[Jbradley71]

Hey Iboat forum goers....

I have a question concerning a larger engine (outboard) for a 1985 Bayliner 1600 series cuddy. Right now it has a 85 horse Force on it, which is a great motor, I have had absolutly no problems with it. But I have been wondering about upgrading to something a little more powerful. My boat plate in cockpit, says the largest motor I can put on this thing, is a 90. Now.....I know that this was written for back in 1985 for this boat, and motors have become a lot lighter. Could I put a Honda 100 or 125 on this thing and be safe? I'm guessing these motors would be hugely lighter than the old forces. Or any newer, motor for that matter. I have not fell into one I like yet. Just wondering. I also have questions for props as well, but I will take that up in prop forum.

[vandy21]

I've been wondering the same thing with my bayliner. I am not sure, but what i have been told is theres no legal way to go over the max hp on your boat. I have been told you can change the capacity plates, or change the lettering on the engine cowl, but that my be a little risky.

[Jbradley71]

So you have obviously checked into this? That sucks, damn. You'd think as long as the boat could support the wait at the transom it would be ok.

[gcboat]

By law you CANNOT change any rating plate on a boat installed by the mfg. It is foolish to do otherwise. As far as adding additional horsepower to your boat is concerned it is there for a reason. Handling being the most important. Even though the newer engines are lighter it's not so much the weight issue but the thrust. The transom is rated to handle XX horsepower on a "push" theory. The engine does push you down the water. Add more push and you take a really good chance of doing some damage. If you really wanted to see some improvement on your boat get a 90 h.p. 4 stroke. But you better dig deep in your wallet - they don't come cheap. However there are deals to be found just about everywhere, just gotta' look. Don't be foolish, stay within the construction boundaries of your boat. The folks who built them know a lot more about their product than you or I do.

[mixerjv]

"become a lot lighter" - actually the opposite is true for many HP ranges. For example, the mid - eighties merc 115hp has gone from 300lbs to 370-380lbs for the 4 stroke or optimax today. A 1961 merc 50 is 130lbs, a 1984 is 180lbs, and a new one is 248lbs.

Also, consider the mid eighties marks the changover from crankshaft rated HP to prop rated HP. a 1975 boat with a plate of 75hp max (crankshaft) rating is probably only good for a 60hp prop rating of today's engine.

The recently (2006) discontiued bayliner 160 (the most recent equivalent to your boat) has a max rating of 90hp.

You're probably better off with a bigger boat if you want more power.