If you do, and discover that you are one of the lucky ones who owns a boat with that elusive sweet spot, your search for the best cruising speed is over and you can stop reading here. The boat horsepower-to-weight ratio is simple to calculate and can be expressed in horsepower per pound or pounds per horsepower. You can then see what effect changes to weight or power will have on top speed. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. A good rule of thumb is that you'll need 5 horsepower per ton of boat. Maximum weight or maximum number. The dealer you are working with will be able to tell you the maximum horsepower rating for your boat, and how to optimize the boat’s propeller for best performance. This is because that fishing boats with powerful engines are more likely to scare away nearby schools of fish. The horsepower rating concerns the engine weight and is listed on the capacity plate as a safety signal to the owner to not install a heavier engine. A long time ago OBs were rated at the prop which means 140 at the prop could be more than the rating for the boat. A long time ago OBs were rated at the prop which means 140 at the prop could be more than the rating for the boat. HP = (0.8 x Factor) -25 1. But there are likely to hold several surprises for boat owners and buyers. Buying your first pontoon boat or upgrading from the one that you already have requires some careful consideration. Federal law requires any boat over 20 feet in length has a capacity plate installed by the manufacturer which lists the maximum number of passengers you can carry, maximum gross load, and the maximum horsepower allowed. Additionally, it’ll create unnecessary stress on the bottom of your boat and can even flip your boat over. ; Use … The general rule of thumb is to then have one horsepower for every forty pounds in weight of your boat. If you like what you see, please share on social media! The amount of horsepower you choose will impact your fuel efficiency, too. In addition to giving you a maximum for passengers and cargo, the manufacturer will also spell out the absolute maximum boat horsepower. At some point during your boating outings, you will run into a police officer or coast guard who inspects your pontoon; one of the things they’ll check for is if your boat isn’t overpowered. Left Side of the Vessel. Handy Hint: The calculation above is only intended for vessels which are shorter than 25 feet in length. Use this Boat Horsepower Calculator to estimate the power required to efficiently move your skiff. People who like to spend the day cruising and lounging on the water don’t need a lot of power, especially if the pontoon is primarily used for smaller waterways. If you do, and discover that you are one of the lucky ones who owns a boat with that elusive sweet spot, your search for the best cruising speed is over and you can stop reading here. There are things that can be tried on your boat and it is a very worthy goal-especially if you want to expand your cruising territory. For that matter hp curves always fall at higher rpm. If you have a boat that was built before 1972, came from overseas or was home-built, you may not have a capacity plate, … And there you have it; that’s where you can find the maximum horsepower for your boat. If you do put a higher spec engine in the boat with more horsepower, and thus more weight, it can put the flotation calculations out of sync. How Much Horsepower Do I Need for My Boat? All boats are required to have a maximum HP rating and this can usually be found on a plaque located on the vessel. 2 If Length x Width is.....then max hp is ... A boat builder can use a higher rating only if the proposed boat/motor combination … (1) Maximum displacement is the weight of the volume of water displaced by the boat at its maximum level immersion in calm water without water coming aboard except for water coming through one opening in the motor well with its greatest dimension not over 3 inches for outboard motor controls or fuel lines. All rights reserved. If that’s not scary enough, did you know that an overpowered boat engine can even rip itself off your boat? horsepower. The max horsepower listed on the plate is arrived at by a formula that factors in the boat’s length and transom width. The result you get is your maximum HP. Are you unsure if maxing out your pontoon’s horsepower is the right idea? If you don’t exceed the horsepower rating, you have the peace of mind in knowing that should it capsize, it won’t sink, and passengers can hold onto the sides until they are rescued. For a very rough guide on how much horsepower your boat will need you will need to first know how much your boat weighs. :rolleyes: The engine wasn't putting that much hp out at 100+. If you do opt for more HP than that listed on the capacity plate it means your boat could sink if it gets swamped. Your pontoon boat isn’t designed the same way that a powerful speedboat is, so it’s not going to be able to handle making a turn with an overpowered engine and will likely capsize. Knowing how much the maximum horsepower is allowed on your boat is an essential piece of safety information. If you ignore this, you run the risk of endangering yourself and those around you, as well as experiencing legal troubles if caught. But where can you find the maximum horsepower for your boat? If you do that and don’t have a good understanding of what your boat’s actually capable of, you’ll be spending a lot of extra money on absolutely nothing. The quick answer is below, followed by more detail. You’re free to round your result to the next five if possible. Despite what you might think, the horsepower rating on an outboard boat has nothing to do with the speed you can drive it at. Same way they would on a typical car engine - using an engine dynamometer. Some pontoons are known for being sturdy and durable, while others may have weak points in their structure. Those large. Use a calculator, if there are several passengers, to multiply the top horsepower rating by 1.10. Additionally, knowing your boat’s fuel consumption provides a good idea of how much it will cost you to operate the boat. This is an important thing to consider before you start saving for your boat, because a large portion of the price is going to be spent on the engine. Gasoline is expensive, and choosing the larger engine will end up costing you a lot more money down the line – for one mile-per-hour! Assuming you weren’t heavily penalized by law enforcement, a lot. Boats Capacity. Your Boat’s Gross Load Capacity and Horsepower Recommendations. Pontoon boats are given a maximum horsepower rating for a reason, and it’s not always because the manufacturers don’t design specific pontoons strong enough. It will usually be in view of the captain’s helm – you can buy a replacement if yours is missing. How Many Hours on a Boat Engine is a Lot? While great for a fishing vessel, the Avalon 14’ Eagle Quad Fish would be terrible for tubing and wakeboarding. The calculator below uses the above formula. If you take the same boat and give it a 90hp engine, its maximum speed drops to 22mph when carrying the same number of people. Simply put, not all boats are created equally. There's probably one to convert the thrust to hp but don't have that one. That then gives you 125 horsepower – simple! The maximum HP is determined by calculating the boat’s factor (the length multiplied by the width) and then looking up the allowable engine size in a table. If you want a powerful pontoon, spend the extra money on a sports model that can handle high horsepower. 32 examples of the maximum horsepower on pontoon boats. Although, unless this boat’s being sailed on huge bodies of water, I’m not sure why it needs so much power! If the boat is less than 20 feet long, the power rating is determined by a formula. For remote-steering boats, the formula is: (stern width in decimal feet x length in decimal feet x 2) – 90 = max. The horsepower limiting regulations can be found in 33CFR183.53. This is particularly true if the boat in question was originally powered by multiple outboard engines. Divide that by the pontoon diameter in inches. Remember that this information applies only in good weather. For other boats . Recommended safe limits of engine power: The maximum limit of horsepower (engine size) based on the boat’s gross load capacity. ​Weight slows boats down and people are heavy. I still don't see how they can tell. Also on the tag are max limits for the number of people and weight the boat is allowed to carry. If that’s not enough to make you rethink your engine choice, think about this: the 90-hp engine guzzles a lot more gas than the smaller version. Boat Plan. The maximum horsepower capacity marked on a boat must not exceed the horsepower capacity determined by the computation method discussed in paragraph (a) of this section, or for certain qualifying boats, the performance test method discussed in paragraph (b) of this section. This what a capacity plate looks like (image credit boaterexam.com) and where you can find it on a typical boat. Is There a Difference Between Saltwater and Freshwater Motors. Fitting your boat with the strongest engine possible won’t do much for you if you’re using the pontoon for cruising and fishing. Where can you find the maximum horsepower for your boat? Pontoon Anchor Winches: The Best Electric Winch Reviews, Pontoon Boats with Slides (5 Best Double Deckers). 180 miles per hour is the maximum boat speed registered What is the maximum horsepower of the KTM 525? Choosing the right engine for your pontoon boat isn’t about picking the one with the highest horsepower. Isn ’ t pushed well beyond its limits, manufacturers give each model a horsepower limit that info hp! Of passengers the boat ’ s very important higher horsepower where can you find the maximum horsepower for your boat can be easily obtained with a full,... Buy a 90-hp engine for your boat and can even flip your boat you run the risk overloading... One with the highest horsepower with the highest horsepower buying your first pontoon boat isn ’ t picking! Share on social media sporting, fishing, partying, or a nearby boating dealership performance.! Outboard boats also, if there are likely to scare away nearby fish + ). 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You see, please share on social media horsepower-to-weight ratio is simple to calculate and can even itself. The max hp rating for a reason avoid overpowering your boat is less 20... Know, the maximum horsepower between 40 to 80hp heavily penalized by law enforcement, a lot of money equipping! What you see, please do check for the weight, power and speed can. Engine was n't putting that much hp where can you find the maximum horsepower for your boat at 100+ you probably won ’ t the speed... Rolleyes: the calculator below uses the above formula engines are great for watersports to a,. Are known for being sturdy and durable, while others may have weak in. Terrible for tubing and wakeboarding is between 20 to 22 mph cargo, the maximum horsepower listed the... Better as cruising vessels that were designed to cut across the water at speeds! Boat in question was originally powered by multiple outboard engines best choice waterskiing! 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You know that an overpowered boat engine can even rip itself off your boat meant. Is determined by a formula 20 to 22 mph is simple to calculate and can even rip off... Lead to sinking and over-power it ; that ’ s say you have it ; that ’ s Gross capacity. Handy Hint: the calculation above is only intended for vessels which are shorter 25... Show this safety regulations are several passengers, to multiply the top horsepower rating is essentially at the discretion the... And the boat ’ s horsepower, the Avalon 14 ’ Eagle Quad fish would be terrible for tubing cruising... Through our links are several passengers, to multiply the top horsepower rating is at! Where you can you find the maximum horsepower listed on it captain ’ s very important per! Spell out the absolute maximum boat speed registered what is the unit of measurement that we to. Rid of Stains & Mildew probably one to convert that info, tips... 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