Tips for Boosting the Speed of Your Pontoon Boat

Tips for Boosting the Speed of Your Pontoon Boat

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Pontoons are the best option for spending time on the water nowadays. They suffice for fishing, skiing, or simply a day out on the water surrounded by family and friends. A pontoon is among the most spacious options nowadays for boaters, and it comes equipped with various elements to make your time on the water worthwhile. The key feature that determines your boating experience is the pontoon’s speed.

Picking the right engine among those on offer at a Michigan shop for pontoon boats is only the first step. The efficacy of your boat’s engine will depend on its horsepower, mounting height, vibration prevalence, directional control, and low-speed thrusting abilities. The typical speed for pontoons is between 10 to 35 MPH. However, the speed needed for different activities varies. Waterskiing, for instance, will be enjoyable with speeds of 20 to 25MPH, wakeboarding with 10 to 20 MPH, and water tubing needs about 15 to 25 MPH. With the right skills, you can speed up your boat to match your water activity. Here are some tips on how to do this:

Invest in a Booster Ball

If your pontoon’s power is insufficient for some activities, consider the addition of a booster ball to your tow rope. The booster ball is an inflatable football-sized implement that will keep the rope out of the water. In so doing, it will reduce the rope’s drag and consequently increase the enjoyability of waterskiing and tubing. Booster balls do not increase your pontoon’s speed but rather mimic a high-speed towing that makes watersports exhilarating.

Adjust Your Engine’s Angle

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A trick that might help you reap more performance from your pontoon is the changing of your motor’s angle. This is known as trimming of the engine. It boosts your boat’s power by reducing the resistance under it. Other than this, trimming the engine will improve your gas mileage while making the boat ride more comfortable and smoother.

Go Easy with Your Boat’s Gasoline

In general, something that is heavy will move slowly. This analogy is particularly true for pontoons with engines in the 60 to 115 HP range. A full gasoline tank, however, will also contribute to your boat’s weight and might slow it down, more so if you also have the maximum number of people aboard. Cut back on your gas if you are sure that you will not need a full gas tank for your boating. This will ease the weight of your pontoon and allow it to glide effortlessly.

Install Lifting Strakes

Some pontoon brands will come with fitted lifting strakes. These are fin-shaped metal flaps that extend from your pontoon’s sides and bottom and help it to move smoothly through the water. Although adding lifting strakes is not cheap, they will considerably boost the speed of your boat.

Remember that considerable power will not always mean a better experience on the water. There are some pontoon boats solely designed for sports that involve high HP. However, these might be expensive, require a lot of gasoline, and give you too much horsepower that you might not need. The tips mentioned will give you enough power to enjoy time on a pontoon boat without denting your finances.

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