How much horsepower can my boat take legally?

Question

I have a 14 foot boat built in 1960, it has no tags on it for weight capacity. It has a 35 hp motor on it now that is going to be illegal in a couple years due to emmissions. How do I figure out the maximum horsepower I can get. It is a fiberglass boat.

Answer 1

What is the boat made of: aluminum, fiberglass,  wood? How heavy is the boat? How old is your motor? If it is in,  or before the early 90's then you 35 hp is only about 20 to 25hp.

Answer 2

I have a 14 and a half foot fibre glass boat with a 70hp which is perfect size.  I also have a 14 ft boat with a 50hp which is very suitable. depends on boat construction.  if in doubt tow your boat down to local marine centre and ask their advice.

Answer 3

My 1971 14" Glastron is rated at 60HP MAX.

Answer 4

Probably seeing how you only have a 35 on it now, I would assume it would be max out at a 35.

I wouldn't go higher than what it has.

Answer 5

you can put as much motor on the back as you want, it is your money, but the best way to tell it is to much power is if the motor rips off your transom, then you know you had to much motor

age and length I would stop at 60HP

Answer 6

There's probably not a way to find out what horsepower the transom is rated for on such an old boat, but I wouldn't put anything larger than a 35HP engine on it. I sell fiberglass boats, the smallest of which are 14, and depending on the model, the max HP is either 35 or 40. And that's on a brand new boat, 100% fiberglass, no wood that could be rotted.

Good luck!