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Exceeding the recommended HP
Posted: July 23rd, 2004, 11:20 am
by Forrest
I have inherited an Alumacraft boat that has a recommended maximum of 20 HP. I was wondering how dangerous it would be to put a 25 on it. Have any of you exceeded the recommended maximum HP on your boats or do you have any experience in this area?
Posted: July 23rd, 2004, 11:28 am
by wevans
Posted: July 23rd, 2004, 11:48 am
by RodBow
forrest, My 12' rated for 10 has a 15. the weight seems to be the thing - especially with me in the boat alone - in my case it certainly isn't a speed or too much power thing.
Posted: July 23rd, 2004, 4:36 pm
by tin can
Recommended horsepower also comes into play when you go to purchase insurance. Most insurance companies won't sell you a policy if you over power the rating. There are insurance companies that will.
That said, you should have no concern putting a 25 on an alumacraft rated for 20. The Coast Guard and BIA rate the boats using a formula that incorporates length, beam, and depth of the boat. It's a very concervative rating system.
If the transom is in good shape, you can generally exceed the HP rating a good bit "so long as the motor don't weigh to much" 
