When talking about how fast boats can travel, our minds wonder about what types of boats that can run fast. We all collectively have an inkling of an idea that motorboats, that are powered by boat engines, glide faster on the water’s surface compared to boats that can only be operated through paddling or sails. Most boats these days, speeds of over 170 mph would be considered the fastest speed range.

While looking at certain figures for top speeds is easy, establishing an average boat speed is much more difficult. There are many different types of boats, and each type would have a diverse range of expected top speeds and average speeds:

Speedboats: 70 mph

Speedboats are the fastest types of boats. These are considered “sports cars” for water vessels. With top speeds reaching over 170mph, and having a sleek body and high-powered engines, these motorized boats are the symbol of speed on the water. Average speeds for these boats are at around 70mph, although the high-performance models are expected to reach over 100mph. Since speedboats are known for their speed, there is a huge difference in performance between the standard models and luxury ones.

Pontoon boats: Can run up to 10 to 30 mph

This type of family boat isn’t known for its speed since it’s usually associated with mostly relaxed cruising, though some pontoons can go over 30 mph. It may not be as fast as a speedboat but for its type, it’s pretty swift.

The reason why pontoon are not as fast is due to the tubes at the bottom of its hull make to make the area of the boat wide. Because of its size and shape, it limits the boat to go on at a faster speed. An average speed of around 20 to 25 mph doesn’t take much away from them, though since a leisurely 10 to 15 mph can already suffice.

Yachts: Can run up to 50 mph

With their wide range of available lengths and varying sizes, it’s also difficult to establish a good average speed for yachts. Ranging from 25 to over 70 feet long, there can be such wide gaps in average figures.

They tend to get tied down by how big they get, but they can also carry bigger and more powerful engines. Currently, the top speed for high-end yachts is 80mph but yachts that reach 50mph are considered extremely fast.

Sailboats: Can run up to 8 to 12 mph

Sailboats are somewhat different from the other boat types on this list since they don’t have engines. While average motorboat speed is greatly affected by its engine, sailboats are only propelled by wind and sail are expectedly slower so they run at a slower pace. Average sailboat speeds sit at 8mph and top out at around 12mph. These figures may not seem impressive but since most of these boats don’t need an engine to travel, their speed is already notable.

What Elements Affect the Average Speed of a Boat

When it comes to assessing a boat’s velocity, boaters need to pay attention to certain factors influencing its performance. Here are some that may affect a watercraft’s average speed:

Boat length

A craft’s speed is exactly proportional to its length. A boat that generates more speed is generally the one that is longer. Still, the length of a vessel must be measured in addition to its diameter and weight.

Hull shape

Another aspect that affects a boat’s speed is the form of the hull. A boat’s length in proportion to its hull design helps it to cut through waves and water resistance, allowing it to travel quicker while minimizing resistance. In terms of hull design, watercraft constants as well as slip percentages differ from one boat to the next.

Wind speed and direction

Another important aspect that impacts the average watercraft speed is the wind flow and its direction. If you wish to sail across the ocean on a sailboat, you must consider these things. When cruising, boaters must encounter a beneficial current as well as the flow downwind.

Propulsion

Another important issue that influences a vessel’s speed is how it is powered. A powered boat is usually always faster than a usual sailboat, but there are other aspects to consider. Sailboats may outrun powered boats in terms of speed at times, particularly due to weather conditions, compared to pontoons and other fishing boats.

Propulsion is also important when it comes to the speed as well. A vessel with an overloaded engine may become unstable and unable to appropriately use the motor’s power.

Other factors

Numerous other factors affect the boat speed. Wind speed, water conditions, and even water density can contribute to and affect the speed of your boat. Wind resistance, and water resistance also greatly affect the boat’s speed even with the power afforded by high-performance engines like Suzuki outboard motors, for example.