If you’re in need for speed, it’s probably because your boat is towing a skier or a tube with a few merry riders. Not all of these water sports require the same speed, though, and here’s the rule of thumb: [links]
See full version: Average Speeds for Pontoon Boats
If you’re in need for speed, it’s probably because your boat is towing a skier or a tube with a few merry riders. Not all of these water sports require the same speed, though, and here’s the rule of thumb: [links]
We asked pontoon owners around the internet for information regarding their own boats. The following top speeds have been recorded by GPS, not the speed gauge (which, on boats, often has an error of 2-3mph). Here’s a list of 10 pontoon boats sized 18-26’: here
What’s the top speed of a pontoon boat? more
The faster, the better, right? Well, not exactly. Just like any other vehicle, pontoon boats have speed limitations for very good reasons – both due to safety hazards and actual physical limitations. Pontoons are not speedboats and they’re not made to reach high speeds anyway, but there are a couple of moments when you need to go a certain speed, such as when you’re water skiing. Considering this, how fast do you have to go and how fast can you actually go?
As you can see, water sports generally require an average speed of 22mph (35km/h) in order to ensure maximum fun. Unless you’re into really bumpy rides and you’re trained for it, you’ll probably never need more, and most pontoon boat captains are perfectly satisfied with this top speed. As far as the boat itself goes, pretty much any boat below the 22’ mark can reach it with a 90hp engine and medium load. If you’re willing to go the extra mile (per hour), you can get an 115hp engine and you’ll be sure to reach this speed and even more with your boat full of passengers. [links]
There are also a couple of things that affect the boat’s top speed. Let’s take a look at them as well:
A 24-foot pontoon, the lifting strakes has a 90hp motor that reaches speeds up to 36 mph when packed with a medium load or less.
Initially, you may think that the faster they can go, the better. But what you may not be aware of, is that you actually don’t really need to go as fast as you may think you do. more
This Tritoon is 26 feet long and has a very powerful motor boasting 175hp. With a medium to heavy sized load, the powerful engine can the pontoon up to speeds of 35 mph.
For example, even with a decent 175hp engine, 1,000 pounds is still a lot of weight to move. This means you may want to get something that has a larger-sized engine in order to keep everything moving as quickly as you would like.
When moving at speed into steep waves, the fronts of the tubes can be buried, causing the wave to crash forcefully into the abovedeck panels, or over them, onto the deck. The panels are also vulnerable to waves striking the boat from other directions.
Additionally, the deck areas of pontoon boats are wider and more exposed than the cockpits of most other types of powerboats. A wave that breaks over the rails on a pontoon can more easily sweep the deck and knock people off their feet. more
When waves get higher, the situation reverses. When a larger wave approaches a pontoon boat broadside, the boat will float with both tubes on the face of the wave, taking whatever angle from the horizontal the wave is at. A V-hull, on the other hand, will stay more upright, for a safer and more comfortable ride in rough conditions.
As pontoon boats evolved from somewhat crude slow-speed platforms initially suited only to small lakes into sleek and capable powerboats, more and more boaters began taking them on salt water. This is great and Bennington heartily approves, as long as you keep these factors in mind to operate safely and keep the boat itself in good condition.
Get Lifting Stakes here
They make 4 blade and 3 blade props, which both have their pros and cons, as well as stainless steel and aluminum props. more
Hi, I'm Mike! I'm the creator, editor, and sometimes a writer for Skilled Outdoors. I created this website to share my passion for the outdoors and to help others with their outdoor adventures.
Also, if you’re planning on doing some skiing or taking the kids tubing, you might want to leave any unnecessary items at the house, especially if you opted for the smaller engine. [links]
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