Buying a Boat by Its Speed Potential

Whether you’re buying a boat for personal use or professional reasons, there’s no denying that speed is an important factor. But it can be difficult to know exactly how much speed you want or need, especially since that so drastically affects what you intend to use it for. We here at LMC Marine Center want to ensure you get precisely what you need, so we’ve put together a brief guide to buying a boat by speed. To learn more, or to see the boats we have for sale, contact our store in Houston, Texas, today!

Intended Use

Your first step is to consider exactly what you plan to use your boat for. Depending on that, you’ll want to look into different model types and sizes. 

Thrill-Seekers

For instance, thrill-seekers aren’t going to be satisfied with just a boat. They’ll want hair-whipping, heart-pounding, adrenaline-pumping action. That means a boat with high speed potentials, so you can immediately scratch any slow boats off your list. Focus on agility, easy handling, and powerful engines.

Watersports Towing

If you’re here for watersports, speed will still be important, but you don’t want to go too fast. The ideal speed is somewhere between 10-35 miles per hour. The boat’s exact speed on a run will depend on the individual being towed. Less experienced and younger watersports enthusiasts will need lower speeds, while more experienced riders might want the thrill of the higher ones.

Fishing

And of course, if you’re using this boat primarily for fishing, high speeds are actually a problem. You want something that’s efficient, stable, and won’t scare away all the fish. At most, a fishing trip will only need about 15 miles per hour.

Fuel Consumption

You should also consider how the boat’s speed and use will impact fuel consumption. The faster you drive, the more fuel you burn. That means that any high-speed adventures will have to be pretty short-lived, especially if you don’t want to row back to the dock. Meanwhile, if you plan on taking it easy, your fuel consumption will stay pretty low, allowing you to stay out on the water for longer.

Legal Issues

Keep in mind that many marinas have maximum speed limits depending on the area, time of day, and proximity to any docks. Make sure you know the local laws in the area you’ll be boating before you start your boat hunt.

Ready to get started? Contact us at LMC Marine Center if you have any questions, or if you just want to see the boats we have available. We proudly serve the people of Houston and Conroe, Texas—let us serve you today!