Exceeding boats recommended/maximum rated horse power

[catchnedge]

What are all the implications for exceeding the hp rating on my V-166? I'm planning to repower it this year.  The placard on boat states "This boat is built to accomodate under normal circumstances an engine with a 100 OBC outboard horspower rating". Interesting to note that it doesn't say "maximum" or "recommended", then again, it may not matter.  I was considering putting a 1986 Mercury 115 on it (same weight as the 90hp), but I'm wondering if I will run into problems getting it properly insured, get harassed/ticketed by water patrol, etc.?  I could go with the 90hp Merc, but thought this 16 and a half foot trihull could handle it., especially the way I drive/handle it.. and like others have said, there is no replacment for horse power.

Recommendations & considerations?

Thanks!

[Hyperacme]

My local Mn. boat dealer told me he could put a motor 15 percent larger then rating on tag (LEGALLY).
Talked to my insurance company ( Global Marine, Progressive ) about putting a larger motor on my boat, was told "No problem" ask to talk to some one higher up in the company just to be sure and was told it was OK ...

" JUST DO IT "

LOL !

[terry]

find a older 150 inline,swap new 115 decals call it a day(LOL)

[Hyperacme]

Theres a racing class that runs tri hulls like yours with 140 HP Johnsons/Evinrudes ...
CRAZY !
Looking for link ....

http://www.sportracingseries.com/

Looking for videos ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8auYH1PDCIo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFb4mzTmZYE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrtjSJMaLr4&NR=1&feature=fvwp

[wiliermdb]

From what I've learned in my area (south Louisiana), dealers will not install any motor over the posted max hp. Friends have tried but ended up just purchasing the motor in the crate and install at home.

Some of the major insurance companies will not insure if the boat is overpowered. I know my agent, State Farm, asked for the length and the HP rating listed followed by what was on the boat.

That's where specialty marine insurance companies come in to play. Try to call your regular insurance company and tell them you have a 21 foot tournament ski boat with 400 hp. They do the HP per foot calculation and charge your eyes out. Even though the boat will max at 50 to 55 mph they just see the HP/foot and assume the worse.

[Rosscoe]

Good question as I will be doing the same and was more worried about the boat handling it then the insurance.

[Eric_Michael]

Uhhh....ummmm....  Not supposed to put a big motor on a hull rated for less horsepower?  Ooops.   

My uncle re-powered what is now my CVX-16 in 1992.  Johnson 'Fast Strike' motors were the hot ticket at the time.  Rumors from that era indicate these motors were 'unintentionally' underrated in order to meet some rule restrictions when used in racing.

Anyway, my uncle had his local boat dealer install the motor.  Because of the additional horsepower, we have always taken it easy on the boat - no full throttle launches, etc.  The transom remains rock solid. 

The downside of this motor is limited range.  I wish it was easy to remove the fuel tank and replace it with a larger one.  I get about 55-60 miles before it is time to break out the oars.  Needless to say, longer trips need to be planned with appropriate stopping places in mind.

As for insurance....  They did not care.  They only wanted to know the make, model, and replacement value of the motor.

-Eric
'83 CVX-16 rated at 125hp
'92 Johnson Fast Strike 175hp

[frosty]

My dad bought a '76 16' sportsman tri-hull new with a 115 merc on it, he said in '76 merc didn't make a 100 hp and that is what the boat was rated for. He didn't want to drop to a 90 hp, so he went 115 hp. It was a perfect match, it handled it well and was a real work horse for hauling tubers and skiers. Back then there weren't too many boats on our lake that would touch it either.  If everything is strong in you're boat I would say go for it. 

[Hyperacme]

Thats a T-166 Sportster.
Must have been about a 50 + mph boat !

[frosty]

Yes it is a t-166 sportster, nice old boat.  According to the speedo, it would do just 50. Back then there were no gps... I rember one of the boats on the lake that would run right by it was a gt-160,red and white with a 150 inline merc on it.   I bought it from my dad a few years ago and then sold it to buy a gt-150. No where near the boat as the sportster though. Many times I had 5 people in the boat and 3 skiers on behind and would pull them no problem. Now they give tickets for that, overloading the boat.  oh well.. 

[Rosscoe]

I'm curious as long as you guys are talking tri hulls. The "t" in the model name makes sense as in Tri hull or HAUL as some call them, but Greggs...yours is a V-156.  Maybe its as simple as a model name change or is there more?

[Hyperacme]

Not sure why they called a tri-hull a V ?
In 1976 they changed it to T-156 and made a T-166 ( little longer and wider then V & T 156).
Then in 1978 changed it to T-160 which was a T-166's LOA and beam.

[Rich_V174SS]

They were designating all their boats as V-XXX up until 1976 when someone had the brilliant idea to differentiate the V-hulls from the tri-hulls by switching to a "T" number. It only took them almost 10 years to figure that out since the first tri-hulls came out in 1967.

[Rosscoe]

They were designating all their boats as V-XXX up until 1976 when someone had the brilliant idea to differentiate the V-hulls from the tri-hulls by switching to a "T" number. It only took them almost 10 years to figure that out since the first tri-hulls came out in 1967.

LOL!