Maximum Outboard Horsepower Capacity (Guide and how-to)
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Maximum Outboard Horsepower Capacity (Guide and how-to)
Hopefully this guide will help you calculate the maximum amount of H.P. your boat can be insured for.
- This is to only be used as a guide.
- You can round your final HP number to the closest multiple of 5. (31 HP would round to 30 HP. 33 HP would round to 35 HP)
Step One - Compute your Factor
A. Length of Boat x Transom Width (measure in feet: 14, 15.5,16, etc).
Step Two - Compare your factor to H.P. rating
A. 0-35 = 3 hp
B. 36-39 = 5 hp
C. 40-42 = 7.5 hp
D. 43-45 = 10 hp
E. 46-52 = 15 hp
Step Three - If your factor is over 52 (Choose only A or B)
A. With Remote Steering (steering wheel) and at least 20" transom height
Maximum HP = (Your factor x 2) - 90
Example: 19' 6" long , 7 feet wide = (19.5 x 7 x 2) - 90 = 183 (Round up in multiples of 5. This boat's max is 185 hp).
B. With Tiller Steering (hand or extension) or less than 20" transom height (Choose only 1 or 2)
1. Flat bottom, or hard chined boats (hull has hard angles)
Max HP = (Your factor x 0.5) - 15
2. Soft chine, rounded hulls
Max HP = (Your factor x 0.8) - 25
Conclusion
I hope this has helped you all who are looking for max hp ratings. If your boat is insured, make sure to check with your insurance company for any restrictions.
This guide was found at NewBoatBuilders, which was ultimately used from "Title 33-Code of Federal Regulations-Subpart 183.53".
- This is to only be used as a guide.
- You can round your final HP number to the closest multiple of 5. (31 HP would round to 30 HP. 33 HP would round to 35 HP)
Step One - Compute your Factor
A. Length of Boat x Transom Width (measure in feet: 14, 15.5,16, etc).
Step Two - Compare your factor to H.P. rating
A. 0-35 = 3 hp
B. 36-39 = 5 hp
C. 40-42 = 7.5 hp
D. 43-45 = 10 hp
E. 46-52 = 15 hp
Step Three - If your factor is over 52 (Choose only A or B)
A. With Remote Steering (steering wheel) and at least 20" transom height
Maximum HP = (Your factor x 2) - 90
Example: 19' 6" long , 7 feet wide = (19.5 x 7 x 2) - 90 = 183 (Round up in multiples of 5. This boat's max is 185 hp).
B. With Tiller Steering (hand or extension) or less than 20" transom height (Choose only 1 or 2)
1. Flat bottom, or hard chined boats (hull has hard angles)
Max HP = (Your factor x 0.5) - 15
2. Soft chine, rounded hulls
Max HP = (Your factor x 0.8) - 25
Conclusion
I hope this has helped you all who are looking for max hp ratings. If your boat is insured, make sure to check with your insurance company for any restrictions.
This guide was found at NewBoatBuilders, which was ultimately used from "Title 33-Code of Federal Regulations-Subpart 183.53".
Last edited by MeanMouth on 16 Feb 2010, 00:59, edited 1 time in total.
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Maximum Outboard Horsepower Capacity (Guide and how-to)
Nice....
We should make this a sticky
We should make this a sticky
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Maximum Outboard Horsepower Capacity (Guide and how-to)
Brine wrote:Nice....
We should make this a sticky
I agree. Thanks!!!!!
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Maximum Outboard Horsepower Capacity (Guide and how-to)
I think you need to clarify it a little bit.
On my 1448MV rated at 25hp tiller with a 15" transom. If I use the transom width of 48" on the bottom with tiller steer it shows I can only run a 12hp motor, if I use the @6' top the factor shows 27hp.
Seems lind of ironic that I'm able to run an 85hp inboard jet with a low center of gravity that handles like it's on rails.
What are the sources for this capacity limit formula? I don't remember reading it in the US Coast Guard's boat builders handbook. They do go into specifics on handling and power capacity limits that way.
Jamie
On my 1448MV rated at 25hp tiller with a 15" transom. If I use the transom width of 48" on the bottom with tiller steer it shows I can only run a 12hp motor, if I use the @6' top the factor shows 27hp.
Seems lind of ironic that I'm able to run an 85hp inboard jet with a low center of gravity that handles like it's on rails.
What are the sources for this capacity limit formula? I don't remember reading it in the US Coast Guard's boat builders handbook. They do go into specifics on handling and power capacity limits that way.
Jamie
My Seadoo Powered Bass Boat https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopi ... =21&t=8385
YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ranchero50
YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ranchero50
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Maximum Outboard Horsepower Capacity (Guide and how-to)
Above info and more can be found here....
https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/education ... ilders.pdf
Outdoorsman
https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/education ... ilders.pdf
Outdoorsman
1990 24 Ft. Preimer Pontoon Boat W / 50 HP. Mariner = Relaxing on the Water...
1980 17 Ft. Bass Tracker II Mod-V Hull Jon Boat with 45 HP Merc = Lakes and River Boat...
10 Ft "Bass Tender" (Plastic) Tri-Hull W Plastic Oars = Local Area Ponds..
1980 17 Ft. Bass Tracker II Mod-V Hull Jon Boat with 45 HP Merc = Lakes and River Boat...
10 Ft "Bass Tender" (Plastic) Tri-Hull W Plastic Oars = Local Area Ponds..
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Maximum Outboard Horsepower Capacity (Guide and how-to)
Is the transom measured at the top or bottom? It makes a difference between max rating of 40 H.P to a rating of 70 H.P. Please advise. Thank you, Matt
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Maximum Outboard Horsepower Capacity (Guide and how-to)
I think that's fairly close when checking my boats specs...
21ft Flat Bottom Project
https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopi ... 21&t=17020
"America... love it, or get the H#$% out now"
https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopi ... 21&t=17020
"America... love it, or get the H#$% out now"
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Maximum Outboard Horsepower Capacity (Guide and how-to)
+1 moreBrine wrote:Nice....
We should make this a sticky
"Some men fish their entire lives without knowing it's not fish they are after."
-Henry David Thoreau
My 16' Lund Mod
https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopi ... 21&t=34875
-Henry David Thoreau
My 16' Lund Mod
https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopi ... 21&t=34875
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Maximum Outboard Horsepower Capacity (Guide and how-to)
Very interesting info. I have a 1979 Mirro-Craft "resorter"(14) and the hull I.D. tag says max hp is 25. if you look at the exact same model on Mirro-Craft's web the max rating is now 15hp. I wonder if 25hp in 79' is less powerfull than todays 25hp? Just curious about it. Anyone know the answer. 

GET THE NET!
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Maximum Outboard Horsepower Capacity (Guide and how-to)
Thanks!
"Crazy on a ship of fools
Crazy on a ship of fools
Turn this boat around - back to my loving ground..."
-Robert Plant
Crazy on a ship of fools
Turn this boat around - back to my loving ground..."
-Robert Plant
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Maximum Outboard Horsepower Capacity (Guide and how-to)
I was told that outboards prior to the early 80's were rated on hp at the crank, and were later rated for hp at the prop shaft. Maybe that is why they changed the boats rating.KICKEDBACK wrote:Very interesting info. I have a 1979 Mirro-Craft "resorter"(14) and the hull I.D. tag says max hp is 25. if you look at the exact same model on Mirro-Craft's web the max rating is now 15hp. I wonder if 25hp in 79' is less powerfull than todays 25hp? Just curious about it. Anyone know the answer.
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Maximum Outboard Horsepower Capacity (Guide and how-to)
Also new boats are rated with 4strokes in mind which are much heavier.Industry wrote:I was told that outboards prior to the early 80's were rated on hp at the crank, and were later rated for hp at the prop shaft. Maybe that is why they changed the boats rating.KICKEDBACK wrote:Very interesting info. I have a 1979 Mirro-Craft "resorter"(14) and the hull I.D. tag says max hp is 25. if you look at the exact same model on Mirro-Craft's web the max rating is now 15hp. I wonder if 25hp in 79' is less powerfull than todays 25hp? Just curious about it. Anyone know the answer.

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Maximum Outboard Horsepower Capacity (Guide and how-to)
Thanks!
Sam Underwood
1967 16' Starcraft Sportsman V
1957 Johnson 7.5hp
1990 Johnson 30hp
1967 16' Starcraft Sportsman V
1957 Johnson 7.5hp
1990 Johnson 30hp
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Maximum Outboard Horsepower Capacity (Guide and how-to)
I'm not sure about how accurate that is. My max HP should be 130hp according to that.
I would be afraid to run full throttle with 130hp.
I would be afraid to run full throttle with 130hp.

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Maximum Outboard Horsepower Capacity (Guide and how-to)
The transom is measured at the "widest point" on the transom. Doesn't matter if it's top middle or bottm. This formula is a general formula for those who have homemade boats or have boats without USCG capacity tags, especially on the old boats that didn't require them at the time. I'm not certain if this is an absolute "industry" standard used by boat manufacturers, but maybe someone in the industry can chime in. Bottom line, if you have a USCG tag, the formula is a moot point.MOBowhunter wrote:Is the transom measured at the top or bottom? It makes a difference between max rating of 40 H.P to a rating of 70 H.P. Please advise. Thank you, Matt
One point of correction, you need to round up to the next multiple of 5 hp. Like for my boat, the actual rating based on the formula is 33hp. But I would round up to 35hp which my boat is actually rated for based on the USCG tag.
In terms of hp rating, I believe pre-mid eighties hp was measured at the shaft and thereafter was measured at the prop. There was about a 15% loss from shaft to prop, so for older outboards, their actual rating would be about 15% less than modern outboards (e.g. an older 25hp is about equivalent to a 21-22hp by modern standards). But hp ratings can be a little misleading vs actual performance since actual performance is actually based on a lot of other factors (prop pitch, gear ratio, motor weight to hp ratio, etc).
My Lund s-14 renovation
https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17093
1977 Starcraft Supersport
https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopi ... 21&t=30520
https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17093
1977 Starcraft Supersport
https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopi ... 21&t=30520