Posts: 158
| sworrall - 3/22/2011 8:20 PM
'I'll re-iterate that the coast guard does not regulate hp on, or certify recreational boats.'
Actually, the USCG sets HP, flotation, load, and other requirements for all recreational boats under 20' in length. And, the Coast Guard regularly drops in on boat builders to make sure they are complying with USCG regulations per federal laws under Title 33. Before a boat is offered to the public, USCG testing is required by a Certified Specialist or licensed facility. If indeed a builder is found to be out of compliance, the builder can be fined and a recall may be issued on the products found to be out of compliance.
Many States enforce USCG regulations through DNR law enforcement, and will ticket you if you are over horsepowered.
I'm going to have to double check this and post again tomorrow. My understanding is that for recreational boats they are merely guidelines. Manufacturers do not have to have their boats USCG approved or inspected yet chose to do so, as that is the industry standard (uscg standards for floatation, HP etc) Also as I understood it, and believe it to be there are NO federal restrictions on overpowering, and that if it is against the law, it will be in state/local governments.
Again that is the way I understood it. Manufacturers follow USCG guidelines, but the USCG doesn't actually certify or inspect recreational boats. (NMMA does however) |
