MOTOR WEIGHT

[Dr_Dan]

Hi all. Some time in the future (very distant most likely), will be looking at replacing the motor on my boat. It's a 14ft savage runabout. The safety plate says that 35hp is max. The boat and motor is pretty old, so was wondering if it's safe to go above the 35hp (ie 40). Does the safety plate normally go on weight of motor or hp. I figure that 10yrs ago, a 35 probably weighed about as much as a 40 no???

Also, is there anywhere i can check the weight of my current motor just as a gauge of what i can expect to get away with. Currently have a 25 evinrude, forward control, i think it's about an 1986 model. If i have the serial number, am i able to check somewhere on what it's weight is?

Thanx

Dan

[Zeeke]

on the serial plate should be a spot indicating weight and horse power.. or kilowatts.. on mine it has the serial number, weight and kilowatts


Tim

[Dr_Dan]

Thanx, will have have a look

[moorbee]

Hi Dan,
i am in the same situation as you as i am going to update my engine also. My boat is rated to 85 hp and i want to put a 90 hp on it . I found that it is very hard to get insurance when you over power the boat according to manufactures recomendations. The only way to do this is to get a letter from the people who built your boat stating that the boat can take the extra hp with no adverse effects to the boat. Or you can take the boat to a marine serveyor who can also give you a letter of the same nature. Then present this letter to your insurance company. So my advise is look into it before you buy.
Regards Moorbee

[dnej]

An old 35 hp motor may not be rated at the prop.

This means you could have a motor of about 30 hp,rated at the prop in real terms.
You can buy the same HP today , as your old 35 hp, and actually be increasing the hp by around 5 hp.
I am not sure when this changed, and I am not sure of the calculations, but someone out there may well know how the calc is done.
Anyone know the dates the rating came into place, and the actual calculation?
Regards David