There are many different kinds of fishing boats, and some of them are surprisingly fast. If you love fishing, you’d want to be on the water as quickly as possible, and for that, you need a fast-fishing boat.
But how fast do fishing boats go? Fishing boats can be unexpectedly fast, depending on the type. A multi-purpose fishing boat, such as a bowrider, can have a maximum speed of 84 miles per hour. Although not all types of fishing boats can reach this speed, many boats have top speeds ranging between 42 and 72 miles per hour.
This article will tell you about the different types of fishing boats and the maximum speed they can reach. You may be surprised to learn how fast some types of fishing boats can go.
The Average Speed of Fishing Boats
There are many different kinds of recreational and commercial fishing boats. The fishing boat’s average speed depends on the boat type and several other factors, including hull type, engine size, and horsepower.
Recreational or multi-purpose boats can be used for fishing trips or a day out on the water with friends and family. Fishing boats suited for saltwater are generally suitable for freshwater as well. But, a boat designed for freshwater shouldn’t be used in saltwater.
Here are the average speeds of several types of recreational fishing boats:
Bass Boat
Bass boats are from 14’ to 23’ long and are ideal for freshwater fishing in lakes and rivers. A bass boat’s average speed is between 41 and 72 miles per hour, depending on the model.
Bass boats have a higher average speed than regular motorboats. This trait makes bass boats popular among tournament anglers, bass-boat enthusiasts, and fishermen.
Jon Boats
Jon boats are incredibly versatile and come in several sizes, ranging from 8’ to 20’ in length. The Jon boat’s size determines how fast the boat can go.
The average speed of a 10’ long Jon boat ranges from 5 to 10 miles per hour. On the other hand, a 20’ Jon boat has an average speed of 35 to 45 miles per hour.
Bowrider
Bowriders range from 17’ to 30’ in length and are an excellent choice for anglers looking to head out for a full day of fishing. An average bowrider boat can go over 45 miles per hour, depending on the model.
Deck Boat
Deck boats are designed with maximum open space and speed for fishing, entertaining, and recreational water sports. A deck boat’s average speed is around 34 miles per hour, but these boats can go much faster.
Pontoon Boat
Pontoon boats are a type of recreational boat ranging from 14’ to 30’ in length. Most pontoon boats have an average speed of 18 to 25 miles per hour, although there are some high-speed pontoon boats on the market.
Maximum Speed for Common Fishing Boat Types
Fishing boats are some of the most popular types of boats. Built to be very stable in choppy waters, fishing boats are powerful and made to last.
When it comes to speed, most fishing boats need to move fast. If you’re a commercial fisherman, you must travel fast from point A to point B to save time and money. Knowing how fast fishing boats can go will help you get where the fish are faster.
Check out the top speeds of the most popular types of fishing boats:
| Type of Boat | Maximum Speed |
| Recreational trawler | 23 mph |
| Tug boat | 21 mph |
| Deck boat | 57 mph |
| Dingy | 28 mph |
| Sailboat | 17 mph |
| Cuddy cabin boat | 50 mph |
| Pontoon boat | 41 mph |
| Yacht | 66 mph |
| Center console boat | 64 mph |
| Runabout boat | 60 mph |
| Game boat | 28 mph |
Calculating The Average Speed of a Boat
No boat can maintain its maximum speed for the entirety of a boat ride, no matter how fast it is. Most of the time, boats run at their optimal speed, which is sometimes referred to as an average speed of a boat.
There are several ways to calculate the average speed of a fishing boat. Using the boats and streams formula is probably the easiest way to determine the average speed of your boat.
To calculate the average speed of a boat, use the following formula:
{(Upstream speed x Downstream speed) / Boat’s speed in still water} = Average boat speed
Before attempting to calculate the average speed of a boat, you need to understand the basic terms used in the formula. Here are several terms every angler needs to know:
- Stream – A continuous body of water running within the bed and banks of a channel
- Upstream – Is the opposite direction in which the river flows
- Downstream – Is the direction in which the river or a stream flows
- Still water – Is part of a stream or river where no current is visible
What Happens If the Speed Is Too High?
Speeding across water might seem like a lot of fun, but it’s also extremely dangerous. Driving a boat too fast can result in injury, severe property damage, and even death.
When the boat goes too fast, you might not have a chance to stop the boat in time. Speeding boats are less able to turn to avoid land obstacles, and underwater obstacles are only visible to slow-moving vessels.
A speedy boat can hit submerged rocks and come to an abrupt stop. The impact could cause damage to the boat and injure the passengers.
Conclusion
Despite what many people believe, fishing boats move fast. A multi-purpose fishing boat can reach a top speed of 84 miles per hour.
Although not all fishing boats can go this fast, most fishing vessels achieve speeds ranging between 41 and 72 miles per hour. How fast a fishing boat goes depends on the type of the boat and several other factors such as horsepower and engine size.