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Capacity Concerns (20-4)
by Steve Horsfall
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I
recently purchased a 1989 18-foot Tempest and
there is no capacity plate on it. Could you please forward
information on how to contact Tempest to obtain one,
or do I have to contact the government?
A. Healy (e-mail)
For a boat this old, I don’t think you would have
much luck getting a plate from the manufacturer. You
can, however, get one from the government. If they don’t
have your boat on file, try applying for one as homemade.
For more information on obtaining compliance labels,
visit the Office of Boating Safety website at www.boatingsafety.gc.ca.
I have a 20-foot, moulded, mahogany speedboat,
circa 1959. I had it totally rebuilt. It was previously
powered by an old 70 hp engine, which is no longer working.
I want to buy a new Honda or Yamaha four-cylinder engine,
but I’m not sure which is the best choice for
the boat. Also, I don't know how much weight the transom
can handle. It has a seven-foot beam and a V-hull.
My only requirement is a top speed of 35 mph. Is there
a formula I can use to determine the boat’s power
rating and the speed it will obtain? I also need to
determine how much weight the transom can hold.
R. Pike( e-mail)
You can get a generic capacity plate from the government,
but it’s really just a guide based on the dimensions
of the boat and isn’t terribly accurate. It doesn’t
consider the weight of the engine in relation to the
structural integrity of the transom.
If your 70 hp engine was a three-cylinder unit, then
any current 70 to 80 hp engine should be okay. Keep
in mind, four-cycle engines are considerably heavier
than two-cycle versions. I would think any engine around
this size would take the boat up to 35 mph with a moderate
load. The three-cylinder, two-cycle engine will provide
more speed with less weight. The four-cycle engine is
usually more fuel-efficient and a little more environmentally
friendly.
I’m not familiar with the formula you are asking
about. But I would think a boat this size should easily
handle the engines in this range, especially if the
transom has been renewed to original specifications.
This may be a stretch, but I’m the owner
of a 1989 Bayliner Capri with a 90 hp “L”
Drive. The engine is shot and the crankshaft needs to
be replaced. Do you, or does anyone at Power Boating
Canada, know of someone who has retrofitted this boat?
I have researched online for hours without any luck.
The hull, interior and leg are A-1 and I’m afraid
I’m stuck without a powerhead. If you have any
info on this, it would greatly be appreciated.
J. Matheson (e-mail)
I don’t know of any retrofits on this model, but
perhaps another reader may be able to help.
I think parts are still available for this engine. I’m
a bit fuzzy on this unit, but I believe there was a
version of the Force/Mercury powerhead. These parts
should be available from Mercury, unless they’ve
been discontinued due to the age of the unit and lack
of sales.
If I’m off base with this, please give me more
info and I’ll attempt to help you further.
Got a question, a problem? Send inquiries to Steve
Horsfall at info@powerboating.com.
Fax: 905-624-6764. (Page
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