I just moved to a different area and the lake I want to fish has a 20hp limit on outboards. I currently have a 25hp Honda, and I recently ordered a 20hp sticker and replaced the original sticker with this new one. I also removed the serial plate. Do you think I can get away with this? I'm a little nervous because the 25 motor looks much bigger than the 20. I don't really want to have to buy a new 20hp motor and sell mine. Is there a big performance difference between 20 and 25? How can they tell it's a 25 if there is no identification on it other than the 20hp sticker. I was thinking that if I got questioned I would play dumb and tell them I bought this motor at a yard sale. The guy told me it was a 20. I never questioned it. What's the worst they can do? Thanks
If the PFBC checks your motor and does not find a serial plate they can and will confiscate your motor, boat, trailer and also your vehicle. Best advice is to keep it legal.
Ouch!!! ANGUS, that would really suck, How can I get around this? Is 5hp over really that big of a deal? People drive 5mph over the speed limit and it's fine.
Suppose I did sell my 25hp, I'm assuming I could probably get $1500 for it. It's a pull start, around 6 years old. A new 20hp Honda will cost me $3000. So, I would have to pay $1500 so that I could be legal, but would lose 5hp. These numbers just don't add up, plus the 25hp I have now is in perfect condition, starts on the first or second pull every time. What do you think my chances are of getting caught? Are the wardens very knowledgable that they could easily tell the difference between a 20 and a 25?
Rick, Angus gave you the very best advice you can get. Your way, be prepared to keep looking over your shoulder every time the man comes into view. If you get caught, pay the fine and dont complain. You brought all that on yourself. And he can confiscate your motor if it doesn't have a plate and you dont have a bill of sale stating its a 20hp. Good luck. it's not like those hopped up 9.9's that are the same size as the regular 9.9.
I was on Pymatuning July of 2007 in my 16 foot boat with a 9.9 Mercury and was checked by the PFBC. They wanted me to read my serial plate numbers to them. This was on the lake, they told me that Mercury has a 25 hp and people are changing the covers to a 9.9. They are checking motors and gear. Heard of one person at Lake Arthur that was running a 35 hp with 20 hp stickers and no serial plate last year and they confiscated his boat,motor and trailer.
Rick, Rather than sell or trade your 25, just run an electric or by a cheap Nissan from Cabelas. Personally I think HP restrictions stink! I can idle around or throttle up a bit on my 50HP and create no wake. Yet someone could run by me in a loaded up jon boat with a 9.9 and be pushing a wake like a tugboat. Their legal, and I'm not? Go figure! Isn't it the purpose of HP restrictions to control speed? Just make the lake all no wake zones instead of HP restrictions.
Thanks all. I'm still not sure what to do.
I guess I"m leaning towards getting a small kicker motor, or selling my 25 and buying a new 20. Anyone have recomendations on 20hp motors?
I'm new to boating, but have heard nothing but good about yamaha, or honda 4 stroke engines. As far as keeping it legal, just about in everything outdoors we like to do, is ruined buy a few. People who trespass, or hunt without permission, ruin it for the hunters. Go to any lake after the first day of trout, and there will be so much garbage, and bait canisters and beer cans laying around, it makes you wonder how much these people really like the outdoors. When I've just about lost faith in honesty and good moral values, someone comes along, and makes me rethink things. Good luck in your choice.
25hp to 20hp
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