Boating: The Speeds You Need
There’s nothing like taking a boat out onto the water to make the most of a gorgeous day, but the right boat makes all the difference. One of the most important factors to consider when buying yours: the speeds it can hit! We here at Nisswa Marine want to make sure your boat delivers, so we’ve put together some tips for buying a boat with the right speed for your needs. To learn more, or to see the boats we have for sale, contact our store in Nisswa, Minnesota, today!
The Right Speed For…
The reasons you’re buying a boat can be seriously impacted by the speeds a boat can achieve.
Thrill Seekers
If you need a serious hit of adrenaline, you’re not going to be able to settle for just any boat. You want heart-pounding, hair-whipping races through the surf and spray, so you need a boat with high speed capabilities. You’ll also want to focus on agility and easy handling to ensure the speed doesn’t interfere with staying in control.
Towing Watersports Enthusiasts
If you’re towing wakeboarders, waterskiers, or otherwise participating in water sports, you want a balance between speedy enough to keep things fun and slow enough to keep them survivable. Ideally, you need a boat that goes between 10 and 35 nautical miles per hour, but the exact number depends on who you’re towing—specifically on their experience level—and what they’re doing.
Anglers
If fishing is your game, you don’t really need a boat that makes waves or zips around. High boat speeds can actually interfere with fishing by scaring the fish away. At maximum, you’ll likely only need a top speed of around 15 nautical miles per hour. Go for a lower speed boat and use your savings for fishing supplies and gear!
Boat Speed And Fuel Efficiency
Your fuel economy will also be impacted by boat speed. The faster you go, the more fuel you burn at a time—the inevitable price of the excitement and fun. Try to keep that in mind when budgeting for your boat purchase, since you don’t want to overspend on fuel, but you also don’t want to necessarily inch around the water.
Boat Speed And Laws
Different areas on the water might have different speed restrictions. Time of day, the type of waterway, and the type of boat can all influence the maximum speed you can use in these areas. For instance, boat speed limits will be lower at night because of reduced visibility.
Keep an eye out for “no wake zones” as well. They’re often near the shore, in canals, near marinas, and near docks. You need to go slow enough so your boat doesn’t create a significant wake, which protects other boaters, their pets, and their property. Here, you’ll probably go below 5 nautical miles per hour.
Ready to get started? Contact us at Nisswa Marine for more information, or to see the boats we have in stock. We proudly serve the people of Minneapolis and St. Cloud, Minnesota—let us serve you today!