Tournament hp restrictions?

[smkur50]

Ok, I think some of the local tourneys I fish don't care what hp motor you run. Now I think FLW and BASS have a 250hp limit? Correct me if I'm wrong.

So here's where I am trying to be careful. Lets say I have p3 kit on a 250, has anyone gotten DQed for running over that 250 restriction? Also would it be a DQ of running over the hp limit of the boat rating? Just curious because if it can be an issue I guess I would want to be hush about any hp adding stuff then right?

Anyone know if any of the pros add stuff to their boats that they don't talk about? No names needed just wondering how many do it.

[Z518 Comanche]

I believe most tourn. rules state that you can't exceed your boats hp rating. All it takes is one pizzed off person because you won

[smkur50]

Yeah that's what I was thinking. Some people it doesn't even take being pissed off, I've heard some real bad storys of guys protesting over life jackets just to get a win.

[reelman]

250 is here to stay and is plenty...as far as mods, "if you ain't a pro, let it go" would be my attitude...too many cut throats for $500 these days.
The dominant engines in the 8 clubs of the area here are 150-200. Maybe three of 150+ guys have a 250 with more having 115s then that. Our lakes only require a run of 10 miles or so in each direction of these old oxbows most times so few care to pay all the extra for a 250 or "fast boat" to go 80 for 5 minutes.
If this was a Great Lakes situation...a 250 would be much wiser for the bigger boat and long 30-50+ mile runs plus to beat incoming storms.

[smkur50]

We have some pretty good runs. Lake Ozark in the summer can take you over 80 miles to run up it in the summer and alot of good fishing is there at that time of year. Same goes for some of the other lakes where you can run a good 40-60miles to get "away" from the pack.

[tracy shannon]

ok so i been wondering about this ? myself so my ? to add to (smkur50)'s is cowling says 250 then isnt it still a 250 even with mods

[blair]

Nope.

[tracy shannon]

so then it is up to tx directors interuptations of what motor is what the cowling and title says or what it is after mods i have been told some time back that if title says it is a hp motor then that is what it is some motors came from the factory stronger than others

[blair]

IMO, the 250 is a 250 until you do Mods that increase HP. The TX will, most likely, require a polygraph for the winners. You could just get a Stroker with a 250xs and run 100MPH, all stock......

[Wayne Worthy]

Read the rules of your tournament trail and see how they are worded? How the rules are interpreted is how you will answer the polograph?

[tracy shannon]

well for me all tx 's i fish or plan to fish are coast guard rating plate so a boat rated all v6's or 300 hp is on plate of 20' boat so a 250 w/ phase 1 or 2 is still not over powered by plate right ?

[blair]

If the TX is just looking at Coast Guard rating/plate it looks like you are fine, but Wayne is right, review the rules of the trail.

[Fred M]

For what it is worth the times i have been polygraphed the quetions pertain to cheating and have never been asked about boat related issues other than did we leave the boat during tourney and did we wear life jackets while the outboard was running.Never have had questions about outboard. We outrun everyone by 15-20mph. We run a Hydrotec Yamaha 250 with phase 3 on a Stroker and no one has said a word .If you are only outrunning them by 10 mph most guy's do not have a clue or give a ----! , and yes the factory sponsored motors do get special attention

[mullamaster]

Do you really get polygraphed for winning a tournament???

[dentguy]

Up here in the tundra, we haven't had to resort to that yet, but there have been a couple of instances where it would have been nice to know there is/was a way to be 100% sure everyone was playin' fair.. I don't see it as a problem, a tourney set up to polygraph the winners or someone at random, it's like locks on a door, just helps to keep the honest, honest....

As far as the HP restrictions, definately a grey area.. The tourney director for a series that I fish every event frequents these boards, and he's very well aware of the fact that I've got a "slightly, cough,cough,ahem" warmed over "200" Yamaha on the back of my boat...

[HaulinBass]

Fred, you get your LU taken care of?

[Fred M]

Hey Larry i sure owe you one , you were a real lifesaver thank you so much . Wayne is rebuilding my gearcase and has figured out how to put a fat shaft in Yamaha. As to the polygraphs yes thy do polygraph first thru third place in all the major money tournaments we fish. But at no time has ther ever been any question about my motors ever

[HaulinBass]

Ah, a quick spin in that bad boy someday will do.

[jcdogfish]

I have never been asked about a boat or engine, I have been asked if i obeyed all state and local regulations,,

[javelin225H.O.]

Do you think they will dyno a motor to make sure its 250 hp? No they won't.
I wouldn't worry about it.
My boat is rated for a 225hp, I have a High Output motor that is said to put out 240+ hp. Factory tuned motors put out more hp then stated. As long as the model number matches the number on the cover there is no problem. Its just when people put 250 hp decals on a 300 hp motor its a problem.
Max hp on the plate is based on length and wide of the boat and weight of a motor.