Owners of the Evinrude E-TEC 40 can breathe a sigh of relief, at least until December 31, 2019, in Italy. Evinrude’s E-Tec 40 engine can be used until the end of this year without a boat license.
In fact, it has officially slipped another handful of months before the effective entry into force of the rule in the new boating code that provides for “boating license for 2-stroke direct-injection outboard engines with a displacement greater than 750 cc, even if less than 40 hp.”
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In practice here in Italy the rule affects only the E-Tec 40 and its owners (thousands of boaters). As of August 3, in fact, the extension for the use of 40-horsepower 2-stroke fuel-injected outboard engines with displacement greater than 750 cc is operational, because it was published in the Italian Official Gazette.
The extension is the result of UCINA Confindustria Nautica’s work toward final amendment of the rule to allow the use of these engines without a license. Amendments to the Boating Code to be implemented through the corrective decree provided by Legislative Decree 229 of 2017. The corrective decree should have been adopted by the government by August 12, but at the time, the measure was not yet ready.
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As in the case of the extension obtained last year, this is the result of the Association’s work to protect builders, rental companies, and users who will be able to complete the summer season using previously purchased engines.”
Stalling waiting for a final solution
The new president of Ucina Confindustria Nautica, Saverio Cecchi made it clear in a statement that the goal always remains to reach a final solution to the issue, which is putting thousands of boaters, shipyards and those working in the industry in difficulty. “This further extension – Cecchi said – meets the need to gain time while waiting for the corrective decree to the boating code, where, among other things, we have asked to include the final modification of the rule.”
Evinrude E-Tec 40, will it be just a summer respite?
The boating license requirement: for whom does it remain?
On the other hand, the requirement for a boat license remains for the other cases covered by paragraph (b) of Article 39 of the Code:
- Engines larger than 750 cc if carbureted;
- 1,000 cc engines if carbureted or fuel-injected four-stroke outboard;
- engines to 1,300 cc if carbureted or fuel-injected four-stroke within board,
- 2,000-cc engines if non-supercharged diesel cycle, or 1,300-cc engines if supercharged diesel cycle, however, with a power output of more than 30 kW or 40.8 hp.
Penalties:
As for penalties in the case of driving without a boating license (not obtained, revoked or not validated for lack of requirements, suspended or withdrawn, is subject to the administrative penalty of paying a sum of 2755 euros to 11017 euros. The penalty is doubled in the case of commanding or conducting a recreational vessel.
