Section 281.517. Horsepower capacity.

The horsepower capacity of an outboard watercraft, excepting canoes or pontoon craft, shall be determined by either   of   the   following methods:

(a)   The horsepower capacity of an outboard watercraft, other  than  a canoe, and except one dependent solely upon the buoyancy of pontoons or similar flotation devices, shall not exceed the value given  by  the   boat horsepower table in figure 1. The horsepower capacity of an outboard watercraft, other than a canoe, and dependent solely upon the buoyancy of pontoons or similar flotation devices shall not exceed the value given  by multiplying the cubic feet of flotation in the   pontoons  by the pontoon length in feet and dividing by the pontoon diameter in inches. If the pontoons are not circular in cross section, the diameter of the largest circle that can be inscribed in the pontoon shall be used.

(b)   By reference to a manufacturer's capacity plate installed in a watercraft, if manufactured or offered for original sale in this state on or after January 1, 1968, or in accordance with standards approved by the state waterways commission, or the horsepower capacity recommended by   the  livery operator, whichever is the lesser.

Figure 1    Boat Horsepower Table

Multiply  overall  length          

x  stern  widtth         

=    Factor      (both measurements

in decimal feet)    (nearest whole            number)

Remote steering    No remote steering            and 20'    or      or     transom      less than equivalent 20" or equivalent

Factor is: under  over  over      40 40-45 46-49 50-53 54-57 57  57

B.P. Cap is: 5 10    15     20    25  (2 X Factor) -- 90 (3/4 Factor) -- 20

H.P. Cap =                    (raise to even 5 h.p. increment)

History: 1979 AC.