Which rides better - very few know !

[Fr. Frank]

Originally Posted by 77SceptreOB

According to those USCG calculations what would be the max HP for a 23' SeaCraft?

There is no USCG legal max HP rating for any over boat 20'. It only applies to boats 20' and under.

Please note, however, that the USCG has changed how the LOA, or averall length of a boat is calculated. It is now the overall length of the hull from the transom BELOW the cap to the farthest forward portion of the hull (again, NOT the cap). It DOES include motor brackets that are molded into and part of the hull.

It used to be the length of the hull PLUS any permanently attached additions like the cap itself (which normally adds an inch or so), anchor pulpits molded into the cap or liner or through-bolted to the same, and plus any propulsion machinery that extended beyond the hull, including outdrives, surface-piercing drives and transom mounted rudders, but NOT outboard motors.

"Permanently attached" did NOT include attachments bolted to the hull which were removable, such as swim platforms, motor brackets, or bowsprits.

Under the old measuring rules, a stern-drive powered 20' Seafari, even though the hull length was actually 19'6", had no legal maximum HP rating, because the LOA including propulsion machinery was over 21'. Similarly, an outboard 20' SeaCraft with and anchor pulpit that was through-bolted was also over 20' and thus not subject to the legal max HP ratings.

It's all changed now. I promise you, my old 1987 18' Checkmate Eluder was WAY over the legal HP limit with it's 225 Mercury. WOT of 73 mph.
Same with my 1969 Cacci Craft "El Tiburon" 15' with it's XS1500 Mercury. WOT of 82 mph. In a 14'10" boat.

But Oh, What fun!