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How much power is too much?
John Stall	#1  Posted on 11/18/08 - 10:49 AM
Member Posts: 13 Comments: 1 Joined: 08/18/08	Hi Guys, I have a line on a used ( but great shape) yamaha 200hp long shaft. Is 200 too much power for my 1991 Outrage -19ft. The Outrage is rated for 150 I know but with a deal before me and re-power required because the ailing 150 - I am tempted. all advice is appreciated. thanks
Phil T	#2  Posted on 11/18/08 - 4:03 PM
Administrator Personal Page Personal Album Project Albums Posts: 7043 Comments: 6 Joined: 03/26/05	I would do it given you have a good re-power candidate. It's only an issue if you use too much throttle. If the boat is insured, check to make sure there is not a problem, if so, find a better company. 1992 Outrage 17 I 2019 E-TEC 90, Viper 17 2+ 2018 Load Rite Elite 18280096VT
John Stall	#3  Posted on 11/18/08 - 4:34 PM
Member Posts: 13 Comments: 1 Joined: 08/18/08	I wasn't so concerned about how i feel with the power, yes of course I back off when I'm queasy - my question was more of a technical issue about weather or not the weight or thrust of the engine is too much for the transom can be handled by the strength of transom etc. -- just didn't know ?
Joe Kriz	#4  Posted on 11/18/08 - 4:36 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	The transom will handle the weight of twin 75 or 90's (or even 115's) so the weight of a single engine is no problem.
Blue_Northern	#5  Posted on 11/19/08 - 6:35 AM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 532 Comments: 5 Joined: 09/04/07	John - Is your outrage a 70's model banana style hull? I have seen one in Austin, TX with a 200 hp Yamaha. My 19 had a 175hp on it and I have seen plenty of 175hp same model boats. You should be fine with the 200 on the weight side. I would pay attention to the insurance point that Phil brought up. If you over power sometimes your insurer will not cover you. Rob 1973 Outrage/Lo-Pro Conversion
John Stall	#6  Posted on 11/20/08 - 3:07 PM
Member Posts: 13 Comments: 1 Joined: 08/18/08	No the boat is not a 70's style. It is a 1991 outrage - 19 ft. I get the insurance issue. It is not insured yet, just picked it up in late summer and havn't even changed the ownership paper. going to do that first and soon. thanks for your opinions
twostroke2	#7  Posted on 11/28/08 - 7:05 AM
Member Posts: 3 Comments: 0 Joined: 11/28/08	I run a small boatyard, so my answer is to obey the maximum horsepower rating that Boston Whaler and the Coast Guard gave your boat. This will give plenty of performance, and not open up Pandora's box of legal issues. As a dealer, if we so much as change a spark plug on an overpowered boat, we are liable in case of an accident. We are supposed to know better, and if we work on the overpowered boat, we are giving it our seal of approval. Reputable and conscientious dealers will not work on your boat. I agree that the transom of your boat will handle the weight and power of the larger engine, but are the health and safety of you and your family worth the extra few miles an hour? How good will you feel about the dollars saved, when someone is hurt because of your choice? I'm sorry to sound preachy, but please think twice before taking a step like this There are plenty of other motors out there. Paul
Binkie	#8  Posted on 11/28/08 - 7:59 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 2012 Comments: 0 Joined: 12/19/05	I say go for it. After all if yer not skeered, yer not having fun. (Just kidding of course). I`m changing out powerheads on my Chrysler race motor from 75hp to 105hp. The good thing about Chryslrs are that all 3 and 4 cylinder powerheads are interchangeable. My race boat weighs less than 200lbs. and hopefully this powerhead change will get me to 65mph. A careless person can get into trouble in a boat at 25mph. You don`t need to be going at high speed to get hurt hitting a bridge, another boat or a dock. Of course the faster you go the more concentration you need. Just let your insurance agent know what you are planning on doing, before you buy that motor. If they don`t have a problem with it then you shouldn`t have any problems. Never heard of the claims of the above poster. rich Rich
kamie	#9  Posted on 11/28/08 - 2:02 PM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 2975 Comments: 3 Joined: 11/04/05	Paul, I respectively disagree. While many shops will not rig an engine that exceeds the HP rating of the hull, most will be very happy to do work on the same engine. You or your employer are being cautious but simply working on an outboard does not "give your approval" and does not make you liable should that boat be involved in an accident. John, assuming you can rig the engine yourself and your insurance agent will write the policy your good to go. If your insurance agent will not write you a policy, let me know and I can set you up with someone that can. As Joe said the transom will handle the weight and the boat will handle the power.
CES	#10  Posted on 11/28/08 - 4:38 PM
Member Personal Page Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 2681 Comments: 7 Joined: 04/27/07	It's always a safe bet to never exceed the maximum HP rating for your boat. Usually, the max HP rating is more than enough to get you where you're going quicky, efficiently and safely. Happy Boating! Cliff 1966 13' Sport with a 1993 40hp Yamaha 2 Smoker
Bob Kemmler JR	#11  Posted on 11/28/08 - 5:32 PM
Member Project Albums Posts: 269 Comments: 7 Joined: 10/10/05	A 300 weighs about the same as a 200, why stop at 200? On the hunt for a classic 19 or 21 Whaler