Builders plate maximum HP - Is there any tolerance?

[Matthewrs]

Hi guys,
The builders plate states that the maximum size outboard I should use is 3.68kW which I believe is a 5hp.
Maximum weight of the outboard is 24kg.
Am I going to get hung if I put a 6hp on it?

[frankgrimes]

Not hung, but if you have an accident, insurance wont touch you.

[EdBerg]

Hi, I had the same problem when I was looking for a small outboard for my inflatable, I wanted a 6HP because they are available in 2 cylinders but because the plate said 5HP max, that is the limit to what you can put on from an insurance point of view.

As Frankgrimes stated, if you have an accident the insurance company will simply state that your boat isn't compliant to the manufacturers stated max HP and you are on your own. As far as I know they will go strictly to the letter of your contract where I am sure that there is a clause that states that the vessel must not exceed the the max HP of the builders plate.

If you don't intend to get insurance then it's a moot point, however in this day and age I would not recommend not having insurance coverage on a boat in case you cause damage to someone or their property.

[LittleSkipper]

And if the water police decide to inspect your vessel for a routine safety check & see an outboard motor over the vessels HP rating I think they might have something to say about it?....things that make you go hmmmmmmmm!!!!!

[Moonlighter]

Your question is a bit like asking "when driving my car, can I exceed the allowable blood alcohol limit of 0.5%, is there any tolerance?"

The answer is, no, you can't legally exceed the stated limit on the builders plate. The ABPs are a legislated requirement and you must comply with the limits stated. Black and white, no room for interpretation.

If you do exceed the limit you should be prepared to wear all the potential consequences, simple as that.

ML

[Bros]

I see you have a Porta Boat and you may find insuring it is a waste of money so you are only to look at the legal side.

[Matt76]

1hp too big, yep you would be a bloody danger to society. Haha.

Seriously i wouldnt think twice about it.

[Lovey80]

Hmmm, if insurance isn't an issue for you, could you be bothered getting a 5hp decal and replacing the 6hp decal on the cowel?

[Matthewrs]

I don't think I could do much damage with my portabote, even if I tried.
The insurance I would probably be interested in would be against theft. (People will steal anything these days, even a portabote).
The reason I am toying with the idea is that there are a lot of guys in USA that have these things with 6hp outboards on them. I know that if I have to travel against a really strong current, I struggle with the 4hp that I have at the moment. I don't think a 5hp would make a lot of difference.
By myself, with a tail wind and going down hill, I can get 20kph out of my 4 hp.

[frankgrimes]

I don't think I could do much damage with my portabote, even if I tried.

You have to think of worse case scenarios mate....if your not insured, murphy's law will eventually happen.

[Matthewrs]

Thanks for the input. I agree that you can't be too careful.

[ShaneC]

Insure the boat for $1000 more than its worth and if it gets knocked off say it had no motor on it. Dodgy as buggery, I guess it depends how by the book you are. Stick some 5 hp decals on it and away you go. I personally wouldn't do it, but I do like to contrive hypothetical ways to get around such things.....

[ozlongboarder]

What? Nah mate its, a 5hp, the big sticker on the side of the motor says 5Hp. I bought it from a guy at a swap meet/car boot sale/ garage sale etc.

Bit of a grey area....wouldn't they have to prove you knowingly put a 6hp on it?

[MTAQ/BTAQ]

An interesting side issue here is not the HP of the motor but the weight of the motor - I recently went from a 70HP 2 stroke (weight 108kg) to a 70HP 4 stroke (weight 152kg) - this does make a little difference with a cut away transom, but nothing said by insurance company or at registration - any opinions on this?

[Fed]

Does rego come into this in Qld?
In NSW going from sub 5HP to 6HP would mean the boat has to be registered.