Can I legally increase max HP rating with a tritoon conversion?

Barroga

Cadet
Joined
May 7, 2022
Messages
9
I have a restored 1997 20’ Tahoe Alpine with a max HP rating of 80HP. I know it’s not legal to go over this, but if I convert to a tritoon can I legally increase my HP rating? If so what is the math formula or % increase?
 

Barroga

Cadet
Joined
May 7, 2022
Messages
9
Trying to get the max efficiency to pull a tube. Right now I have a 2002 Mercury 50ELPTO. Thinking about a 90HP 2 stroke.
 
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Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
49,548
unless you add lifting strakes to the pontoon. you wont notice much between the 90 and 50 other than some noise and more fuel burn.
 

ahicks

Captain
Joined
Sep 16, 2013
Messages
3,957
When you modify a boat, you ARE the engineer. The boat's original data plate, depending on your mods, may no longer be worth a thing....

My thought on what you are trying to do, and what it might take to get this '97 20' boat to pull tubes, would be try to get an idea of what this might cost. It CAN be done for sure. It WILL be expensive. Then compare this cost to what a boat already equipped to do what you want to do might be? You may find that your money ahead selling your boat and getting one that will do what you want...

If you are determined, rather than add a tube, maybe the better (more effective) plan would be to replace your existing tubes with larger diameter (25" minimum) tubes with lifting strakes. This will dramatically increase the boat's efficiency, and increase it's capability to pull tubes easily. Though it would doubtless be working at max capacity, depending on your boat's weight, your 50 might pull kids on a hull like this.
 
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