What size motor I need legally??

[Terry b]

I have a 14 foot John Boat and its 4 foot wide, is it legal to put a 18hp on my boat, I have tried it out on the boat and it works great!!! But I just need to make sure it is legal to have that size motor on a 14 foot John Boat. I live in the state of Alabama if that will help finding out for me. Thank you so much.

 

[roscoe]

Re: What size motor I need legally??

The max hp rating for the boat is located on the US Coast Guard certification plate or sticker, in the boat.
If the boat is old, it may have a brass plate issued by BIA.

 

[seabob4]

Re: What size motor I need legally??

Chances are, it probably has neither. If that was the case, hell, you could throw a 40 on there.

The real issues are insurance and liability should you cause an accident deemed to be determined by excessive speed...

 

[v8mgbal]

Re: What size motor I need legally??

Newbe question, if I go over what my boat is rated can you get a ticket or some trouble with insurance thanks. NEVER mind I discovered that if you look at the bottom of page you can usally find the answer from another post sorry.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: What size motor I need legally??

Can you get into trouble with insurance? No worst they will do is drop coverage.
Can you get a ticket? Depends on your state. Do they allow over powering?

Here in WI it is illegal to overpower your boat. But enforcement is another matter. I think here they mainly look at the idiot that shoved a huge motor on a boat and is riding around endangering others.

I have a 14 foot Glastron Skiflite, rated for 45, I have a 55 HP on it. So far at the ramp, I've had the sheriff department and DNR launch next to me on separate occasions. Nothing was said.

 

[lncoop]

Re: What size motor I need legally??

18 horseys on a 14/48 is fine. Just right, actually. Rarely if ever will I make such a statement without more info, but I will in this case. Let the flaming begin.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: What size motor I need legally??

Let the flaming begin.

Nope, no flaming. I used to have a boat approximately that size and was thinking the same thing, that 18 HP sounded about right.