Differance
27.04.2021 4:49:51
Bigger doesn’t always mean better.
See full version: More Speed More Power and the Danger of Overpowering Your Boat
Bigger doesn’t always mean better.
Most companies will use the boat’s maximum rating as its limit for coverage and you could find yourself in a bad situation should they discover that the engine is bigger than recommended by the manufacturer. Some insurance companies may make exceptions (for an additional premium) so you should check first.
If you plan on going to a larger than stated maximum horsepower you will be doing so at your own risk and should proceed with caution. The manufacturer has determined this rating based on the engineering of the craft, the handling characteristics and the weight and balance of the vessel.
Wait until you are in accident, and the insurance companies find out you over-powered the boat. That gets your insurance company off the hook, allowing you to be personally sued for reckless negligence. Don't let this happen to you!
Re: Putting a larger than rated motor on boat?
I called the Texas Parks and Wildlife office about this as I'm getting a boat from my parents. It is rated for max 15hp and it has a 25hp. He said that was a recommendation and that if approached, I would not be cited, however he mentioned a safety issue. In my case, he stated that my boat rated for 15hp will be ok with 25, just be careful. He said there could be a liability issue if anyone was injured since the boat is overpowerd. [links]
You can do anything you want to until you get caught.<br /><br />Direct from the Coast Guard site: http://www.uscgboating.org/mf/mf_faq.asp#Q12 <br /><br />There are no Coast Guard regulations against exceeding the safe loading capacity, however, there may be State regulations or restrictions from your insurance company which prohibit this. There is a Coast Guard regulation that gives Coast Guard Boarding Officers the power to terminate the use of a boat (send it back to shore) if, in the judgment of the Boarding Officer, the boat is overloaded. There is no fine for this, unless the operator refuses the Boarding Officer's order. We certainly hope that you will abide by the rating, as overloading may lead to capsizing or swamping of the boat.<br /><br />Local ordinances and insurance rules ares usually tighter. If you are asking the question of this nature then you must be new to boating. I would not do it nor do I advise you to do it. Whet the transon rips away or the hull cracks from stem to stern PLEASE don't take anyone with you. <br /><br />Bob
I do suprise some jet boat guys though,:D :D :D
Some coast guard stuff in plain english (http://www.uscg.mil/d1/staff/oan/navinfo/documents/b%2Dboating%5Fsafety.pdf)
USCG law (federal regulations) does not prohibit putting more horsepower than the capacity placard states. (see below #1 for more), however, state and local laws in your area may restrict it. For example, florida considers exceeding maximum capacity or horsepower reckless boating, a first degree misdemeanor. [links]
I keep printed copies of the USCG regulations and the State regulation in a zip lock bag with my registration. Have to be prepaired. All they can do in most states is tell you to go to shore. Water cops I have talked with, just want to know about the boat and are really cool. I even tell them how fast it goes and how much HP. They like boats as much as we do , around my parts.
I figure thay get so many jet boat guys BS'ing about MPH that they really dont believe me.
Re: Overpowering a boat by 10hp here
Anyone see any objections to overpowering by 10 hp that would bring the boat 8.5% over the recommended HP limit??
With a 1984 you have a USCG HP rating listed on the placard and being a popular model like a Lund MR. Pike, DNR/USCG/ water police may know your overpowered just by knowing your boats rating as it's a common boat. Your boat can probably handle the extra HP. It's not like your asking us for justification to strap 100-150hp to it like some of these type questions develop into, but it could get you a ticket or an order back to the docks depending on your state/ lake regulations and your insurance provider may not write a policy on it. Your going to get a lot of flac in this thread, many will say run it but the choice is yours and yours only. more
Long story short, the USCG capacity plate for HP is not the word of law in most states. I challenge anybody to show me a state statute (they are all online) saying you can't violate that HP. (I'll leave this one open, there might be a couple out there somewhere.) And from my experience working in insurance for quite a few years, I never once saw a case where HP made any difference at all. (again, I challenge anybody to dig up a case file where overpowering (at least within reason) was the main reason in the argument.) [links]
8: Ins won't cover you because you had too much power