the reason there has to be so many rules in tournament organizations is because there is always somebody trying to skirt the rules that consider it gray area on hp there is no gray area if the rules state 250 max that doesent mean that if you go in an kick it up to 275 an not be breaking the rules.

Like I said above.....Read the rules for each tournament....IF they don't have specific rule about any engine modifications.. Then it should not matter.
Take it from me I have ran Allison boats with Hi-performance mtrs for years some modified some not.
If there is ANY doubt-- ask the Tournament Director -- If it's a big money tournament---Get it in writing.. if you win and somebody thinks your not within the rules-- they will protest !

It's a character thing. If the boat has a motor that is max for that boat and you modify to gain hp. That imo is violating the rule.

Any boat over 20' in length is not required by the US coast guard to have a max hp rating.
Some boats have an unlimited hp rating !!!! What then ??

then the only governing body would be the tournament and do they have a maximum hp limit. If they don't then everything is fine.

As far as the OP's original question. If you questioned it enough to have to ask here then I highly doubt you'd pass a polygraph if asled if you violated any tournament rules and therefore would be disqualified. I think you have answered your own question.

As long As the serial number of the motor matches the HP rating for the motor, and the motor meets maximum allowable HP for the tournament, you are golden. In other words, if the motor started out as a 250 and you punched it out to 350, it's still legal I do believe. Of course if the HP question came on a Lie Detector Test, I would think an erroneous answer would get someone DQ'd.

Most 250 Mercury PRO XS make about 268 hp on the dyno;)

Tournament rules are for factory hp rating.

For everyone that thinks it is ok. What other rules do you pick and choose to violate?

Lot of ways to increase speed without breaking the rules. First and most important, if speed is important, don't buy a tugboat hull to fish out of. There are some very well made, efficient hulls out there that fish really well. Second, don't load your boat with every bit of tackle you own. Next, spend some time propping your boat and setting it up to run with the correct jack plate, motor height, balance, etc... If you don't want to do these things, souping your motor up is useless.

I'm completely satisfied with my Ranger's speed. When I'm not paying attention I keep creeping up on the throttle and sometimes find myself running 80 mph. It's a shocker when the DPS patrol car siren comes on and I have to pull to the shoulder of the highway.

shots fired