First, my apologies because I’m sure there must be a thread on this on INGO. Over the past several years much has been written about the permissible size of motors that could be used on Eagle Creek Reservoir. Last I had heard during all the hoopla was that no motor larger than a 9.9 hp was allowed to be on a boat.
Fast forward to a couple of days ago when I ran across a gentlemen who fishes Eagle Creek on a regular basis. The conversation somehow came around to Eagle Creek and motor size. He informed me the language in the Indianapolis Parks Department’s ordinances state it is not permitted to “operate” a motor of more than 9.9 hp. The key word is operate. There was much ado about boat owners with large motors who also had a small “kicker“ who were presumably told simply having the large motor on the boat was a violation of the ordinance. Apparently that simply isn’t true. So, those of us wishing to launch a boat with a large motor and a small motor in place on the boat are still okay if the larg(er) motor isn’t being “operated.”
Now, on one other note. For those who thought it a good idea to change the decals from a larger motor to a decal with smaller hp designation it’s not that simple. There is a marking on the motor underneath the motor cover that designates the horsepower. So. . . . . just changing decals may not fool the park rangers. (As an aside, my new acquaintance said he was told by a park ranger that there are only two rangers at Eagle Creek and they are forced to spend most of their time in the park and don’t have time to launch a boat and go looking for horsepower violators.
Th ordinance is Section 341-204.
Fast forward to a couple of days ago when I ran across a gentlemen who fishes Eagle Creek on a regular basis. The conversation somehow came around to Eagle Creek and motor size. He informed me the language in the Indianapolis Parks Department’s ordinances state it is not permitted to “operate” a motor of more than 9.9 hp. The key word is operate. There was much ado about boat owners with large motors who also had a small “kicker“ who were presumably told simply having the large motor on the boat was a violation of the ordinance. Apparently that simply isn’t true. So, those of us wishing to launch a boat with a large motor and a small motor in place on the boat are still okay if the larg(er) motor isn’t being “operated.”
Now, on one other note. For those who thought it a good idea to change the decals from a larger motor to a decal with smaller hp designation it’s not that simple. There is a marking on the motor underneath the motor cover that designates the horsepower. So. . . . . just changing decals may not fool the park rangers. (As an aside, my new acquaintance said he was told by a park ranger that there are only two rangers at Eagle Creek and they are forced to spend most of their time in the park and don’t have time to launch a boat and go looking for horsepower violators.
Th ordinance is Section 341-204.
