Powerboat Guide 2025: Discover the Thrill and Freedom of Powerboats

Navigate Your Way to the Perfect Boat for Every Adventure

Powerboats offer thrills, versatility, and freedom on the water, making them a popular choice for boaters who crave speed, adventure, or leisurely cruising. Whether you’re interested in racing, fishing, watersports, or simply enjoying time on the water with family and friends, choosing the right powerboat is essential for making the most of your experience.

This Powerboat Guide provides everything you need to know about selecting the ideal powerboat to match your lifestyle and needs – are you looking for a weekend boat to take friends and family out for an afternoon, or do you need berths so you and the family can go on week-long adventures? With a wide range of powerboat types – from center consoles and sport fishing boats to yachts and cruisers – understanding the differences can help you make an informed decision on your next powerboat purchase.

Key Factors to Consider in Choosing Your Powerboat

When shopping for your next powerboat, there are a number of factors to consider – size, fuel efficiency, engine type, and onboard features are just a few items you’ll want to consider. This guide will help you find a boat that perfectly fits your needs and boating goals. We’ll also cover essential tips on maintenance, safety, and how to get the most out of your powerboat adventures. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced boater looking for an upgrade, our guide offers valuable insights to empower you to make the best decision.

Continue reading to explore the world of powerboats and discover the best vessel to suit your needs.

Featured Image Credit: EGO 2006 68′ 4″ RIVA High Performance Sport Yacht

What is a powerboat?

A powerboat is a performance boat that uses an engine for propulsion and can usually achieve high speeds if the driver or captain so wishes.

Powerboats aren’t just the smaller boats you see ripping across the lake on a nice day; some are the largest super yachts to hit the water today.

How much does a powerboat cost? 

The price of a powerboat will depend on a few factors. If you have a strict budget, you’ll want to consider the items below and speak to your trusted yacht broker or boat dealer in guiding you to buy the perfect powerboat.  

• Length – Simple logic will tell us that the larger the powerboat, the greater the price. While there are some caveats here, generally speaking, as you increase the length of your powerboat, so too will the budget. 
• Builder – Certain powerboat builders will come with a higher price tag due to their reputation. 
• Age – Is it a brand new build? In which case, this will be the most expensive powerboat to look at (if looking at similar lengths and builders). Even if you look at powerboats just a couple of years older than a new build, you’ll note the price will decrease dramatically. 
• Location – Certain places like Florida and France that pride themselves on being yachting hubs, will usually have a lot more inventory so you may have more choice, which will also help to drive the price tag down. 

At the very lowest end, you’ll be looking at prices around $20,000, while this can increase into the tens of millions of dollars if looking at powerboats in the superyacht category.

How to dock a powerboat? 

Depending on the length of your powerboat, you will either be docking the boat, or your captain will be in charge of this task. It’s recommended that once you acquire a powerboat around 60ft and up, you hire a capable captain to help. Some very experienced owners may be handle up to even 70ft, so it’s up to your own skills and experience. However, if you will be the driver of your powerboat, here are some tips on how to dock your boat: 

• Slow your speed on approach back to the dock. 
• Make sure your fenders are on the correct side to provide a buffer. 
• Turn the powerboat to a slight angle as you come into dock. 
• Once you are close enough to the dock, angle your wheel away from the dock, gently throw it into reverse to make sure you don’t bump the dock. 
• Slowly glide up next to the dock, and throw a line, or have someone on board jump off and tie off the boat. 
• Switch the engine off. 

How to tow a dinghy behind a powerboat? 

Depending on the size of the powerboat, towing a dinghy may not always be possible. If you have a smaller powerboat, you may be able to for short distances; while if you have a superyacht style powerboat, you will likely be stowing your dinghy (or tender) in a tender garage. Also note that for longer distances, or if crossing rough waters, it’s advised to stow the dinghy on board – many will opt to flip it over on the bow of the boat, out of the way, and safely tied down. Here are some tips if you are able to safely tow your dinghy: 

• Remove all items from the dinghy (oars, personal items, etc.), or safely stow oars inside. 
• Raise the outboard motor out of the water, if you have one, to prevent drag. 
• Attach the towline (ideally a two- or three-point towline) to the dinghy’s centerline on the D-rings at the middle and on both sides of the bow. 
• Securely tie and knot the towline to the stern of the powerboat that will be towing the dinghy. 
• Make sure the line is slack enough to maneuver over the waves. Adjust as needed – release the line to allow more drag between the two boats or pull in if it is too far back. 
• When you are ready to come to a stop, slow down and shorten the towline or pull the dinghy up and alongside the powerboat before anchoring or returning to the dock. 

When to use a muffler on a powerboat? 

While different cruising grounds will have different rules on when to use a muffler on a powerboat, it is generally recommended that all vessels with an engine use a muffler to ensure the safety of everyone onboard and in the water. A muffler helps to reduce noise and ensure the driver or captain can hear any sound signals or calls from those around them. Mufflers are usually standard when buying a powerboat but it’s always a good idea to confirm this from the seller. 

Which must follow navigation rules for a powerboat? 

Must follow navigation rules for powerboats (and indeed any boats on the water), refers to the rules when approaching another watercraft while cruising. If another boat is attempting to cross you from the left (or port side), you have the right of way to maintain your speed and direction. If, however, they are on your right (starboard side), they have the right of way. This all changes if you are approaching a sailboat under sail (and not motor), in which case, they always have the right of way. 

How to start a powerboat

The majority of powerboats today will have a key start, much like those on your car. However, if you need to start the engine of your powerboat directly from the outboard motor, there are a few tips to bear in mind: 

• Make sure the engine is fully tilted down and in the water. 
• Squeeze the primer bulb a few times (until firm). 
• Put the throttle in neutral. 
• Turn the key ON, push to choke and crank. 
• Release the choke on starting and return the throttle to neutral. 

How to operate a powerboat

Once again, depending on the size of the powerboat you are purchasing, you may be the primary driver, or you may have a professional captain to navigate the vessel. Like the above points, once you have the engine started as above, you’ll slowly glide away from the dock and adjust your speed accordingly based on the rules of the water and your goals for the day. It’s important to understand and obey the rules of the water you are in. Please review any city or state guidelines before boating somewhere new and heed the rules of the waterway. 

When it’s time to return to the dock, refer to our above tips on docking a powerboat to help you get safely back to shore. 

How fast do powerboats go? 

The speed a powerboat can achieve will depend on some of those factors discussed already. The length, age of the boat, and of course the engine size and horsepower output will all affect the overall cruising speed and top speed. Generally speaking, any powerboat that can go 70 mph and above, are known as performance boats, with some of the top speeds clocked at 120 – 180 mph!

What are the top 10 powerboat brands? 

There are a wide variety of reputable powerboat brands on the market today. These include: 

• Azimut 
• Bayliner 
• Benetti 
• Boston Whaler 
• Chris Craft 
• Cigarette  
• Ferretti  
• Franchini
• Grady-White
• Maori
• Otam
• Riva
• Riviera
• Sea Ray 
• Sunseeker 

Many look to buy a powerboat for the thrill of cutting across the water, wind in your hair, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. While some enjoy them for recreational activities like water sports, fishing, or just doing overnight and day trips with friends and family. If you’re not sure what type of boat you should buy, please refer to our Speedboat vs. Yacht Guide, or a more comprehensive comparison in our Yacht Boat Buyer Guide. For those looking for a more in-depth review of boat types, please refer to our article, What Boat Should I Buy and start your search with our insightful article on where to find a boat near you today.

YATCO Boating and Boat Buying Guides 

• Sport Fishing Yacht Guide: Many recreational fishers will choose to use the best yacht for the job when it comes to fishing. And you can’t go wrong with a sportfishing yacht – specifically designed to hold all of your fishing gear, optimize space for maneuvering, and the power and stability to take you wherever the fish are. Explore YATCO’s Sportfishing Yacht Buying Guide. 
• Flybridge Yacht Guide: Similar to the sport fishing yachts, flybridge yachts are also popular amongst anglers, thanks to their upper decks which offer the perfect height to explore the horizons and scan for fish activity. Learn more about flybridge yachts in our guide.
• Boating in Florida Guide: Before you head out on the water for your next big catch of the day, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the rules of the water in Florida. Whether you are a resident, or someone looking to visit and do some fishing, you’ll want to be sure to heed the ways of the water. YATCO created a Boating in Florida Guide for this very reason. 
• Boat Financing Guide: Maybe you want to make fishing more than just a charter once or twice a year, and instead invest in your own boat or yacht you can take out any time you want. And in a place like Florida, where the fishing season never ends, it’s the perfect place to buy your next yacht. Learn about Boat Financing in our Guide. 
• Boat Maintenance Guide: Now you know the boat you want, it’s important to learn how to maintain it as well. There are a number of factors to consider when it comes to improving the longevity and overall look and feel of your boat or yacht. Learn the proper ways to keep your vessel in good shape with YATCO’s Boat Maintenance Guide. 
• Boating the Right of Way Guide: Just as we need to learn the rules of the road when we head out in our car, it’s important to learn the rules of the water as well. Whether you are a seasoned sailor, or new to boating, YATCO created a Boating Right of Way Guide to better understand some of the rules and buoys or signage you may come across on the water. 
• Boat Insurance Guide: While certain states (including Florida) and countries around the world may not make boat insurance compulsory or a legal requirement before heading out on the water, it’s still a prudent idea to secure boat insurance before slipping off the dock. Learn more about the importance of boat insurance with our guide.