I looked at the new Sea-Doo Fisher Pro, its based on their standard large platform. I dug into it a bit, not interested in buying one but was wondering how they rated. I would like to know how the Coast Guard allows these things. The thing is 14 ft long 49 " wide weighs 800 lbs, rated for 3 people and has an claimed 255 hp engine, I read that in testing it is actually 235 hp. If it was an outboard it could only carry 20 hp possibly only 15, how do they allow that? They have certainly not proven to be safe. In further reading I discovered that the PWC industry has an agreement with the CG to limit them to 65mph from the factory, its not a law so if you want to modify it you can, its not illegal. How can this be allowed ? I would guess with modification you could get better than 100mph out of one. If you take an outboard boat rated for 15 hp and you tune the engine to a 20 hp you are breaking the law and you probably cant get 35mph out of it but its illegal.
These PWCs are rated for three people, if you look at the CG boat builders guidelines and calculations I cant see how they could rate for 3 people. The Coast Guard does not put HP rating limits on inboard boats from what I have read. They go to great lengths to set up guidelines for outboards and I have heard of substantial fines being issued for exceeding Hp ratings on a hull.
I saw a site that gave comparisons of the classes of PWC and all the manufacturers had atop of the line craft with excess of 220 hp. I know PWC have a bad safety record, outboards I'm sure don't even come close. But if you want to get 45mph out of your little 35mph micro skiff with a bigger motor that's dangerous and endangering the public.
These PWCs are rated for three people, if you look at the CG boat builders guidelines and calculations I cant see how they could rate for 3 people. The Coast Guard does not put HP rating limits on inboard boats from what I have read. They go to great lengths to set up guidelines for outboards and I have heard of substantial fines being issued for exceeding Hp ratings on a hull.
I saw a site that gave comparisons of the classes of PWC and all the manufacturers had atop of the line craft with excess of 220 hp. I know PWC have a bad safety record, outboards I'm sure don't even come close. But if you want to get 45mph out of your little 35mph micro skiff with a bigger motor that's dangerous and endangering the public.
