

Whether you're doing a spot of DIY or constructing watercraft with the help of a build-your-own pontoon boat kit, you must choose the horsepower based on your water activity preferences.Ī 250 to 300 HP engine will typically churn out 55 to 60 mph depending on the load. This is less common for pontoons, but can offer a smoother ride for bigger and heavier models. Sterndrives - A combination of outboard and inboard power, the sterndrive type of marine propulsion is perfect for boaters who simply can’t decide between the previous two options.Pontoon boats that are outboard-powered tend to have better fuel efficiency, power and speed.

Outboards - An outboard motor is the typical safe choice for a pontoon boat.Inboards - Better suited to heavier boats, inboard systems are normally powered with diesel and are concealed out of sight.You'll have three main engine options to contemplate: It's not just the speed you should be thinking about when you build your own pontoon boat. Browse Pontoon Engine OptionsĪ high-speed craft (HSC) won't be capable of skimming the waves as quickly as that South Bay 925CR unless it's equipped with the best possible marine engine and power system.įrom engines with fuel efficient electronic fuel injection (EFI) systems to diesel inboard engines with carbureted fuel systems, engines come in a broad spectrum of sizes, shapes and types. This isn't the most exciting part, however, as it's the engine beneath the sculpted exterior that will affect your pontoon's speed and performance. We'll shine a light on the interior/exterior features later to give you an idea of what options you can expect to be presented with. Reputable brand names that sell build-your-own pontoon boat kits include:Īfter choosing and contacting a brand that sells a build-your-own pontoon boat kit, it will be time to choose a model, followed by the aesthetics like panel color, accent color and graphic and fence design (just to name a few). Catalogs ought to be studied thoroughly prior to selecting a kit from one of the many manufacturers in the business. What's more, boat kits tend to be a less costly alternative. For this reason, a pre-designed kit is a worthwhile choice due to the fact you can put a personal touch on things (minus the confusion factor). Nonetheless, DIY might require a little more effort and experience on your part. Boat-building kits and do-it-yourself (DIY) options provide you with the freedom to bring your ideas to life.
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Buy a Kit or Go Full DIYįirst things first, you'llneed to determine just how much guidance you require for building a pontoon.
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Without further ado, let us take you on a literary voyage about how to build your own pontoon boat for high speed leisure. From how much the pontoon boat will cost to choosing the correct GPS for your speedy outings, we've got you covered.

We've previously discussed ways to personalize a boat with pontoon accessories, but this is the first time we’ve targeted the topic of boat building towards all you speed racers out there. When you build your own pontoon boat, not only will you gain the satisfaction of completing the project yourself, but you'll have flexibility to build it to the specifications that suit your personal interests, needs and desires.įurthermore, it's up to you to decide what kind of engine you conceal beneath the shiny exterior of your watercraft, meaning that you can take the reins in terms of horsepower, torque and cruising range. Why Build Your Own Pontoon Boat?Īs someone who believes a floating structure should reflect the owner’s personality, I know that I’d go down the DIY route if ever I had the chance. Thanks to the many DIY boat kits now available to boating enthusiasts, you too can build your own pontoon boat and potentially rival Rowland’s aerodynamic vessel. You might not expect a pontoon to reach such high speeds, but that's the beauty of customization. Hitting a top speed of 114 mph, Brad Rowland’s South Bay 925CR has been described as the "world's fastest pontoon boat."Įquipped with powerful Mercury Promax 300X outboard engines, the pontoon boat set a new world record when it hit 99 knots at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout in Missouri back in 2015.

As hard as it is to believe, a pontoon boat ranked number five out of the top ten fastest boats. Did you know that, of the fastest boats ever made, a pontoon made the ranks? That's right.
