More than the boat is rated for

[fishforfun]

I think if you check the plate on your boats it will state Coast Guard and maximum HP rating. They definitely enforce it, but you won't encounter them until you hit the bigger waters like BOQ

[spinner]

My boat has a "maximum HP rating". It's not a recomended one - it's the maximum. I've been told that surpassing this maximum creates a safety issue for you and the surrounding boaters and that coast guards do look for it.

Unfortunately, I know my local coast guards better then I should. I'll ask one of them and see what they say.

I look forward to hearing what they have to say.
It was actually someone on the phone from the coast guard office that gave me the information. It wouldn't be the first time I have received incorrect info from a gov't agency if indeed they can enforce it.

[SteelHeaderOntario]

Day All
If you Add a Kicker to a Maxed out motor it doesn't
Reach over your Max....Unless you run them BOTH
at the sametime.

[grumpy7790]

MT,
Don't do it!

Just upgrade the whole boat!

Unless you have a blown engine, you'll never recoup the sunk costs of the upgraded engine plus the labor to switch it out.

That's why you should always put the max horse power on any new boat you purchase.

Man.... on another site I saw a 2002 ProCraft 200 Super Pro, Dual Console, w/ a Merc 200 EFI that you would look great in ! Super deal $17,500!!!

Grumpy

[Mr.J.]

MT,
Man.... on another site I saw a 2002 ProCraft 200 Super Pro, Dual Console, w/ a Merc 200 EFI that you would look great in ! Super deal $17,500!!!

Grumpy

Where where where?

[grumpy7790]

The farther south and west you go the cheaper the boats become. Yea you may need to drive 8-16 hours and stay overnight. However you'll save $3K-$7K on most major bass rigs!

In December I made a trip from PA to Indiana with my fishing partner who picked up a wicked 2000 ProCraft 210 (21') rig w/ a 225 EFI for $17k.

I bought my boat from a guy in Missouri, meet in Indina and I saved $5k for the same boat here in PA. I even picked up a 7 year warranty transferable at no charge.

Grumpy

[Rocky]

There have been many opinions expressed here and from folks that are probably more boat savvy than I, but the long shaft issue seems to have taken a backseat to the overpowering question. I believe that if your boat needs a short shaft motor, that is what you should use. In my experience, the cavitation plate should be no more than 1 inch below the bottom for proper setup. As for exceeding the max. hp - I wouldn't do it.

[grumpy7790]

Rocky, I agree with you on the shaft. You could experience too high of lift and experience some serious chinewalk. Basically the boat may not have enough surface of the hull pad wetted to the water surface. The pad then falls off from side to side. This usuall only happens at higher speeds 60+.

You will also have a lot of drag if the prop is to far below the pad. You'll be unable to max out to optimum higher RPM's needed to reach the higher speeds.

Big investment and risk to get it wrong.

G