Outboard replacement

[Thegen]

Hello and happy Thanksgiving to you all!!

I have a question about my dads boat. Its an 86 tracker tx-17 tournament. It came equipped from the factory with a 60hp 3 cyl mercury motor. The motor needs a new powerhead (cracked block). So he opted to re-power the boat. He has replaced the carpet twice and in doing so the uscg capacity plate was misplaced. So going from memory, he purchased a good used 97 90hp evinrude with controls. I mounted the new motor (after some research) and he took it to a local shop to have a new water pump put in and to finish the wiring for the Murphy switch and tach. They lake tested it said it ran fine. On his receipt it said "boat over-rated, unsafe". He later found the plate and it is in fact only rated for 80hp. According to uscg formula length x width x 2 -90 the boat would be good for 115hp. What would someone's professional advice be on this situation without running into legality issues or anything of the sort? I understand if its to get a different motor but at this point its just a stressful situation.

 

[jbcurt00]

The shop was correct, overpowered

Max Horsepower Rating Interpretation

Hi All - I've read a lot of threads on here in considering taking on a project boat. Found a lot of helpful info but there is one aspect I have not seen covered, hence this post. That topic is horsepower ratings on older (1970’s) boats translated to today. I came across a formula that the coast...

forums.iboats.com

The rating is the rating, regardless of your USCG capacity calculation.

Time to re-re-power it

 

[Thegen]

The shop was correct, overpowered

Max Horsepower Rating Interpretation

Hi All - I've read a lot of threads on here in considering taking on a project boat. Found a lot of helpful info but there is one aspect I have not seen covered, hence this post. That topic is horsepower ratings on older (1970’s) boats translated to today. I came across a formula that the coast...

forums.iboats.com

The rating is the rating, regardless of your USCG capacity calculation.

Time to re-re-power it

Thanks for the reply! I am going to do some research on the difference between the 90hp and 80hp evinrude models. After looking up the weight differences, the 4 cyl 75hp mercury offered in 1986 (it doesn't appear that they offered an 80hp model) is 36 lbs lighter than the evinrude 90 we put on. This kinda stinks that they did the work and took his money before saying anything. I do realize it was our mistake, just trying to find the easiest/best way to correct it. Thanks again!!!

 

[racerone]

Does the tag say----" maximum 80 HP "
------Or does it say-------" Recommended maximum 80 HP "

 

[Thegen]

Does the tag say----" maximum 80 HP "
------Or does it say-------" Recommended maximum 80 HP "

 

[racerone]

Option 1-----I would apply for a new sticker.-----Option 2 ,--Contact TRACKER and see if they have a different rating for that boat today.-----I am refurbishing a 17' boat now that is rated for 150 HP ( before prop rating in the USA )------Putting 150 HP ( prop rated ) on it when done.------Will be running at about 4000' elevation so that brings power down a wee bit again.

 

[skuhleman]

Man for 10hp, I would just run it as is. Is it ideal, no but I mean come on. No way would I change motors because its 10hp over the maximum. Sure you probably have some insurance liability, but it is what it is. Its boating, what's the likelihood of ever having a boating accident if your a responsible adult. We bought our pontoon 2nd hand and it is 13hp over its plate. Im not about to change motors on it unless this one fails. Then it won't be down to the 75 limit, it will be up to a 115 lol

 

[Thegen]

Man for 10hp, I would just run it as is. Is it ideal, no but I mean come on. No way would I change motors because its 10hp over the maximum. Sure you probably have some insurance liability, but it is what it is. Its boating, what's the likelihood of ever having a boating accident if your a responsible adult. We bought our pontoon 2nd hand and it is 13hp over its plate. Im not about to change motors on it unless this one fails. Then it won't be down to the 75 limit, it will be up to a 115 lol

My understanding of the uscg plating wouldn't even include a pontoon boat because its not a single hull design. There is a guy at a local lake that holds the world record for the world's fastest tune. Hes got 3 motors on it lol. Dad is mostly worried what the insurance company will say.

 

[jbcurt00]

I don't know you or your dad, but posting this to a random group of strangers and asking for advice suggests you (or him) isn't completely comfortable based on finding the 80hp placard and what was written on the receipt.

Might check your local boating regs, in my home state simply overpowering above the stated hp capacity is a violation, regardless how diligent you are w the throttle.

Hence my advice, which I stand behind.

To green light overpowering seems reckless given that none of us are you (or your dad), know your knowledge & experience, how you react when things happen quickly on a boat and exactly how your boat handles the extra 10hp which is >12% over.

Good luck w your decision and boat safely.

 

[Thegen]

I don't know you or your dad, but posting this to a random group of strangers and asking for advice suggests you (or him) isn't completely comfortable based on finding the 80hp placard and what was written on the receipt.

Might check your local boating regs, in my home state simply overpowering above the stated hp capacity is a violation, regardless how diligent you are w the throttle.

Hence my advice, which I stand behind.

To green light overpowering seems reckless given that none of us are you (or your dad), know your knowledge & experience, how you react when things happen quickly on a boat and exactly how your boat handles the extra 10hp which is >12% over.

Good luck w your decision and boat safely.

Thanks again for the reply. Just didn't know if there was similar situations and how people handle them. Yes, we're 3rd and 4th generation fisherman who have been boating our whole lives. We're not hard on equipment at all and neither of us see ourselves running this boat full tilt all the time as we didn't with the 60 on it. I can contribute this to the boat being 34 yo and still in great shape. We fish central il and northern Wisconsin on lakes we know very well. It's a hindsight situation at this point. I will further discuss it with him and see what he wants to do seeing how motors aren't exactly free lol. Thanks again for the advice.