What can happen legally, if you exceed the rated horsepower by say
5-15hp on the coast guard hull plate? Do you get a ticket/fine what's
the story? Does the rating go by weight/flotation or displacement or
horsepower/hull? Any help appreciated. Tom.

As far as I know, you won't get stopped and ticketed just for exceeding the
rating. However, if you have an accident, and the investigators are
deciding on fault, guess one of the things they're going to point to? I'm
pretty sure your insurance carrier could use it against you to deny a claim.

Anybody with *FIRSTHAND* experience on this?





wrote in message
...
What can happen legally, if you exceed the rated horsepower by say
5-15hp on the coast guard hull plate? Do you get a ticket/fine what's
the story? Does the rating go by weight/flotation or displacement or
horsepower/hull? Any help appreciated. Tom.

1. Can't get insurance on the boat. (unless you lie and then the insurance
is no good)
2. Can get a ticket in Alabama and probably other states.
3. Have an accident involving another boat and probably your fault plus you
have no insurance.

Bottom line, don't do it. Not worth the agrivation.


--
Tony
My boats and autos - http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com



wrote in message
...
What can happen legally, if you exceed the rated horsepower by say
5-15hp on the coast guard hull plate? Do you get a ticket/fine what's
the story? Does the rating go by weight/flotation or displacement or
horsepower/hull? Any help appreciated. Tom.

wrote:
: What can happen legally, if you exceed the rated horsepower by say
: 5-15hp on the coast guard hull plate? Do you get a ticket/fine what's
: the story? Does the rating go by weight/flotation or displacement or
: horsepower/hull? Any help appreciated. Tom.

I read an article about the origin of the hull HP ratings in
"Trailer Boat Magazine". Ironically, the restriction isn't based
on actual horsepower but weight. There's a grand assumption that there
is a correlation. It's my understanding that the CG probably wouldn't
issue a citation regarding a mismatch. However, you may want to check
with your insurance company to see if they feel the same way. Should
an accident occur, they may decline liability.

b.