Would you re power?

Would you re power if this was you? Pros and cons. I know what Tracker says, also some insurance and legal questions involved….. but…..what the heck. All equipment is paid for, no liens.

1997 Tracker Nitro 800 model 18 footer with a 120 hp Force. This motor is a good, solid strong motor but not enough for my fat arse and my fishing buddy with a fat arse. I have a 1989 Yamaha 175 hp that is also a good motor. Tracker says the 800 model is limited to 150 hp but can’t give me a max weight for a motor. The 120 weighs 303lbs and the 175 is 390lbs. That is a 90lb difference. But if I use the Tracker max vs the Yamaha it is around 40lbs difference. Is 40 pounds that big of a difference? Would a jack plate help in any way with support or weight distribution? Rapid Jack is the brand.

Thanks in advance for the sounding board.

Put 150 decals on it and go

What ever the coat guard sticker say goes. You may never get caught with the bigger motor but when you do. You may wish it not so.

I had a 150hp rated Dyna Trak with a 175 on it. I never got hassled. When we moved to Hawaii I sold the boat to a good friend for a song. He got busted every time he got it wet. He said two hunnerd bucks each time. I told him to change the stickers.

Oh, that boat hauled.

insurance and/or accident (maybe, depends on tha ambulance chaser/judge) in Texas.. 'bout it.. its yours ta do whatever ya want in Texas.

don't know just how good that boat would hold up to it though!

i was told that the HP plate is for insurance purposes, that the coast guard and game warden have no jurisdiction on that. you could get denied insurance or denied a claim though. i'm in frame of mind to put different stickers on it and go.

I would consider selling both running motors and buying a used 150 hp engine.

I'd put the 175 on there in a heart beat if you don't fish tournaments.. It's not in any way against the law.

Why the tourney exclusion? I've never been asked about my motors HP vs my boats rating. I repainted my motor and it says nothing on it. Just a grey, shiny motor. I have used it in Bassmaster tourneys and the only thing I've ever been told they MIGHT check is my insurance. .....and even that has never been checked.

Not trying to be an [censored]...or start something. Just wondering what makes it a big deal for tournaments. My motor is smaller than rated in the hull. ....and it sucks.

You can actually apply for a Coast Guard plate with 175 rating. Reason I know this is that some brands were built without one. The yellow plate on all boats is a recommendation only. Info I received when I asked a Game Warden. Bass tournaments have created this fallacy. Anyone ever see the 17ft Skeeter Wranglers with 175s on them. Tournaments are the only problem.

Its my understanding that many boats can qualify for a higher CG rating than what was given to the manufacturers at the time of build, particularly some of the older models. However each individual design does have its limits on HP for obvious reasons and unless you happen to be in the know of your hulls design criteria it would be difficult to know what that limit actually is without a recommendation from its manufacturer. I for one would be hesitant to arbitrarily install a motor with a HP over the rating without doing a little research before hand given the potential catastrophic results that could potentially happen with a transom failure.

My 201 PE has a CG rating of 245 HP......Go figure!

I only fish things like the Mega Bass and McDonalds tournaments but it is in their rules that the motor can't be larger than rated on the plate. I don't have a sticker in my boat anymore so they have to use measurements and calculate mine. They can check that during a boat inspection or ask you during a polygraph either specifically or generically if you violated any rules. Another competitor can also make a complaint and have it checked. It might not ever be an issue BUT what if you fished the Mega tomorrow and won 1st in one of the hours? Would you be willing to lose $15,000 just for an over sized motor? That's why people advise against it for tournaments.

There's your answer Steez ^^^

Legends tournament too

this! ... I mean come on... you can make a home built drag racer with 800 HP and be legal but cant put 50 more Hp on your boat?

That tag has a limit from the BOAT manufacturer and cannot be sold by a dealer with anything larger on it. After you own it, you own it, do whatever you want.

If you have insurance I would check with my agent first. It would sux to go to the expense of repower and then not be able to get insurance on it, and only a fool puts a boat on the water without some kind of insurance.