California's Emmission Compliance Laws and New Boats

Dave S

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Oct 3, 2006
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Upstate South Carolina
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It looks like california will once again lead the nation with mandatory emission compliance this time on boats with motors up to 500HP. I have read very little about what the marine industry is doing to prepare for this but I am sure it will become a popular topic soon. Here is the news story:

USA. California links new boat registration to engine emission compliance

Monday, 12 November 2007
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) approved a new law on October 13 that, when implemented on July 1, 2008, will require the purchaser or retail seller of a new boat equipped with up to a 500 horsepower (hp), gasoline powered sterndrive or inboard engine to meet the state’s engine emissions requirements. Under the legislation, A.B. 695, purchasers or sellers of recreational boats that meet these requirements must provide the California Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) documentation that the engine meets the appropriate emission requirements. Engines greater than 500 hp will be required to comply starting January 1, 2009.
“The NMMA worked closely with the Southern California Marine Association (SCMA) to lobby for passage of this new law,” said Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). “This demonstrates a commitment by businesses and boaters to promote clean emission technology that will offer substantial air quality benefits to boaters and the public at large.”
The new law is designed to prevent Californians from purchasing a recreational boat outside the state with a non-compliant engine to circumvent the new emissions requirement and is similar to its vehicle registration requirements.
“For example, if you purchased and registered a boat with a 600 hp (greater than 500 hp) engine in August 2008, you would have no additional registration requirement,” said John McKnight, director of environmental and safety compliance for NMMA. “The requirement for engines greater than 500 hp does not kick in until January 1, 2009. If you purchased a new vessel with a 260 hp engine (less than 500 hp), you would have to comply with the new registration requirements anytime after July 1, 2008.”
The law has specific requirements for submitting initial applications to the California DMV. The DMV form will be revised to include instructions for the boat dealer and purchaser to check off certain boxes to self-certify that the engine is in compliance with California emission requirements.
“The retail seller and/or purchaser will be required to submit the engine emission hang tag with the application. These hang tags are required by California law to be on new engines at the time of sale,” McKnight added.
The law excludes vessels originally purchased in another state by a resident of that state who moves to California and can provide satisfactory evidence of previously having an out of state residence. The penalties for non-compliance under the new law are the same as the penalties for operating an unregistered vessel, which are set at a $250 fine.
 
I was at a Crusader meeting this summer in St. Ignace, Michigan. Crusader will be fully compliant with the CA law. This sounds counter intuitive because of the heat issue, but they are installing catyltic converters on their engines that are sold in CA. I'm not sure how they deal with the heat issues and did not pay real close attention to the discussion because it is not something we worry about in Michigan. But....it is probably coming to our state at some time in the future.
 
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.............................mmmmmmmmmmmm...............
I'm all for clean air and good running engines, but makes you wonder what affect it wiil have on fuel consumption, future service and do you run it through the emmisions testing place if you have a 280DA that's in the water? Every dealer/service yard will have to bevome equipped to "TEST"
 
Are they really going to do an emissions test on boats? or do they just require all new boats to be equipped with the emissions gear?
 
Are they really going to do an emissions test on boats? or do they just require all new boats to be equipped with the emissions gear?

how else they going to get another $40 bucks from ya?
 
$40 is the difference between letting the gas handle go between now... and now.

it's not really the $$, it's the whole freakin day it'll take to get it done. If it's anything like NYC, they will eventually turn that into safety inspections and the $$$ will freely flow from your pocket as you get nailed for windshield wiper blades etc...
 
It doesn't say that they are going to require testing. But if they are going to use catalysts, then they'll need to use oxygen sensors. Fortunately, nothing in sea-water will contaminate the sensors, but if they get coated with salt, they'll need to be cleaned or replaced.

Nice to see Governor Girly-Man standing tall on this. For whom will he roll-over next?

Best regards,
Frank
 
Makes one wonder how many engines will be re-rated at 499 hp - or will they require a prop shaft dyno test next?
 

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