Boat Building Regulations | Safe Horsepower For Outboard Boats

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6.5 in (17.1 cm) wide

HORSEPOWER CALCULATIONS FOR OUTBOARD MOTORBOATS WITH ENGINES GREATER THAN 2HP

Reason for Safe Horsepower ratings

Start-in-gear protection requirements for outboards.

The Rules are in 33 CFR Subpart D 183.51 - 183.53

Outboard horsepower ratings are based on a variety of factors. These include;

Centerline length.

Maximum Transom width.

Transom Height.

Type of steering: remote or tiller.

Hard Chine Flat Bottom or Other.

There is a formula for computing Safe Horsepower based on various combinations of the above factors. See the table below. This only applies to a monohull boat less than 20 feet in length (6.096 meters)

Canada uses similar formulas for computing outboard power in kilowats. (1 HP = 0.745 KW)

The below formulas do not apply to: sailboats, canoes, kayaks, and inflatable boats, that are designed or intended to use one or more outboard motors for propulsion. It does not apply to boats that are true multihulls. A multihull makes two or more separate footprints in the water. A pontoon boat is a multihull.

Taken from Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Subpart 183.53

Outboard Horsepower Capacity
	Compute the Factor = Boat Length x transom width
If Factor is (to the nearest integer)			0-35	36-39	40-42	43-45	46-52
Horsepower is			3	5	7.5	10	15
Note: For flat bottom hard chine boats, with a factor of 52 or less reduce HP one capacity increment
If the Factor is over 52.5 and the boat has :
	Remote Steering and at least 20" Transom Height				HP =	(2 x Factor) - 90
	No remote steering or less than 20" transom Height
		For flat bottom hard chine boats			HP =	(0.5 x Factor) - 15
		For other boats			HP =	(0.8 x Factor) - 25

Example 1: Bow Rider - Length = 19' 6" Transom width = 84" remote steering and 20" transom height.

(Length x Transom Width X 2)-90 = HP = ( 19.5 X 7.0 X 2) - 90 = 273 - 90 = 183 (136 KW)

Horsepower = 185 (138 KW)

Example 2: Length 12' Transom width = 46" Tiller steering and 15" transom height.

( Length x transom Width) = 45.96 Horsepower from table = 10 (7.5 KW)

Horsepower is rounded to the next multiple of five.

Transom width : is to be measured at the widest point of the transom including permanently attached parts of the boat such as rub rails.
Boat length: Length does not necessarily include such things as swim platforms. However if the swim platform is molded into the hull and contributes to the buoyancy of the boat, it is included. If you need some more information on this call the Coast Guard at 202-372-1077.	Click on the image for the full size
Flat Bottom Hard Chine means: The boat is flat bottom if you can lay a straight edge across it, and there is no vee or curvature. A hard chine has no curvature.

Special Rules: For boats that meet the following qualification there is an optional test course method for determining horsepower:

13 feet or less in length.
Outboard Powered.
2 or less passengers.
Remote steering and 20 inch transom height.