Having a new capacity plate with higher rating?

[Wood_Duck]

I've heard of people contacting either a manufacturer or coast guard and getting a new capacity plate with higher ratings before but i'm not sure how accurate it is. My reason for asking is, I have a 1546 Lowe with 30/25 jet. It's max rated for only 25 which may be fine with a prop, but not with a jet. When loaded with another angler, cooler, tackle, bait tank, I can barely run 8mph and cannot dream of getting on plane which kills part of my reason for having a jet. I'm wanting to add flotation pods and have a couple braces added to the transom and upgrade to a 60/40. If I can get the boat rated for a larger capacity plate what would that require? I know the pods would add length and using their equation help raise the rating theoretically. Plus given the weight difference with pods, I'd actually be better off than I am now with the 30/25 on the back. Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[overboard]

No personal experience, but a guy I know has done it in PA. He sent to the PA fish and boat commission, provided the measurements of the boat, requested a new capacity plate, and they issued him a new capacity plate with a higher rated hp. than the original. I believe a boat with a helm will also have a higher rating than the same boat with a tiller.
I'm running into the same thing with a jet. Boat rated for 40 hp., but PA goes by the powerhead, so a 60/40 would be considered 60 hp, and it would be left to the discretion of the officer as to issuing a citation. :roll: (That info. came from a phone call to the PA.FBC) That's why I'm looking at the 40/30!

 

[Wood_Duck]

Wow I dont know how they could even argue that when a new 60/40 is factory labeled as a 40!

 

[smackdaddy53]

They can kiss my ***! Im putting a 300 Vrod decal on my 60/45 and my original hull was rated for a 45. They won't mess with you.
Here is a site for some "real" custom plates.
https://garzonstudio.com/capacities-decal/4x4-d.html

 

[overboard]

Wood_Duck » Today, 00:11[/url]"]Wow I dont know how they could even argue that when a new 60/40 is factory labeled as a 40!

In PA, they go by the powerhead.
I talked to a PA boat dealer, who said he puts 60/40 jets on boats rated for 40 hp. all the time, and has never run into a problem. The part I didn't like was; IT'S UP TO THE DISCRETION OF THE OFFICER!

 

[WVfishnfool]

They can kiss my ***! Im putting a 300 Vrod decal on my 60/45 and my original hull was rated for a 45. They won't mess with you.
Here is a site for some "real" custom plates.
<a title="Link added by VigLink" class="vglnk" href="https://garzonstudio.com/capacities-decal/4x4-d.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><span>https</span><span>://</span><span>garzonstudio</span><span>.</span><span>com</span><span>/</span><span>capacities</span><span>-</span><span>decal</span><span>/</span><span>4x4</span><span>-</span><span>d</span><span>.</span><span>html</span></a>

That might be well and good until an accident happens. Then if they check and find out that the Coast Guard tag has been altered without approval I hope you have a good lawyer because I can guarantee you if some one is injured or worse yet killed even if it's not your fault guess whose azz will be in a sling when there lawyers find out. Had a buddy that it cost him thousands to defend himself over some crazy chit even though his plate said unlimited and it was legal.

 

[Jeeper]

I know you can contact the maker and they will issue you a new one, not sure of price but you could ask them about a different rating surely they can help some what

 

[Ranchero50]

This subject got beat up pretty bad a couple months ago. I'd search for it but the emotional scars are still too fresh.

Basically the manufacturer plates the hull base on it's as manufactured configuration based off of the handling tests in the coast guards boat builders handbook. If your hull has remote steer, the capacity is higher.

O/B jets aren't really addressed in the handbooks so yes, it's up to the officers discretion.

My hull as a tiller steer 1448 is rated a 25hp prop. Now as a stretched 1748 with a center console and inboard jet it will handle the 85hp Seadoo engine and pass the handling tests. The officers I've dealt with were always professional and had no problems with my boat.

 

[PATRIOT]

Jeeper » Today, 08:51[/url]"]I know you can contact the maker and they will issue you a new one, not sure of price but you could ask them about a different rating surely they can help some what

I just purchased a new 16' Meyers SuperPro bare hull that is rated for 35HP in tiller trim as shipped . . . the manufacturer gave me a loose rating plate for 40HP since I'll be running it in remote trim.
As for jet motors, I feel your pain . . . thought about getting one until I learned how less efficient they are than a prop motor of equal HP.

 

[Wood_Duck]

Ranchero50 » Yesterday, 22:03[/url]"]

O/B jets aren't really addressed in the handbooks so yes, it's up to the officers discretion.

Is that the Coast Guard officers you are referring to or State?

 

[DrainBamage]

Sometimes talking to the manufacturer backfires, I got a new plate made and it came back with lower HP rating and passenger capacity than the old one. Now I'm stuck with it because the old plate is not completely legible anymore.