Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

does anyone know how to get a max HP rating for a project boat? the only thing original on the boat is the pontoons, every thing else has been upgraded and replaced. the boat never had a label on it but it came with a 70hp, now it has a 115hp. I have someone interested in buying the boat but am worried about liability. thanks

25 five foot toon should take a 115 no problem

if it's the 20' sweetwater rebuild in your sig, i think the max is 90hp, unless it's a tritoon. I'm not sure though.

you could sell the boat "as is", and let the new owner deal with getting the rating sticker,
here is a FL bill of sale:
http://wikiform.org/legal-forms/bill-of ... -form.html

and for a capacity/hp sticker, go here:
http://garzonstudio.com/boat/capacity-decal.html

I'm not sure how legit this way is, so don't say you got this from me or this website.

yes it is the sweetwater 20', a mechanic told me that since I hung the engine on the transom I am responsible for the life of the boat as long as that engine is on that boat no matter how many new owners there are. the transom on there now is rated for up to 200hp but I have no idea if that means anything legally.

keosports wrote:a mechanic told me...

Was that mechanic also a lawyer???

he goes to re certifying school every year for Yamaha and he says they really shove the "do not exceed max HP ratting" down every ones thought

keosports wrote:"do not exceed max HP rating"

That's excellent advice. It has no bearing on establishing what that maximum horsepower should be, in a boat that you built from parts, but it IS good advice.

It's no different than saying "Do not exceed the posted speed limit." It's a good idea, but it has NOTHING to do with setting the speed limit.

Sell the boat and don't mention it. Just enjoy your day--and your new found fortune.

Any 25' boat would take 115 hp unless it had 19" toons.

the boat I am selling is the 20' ..i would like to know how they come up with the max hp rating, the boat now is at minimum 30% stronger / better built than that boat was brand new...my 25ft I was planing on putting a 150hp, the 25ft I believe was a concept boat, there was no safety sticker on it, the company is long out of business and I have no idea how i could get a max HP on that one, it is 25' with 23" toons

My 24' with 23" tunes was originally tagged at 130 HP, if I recall correctly. With the third toon, that went up to 200 HP.

the transom on there now is rated for up to 200hp but I have no idea if that means anything legally.

I'm not a sea lawyer and this is the Internet so take this advice for what you paid for it. I would happily sell it and wish the new owner many years of fun in the sun!

is the hp rating based on buoyancy? speed? was the hp increase on a factory installed 3rd tube? if you added an aftermarket 3rd tube could you get certified? if so who would certify?

Copied from another forum..

Re: Motor size when boat tag says what size it calls for?

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

jrolin1 wrote:Copied from another forum..

Re: Motor size when boat tag says what size it calls for?

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

Best answer I've seen it 5 years of reading forums on pontoons, this needs to be saved for future use.

I talked to the coast guard this morning and the had me called Florida fish and wildlife and they told me there isno statute for any vessel max HP for anything 20' or larger.