115 hp too much?

[SUNB15]

I have a 15 ft boat, the max hp listed for it is 90. What would happen if I put on a 115 hp motor? Cant find a 90 at a good price. Is it the weight of the motor itself that matters? I realize you cant put a 300 hp on a little boat its too much but would a 90-115 jump make any difference? Thanks

 

[Mercury140-I6]

Re: 115 hp too much?

That all depends. The older Mercs (Inline 6's) were the same weight (90 and 115) and that was 345# I think.<br /><br />Hope this helps some. Others will chime in soon.<br /><br />Criag

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 115 hp too much?

I'm sure it would work, as the weight is the same and the power output is not that significant. But there is always that insurance glitch....

 

[jetboater]

Re: 115 hp too much?

Check your state regs---many states have regs against putting a motor on a boat that's above the max HP listed on the capacity plate. Plus, your insurance probably would be void (give them a call)

 

[SUNB15]

Re: 115 hp too much?

thanks for that info, and here i thought the only issue would be mechanical....the original 48 hp is 185 lbs supposedly, I wonder how heavy a 115 Johnson or Evinrude might be. If its 300 lbs I take it that would be an issue. As for insurance I have none so thats not a problem. So I guess other than the weight the only thing I have to worry about is the capacity plate and NY laws. Never realized that plate was so important, when I first got the boat as a project one the sticker was in bad shape and I almost removed it but then left whats left of it thinking it might be one of those "dont remove this label from your mattress" types of things.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 115 hp too much?

What year 115?? Don't have insurance, so you don't have to worry about that? Huummm...As I said up above, I see no problem with weight or HP, just the capacity plate and insurance.. What year boat and motor are we talking here? What type of boat? Brand?

 

[JB]

Re: 115 hp too much?

I am a believer that you can't have too many tools, guns, fishing rods, dogs or grandchildren.<br /><br />But HP? In vehicles and boats you can have too much. Would it make the vehicle or boat potentially too fast to safely control? Would the torque or weight of the engine overwhelm the structure and eventually break it? Would you go broke paying for insurance? Would you be automatically judged negligent in any mishap? Would it violate local law?<br /><br />The OMC/Bombardier 115s are on the same basic block as the 90s. They (except DFI) weigh the same and make about the same torque. Same for the Suzi/Johnny 90 and 115 4 strokes. So forget about too much weight or torque if you are looking at those engines.<br /><br />That leaves the law, insurance and liability questions unanswered. They are very important and potentially very expensive questions.<br /><br />What would be the gain? There would be little difference in performance except maybe a bit more top speed. The OMC/Bombardier carbed 90 is about the strongest 90 out there. The Suzi/Johnny DF90 4 stroke is a very good EFI engine, too.<br /><br />In your position I would put a carbed 2 stroke JohnnyRude 90 or a Suzi/Johnny 90 4 stroke on my boat.<br /><br />Good luck and good shopping. You would have a hard time beating iboats offerings.