Almost ready to buy a G23 lake horsepower limit question ?

[stephenshane237]

I have been researching buying a new boat and it was between a new Malibu 23 LSV and a used G23. I finally have my mind set on a G23 and ready to pull the trigger, however 2 of the lakes in Ohio are limited to 400 horsepower. My question is how enforced is this limit as the G is 450, don't want to buy a boat that I can't take out to Seneca or Portage.

[lakeeriemonster]

We are on Seneca Lake and just bought a 2016 SAN 230 at the end of last season. We ran into the same issue, HP limit is technically 399 on Seneca. That is one of the reasons we pulled the trigger last year - we have the 343 engine, stock for the 230 is 400 for 2017. We only got out for a couple of weekends and weren't stopped by the rangers but they are a constant presence on that lake. It w

[lakeeriemonster]

Meant to add - There aren't many wakeboard boats on Seneca so I have to imagine the rangers would stop you at some point.

Where are you buying from - Buckeye?

[Quinner]

So they stop boats to check HP amounts?? Without a Dyno how can they really tell, lol, put the Excalibur shroud on the ZR motor or just modify the stickers, unless these rangers are total gear heads how would they even know?? I have a 351 that looks exactly the same as a 240hp version yet is pushing almost twice the HP, visually it would be impossible to tell the difference.

[stephenshane237]

Yes between a 2016 at buckeye, and a 2014 in Michigan going back to buckeye today. I have asked the dealers and they say the HP number is nowhere on the engine or registration but the ones I am looking at are 450 Hp. I am assuming I will be fine but don't want a boat that can't go on limited to 400 lakes in Ohio.

[Kenv]

So they stop boats to check HP amounts?? Without a Dyno how can they really tell, lol, put the Excalibur shroud on the ZR motor or just modify the stickers, unless these rangers are total gear heads how would they even know?? I have a 351 that looks exactly the same as a 240hp version yet is pushing almost twice the HP, visually it would be impossible to tell the difference.

Quinner....correct...they're probably not gear heads....but they're probably not stupid either. They will have a list of what engine options are available for certain models....or they will look it up. Just takes a sec with a cell phone. If they ask you what you have....and you lie....well....that's on you..you're just a liar then. If you choose to live that way...over just a boat's hp....that's on you. Why not just conform and do the right thing. You could get a 450 when the limit is 399 and take your chances....but their rule is in place for a reason I suspect. Not knocking you personally....just the scenario.

[lakeeriemonster]

Good point but my point is it's not worth the risk (unless you only go on that lake occasionally). We are primarily going to be on that lake (>90%) and I couldn't commit to buying something that could be prohibited (even if really unlikely).

Good luck on the purchase.

[swc5150]

I wonder if one could go to the local lake association to revisit the HP limit? I certainly don't know the original intent of this lake's HP rule, but from my experience in WI, such rules were put into place to limit or ban go-fast boats (considered loud and/or dangerous), or the size of boats allowed. Modern wake boats creeping along with a surfer don't seem to present much of a danger risk. Whether it's a 343 or a 550, the use is going to be essentially the same, so perhaps some exceptions could be agreed upon? Just food for thought I guess?

[JD ski]

My first thought is as Quinner stated change the valve cover stickers. My valve covers state Murcurser 255 but the motor below them churns out 430 HP. And Kenv is right that law enforcement will have access to a generic list. Laws are laws and we need to follow them. Laws are laws but this one sounds like a form of discrimination to me and old world thinking. This is like what the automobiles groups/clubs have gone through. You can not like Hot Rods, Sports Cars, Low Riders, Trucks and not want them in your neighborhood) or lake in this case. You may think no one should be allowed to own that much horse power. But you can not control what people like or want to own. What governments have found out is that activist groups will step up agents foolish laws such as horsepower laws (discrimination to a specific type of boat Wake Board boats and Drag Boats).

Then they change the regulation to one on sound. So you can have all the horsepower you want in any type of vehicle (no longer discrimination agents a specific group, boat, activity) as long as you can keep it under a set sound restriction. This sounds like a law arranged by local lake front home owners who would only like to see and not hear Bay Liners on the their waters. That is like having a law that states only males can hang out on the beach, females are not allowed, or change that to a specific race. All not legal in America.

This rambling does not answer your question but brings up issues to think about and unless you are willing to take on local government to make sensible regulations you may want a G-23 but discrimination agents this boat and others like it, and the type of people who use them are currently outlawed on the lake you spend time on. So, you may need to purchase a smaller boat. I will stop rambling now.

[vanhanbr]

Here's my thoughts:

These laws as swc5150 stated were more likely put in place to prevent go fast boats from tearing across the lake. As long as your being respectful and not drinking/driving no one should have a reason to stop you....But the lake is full of people with all kinds of viewpoints. Many don't like wakes of any kind. Fisherman, kayaks, row teams etc. I don't know these lakes personally, but they didn't look that big to me. A G23 is going to stand out and you're probably going to be stopped at some point and if you're caught once, its game over. They will keep looking for you. Here's your options:

1) You could buy a G23 with the zr6/zr4 engine and more or less be okay. (Although PCM has it at 400 now I've seen versions of it rated at closer to 370 hp by GM) . That option is not for me, it would take forever to get up on plane.
2) You could buy a 230/gs22 with the zr6/zr4 (or LSV) and more or less be okay. Probably a better option. I would buy a GS22, sounds like you are going to be trailering a lot anyway.

I would love to tell you to say "f" it and buy the G with the 450, but it will be no fun out there if you're constantly watching your back looking to be busted. That or buy the G and make the decision to stay on bigger lakes with no engine limits.

[thtrog]

I would present the CARB marine certifications for the engine and year boat you are purchasing.
If I'm looking at this correctly, the H5 and H6 are listed together on last option of the page.

H6 rated at 291Kw = 395.6 HP
H5 rated at 255Kw = 346.7 HP
XR7/XS7 at 379Kw = 515 HP

https://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/offroa...SIME&year=2017

[thtrog]

So I looked up the 2014 XR450 in my boat and it's rated at 279Kw or 379 HP. Do I like it? NO Does it change the boat performance? NO
I think it's common in the marine industry to overrate HP ratings or maybe it's just a CA compliance issue. I do think Stephen can use it to his advantage and maybe even for insurance purposes, I'm going to ask at renewal time.

[XBIGPUN66]

Or perhaps a difference between shaft(at the prop) hp vs crank hp

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Kmayotte]

In my state (New Hampshire) the horsepower is listed right on the registration. I know someone that used another engines VIN and got their 40 hp Whaler registered as a 25 hp so his kids under 16 could drive it (changed sticker on motor too). Then he lettered the side of the boat up with the name "Gettin' Away With It". TRUE STORY. This is not a smart person or he has balls so big he can't sit down.

[Tallredrider]

My first thought is as Quinner stated change the valve cover stickers. My valve covers state Murcurser 255 but the motor below them churns out 430 HP. And Kenv is right that law enforcement will have access to a generic list. Laws are laws and we need to follow them. Laws are laws but this one sounds like a form of discrimination to me and old world thinking. This is like what the automobiles groups/clubs have gone through. You can not like Hot Rods, Sports Cars, Low Riders, Trucks and not want them in your neighborhood) or lake in this case. You may think no one should be allowed to own that much horse power. But you can not control what people like or want to own. What governments have found out is that activist groups will step up agents foolish laws such as horsepower laws (discrimination to a specific type of boat Wake Board boats and Drag Boats).

Then they change the regulation to one on sound. So you can have all the horsepower you want in any type of vehicle (no longer discrimination agents a specific group, boat, activity) as long as you can keep it under a set sound restriction. This sounds like a law arranged by local lake front home owners who would only like to see and not hear Bay Liners on the their waters. That is like having a law that states only males can hang out on the beach, females are not allowed, or change that to a specific race. All not legal in America.

This rambling does not answer your question but brings up issues to think about and unless you are willing to take on local government to make sensible regulations you may want a G-23 but discrimination agents this boat and others like it, and the type of people who use them are currently outlawed on the lake you spend time on. So, you may need to purchase a smaller boat. I will stop rambling now.

Are the rules made by government or by owners around the lake? I thought most any lake with this kind of law is going to be private, but with access from the public. Similar to hundreds if not thousands of lakes with boat size restrictions. Even if the lake is a purely public waterway, the government can make laws for 'public safety'. I find the anti-discrimination argument to just be out of touch with what happens in the real world. I am sure that those who made the rule find it no different than the speed limit restrictions on just about any road in the country. These rules can be impossible to overturn legally, and the best bet is to have the agency/group that made them do a revision. In the OP's case, I bet those HP restrictions are intended to stop go-fast boats, not sport boats like ours, so he would have a shot at getting the rule revised. But it wouldn't surprise me if he raised a fuss, and instead got wakesurfing banned, as that seems to be the natural enemy of many lakefront property owners these days.