How to Tell If My Boat Is Able to Run a 90 HP Motor?

Figuring out how much motor you can hang on the stern of a boat doesn't require an advanced degree: an 804-lb., 350-horsepower outboard motor, when combined with the weight of the operator, may sink a 10-foot aluminum jon boat without further ado. In general terms, common sense is often a good guide, but the specifics are provided by the manufacturer and making the determination doesn't even require basic arithmetic.

Instructions

    • 1

      Walk to the back of the boat.

    • 2

      Locate a yellow and black label at the bottom of the inside of the transom. Most often, it's on the starboard side of the boat, near the seam between the deck and the transom.

    • 3

      Read the yellow and black "Capacities" label. Required by law, the Capacities label lists the important capacities about your boat, including the maximum horsepower motor it should carry. If the Capacities label lists a maximum allowable horsepower that is greater than 90 horsepower, your boat can run a 90-horsepower motor.