On Wed, 08 Jun 2005 02:34:25 GMT, "tony thomas"
wrote:

Actually replacing the rating plate by the Manufacturer is relatively
common. The boat may be rated by the CG at a 150 based on the formula but
the Manufacturer normally puts a 130 rating for safety, insurance, or
whatever reason. (I know in one case they used a lower rating to try and
keep the price down since most people will want the max rated hp and they
could put a 140 instead of a 150 on the boat to price it cheaper).
However, the dealer can request the higher rating plate if he wants to.
Nothing illegal about it as the boat is rated by the CG for that. CG does
not go to the dealer plant and actually attach the rating plate.

You cannot replace a sticker put in place on any particular boat in a
showroom period. It's illegal. Manufacturer's don't "derate" boats -
the sticker says "up to" not "up to but if you ask nicely we'll raise
it for you".

Once the sticker is in place, it cannot be removed, modified or
changed in any way.

Since they started the certification process, and I've been around
that long, I have never, not once, seen a boat "rerated" because the
owner wanted higher horsepower than the listed max rating. Not once.
Any dealer who did do it would just be asking for liability trouble
not to mention criminal negligence. I have seen transoms bolstered
for higher horsepower engines over and above the rating, but it wasn't
done by a dealer or the manufacturer.

Later,

Tom