School me on having a motor that exceeded maximum hp rating on a boat. I'm getting different information if this is legal in Alabama. If its legal what about insurance problems?

Will make your insurance policy null and void.

No law that makes it illegal in Alabama and there’s no federal regulation against it. Unless it’s grossly overrated, insurance will write a policy on it. Some will charge a slightly higher premium.

This is what I've always been told and my wife's uncle is a state farm agent.

I've changed the stickers a couple of times on motors to match ratings.

Just dont go backurds to fast

Guy in a club with me had a 200 on a boat rated for a 175. He hit a bass tracker. Since he was over rated his insurance didn't pay. It was insured with progressive or geico I can't remember which. Best way to find out go talk to your insurance agent. Problems you can run into. Depends on what hull you have. If you have a wood transom I wouldn't even consider it.

I've had one guy tell me he got a ticket. Said he had a 20 on a boat rated for a 15. He claimed he was fined $100 per hp. Think I'll give Brandon a call and discuss the insurance.

That guy is full of chit.

Better read again! Only way for there to not to exceed rating is for MFG to have it rated as unlimited. Most Allisons, Strokers, some Bullets are that way.

True for those over 20' long.

No horsepower limitation/restriction on boats over 20'.

The manufacturer is required to plate any monohull boat under 20’, but there is NO law that makes overpowering illegal.

Not sure this information is correct. Straight from ALEA's boating rules and regulations page, under "prohibited operations"....



7th bullet point....

Bingo, exactly what I was saying yesterday.

Correct. The state regulation is to follow federal regs. However, there is no federal law that prohibits it, so technically there’s no way to be in violation. Some states have specific laws against it but, in Alabama, it’s completely legal.

From the USCG site;

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.
There are no Coast Guard regulations against exceeding the safe loading capacity, however, there may be State regulations or restrictions which prohibit this. There is a Coast Guard regulation that gives Coast Guard Boarding Officers the power to terminate the use of a boat (send it back to shore) if, in the judgment of the Boarding Officer, the boat is overloaded. There is no fine for this, unless the operator refuses the Boarding Officer's order. We certainly hope that you will abide by the rating, as overloading may lead to capsizing or swamping of the boat.
NOTE: The Coast Guard Capacity Information label is required only on monohull boats less than 20' in length. The label is not required on multi-hull boats, pontoon boats (catamarans), or on any sailboats, canoes, kayaks, or inflatable boats, regardless of length.

I just found this.
This is from the Alabama boating course.
Overloading and Unsafe Conditions


Alabama law designates certain dangerous operating practices as illegal. The following are examples of illegal and dangerous operation.

Overloading or Overpowering is loading the vessel with passengers or gear beyond the recommended capacity shown on the capacity plate (taking into consideration weather and existing conditions) or powering a vessel beyond the recommended horsepower shown on the capacity plate. It is illegal to operate, or allow others to operate, a vessel without a permanent capacity plate.



The boats I was interested in were rated for a max 75 hp and both have 90 hp motors. I don't think this is too hp for either boat, but I don't want to be worried about any problems caused by being over max recommended power.
Thanks for all replies.





















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Insurance no pay. They not stupid, they can check serial #s, etc. Don't do it.

I remember reading on a forum a few years back where duck hunters were replacing the engine cowls with a lower HP cowl. (the way I recall it, with some engines there is no difference between, say, a 25hp and a 40 hp, other than the tuning, and the cowls were interchangeable. They got busted and were ticketed. Granted, this is me just repeating what was said, but TIFWIW

My 185 Johnson has a 150 cowl. I thought the motor was a 150 for the first 6 months or so until I looked at the data plate when I needed a part.

There's nothing more dangerous than an under horse powered boat. And..sadly half the manufacturer ratings MAX H.P. is underrated.