Would I get into trouble with the CG?

[00scoots]

I inherited my dad's 1977 14' fiberglass runabout a couple of years ago. It came with a 35hp Evinrude, which is great for trolling, but get a couple of passengers in the boat and it doesn't have enough horsepower to plane. <br /><br />This little runabout is extremely heavy. Every experienced boater has remarked that this boat is very heavy for its size.<br /><br />The capacity plate has a max horsepower limit of 55hp. I had a rebuilt 4 cycle 55hp Homelite (a very heavy outboard - about 245lb.) on the boat for awhile, but the Homelite was a nightmare of problems and will be sold for parts.<br /><br />My outboard mechanic has had problems with locating a used 50hp Merc that he can rebuild for me, so I'm putting on a rebuilt 1984 60hp Merc - which is about 25lb. lighter than the 55hp Homelite.<br /><br />The boat has a 20" transom and I have the formula for figuring the max hosrepower capacity as determined by the Coast Guard, but I haven't measured the transom width yet.<br /><br />What kind of trouble would I get into if the Coast Guard or other law enforcement agency found I was exceeding the max horsepower capacity by 5hp?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Would I get into trouble with the CG?

Probably none until you get into an accident. Even if its the other guys fault. Your insurance company might not like it either. Ask them and let us know what they say, it'd be interesting to hear.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Would I get into trouble with the CG?

It's for reasons like this that God made hp decals. <br /><br />-W

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Would I get into trouble with the CG?

Horsepower ratings formulas have changed over the years. You might be able to recalculate using the most recent method and be able to use that motor. But 60Hp on a 14' runabout would be a red flag for most law enforcement agencies. It would stick out like a sore thumb. And yes, you could get fined for it and have to paddle it home. They wouldn't let you run it once you were ticketed for it. And they probably wouldn't offer a tow.<br /><br />One popular tourist lake I worked on had law enforcement checking nearly every single boat on weekends. They'd be at the ramp, on the lake, or on the river that fed it. Specifically they were looking for open intoxicants, battery anchored and posts covered, PFDs, fire extinguisher, horn, too many people, and ALL had the motors checked against the rated maximum.<br /><br />{Just as a sidelight, horsepower ratings are very rigid. Believe it or not, fishing boats with primary motors that meet the maximum horsepower are technically overpowered if they have a kicker motor on to boot. But few agencies will issue tickets for that. It's not like you would actually run both of them at the same time and they realize that. But if you're being a Jerk to the officer or warden, they might just give a ticket for it.}

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Would I get into trouble with the CG?

By 1984 Mercs were propshaft rated, so that idea won't fly too well. That said, that motor sits pretty small and won't stick out too badly. Though a 50hp decal set couldn't hurt.<br /><br />I ran an 80hp Tower on a 13' Glaspar G3 a few years ago, and got away with it for 2 seasons.<br /><br />-W

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Would I get into trouble with the CG?

So you're saying you got caught the third season? What did it cost you? <br /><br />OOPS! I was ambiguous. I meant you might be able to have the Boat's horsepower rating recalculated. I have no idea how they calculated it then or now, but I know it has probably changed since that boat was new. Using the most recent method would preempt the original rating. But then, you already know that. That would be a Legal way. One thing to consider about changing the decals is that it could add an additional charge for tampering (it is definately illegal to tamper with the capacity tag, not sure about motor stickers).

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Would I get into trouble with the CG?

Hehe... On the third season I got a bigger boat.<br /><br />There's always a way to overpower a boat. <evil grin>. You may well be right that the hull HP could be recalculated to get a better rating. Add a piece of stainless as a "transom support" etc etc.<br /><br />Then again, that's an old hull. Older boats are commonly missing the ratings plates and stickers. Things like that fall off all the time. It's an imperfect world. <br /><br />-W

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Would I get into trouble with the CG?

It depends where you are and what the local laws are. The Coast Guard has no jurisdiction over such matters, as having too much horsepower is not a federal offense. They could however cite you for negligent operation if you were going too fast or operating in an unsafe manner.

 

[Forktail]

Re: Would I get into trouble with the CG?

You are correct Drowned Rat.<br /><br />There are no federal requirements manadating the owner follow the rating. But there can be individual state rules.<br /><br />However, you could always get cited for negligent operation such as overloading (weight), or wreckless operation such as speeding, etc.<br /><br />BTW, boat manufacturers set HP ratings for a reason. They have designed and tested the boat. And the formulas used for calculating hp haven't changed over the years. Changing decals on the cowling won't change the hp. If you're in an accident, a sharp attorney will pick up on that, and the case of negligence against you will look even worse.

 

[snohomishbaddawg]

Re: Would I get into trouble with the CG?

Just remember that if you do have an accident that changing the stickers shows recklessness, not just neglegence. To purposely take steps to avoid detection will usually void any insurance you have.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Would I get into trouble with the CG?

This brings up a question for me....What about the guys building, or redesigning an existing hull that ends up weighing 700lbs. with 250+HP on the back???????<br />These aren't only RACE boats....they run'em on the weekends for fun too....

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Would I get into trouble with the CG?

The guys at Scream & Fly operate on a whole different set of roolz. <br /><br />-W

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Would I get into trouble with the CG?

I'm "one" of those....I just want to hear an explaination as to why that's allowed, and yet a guy can't put a 60 on a boat rated for 55...<br />I don't have a 250+ on a 700lb hull, but I've got one that exceeds the limit by a bunch, and another on the way.<br />There IS a secret to the answer, and it IS NOT altering the plate, or the decals.....

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Would I get into trouble with the CG?

You're killing us walleyehed!!

 

[Terry H]

Re: Would I get into trouble with the CG?

As far as I know there is no law in Oregon that mandates to you how to power your boat, and the capacity sticker is mostly a guideline. As long as you follow safe boating practices and don't cause accidents put whatever motor you want on your boat. To answer the next question to me...a motor that is too heavy for your boat is a not "safe boating practice"...with what you are trying to do, I would say you don't have a problem..."no worries"...just a Thought

 

[00scoots]

Re: Would I get into trouble with the CG?

Thanks for all of the replies.<br /><br />As an Explorer Scout many, many years ago I voluntered with the County River Patrol here in Oregon. We did many safety inspections, but never inspected for exceeding horsepower capacity. I'm not sure if the River Patrol does this today or not.<br /><br />I did measure my transom and boat, and according to current CG regs for home boat builders, my boat has a max horsepower capacity of 55hp.<br /><br />For the past year I've been checking marinas and outboard dealers for a 50hp outboard to replace my BEHEMOTH Homelite. Little luck finding a nice used 50hp outboard, but one dealer tried to sell me a used 70hp Evinrude and assured me of no problems (this outboard was nearly as big as the Homelite) and another dealer recently assured me that going over the hp rating of no more than 12% would still be legal in Oregon.<br /><br />Anyway, I now have a rebuilt 1984 60hp Mariner on my boat and does it run SWEET, and this Mariner doesn't weigh the stern down like the Homelite did. I'm thinking the Mariner may be 50+lbs. lighter than the 55hp Homelite. Only 11 more hours of break-in and the piston rings should set!

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Would I get into trouble with the CG?

Is that the 3 cylinder 60?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Would I get into trouble with the CG?

I'll bet I know what Clams is getting at. That's a 1984, so it pretty much has to be a 3-cyl. (Weren't the 4cyls 70Hp?) I believe they did produce a 50Hp motor of that genre, but I've never seen one. Only 60s, 65s and 70s. I doubt you could still get the stickers, and used 50Hp hoods like that gotta be rare as warm toes at the North Pole.<br /><br />I'm suprised about USCG jurisdiction. But state, county, and local agencies can definately cite you for overpowering if it's against the law. In my state, it definately is and they definately do. Even dealers that did the work have gotten citations.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Would I get into trouble with the CG?

Overhorsepowering (is that a word) may not be a federal issue, but the Coast Guard has ways around it. Negligent or grossly negligent operation, and manifestly unsafe voyage to name a few. However if you operate you boat with common sense, the Coast Guard will leave you alone even if you have too much horsepower.

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Would I get into trouble with the CG?

Actually Willy, I was thinking that the three cylinder 60 is really the old 3 cylinder 70 derated to propshaft ratings. In other words he's got plenty of power there. <br /><br />But ya - I think theres a later model three cylinder 50 that could be a "sticker doner" too. For 5hp I wouldnt bother trying to hide it at all, as that would compound the issue. <br /><br />Us 99ci tower guys have it knocked. 90 to 155hp with the same *exact* block. The Marine Patroll would have to tear my engine down and measure ports to get a clue. <evil grin><br /><br />I just snagged this faceplate on Ebay:<br />Link to Face <br /><br />Note that it has *no* HP designation. It was designed as a generic replacement for the 6 (not the 4 lol) <br /><br />-W