Can Marine Patrol tell how much hp a boat has by looking at it?

Question

Will they be able to tell when they check your registration? The lake I would use has a restriction of 150 hp, but my boat that I want to get has 305 hp. (I am new to boats so I don't know anything about them.) As long as I don't go too fast or anything, will they be able to tell?

Answer 1

Most marine patrol officers volunteers for this duty, and most have a lot of marine experience, so they know all if the tricks, like putting a different decal on the engine cover, etc. ,So Yea! they can tell.

Answer 2

I agree with jTexas, this can easily be discovered by looking the boat's registration when water patrol pulls you over for a "safety inspection".  You will most likely be fined and forced to leave the lake immediately.

If you rationalize that you won't get stopped by law enforcement on the water, you're dead wrong.  I can personally vouch from experience that they show up anytime, anywhere, and any place.  When they do, 90% of the time it will be for a violation they seen you do or stop you for a random check.  This is especially true during peak summer boating season and on weekends.

In short, don't operate your boat on THAT lake with that HP limit.  Law enforcement on the water does NOT play around and I would not tempt your luck or their patience.

Answer 3

Yes they can tell because most 8 cyc are over 150 hp>And the manufacture has a HP rating for your boat>

Answer 4

it'll be on the registration card you'll be required to show whenever you get checked.  and they do random stops for safety equipment checks.