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What is a Pontoon Boat?
A Pontoon Boat is a flat-bottomed, shallow-draft watercraft designed to be easily transported. Elwood L. Beech invented it in the United States during the late 19th century.
A pontoon boat’s flat bottom makes it suitable for shallow waters. The ability to easily disassemble and transport a pontoon boat is partly because, being flat-bottomed, it does not rely on a keel for stability.
How fast can a Pontoon boat go?
Pontoon boats are a popular choice for water recreation. They’re stable, affordable, and easy to operate. But how fast do they go? The average speed of a pontoon boat is 17 MPH, which can go up to 50 MPH. That’s not too bad, but it’s not as fast as some people might like.
The average fastest recorded speed on the internet was 55 MPH with a light to medium load weighing 75 pounds or less. So if you’re looking for something that moves, a pontoon might not be the best option.
Pontoon boats are typically slower than caravans or canoes–which makes sense since they’re wider and heavier. Pontoon boats with up to 115 hp can reach speeds of 15 mph–that’s more in line with what people are looking for.
Pontoon boats with up to 24 feet are capable of reaching speeds around 25 mph, and larger party barges can reach a speed of 38 km/h (24 miles per hour). If you have a lot of passengers or need to make good time, these will be your best options.
The Sweetwater bass boat can go at 18-20 mph on average, while the Bass Buggy can get up to 17mph or 27 kilometers an hour.
Tritons can go up to 35 mph with a medium/heavy load, 26 ft long, and 175 hp engine. But even with that much power, they’re still not as fast as some people might want.
For the most part, pontoon boats are best for people who don’t need to rush and want something affordable and easy to operate.
How fast will a 150-hp pontoon boat go?
With 24-foot pontoons, you can go at least 25 mph when powered by 150hp engines. A 300-hp pontoon boat can go up to 50 miles per hour or more.
Pontoon boats are typically designed with a range of horsepower options. So if you’re looking for speed, a 150-hp engine is perfect!
However, it won’t be as fast as a 200 or 250-hp engine. The graph below gives you a better idea of pontoon boat speed.
| Pontoon Model | Size | Horse Power | Max Speed | Fuel Consumption |
| Bass Buggy | 16 feet | 40 hp | 15 mph | 4 GPH |
| Sweetwater | 24 feet | 90 hp | 18 mph | 8 GPH |
| Sun tracker | 18 feet | 60 HP | 21 mph | 9.10 GPH |
| Gigantic | 30 feet | 115 hp | 21 mph | 10.5 GPH |
| Starcraft | 20 feet | 70 hp | 23 mph | 8 GPH |
| Party Barge | 18 feet | 75 hp | 24 mph | 9.5 GPH |
| Bennington | 24 feet | 150 hp | 25 mph | 15 GPH |
| Lowe | 24 feet | 300 hp | 50 mph | 26.2 GPH |
Factors that can affect a pontoon boat’s speed
Size of the Engine
Pontoon boats with smaller engines will be slower than those with bigger engines. A top-quality speedboat can have an engine that is 500HP or larger, whereas a small fishing boat typically has a 10HP or 20HP engine.
The purchase price of a pontoon boat depends on the size, horsepower, and engine speed. When buying a pontoon boat, ask questions about what you need to be successful with your new unit. Pontoon Boat speed is a factor that can affect the purchase decision.
Pontoon boats are sold based on size, horsepower, and speed. The size of the engine is one key factor in determining how fast the pontoon boat can go.
Max Tube Numbers
The number of tubes on a pontoon boat affects how quickly the boat moves through the water. However, it is less significant than the length of the deck. This is because the longer deck provides more surface area for the wind to push against, helping to create more speed.
Weight Carried
There are several factors to consider when you’re carrying cargo on a pontoon boat. The weight of the cargo affects performance and speed. The performance and weight capacity can be found in the specifications for your new boat.
You should also remember that the boat’s total weight includes people and gear, so make sure to factor that in when calculating how much weight you’re putting on the boat.
Other accessories like grills and coolers can decrease your speed if they’re not removed or taken off of the boat before you enter the water. Pontoon boats have very subtle differences that can affect speed.
That’s why it’s essential to consult with your dealer about what kind of load your particular model can carry. Pontoon boat speed is affected by the waterline, hull length, and displacement. So even if two boats look identical on paper, one might perform better than another based on these individual specs.
Maintenance
Regular maintenance is one of the best ways to ensure that your pontoon boat moves smoothly. This means checking fluid levels, tightening screws and bolts, and cleaning the boat.
You can also add aluminum under-skinning to reduce drag and help increase speed. If you want to increase speed significantly, you may need to invest in a second engine.
The third option could be to add a third tube to your pontoon and convert your boat into a Tritoon boat or Triple hull pontoon.
There can be legal limits on how powerful the engine on a pontoon is, so make sure you meet the legal safety standards for pontoon boats in your state before making any modifications. The cost to convert a float into a tritoon can range from $4,000 to $5,000.
Tips to make your pontoon boat go faster
Load and weight on the boat
When it comes to pontoon boats, one of the main things that affect speed is the boat’s weight. The heavier the weight, the slower your boat will move.
To make sure you carry as much weight as possible on your pontoon and still maintain good speed, it’s essential to know the load capacity of your specific model.
Ask about the load capacity before purchasing it to get an idea of how heavy it can go without affecting performance and speed. Another thing to consider when looking at weight is what else might be on board besides people.
The weight of the boat is another factor to consider when considering speed. Accessories such as a bimini top, changing room, and coolers can add extra weight to your pontoon boat, so these should be considered when deciding how fast you want it to go.
Placement of the engine
Pontoon boats are unique in that they have a large, flat bottom. This makes them extremely stable in the water and perfect for fishing or cruising on lazy days. However, it also affects the boat’s speed. The placement of the engine is essential to maximize speed.
The size of the engine determines how fast a pontoon boat can go. Horsepower is measured in horsepower (HP), and engines typically range from 10HP to 500HP. Larger engines provide more power and allow the boat to move faster through the water.
Depending on your needs, a pontoon boat engine can be used for recreational or commercial purposes. If you’re just looking to get out on the lake with friends, a smaller engine will do just fine. But if you need to pull a skier or wakeboarder behind you, then you’ll need something with more muscle.
The engine on a pontoon boat is typically between 7HP and 80HP – but not all boats come equipped with detachable engines. Be sure to ask about this when shopping for your new vessel!
Keep your pontoon clean.
Cleaning your boat’s pontoons will increase their speed. You can see how to clean out the tube that slows a boat down. Debris and algae can slow down a boat, so removing them is key to increasing your speed.
Pontoon boats have many features that are often overlooked; compare your options before purchasing one! If you want to go faster, add these items to your pontoon!
Installing lifting stakes
Pontoon boats are a great way to enjoy the water; by installing lifting stakes, you can make your boat go faster. Lifting stakes are metal strips that have been welded to the bottom of your pontoon boat. With these stakes, your speed will increase as you glide through the water.
Lifting strakes can help with the speed of a boat. Lifting stakes will improve fuel efficiency, and lifting strakes will lift the pontoons on the water, making for faster speeds. Installing lifting stakes on your pontoon boat will improve fuel efficiency.
Don’t fill the fuel tank full.
If you don’t plan to travel for long periods, filling your tank only halfway will reduce weight and increase speed. On average, a full tank of fuel weighs about 200 pounds – the weight of an adult male passenger.
Upgrade your prop
Consider what you can add or upgrade to your boat and how it will affect the engine or motor before getting a new prop to know what accessories are compatible with your current setup.
Ask if the engine can be upgraded or replaced. Make sure to ask about essential features like whether the engine can be upgraded and what type of fuel it uses.
What is the boat’s horsepower?
The horsepower of a boat is the engine’s ability to generate power. Boats with high horsepower engines can move faster than those with low horsepower engines. However, the horsepower of a boat is not directly related to how fast it can go because other factors are also involved in speed.
How fast will a 24-foot pontoon boat go?
A 24-foot pontoon boat with a 150 HP engine can travel at a speed of approximately 20 miles per hour. This is the maximum speed that can be achieved on flat water. If you are traveling in choppy or rough water, the maximum speed will be reduced to 15 miles per hour.
How fast does a 50-hp pontoon boat go?
A 50-hp pontoon boat will travel at a speed of approximately 25 miles per hour. This is the maximum speed that can be achieved on flat water. If you are traveling in choppy or rough water, the maximum speed will be reduced to 15 miles per hour.