Is 9.9 mercury to big

[cajun/johnson 74]

I am planning on buying a new 10ft Pelican Predator DLX fishing/utility boat built with a modified V-shaped double hull and it says nomore than a 7hp. But i am thinking about putting a 9.9 mercury 4 storke on it. Is it to much of a motor for this boat or will it be ok. thanks for all the help.

 

[cwhite6]

Re: Is 9.9 mercury to big

I wold think the weight of that motor may make you unhappy. 2 stroke would be better weight wise. Also, if you put a bigger motor on there than the plate allows, you could find yourself in trouble with the law if stopped on the water.

 

[cajun/johnson 74]

Re: Is 9.9 mercury to big

the motor Weight: 84 lbs But this law thing what can they do is a big deal Please explain before i buy it. Im in Big Spring Texas if that matters. Thanks for the quick response and for all the help

 

[cwhite6]

Re: Is 9.9 mercury to big

Someone will chime in here with a better answer, but my understanding is as follows. The plate on the boat is from the boat maker with the coast guard approved weights for capacity and hp allowance. The law (be it wildlife and fisheries or water patrol) can write you a ticket for exceeding the maximum horsepower on the plate. Think careless operation or something.

 

[cajun/johnson 74]

Re: Is 9.9 mercury to big

thanks for the response

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Is 9.9 mercury to big

While I agree that motor will be a bit heavy for that boat, I had one a few years ago and thought that a 6hp Johnson 2 stroke was too heavy for it. I ended up running a 3hp Evinrude, which worked great. I had always figured that one of those 5hp Briggs Stratton air cooled motors would have been perfect but I never did find one for it, I sold it when I found my 12' V hull I have now.
The Pelican was great for small, back creeks and ponds though, it would go anywhere if you kept the load light.

I'm not sure if they can actually ticket you for going over the max hp, but it would be a liability or insurance issue if anything ever happened. It would no doubt void the boats warranty if they knew.