Is it legal to put a 90hp on a boat that is rated for 80hp ?
I have a 2004, Lund Pro-V 1775, tiller.
Currently have a 75 hp Yamaha 4s tiller. Considering upgrading to fuel injected and newer tiller handle.
I have been told that the 75 and the 90 Yamaha 4s are identical in size and weight, but that there is a different computer chip in the 90 that somehow increases hp.
I also know that the console model of the same boat is rated for 150 hp.
Is this legal ? Who enforces if it is not ?
It isn’t legal. It can for sure be enforced by the coast guard or the sheriff. Not sure if CO’s can enforce it, but I would assume they could. I believe it also has implications regarding insurance.
In Tournements it’s a DQ too!
Stan 
Quote:
It isn’t legal. It can for sure be enforced by the coast guard or the sheriff. Not sure if CO’s can enforce it, but I would assume they could. I believe it also has implications regarding insurance.
It is NOT legal, and a CO can enforce it. A buddy of mine got in a boat wreck last year, he had a 150 on his boat rated for 125 and got a ticket on the spot from the CO that responded. The wreck was not his fault (someone plowed into him broadside going full bore in a no-wake at midnight), but he got ticketed on the spot and now his insurance wont pay for any damages since his boat was overpowered (has nothing to do with him being hit). The other guy did not have insurance. He has over $12,000 in damages and cant do anything about it, the guy that hit him doesnt have $20 to his name.
Is it worth it for 10 more horsepower?
Its only illegal if you get caught! 
Justin’s reply in your Lund forum ,it makes your boat uninsurable!
Stan
Thanks for helping me make sense of this guys…..IDO, makes a lot more sense than my beer buddies did !!!!!!
you generally cant get service work done on the motor either if the boat is over the rating.
change the sticker from 90hp to 75hp.
or,
change the computer on the 75hp to 90hp.
Quote:
change the sticker from 90hp to 75hp.
or,
change the computer on the 75hp to 90hp.
How come we don’t have a shifty eye icon on this board lol! This thought would certainly cross my mind…..
The serial # will tell you it’s a 90,change the computor on a 75 for an increase in HP and you’ll be better off from a liability stand point and still have a 75hp.
Stan
In reality, if the boat isn’t in an accident where serious injury or death occurs, a person would have a very good chance of getting by without getting caught.
If the above happens, well.. you’ll be on your own even if it wasn’t your fault.
I think they have those hp rating stickers on there for a reason.
Duh, go figure…
Quote:
“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.”
I would look for State regulations, but looking through the CFR’s made me realize it’s past my bed time. 
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
