CedarRiverScooter said:Link to the USCG boat builders guide.
https://www.uscgboating.org/regulations/boatbuilders-handbook.php
BigTerp said:I don't think it's ever really illegal to overpower a boat. The only problem I think you could have is if something happened that involved liability like personal injury or property damage. If your boat is overpowered I would think it would be easier for everything to fall back on you.
PSG-1 said:If memory serves me correctly, I think "Coast Guard regulated waters" is defined by any body of water connected to the ocean.
redrum said:I'm sure it changes from state to state but is there a rough guideline on how to overpower a boat legally? I was discussing it with friends and all the naysayers of course say it can't be done legally.
BigTerp said:I don't think it's ever really illegal to overpower a boat...
ColtonS said:The "Max HP" only applies to outboards because of the weight and torque induced stress on the transom.
redrum said:I'm sure it changes from state to state but is there a rough guideline on how to overpower a boat legally? I was discussing it with friends and all the naysayers of course say it can't be done legally.
onthewater102 said:BigTerp said:I don't think it's ever really illegal to overpower a boat...
It's definitely illegal in CT, I looked it up and posted a link on a thread somewhere addressing this very topic. It's a state-by-state thing. Granted, it probably won't matter unless something goes horribly wrong and someone gets hurt, but at that point the lawyers are up your a$$ and your insurance company has bailed on you on a technicality buried in a mountain of paperwork you didn't read closely so be wary...
ColtonS said:The "Max HP" only applies to outboards because of the weight and torque induced stress on the transom.
NO!!!!
The HP rating is derived by the design of the bottom of the boat (hard chine, flat etc.), the position of the driver's weight in the boat (counsel steering vs. tiller), the length of the boat, the width of the transom and the height of the transom. The transom could be made of balsa wood and it wouldn't change the rating one bit. It is trying to address how much control over the boat you have at a given speed, so as far as any legalities are concerned the max HP is the max HP no matter what engine configuration you employ.
redrum said:I'm sure it changes from state to state but is there a rough guideline on how to overpower a boat legally? I was discussing it with friends and all the naysayers of course say it can't be done legally.
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