Looking for some clarification on hp ratings on the transom placards for an inflatable. Many of the placards state Max HP, but many of the specs state Max Recommended HP. Aside from the physical ability of the boat to handle the hp, what are the rules. I've skimmed through the Regs, but not sure I'm clear. Can you be sited for having a motor on a dinghy that is larger than the tagged hp rating?
Inflatable Dinghy HP Rating
- Thread starter JeffR
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Graeme2004
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I remember seeing a thread like this a long time ago. I remember that those living in the U.S. were saying they cannot exceed the max h.p. rating because of regs, but up here in Canada the number is just that, a recommendation. I also heard that if you have too much h.p. and something did happen that here or in the U.S. an insurance company might have more argument for not protecting you? I know as a rule I run all my boats with 10-20 percent more than the recommended and have only had one that I would consider very unsafe with the extra h.p. - keep in mind too that for a long time h.p. was just some made up number and a 9.9 was not a 9.9 was not a 9.9 among the various brands... one thing is for sure if you are an experienced boater you will know very quickly if your set-up is unsafe!! Graeme
It's on the plate. Why question the manufacturer?
If you really think you know better than the manufacturer and want to put a higher HP motor in the boat and are worried about getting a ticket (but not harming the boat or yourself), send an e-mail or letter to your local DNR office or USCG office and get a written reply that you can keep on the boat in case you are questioned.
I doubt a LEO would stop you just for having an oversized motor on the boat but if you're involved in a serious incident, that motor may put you at fault.
If you really think you know better than the manufacturer and want to put a higher HP motor in the boat and are worried about getting a ticket (but not harming the boat or yourself), send an e-mail or letter to your local DNR office or USCG office and get a written reply that you can keep on the boat in case you are questioned.
I doubt a LEO would stop you just for having an oversized motor on the boat but if you're involved in a serious incident, that motor may put you at fault.
rawidman - get off your high horse and stop trying to read between the lines. If I thought I knew better I wouldn't be asking a question on this board in the first place. Asking a straight forward question, looking for a straight forward answer.
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Whether or not it uses the word "recommended" that's all it is since they (the manufacturer) cannot actually control that which you do. If you exceed their rating, however, they will be off a legal hook for damages related to engine hp or weight. Even if you never open the throttle above idle.
Yes and no - depends where you are and who stops you.
I went through this a couple of years ago when I bought a larger RIB that had high hp on the back.
Finding information which you could hang your hat on was quite a chore at that time as well.
Here is one of the sources which began my collection of information on this issue...
"From CHAPMAN PILOTING page 68:
..."Although it is not a violation of federal law for a boat operator to exceed the values displayed on USCG Maximum Capacities label, there may be local consequences. Some states, for example, consider overloading or overpowering a boat beyond the values shown on the label a violation, and may cite an operator who exceeds posted limits."...
Eventually it turned up that is some states such as Ohio and Utah (and maybe others) there are specific laws which identify this as a violation directly but most states leave it very vague and up to the local LEO's. I have since learned from our local area of Ct. and NY that they will often inspect and formally 'write up' an overpowered boat when doing safety inspections. The local USGC reps will most often send the offending boat back to port but will not write them up formally if that is the only offence found. Your ability to have insurance coverage in place would be another 'gray' area which is only answerable with a very careful reading of each covenant in the policy and specifically the general ones about "altering use, and safety of operation".
Hope this helps
I went through this a couple of years ago when I bought a larger RIB that had high hp on the back.
Finding information which you could hang your hat on was quite a chore at that time as well.
Here is one of the sources which began my collection of information on this issue...
"From CHAPMAN PILOTING page 68:
..."Although it is not a violation of federal law for a boat operator to exceed the values displayed on USCG Maximum Capacities label, there may be local consequences. Some states, for example, consider overloading or overpowering a boat beyond the values shown on the label a violation, and may cite an operator who exceeds posted limits."...
Eventually it turned up that is some states such as Ohio and Utah (and maybe others) there are specific laws which identify this as a violation directly but most states leave it very vague and up to the local LEO's. I have since learned from our local area of Ct. and NY that they will often inspect and formally 'write up' an overpowered boat when doing safety inspections. The local USGC reps will most often send the offending boat back to port but will not write them up formally if that is the only offence found. Your ability to have insurance coverage in place would be another 'gray' area which is only answerable with a very careful reading of each covenant in the policy and specifically the general ones about "altering use, and safety of operation".
Hope this helps
Thanks for the responses. I have Chapman's, but it never clicked to look in it for this type of info, and as I said, I looked at the regs but still wasn't sure. Bottom line, my dink is rated for 9.9 and I got a 15hp from a buddy for next to nothing that's a better motor than what I have. The 9.9 and the 15 are actually the same motor, with the 15 just tweaked for a few extra hp. Not doing it to have the fastest dinghy in the marina, just want to use the better motor. After reading the responses, I can deal with a ticket, but the "liability" issue is a real concern.
It is not true that putting a larger motor on gives the insurance company a get out of jail free card, if they want to deny coverage they still need to demonstrate that your exceeding the recommendation caused the loss. For example if the boat is docked and somebody trips getting off the boat and hits their head the insurance company can't deny coverage because of the larger motor, unless they could prove that the boat was at an odd angle because of the increased weight and that caused the person to trip.
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Jeff asked a legitimate question. And thanks to Smitty for a well thought out, and useful answer.
My only suggestion to Jeff.....check to see if your state has specific regulations for the legal aspects and you might want to give your insurance carrier a call and hear it from the horse's mouth as to the liability aspects.
My only suggestion to Jeff.....check to see if your state has specific regulations for the legal aspects and you might want to give your insurance carrier a call and hear it from the horse's mouth as to the liability aspects.
370 Motoryacht
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Take the 15 decal off the old motor and you would never know that it wasn't a 9.9 without looking at the serial number tag.
These types of choices happen more often with some folks and although they are of various magnitudes most seem quite similar when it comes to regulations and insurance/liability risk decisions.
Way back in the 'old days' dropping a big block chevy into a relatively small car was much more common with little or no issues in regards to 'rules' or insurance. But over the past 30+ years these 'rules' as well as the insurance industry has become much more detailed and tighter which makes these decisions more complex and important.
Over time I have added larger additions to smaller homes, dropped various non original engines(and fuel type) into cars/trucks, and converted some boats to various non stock powerplants including changes affecting the type of fuel utilized.
IMHO - life is too short to sweat the simple stuff and if you want to do this today there are ways to do each of these while leaving little additional liability.
As far as the boats are concerned , in my case I had a pretty obvious power hanging on the back and was eventually stopped and/or questioned by no less than 6 types of LEO's just in our area over 3 seasons (Northport PO, Asharoken PO, Huntington PO, USCG, Suffolk PO). We were also questioned by various other LEO's on our trips when we towed the inflatable to other locations.
Just hoping everyone makes an informed decision which is the best one for their specific needs and wants
Hope this helps
Way back in the 'old days' dropping a big block chevy into a relatively small car was much more common with little or no issues in regards to 'rules' or insurance. But over the past 30+ years these 'rules' as well as the insurance industry has become much more detailed and tighter which makes these decisions more complex and important.
Over time I have added larger additions to smaller homes, dropped various non original engines(and fuel type) into cars/trucks, and converted some boats to various non stock powerplants including changes affecting the type of fuel utilized.
IMHO - life is too short to sweat the simple stuff and if you want to do this today there are ways to do each of these while leaving little additional liability.
As far as the boats are concerned , in my case I had a pretty obvious power hanging on the back and was eventually stopped and/or questioned by no less than 6 types of LEO's just in our area over 3 seasons (Northport PO, Asharoken PO, Huntington PO, USCG, Suffolk PO). We were also questioned by various other LEO's on our trips when we towed the inflatable to other locations.
Just hoping everyone makes an informed decision which is the best one for their specific needs and wants
Hope this helps
We ran an 8hp on a 8' dink rated for a 6hp for 15 years. No one ever looked twice at it.
Just about all the 8/9.9/15hp motors are the same size. You won't really pick up alot of speed with the bigger motors, but you will notice the power, will be able to plane faster and carry a bigger load better.
Whatever you use, just make sure you run it with the safety lanyard attached!
Just about all the 8/9.9/15hp motors are the same size. You won't really pick up alot of speed with the bigger motors, but you will notice the power, will be able to plane faster and carry a bigger load better.
Whatever you use, just make sure you run it with the safety lanyard attached!
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It isn't just the HP of the engine causing instability that is a concern, its the added weight of larger engines on the transom, esp on smaller boats, when the operator is sitting rearward in the boat. We have a Walker Bay 10' rigid dinghy, rated for 3 hp. I put a 2.5 hp Suzuki 4 stroke on it and its fine. It powers the boat more than adequately for its size and the fact that the engine is very light at about 30 lbs means it does not weigh down the transom too much. Keep in mind not just HP but weight capacity. These small boats can be swamped very easily. And wearing the safety lanyard is a must.