Thread: bigger motor than boats rating

The rating on your boat was determined by a set of standard criteria. Hull length, hull design, beam and weight for a few. Exceeding the posted maximum would be illegal according to U.S. Coast Guard regulations; probably be unable to insure it and put you at great risk financially in case of an accident.

The United States Coast Guard has an opinion on this frequently asked question, and their answer from their website is reproduced below:

Can I use a bigger motor on my boat than what it's rated for?
It is not a violation of Coast Guard regulations to install or use an engine larger than specified on the capacity label, but there may be state regulations prohibiting it, and restrictions from your own insurance company regarding this.
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.
NOTE: The Coast Guard Capacity Information label is required only on monohull boats less than 20' in length. The label is not required on multi-hull boats, pontoon boats (catamarans), or on any sailboats, canoes, kayaks, or inflatable boats, regardless of length.
As the Coast Guard mentions, local regulations may apply. For example, in the state of Ohio one should be guided by this regulation:
Capacity Plates
(ORC 1547.39 & ORC 1547-40)
No person shall operate or permit operation of a watercraft in excess of any of the stated limits on the capacity plate. When no capacity plate exists, no person shall operate or permit operation of a watercraft if a reasonably prudent person would believe the total load aboard or the total horsepower of any motor or engine presents a risk of physical harm to persons or property.

Originally Posted by Barnacle Bill

The United States Coast Guard has an opinion on this frequently asked question, and their answer from their website is reproduced below:

Can I use a bigger motor on my boat than what it's rated for?
It is not a violation of Coast Guard regulations to install or use an engine larger than specified on the capacity label, but there may be state regulations prohibiting it, and restrictions from your own insurance company regarding this.
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.
NOTE: The Coast Guard Capacity Information label is required only on monohull boats less than 20' in length. The label is not required on multi-hull boats, pontoon boats (catamarans), or on any sailboats, canoes, kayaks, or inflatable boats, regardless of length.
As the Coast Guard mentions, local regulations may apply. For example, in the state of Ohio one should be guided by this regulation:
Capacity Plates
(ORC 1547.39 & ORC 1547-40)
No person shall operate or permit operation of a watercraft in excess of any of the stated limits on the capacity plate. When no capacity plate exists, no person shall operate or permit operation of a watercraft if a reasonably prudent person would believe the total load aboard or the total horsepower of any motor or engine presents a risk of physical harm to persons or property.

Once again, you have proven that the people in charge here don't know beans about their fields. I have been told for years by the State that it was against Coast Guard regs to run a bigger motor. Then again, I should have been smart enough to check it out and not take their word for it. Guess who I am going to see Monday morning? Thanks, Mr. Bill.

Had a friend years ago that owned a 16.5 ft hydra-sports bass boat, rated for 120 hp. He had a 115 Johnson and he wore it out, found a good deal on an early GT150 , long story short I helped him install it, went on the maiden voyage and rode with him scared for my life as he ran wide open into a sharp turn on Lake Herrington in Ky and realized that he couldn't throtle back with both hand on the wheel as we slid side ways through the turn heading for a bluff wall . I had to push the throtle back from the passenger seat while this guy laughed the whole time. Never road in that boat again. Hull design, Floatation, weight plays a big part in horsepower ratings, and if you ask your Insurance company will tell you no way, so if you ever need to make a claim or Lord forbid some one claim against you , this may cause all kinds of trouble. JMHO

Tom

Is their anyway of getting it re-rated? As technology has advanced and our government has not?

Yeah but don't forget your state can add to their regs but not take away. Plus if you were ever to get in an accident I suspect the insurance companies would have a field day. You might want to do some searching on Scream and fly.com. These people are into racing boats and might have some more insight on it.

You will not get to successfully win a claim with your insurance company should anything ever hapen to the boat itself or as a result of the boat doing damage to something due to the exceeding the max HP rating. I have been informed of this with my last two boat insurance companies in their policy documents. That could get very expensive if something unforseen happens down the road.

I talked with the local GW's before putting a larger motor on a small boat and they said no problems. I talked with the ins. company and they told me since my boat was only rated for a 35 hp if something happened and the boat sank they wouldnt be able to pay me what a 50 hp would cost...only what a 35 hp costs. But they had no problems with me doing it either. I never did take out any ins. on it but wanted to know where I stood anyway.