Zum
Well-known member
I'm going to see if I can find it again but i know I read something similiar to what Qstackr saying.I think if a boat looks like it is unsafe(to big a motor)theres no fine but you go to shore.
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25hp on 14 foot jonboat?
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Zum
Well-known member
Is powering above the rated maximum legal?
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.
https://www.uscgboating.org/about/faqs/regulations.aspx
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.
https://www.uscgboating.org/about/faqs/regulations.aspx
thudpucker
Well-known member
I think you should trade me your Jon for my Semi-V 12' and put your 15 on the 12'. They you can fly on any kind of water.
And I can go slow in the Jon.
PM me if your interested in a trade.
And I can go slow in the Jon.
PM me if your interested in a trade.
ober51
Well-known member
It's illegal in NJ.
Specknreds
Well-known member
We were boarded today by the Coast Guard 18 miles offshore. They did a full safety check fire ext.,flares, life jackets,etc. I asked them about this subject. They told me that they could write a ticket for anything unsafe. He showed me a check list given to them and overpowering of a vessel was ticketable (it contradicts what their web site says), but he said that the only time he has even seen someone ticketed was when they were doing something very stupid or involved in an accident. He also said that overpowering a boat and your involved an accident, it is like hitting someone in the rear with a car. You pretty much guilty no matter what happened. He said that a CG shouldn't ever write you a ticket for this if your acting in a safe manner.
At the boat ramp, Mr. LA Wildlife and Fisheries was sitting there checking boats as they enter the harbor. I asked him about this and he backed what the CG website says. He said that it was a state law and not a Federal law????? He also said that he has never personaly wrote a ticket for it. I also asked him about my Alweld. It has a commercial plate on it with no capacity. He said laughingly that "well I guess there is a way around everything".
I didn't think that the Coast Guard had anything to do with Fisheries either, but they checked our fish. Go figure....
At the boat ramp, Mr. LA Wildlife and Fisheries was sitting there checking boats as they enter the harbor. I asked him about this and he backed what the CG website says. He said that it was a state law and not a Federal law????? He also said that he has never personaly wrote a ticket for it. I also asked him about my Alweld. It has a commercial plate on it with no capacity. He said laughingly that "well I guess there is a way around everything".
I didn't think that the Coast Guard had anything to do with Fisheries either, but they checked our fish. Go figure....
