Thank you..

 

[oldfordcrap]

Re: Motor size v boat length

it is not smart to exceed manufacturers specs they designed it for certain weight,load ,ect boating can be dangerous even when all rules are followed why start out with a strike right out of the gate. it sounds like you have 2 kids also which one gets the life jacket? start out with the right equipment Good Luck!!!!

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Motor size v boat length

I'm pretty sure it's not just a Minnesota thing. The U.S. Government might have a bit of that action.

Put the proper motor on the boat or do what some on the Bass Tournament Series do...

Replace your cowling and anything else that displays the horsepower of the motor.
If the series has a 250 HP limit, you replace the 300HP cowling with the 250HP one before registration.

Problem solved...next question.

Oh, and don't feel compelled to call me from the lake when your transom caves in.

 

[Paul DuLaney]

Re: Motor size v boat length

If something were to happen and your insurance company found out (they probably would) they may not cover you.And if the Cost Guard,Division of Water craft or any other agency inspect the boat if on the water a fine could be coming.Better be safe than sorry on the water my dad always said!

 

[Ike-110722]

Re: Motor size v boat length

Some right answers a few wrong answers. I worked in the USCG Office of Boating Safety for 20 years. Here's the straight scoop.
It is not a violation of Federal Regulations to exceed the capacities on the capacity label. The label is a manufacturer requirement, not an owner operator requirement.
It may be a violation in your state to exceed the values on the label. Many states have passed laws saying that you can't exceed the posted maximum capacities.
Yes insurance companies get nasty about exceeding the rated horsepower, especially if you have an accident. They will more than likely not pay up.
Anyone can find out what boating laws are in their state by going to http://nasbla.org/i4a/member_directory/feResultsListing.cfm?directory_id=3 The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators directory. Each state has a Boating Law Administrator. Follow the links to your state.

Minnesota is at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/boating/index.html
In their boating pamphlet it says
"CAPACITY AND OVERLOADING
The boat?s operator must limit the total horsepower, weight AND maximum number of passengers
to that shown on the capacity plate installed by the
boat?s manufacturer. It is unlawful and dangerous
to load or power your boat beyond its maximum
capacity. "

I suggest you purchase a new motor.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Motor size v boat length



Here are a couple of photos of my V153 with a blue 90 and a mermaid 105. Notice that the engines don't look huge in comparison to the boat.

That boat should be rated for a 90. My V153 deep vee is and it is slightly smaller than the 156 tri-hull.

The boat itself, if the transom is sound, will handle well over 100 HP. So don't worry about ripping it apart with the extra 10 HP.

With 100 Hp hanging on the transom, the boat will look "right", not overpowered and chances are no one will notice.

However, while federal regs don't address overpowering, state reg vary. If you are stopped by a PR**K water enforcement officer, he/she could give you a very hard time. As an aside, I have been stopped a number of times and never has the officer asked about engine power. They were mainly concerned with correct paperwork and safety equipment. Again, however, I was stopped for inspection, not for cause.

10 Hp is very far from being grossly overpowered. If the engine is a 4 cylinder Rude or Johhny, simply buy an 85 or 90 hood and put it on. Not sure about mercs but you may be able to do the same thing. You are going to get the insurance argument, but if you don't race the thing, and with only 100 HP you certainly won't be, then the likelihood of an accident is low. With a light load, expect about 45 MPH with the 100.

So: Now make an informed decision as to what you want to do.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Motor size v boat length

Stay within what the manufacturer suggests or worry... Hum.. no brainer to me. Take it from someone who is notorious for overpowering boats. I've done the "Change the cowl" thing but when you blow the doors off a boat with a bigger motor when you shouldn't be able to, heads turn and sooner or later one of those heads will be a water cop. Don't even think you'll be able to resist doing it either.

Put the right size motor on it and enjoy it.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Motor size v boat length

I love how all the holier-than-thou people say its next to a cardinal sin to overpower. To those people, would it be ok to hang an new 85hp 4 stroke on the back? Absolutely. Very likely that engine has more power and substantially more weight.

Here is the REAL deal as to this situation. If that is the original engine, which I'm guessing it is, it was rated at the crank. The identical engine made a couple years after would have came with probably an 80 or 85 sticker. Also, do you really think a 40 year old engine is going to put out its rated hp?

Sometimes common sense and reality take a back seat.

As far as insurance, I worked in insurance quite a few years. Not ONCE did the issue of overpowering come up. In fact, we never once checked what the sticker power was for a boat. There was a cost for the hull, and a cost for the engine. There was also a surcharge if the hp divided by the length of the hull exceeded a certain number. It was hard for a boat to hit that number, it normally only applied to high power small jet skis. (one of my pwc's hit that ratio, one didn't, identical engines but 4 inches difference in hull length. 130hp in an 8 ft hull)

(and not everyone even has insurance on a boat... Especially in minnesota, millions of small lakes, its entirely possible its a private lake, and being private, the owners homeowners insurance may cover any slips/falls that happen on the boat)

To the OP... You obviously have a registration issue, so I'd find an 85 cowl and toss it on. I don't know if minnesota records the vin of the engine, i don't THINK so, but I'm only speaking from my dealings with buying a couple boats from minnesota owners.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Motor size v boat length

Old thread.