Slight overpower ok?

[weirdaljr]

Hey guys I need some help. I have been having trouble finding a used 140hp locally. My 20' CC is rated up to 140hp. I have found a 155hp. The 140hp is a v4 weighing 370lbs, the 155 is a v6 weighing 397lbs.

Will that 15hp & 27lbs effect me much? I kinow it is over the rated for the boat, but would I experiance any problems or generally is something that close ok?

 

[JB]

Re: Slight overpower ok?

Being a little bit overpowered is like being a little bit pregnant, Al, it is not like being a little bit over the speed limit.

Your boat should perform well with anything over 100HP. Sounds like an excellent application for a good used 115HP 4 stroke.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Slight overpower ok?

JB sounds like my old boss who would tell me, "Don't get me pregnant with you"! I think he was motivated by a fear of lawyers. Good luck.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Slight overpower ok?

the only problem I might see is if you are in an accident of any kind and your insurance company finds out you were over powered for the boat they might run like a scalded dog from any claim. A chance too the water patrol will look real closely at your boat.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Slight overpower ok?

I would not overpower for a lot of insurance and legal reasons.

 

[EricR]

Re: Slight overpower ok?

Just out of curiosity, HOW THE HELL would they claim you were "overpowered for the accident". I could only see that if it were a high speed thing, some other boat slams into you at the dock, how is your boat being "overpowered" going to have anything to do with it?

 

[angler53]

Re: Slight overpower ok?

I don't see why there isn't an experimental category for boats as there is with aircraft.
As long as the alteration is of sound engineering and documented, I can't see where there would be a problem.
I have a Ranger, 1850VS Reata. I think some of their hot bass rig's with the VS hull take up to 300hp.
Mine is designed for 175 max horsepower. I'm running a F150 4-stroke and the performance is acceptable. A 175 would be better, but 225 would be stimulating.
That project would be more than its worth to me, but, it's sort of like the 69 Camaro my younger brother built. Four hundred horse was exhilarating; Six hundred horse made one's sticker peck out.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Slight overpower ok?

Just out of curiosity, HOW THE HELL would they claim you were "overpowered for the accident". I could only see that if it were a high speed thing, some other boat slams into you at the dock, how is your boat being "overpowered" going to have anything to do with it?

boats are rated for a maximum horsepower. all it takes for the company to walk away from the claim is to show you were running more horsepower than the boat was rated for. It doesn't matter whether the extra horsepower had anything to do with the accident or not. It is a way for them to get out of paying the claim.

 

[weirdaljr]

Re: Slight overpower ok?

Well a lot of people have brought it up, so I thought I should add that I do not have insurance. It is not required here, and I do not plan to get it on my very limited budget.

So based on what we know, If I can get a much better deal on a 155 over a 140 (thats what im finding here I can't find many 140s) should I go for it?

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Slight overpower ok?

If you are not insured and have no significant assets, you become less of a target for someone else. This is true because there is nothing for a lawyer to get his/her hands on immediately, to cover the contingency fee and costs. That is not to say, however, that you can't still be a target because you can still be forced to pay a claim out of future earnings.

If you own a home and a couple of decent cars, things get a bit more dicey. In such a case, I suggest getting some insurance.

As to whether or not having an overpowered boat makes a difference in what happens after an accident, it does. Those who will want to make you out to be "the bad guy" will use anything and everything they can. Sometimes life "inhales" but it is what it is.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Slight overpower ok?

I don't see why there isn't an experimental category for boats as there is with aircraft.

Anything that can be construed as a form of negligence by a boater involved in an accident, whether or not they were at fault, can, and will be used as grounds for not paying. It could be something as simple as lack of sleep or drowsiness by a early morning fisher, or the slightest trace of alcohol in the blood system from the night before.

According to the (and I mention this cautiously, they seem to be by many, a hated bunch here) Coast Guard, alcohol is a factor in over 80% of all boating accidents, yet overpowering with outboards always seems to be the point where everyone gets upset.

My boat is registered as a new/home built (it is actually a rebuild) and the given maximum for horsepower is a good 30% over what I would ever put on it. Different country, different rules. But it shows it is possible to build a boat in the experimental category. It is just hard to find a insurance company to insure it. They don't take risk with experiments, even well engineered ones.

They are in the business of taking money in the forms of premiums, not paying settlements. Anything they can do, to avoid paying, they will do.

Years ago they decided that the “Pocket Rocket” motorcycle segment would be an easy target for higher premiums, the media loved it, branding all who road in this segment as reckless dangers to society. Then a accidentally released internal study from the insurance industry showed that this was the safest of all groups of motorcyclist.

The cruisers segment didn't like this, because it was their that premiums went up instead, but it was so.

People who like to live life in the slow lane, love to brand all those who like things a little faster as criminals. The insurance companies use this to their advantage, and it also makes great headlines in the media.

If you overpower, you make yourself a easy target for everyone.

 

[Benny1963]

Re: Slight overpower ok?

ten horsepower man thats nothing like in and earlier post what if ya run a etec on that boat rated for it its legal but twice as fast really make no sense
to got thru these mute points its all goverment and legalities and it seems to be getting worse they have allisons running 100 with merc 280 he insured
but how safe is he in his toy

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Slight overpower ok?

Weird, try to find a looper 140. It'll perform as well as, maybe a tad better, than a 150 crossflow on that boat. Nothing wrong with the 155 commercial motor. Other than it may have the V8 size gearcase.

Where are you located?