Is There A Legal Way To Get A Bass Boat Max HP Re-Rated?

[dcbluewater]

I have a 98 Champion 221. The rating plate says "any V6". It came with a Mercury 225 EFI. I want to put a new V8 Mercury on it. I've asked before and it was suggested that I get a rating plate from a Champion 210. It's a good idea but I'm worried about liability if I get in an accident. When the boat was made there were no V8 outboards in it's class. In the announcement commercials they rigged two Mariner 225's on it. I believe Pat Goff from the BBC boards actually drove the twin engine rig. Does anyone know how I can legally have my boat re-rated for a 225 V8 (maybe a 250). Thank you.

[Transom]

Mercury makes a 225 that is a V6.

[Squire]

Put a 225 SHO on it and flash it....

[Mcjenson]

Easiest route would be to just throw a sho on it.

[SteezMacQueen]

Just put whatever ya want on it. Nobody really cares.

you ever seen a street legal car with a hopped up motor? Of course you have. Every day.

[Dixie-Raven]

Put a 225 SHO on it and flash it....

Why not a 250?

[KandKKustomz]

Just put whatever ya want on it. Nobody really cares.

you ever seen a street legal car with a hopped up motor? Of course you have. Every day.

what I did on my Ranger... also have a 1400 hp hot rod that from the factory came with a inline 6 that prob made 80 if it was lucky, and yes its insured and street legal.

[Slicefixer]

My insurance company (State Farm) said absolutely 100% a no go. If I ran an engine over the max hp rating and something happened I would be out in the cold to be preyed upon by the trial lawyers. I'm sure lots of people do it, but,they might well be rolling the dice and risking serious issues, all for a bit of speed. I chose not to do it (and I sure wanted to) as it simply wasn't worth the risk for me in these highly litigious times.

[ThomasD]

It’s over 20’ so coast guard limits don’t apply and Champion is out of business so no worries on voiding a warranty.

[ssmithboats]

the warranty is not what he is worried about it is the liability

[Dixie-Raven]

the warranty is not what he is worried about it is the liability

If his current placard says any V6 then he can put a 250 V6 Sho and be fine.

[Ron H 520]

I would love to hang a 250 on my 520, but no way would I, too much liability risk in doing it, no matter who’s at fault.

[gehol]

If his current placard says any V6 then he can put a 250 V6 Sho and be fine.

Did you read the OP? The OP knows he can hang any V6. He wants to hang a V8, so he needs the placard to specify a max HP rather than the number of cylinders. I doubt there is any way to get that change done.

[gehol]

Mercury makes a 225 that is a V6.

I don't think so.

Edit: I stand corrected, not a ProXS but it is a V6 4 stroke.

[gehol]

Just put whatever ya want on it. Nobody really cares.

you ever seen a street legal car with a hopped up motor? Of course you have. Every day.

You ever seen a street legal car with a factory installed placard limiting the number of cylinders?

[Dixie-Raven]

Did you read the OP? The OP knows he can hang any V6. He wants to hang a V8, so he needs the placard to specify a max HP rather than the number of cylinders. I doubt there is any way to get that change done.

Yes I read but is the goal to have max hp or number of cylinders? I have never heard of anyone desiring more cylinders as what benefit is that to someone?

[fishnfireman]

Yes I read but is the goal to have max hp or number of cylinders? I have never heard of anyone desiring more cylinders as what benefit is that to someone?

the new Mercury 4 stroke.................
For the OP since your boat maker is no more I think "legally" your stuck with a V-6

[Riccochet]

Maybe contact the NMMA and inquire with them. Since the manufacturer is no longer, and the boat is longer than 20', they may issue you a new sticker with no restriction.

It's worth an email or phone call.

[Fishysam]

Sho 200 with a computer and a supercharger taking it beyond 450 hp. "Nissmo"?

[06 SB]

You can have yours replaced by Garzon Studios. Design it the way you like. Just have “250” listed instead of “Any V6.” If anything ever comes up, which is doubtful, it is very easy to prove that when the boat was made, a 250 (even a 300!) motor was a V6. In my opinion, you are not changing the HP rating, just updating it.