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Hi I just purchased a 1988 21 ft Bayliner Trophy with a Force 125 hp 2 stroke outboard. I need to install a new outboard and would like to know how large an outboard this boat will take. It is a hard top in great shape execpt fot the moter. Thanks.Steve

Submitted: 187 days and 21 hours ago.

Category: Boat

Value: $30

Status: AWAITING CUSTOMER ACTION

Hello. Rather tahn guess, there is an "official" answer to that. Somewhere on the boat you will find a "capacity plate", which will contain information about number of passengers, allowable weight, and most important for your purpose, the maximum allowable horsepower.. BTW, this rating has as much to do with the structural integrity of the boat (i.e., the transom) as it does with handling, etc. so it really is a hard and firm limit on the size of the motor. In fact, I would expect that any qualified mechanic would refuse to mount a motor larger than the rated max HP, and most dealers wouldn't sell it, just for liability reasons. So, take a look and you should find that plate - probably somewhere around the helm.

Accepts:
Expert:	Captain Dave
Pos. Feedback:	98.5 %
Answered:	5/18/2009

Marine Mechanic

USCG Licensed Captain, 20+ Years Boating, Fishing, Maintenance and Repair Experience

185 days and 9 hours ago.

Reply

IF IT HAD A PLATE I WOULD NOT BE ASKING ANSWER WAS NO HELP.

Steve

Posted by Captain Dave 185 days and 8 hours ago.

Answer

OK, assume you have checked thoroughly - I just realized that the capacity plate is mandatory only on boats 20 feet or less, so it may not have one. I have checked and it seems the 125HP motor was the "standard", but many had 150's and from what I have found, 175HP may be the "official" max, although it is difficult to find out on a boat that old. You might try contacting Trophy directly to confirm (or maybe Bayliner, since they were the manufacturer of Trophy back then). Based on what I have found I would feel confident putting a 150 - 175 on that boat.

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