Maximum Power Rating On Non-Boston Whaler Boats

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Author Topic:   Maximum Power Rating On Non-Boston Whaler Boats

Gamblerr posted 10-21-2009 02:09 PM ET (US)
Some years back, I had a 13-foot [unclear, perhaps meant Grady-White] invader. Little thing, came in about 350 pounds. It was rated for a Max power of 65HP with a little work done on the transom, well, a lot of work done on the transom I was able to put on it, the largest outboard of its day, a 150HP Merc. Needless to say the boat was unsafe at any speed, but boy, was she a lot of fun. Some years later I had a 21’ Checkmate. The boat was rated for 225HP. Which happen to be the largest engine that was being made at that time. I put the 225 on it and was happy, till they came out with a 300. I called and talked to Checkmate and found that the boat was rated for 225, because that was the largest engine made at the time. But it would have no problem with taking the 300. They later got the specs changed to take that large an engine. What I am getting at is a number of boat manufactures will rate a boat for the largest engine that is made at the time it was built, if of course it is safe to put that much HP on it. If you are going to repower your boat, and want to put on a larger engine then it is currently rated for. You may want to call the factory and see what they think is a safe max HP for your boat. I got my plate changed after Checkmate got the boat cleared for the 300. Sorry to say, I never got the larger engine.

Buckda posted 10-21-2009 02:35 PM ET (US)
Boston Whaler has stated to many users here who have inquired that they do not intend to retroactively change a capacity plate.
In fact, I believe that the practice may be illegal.
Which makes me somewhat speculative of your claim that Checkmate is willing to do so (officially change the plate for a boat that has already been issued a lower capacity).
For instance, the 16'7" Whaler hull was de-rated from 100 HP to 90 HP, and the 150 hull was upgraded to a higher HP. But you can not currently get a new plate for your 100 HP rated 1960's 16'7" hull (with the lower rating), nor can you get a new plate for a 2007 150 hull to the current, higher HP rating...
number9 posted 10-21-2009 04:33 PM ET (US)
Read Gamblerr's topic twice and don't see anything indicating the rating on his particular boat was changed, just the newer year models of the same boat.
jimh posted 10-21-2009 09:35 PM ET (US)
This topic is related to a FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION. See the FAQ for advice on this topic:
Q6: Can I exceed the rated Horsepower?
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/FAQ/#Q6
Buckda posted 10-22-2009 08:17 AM ET (US)
I may have made an assumption in reaction to this quote:

quote:
I got my plate changed after Checkmate got the boat cleared for the 300.
I assumed that you meant that Checkmate provided the new/changed capacity plate.
If you changed the plate on your own, I believe that is a whole new issue - the legalities of which are probably a bit hazy.
When I repowered my Boston Whaler above the rating (180 HP vs 150 HP rating), I briefly considered changing the plate using outside vendor sources for the materials I'd need to do so. I decided that I'd rather discuss my decision to power the boat and operate it safely rather than discuss my decision to obfuscate the original ratings for my vessel.
Another thought I had was to change the cowling graphics, since my motors share a cowling platform with a lower HP version of the motor. I also decided not to conceal the true HP of my motors after some reflection about how those types of interaction might go...
Perhaps it's just me, but if I were a Law Enforcement Officer, I'd go lighter on the guy who openly overpowered than on the guy who tried to cover it up. Especially if I'm just inspecting the vessel and not stopping him for a violation.
Plotman posted 10-22-2009 11:33 AM ET (US)
Under 20 feet and over 20 feet are two different animals with respect to HP ratings on boats.
Under, they are required to be calculated based on a testing procedure. Over they are optional and not subject to that procedure.
There is a reason that all the go-fast bass boats are just over 20 feet...
contender posted 10-22-2009 01:58 PM ET (US)
All go fast boat are not over 20 feet....
number9 posted 10-22-2009 05:58 PM ET (US)
"I may have made an assumption in reaction to this quote:
quote:I got my plate changed after Checkmate got the boat cleared for the 300.
I assumed that you meant that Checkmate provided the new/changed capacity plate."
I stand corrected. Yesterday was a bad day for my reading comprehension.
Tohsgib posted 10-23-2009 12:43 PM ET (US)
I believe it has been discussed here many times, especially with the 130 and 190 hulls which "upped" the HP capacity the next year or so. Whaler will not issue a new plate as far as I remember. Originally the squall was rated for 3hp, then 5 and I think then 6. The 15 was 75 for one year then 70hp...not sure why on that one. Boats over 20' are not required to have hp capacity plates and I don't remeber seeing any I/O's with them as well.
PS..Jim a GW Invader is just that, not a short name for Grady White as far as I know.
Tohsgib posted 10-23-2009 12:49 PM ET (US)
Actually it is G-W Invader for the builders lasts name Arne and Wooldridge.
Tohsgib posted 10-23-2009 12:50 PM ET (US)
I meant Arne Gray and George Wooldridge.

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Author	Topic: Maximum Power Rating On Non-Boston Whaler Boats
Gamblerr	posted 10-21-2009 02:09 PM ET (US) Some years back, I had a 13-foot [unclear, perhaps meant Grady-White] invader. Little thing, came in about 350 pounds. It was rated for a Max power of 65HP with a little work done on the transom, well, a lot of work done on the transom I was able to put on it, the largest outboard of its day, a 150HP Merc. Needless to say the boat was unsafe at any speed, but boy, was she a lot of fun. Some years later I had a 21’ Checkmate. The boat was rated for 225HP. Which happen to be the largest engine that was being made at that time. I put the 225 on it and was happy, till they came out with a 300. I called and talked to Checkmate and found that the boat was rated for 225, because that was the largest engine made at the time. But it would have no problem with taking the 300. They later got the specs changed to take that large an engine. What I am getting at is a number of boat manufactures will rate a boat for the largest engine that is made at the time it was built, if of course it is safe to put that much HP on it. If you are going to repower your boat, and want to put on a larger engine then it is currently rated for. You may want to call the factory and see what they think is a safe max HP for your boat. I got my plate changed after Checkmate got the boat cleared for the 300. Sorry to say, I never got the larger engine.
Buckda	posted 10-21-2009 02:35 PM ET (US) Boston Whaler has stated to many users here who have inquired that they do not intend to retroactively change a capacity plate. In fact, I believe that the practice may be illegal. Which makes me somewhat speculative of your claim that Checkmate is willing to do so (officially change the plate for a boat that has already been issued a lower capacity). For instance, the 16'7" Whaler hull was de-rated from 100 HP to 90 HP, and the 150 hull was upgraded to a higher HP. But you can not currently get a new plate for your 100 HP rated 1960's 16'7" hull (with the lower rating), nor can you get a new plate for a 2007 150 hull to the current, higher HP rating...
number9	posted 10-21-2009 04:33 PM ET (US) Read Gamblerr's topic twice and don't see anything indicating the rating on his particular boat was changed, just the newer year models of the same boat.
jimh	posted 10-21-2009 09:35 PM ET (US) This topic is related to a FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION. See the FAQ for advice on this topic: Q6: Can I exceed the rated Horsepower? http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/FAQ/#Q6
Buckda	posted 10-22-2009 08:17 AM ET (US) I may have made an assumption in reaction to this quote: quote: I got my plate changed after Checkmate got the boat cleared for the 300. I assumed that you meant that Checkmate provided the new/changed capacity plate. If you changed the plate on your own, I believe that is a whole new issue - the legalities of which are probably a bit hazy. When I repowered my Boston Whaler above the rating (180 HP vs 150 HP rating), I briefly considered changing the plate using outside vendor sources for the materials I'd need to do so. I decided that I'd rather discuss my decision to power the boat and operate it safely rather than discuss my decision to obfuscate the original ratings for my vessel. Another thought I had was to change the cowling graphics, since my motors share a cowling platform with a lower HP version of the motor. I also decided not to conceal the true HP of my motors after some reflection about how those types of interaction might go... Perhaps it's just me, but if I were a Law Enforcement Officer, I'd go lighter on the guy who openly overpowered than on the guy who tried to cover it up. Especially if I'm just inspecting the vessel and not stopping him for a violation.
Plotman	posted 10-22-2009 11:33 AM ET (US) Under 20 feet and over 20 feet are two different animals with respect to HP ratings on boats. Under, they are required to be calculated based on a testing procedure. Over they are optional and not subject to that procedure. There is a reason that all the go-fast bass boats are just over 20 feet...
contender	posted 10-22-2009 01:58 PM ET (US) All go fast boat are not over 20 feet....
number9	posted 10-22-2009 05:58 PM ET (US) "I may have made an assumption in reaction to this quote: quote:I got my plate changed after Checkmate got the boat cleared for the 300. I assumed that you meant that Checkmate provided the new/changed capacity plate." I stand corrected. Yesterday was a bad day for my reading comprehension.
Tohsgib	posted 10-23-2009 12:43 PM ET (US) I believe it has been discussed here many times, especially with the 130 and 190 hulls which "upped" the HP capacity the next year or so. Whaler will not issue a new plate as far as I remember. Originally the squall was rated for 3hp, then 5 and I think then 6. The 15 was 75 for one year then 70hp...not sure why on that one. Boats over 20' are not required to have hp capacity plates and I don't remeber seeing any I/O's with them as well. PS..Jim a GW Invader is just that, not a short name for Grady White as far as I know.
Tohsgib	posted 10-23-2009 12:49 PM ET (US) Actually it is G-W Invader for the builders lasts name Arne and Wooldridge.
Tohsgib	posted 10-23-2009 12:50 PM ET (US) I meant Arne Gray and George Wooldridge.