What Is the Fastest Pontoon Boat in the World?

Pontoon boats vary in speed. Most aren’t that fast as they are generally meant for leisure boating. There are, however, some insanely fast pontoon boats on the water.

What is the fastest pontoon boat in the world? To date, the fastest pontoon boat in the world is Brad Rowland’s South Bay 925CR Tooned In, which sails at 114 miles per hour. Rowland established a Guinness World Record in 2015 with Tooned In as the “Fastest Pontoon Boat in the World.” In 2018, Rowland’s Tooned In Two pontoon boat won the Top Toon Award again with a speed that hit 106 miles per hour.

Rowland’s South Bay Tooned In pontoon boat has three powerful engines. The Mercury Pro Max 300x is 25 feet in length and can even go faster, up to 117 miles per hour.

As a summary, here are the fastest pontoon boats in the world:

  1. South Bay 925CR Tooned In
  2. Super Sport 925
  3. PlayCraft X-treme 2800 Scorpion Version
  4. Play Craft Power Toon X-treme 3100
  5. Harris Crowne SL 250
  6. Manitou 25 X-Plode XT SHP
  7. PlayCraft Power Toon X-treme 2700
  8. Premier 290
  9. Bennington QR27 10 Wide
  10. Manitou X-Plode
  11. Berkshire Sport RFX9 3.0+

Read on to learn more about the fastest pontoon boat in the world and how insanely fast it goes.

What Is the Fastest Pontoon Boat in the World? 

fastest pontoon boat in the world

While Brad Rowland’s Tooned In pontoon boat holds the world record as the fastest pontoon boat in the world, there are many other very fast pontoon boats.

Pontoon boats are uniquely designed with at least two hulls that could prevent them from flipping over easily. Here are the top 11 fastest pontoon boats in the world.

Fastest Pontoon Boats in the World

1. South Bay 925CR Tooned In 

Brad Rowland’s pontoon is the fastest pontoon boat in the world, with a speed of 114 miles per hour. It won 1st place at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout in August 2013 and 2014. Every year thereafter, Rowland has run the fastest pontoon in the Lake of the Ozarks (LOTO).

In 2015 and 2016, Rowland remained undefeated as his Tooned In Two, an updated version of Tooned In, maintained its #1 position.

In 2018, Rowland again won the Top Toon Award for his Tooned In Two pontoon boat. The boat hit 106 miles per hour, cleanly beating its competitor that gained only 98 miles per hour.

Rowland has then been inducted into the Lake of the Ozarks (LOTO) Hall of Fame for his amazing performance as a pontoon boat racer.

He set his aim for another new world record speed in the Shootout in 2019. He got a newly built pontoon boat from Rose Bay and was able to hit 109 miles per hour during the competition. He won the race in his category. When he previously ran the boat to test it, his speed was 117 miles per hour.

Rowland stated that he loved going back every year as he could spend time with his family and friends. He also has a goal to get the target speed of 120 miles per hour.

2. Super Sport 925

One of South Bay’s fastest pontoon boats, the Super Sport 925, can go as fast as 90 miles per hour or even 112 miles per hour. The boat runs on two 300 horsepower and a 3-engine rig that carries 900-mercury HP.

The bow section is made of fiberglass for comfort and aesthetic value. It has night LED lights to make it safe to run the boat even at nighttime. Its mercury joystick also makes it easier for drivers to do wild turns; thus, increasing its maneuverability.

This pontoon boat’s incredible performance is credited to the lifting strakes added underneath it to control air and water flow and a sharp turning radius to propel it to top-notch speeds.

3. PlayCraft Xtreme 2800 Scorpion Version

PlayCraft was the first pontoon boat to break the 100 miles per hour record. But since then, Jim Dorris, the owner and creator of PlayCraft pontoon boats, ventured into the building and selling of pontoon boats.

Dorris is also a Hall of Famer of the LOTO, like his constant competitor, Brad Rowland. Understandably, they meet annually for the race.

In this case, the Scorpion Version is an improvement of the regular Xtreme pontoon boats. It’s powered by two 400 horsepower and 383 Scorpion powerplants, which propel the boat to 70 miles per hour.

4. Play Craft Power Toon X-treme 3100

This pontoon boat is another PlayCraft model that can rip around 65 miles per hour. It’s powered by 400 horsepower mercury outboards. Keeping the boat steady during cruising are the durable cross beams that put the outer tubes in place and the center tube that measures 36 inches.

Play Craft has been a trusted name in pontoon boats. You can expect maximum performance from each of its series.

5. Harris Crowne SL 250

The Harris Crowne SL 250 can run at a maximum speed of 63 miles per hour. The dual-engine 350 horsepower Mercury Racing Verados and top-notch hydraulic plates contribute to the speed of this superb pontoon boat.

You can safely maneuver the boat from any point with its digital touchscreen and a comfortable backed helm chair. 

6. Manitou 25 X-Plode XT Sport Handling Package (SHP) 

It can blast an incredible speed of 62.8 miles per hour with its twin-engine Evinrude 300 e-Tec and excellent power steering. The pontoon boat stays steady and comfortable due to its sturdy center tube and twin outer tubes.

It is a good boat to run at full speed because of its fiberglass material that provides safety, security, and stability. Innovations of the pontoon boat included a smart screen and touch screen that you can easily use and operate.

7. PlayCraft Power Toon X-treme 2700

This pontoon boat is one of the fastest in the world, with a speed of 60 miles per hour. Blasted by a 430-horsepower, its performance is enhanced by its handling fins and surface-piercing nose fins.

PlayCraft pontoon boats are known to hit incredible speeds when coupled with superchargers. This boat is one of the series of PlayCraft Pontoon Boats.

8. Premier 290

The Premier 290’s speed is around 52 miles per hour and is powered by 600 horsepower. It runs atop high-quality tubes and strakes and provides a comfortable and safe interior with proper lighting, guard railings, and monitoring devices.

Its ability to run at cruising speeds while remaining stable is one advantage that owners are proud of.

9. Bennington QR27 10 Wide

The speed of this pontoon boat is 51.3 miles per hour. Powered by two Yamaha F250 4 strokes, this highly water-stable structure can ensure a safe, comfortable, and peaceful ride. It features lifting strakes and power-assisted hydraulic steering.

Its joystick can be easily maneuvered while docking or driving. Visibility is perfect, as you can see clearly with the raised helms. You could win that race with this beauty if they come up with a more powerful engine.

10. Manitou X-Plode

The Manitou X-Plode can hit more than 50 miles per hour with additional lifting strakes on its three tubes. Its speed is attributed to the 3-tube design along its body. There are two smaller side tubes and a bigger center tube that create a unique design, where the larger central tube is positioned one inch lower than the two side tubes.

Its specific design is what sets it apart from the rest of the pontoon boats.

11. Berkshire Sport RFX9 3.0+

The Berkshire can run at a maximum speed of 50 miles per hour. It is powered by 300 horsepower Mercury Verado. This pontoon boat operates with two batteries with an onboard charger and a convenient shut-off switch.

It remains stable through various speeds with its four sturdy lifting strakes and 3-diameter tubes, measuring 25 inches. The interior is LED lighted, providing sufficient visibility of the floor, the rails, and when docking.

What Is a Pontoon Boat?

A pontoon boat is a type of boat that utilizes floats to remain buoyant. Some of these floats can support large decks of pontoon boats made up of PVC, steel, aluminum, plastic frames, and nylon designed for fishing platforms.

There are small inflatable pontoon boats for smaller capacities. Due to the buoyancy, which the boat has to maintain, it has to be designed flat.

Through the years, engineers and builders have meticulously modified and created pontoon boats that could defy the slowing of speed brought about by its length, weight, and width. They have done this by modifying the propellers and engines.

Is a Pontoon Boat for Racing Worth Buying?

If you’re keen on joining a pontoon boat race regularly, then it’s worth it. Nonetheless, if you just want to join once, then you’d only be throwing your money away. Boats, like cars, depreciate in value as time goes by.

You can always rent a boat for pleasure or racing. It would be the most practical thing to do.

Pros and Cons of Buying a Pontoon Boat

The pros and cons of buying a pontoon boat are as follows:

Pros

  • Availability: You can use it any time you want to, as it can be available any time you want to use it. 
  • Perfect for Fishing and Other Water Activities: It’s a boat that is perfect for fishing, swimming, and other water activities. You can run it for leisure or race with it.
  • More Durable: It is more durable than other boats because of its design and built. It is also more stable because of its two or more tubes.

Cons

  • Not a good investment as its value depreciate quickly
  • Can be noisy at times
  • Can be tough to handle without training

What Is the Best Pontoon Boat to Buy?

what is the best pontoon boat

There are now various powerful innovations with pontoon boats, from their modified propellers to their power boosters. 

Every pontoon driver and boat owner is challenged to surpass Brad Rowland’s top speed record of 114 miles per hour, which is the unbeatable record of the fastest pontoon boat in the world. 

With the renewed interest in pontoon boats, more people are encouraged to buy them for fun, pleasure, or racing purposes. However, you have to consider first the pros and cons of buying a pontoon boat. Are you sure you’re willing to shoulder the responsibility of maintaining the boat? Again, take note that the value of a pontoon boat typically depreciates after it has been used.

Knowing this, we have provided the aspects you should be looking for when buying a pontoon boat.

Depending on your purpose, the best pontoon boat to buy is one that could serve your purpose. Are you buying it simply for leisure? Or are you buying it to join a race? 

Valuable Tips When Buying a Pontoon Boat

1. Durability

Scrutinize the material of the boat if it’s durable and long-lasting. It will be awesome if most of the interior and exterior of the pontoon boat are waterproof.

2. Speed

If you plan to join the LOTO or similar events, you have to ascertain that its speed is enough for you or that it should be the fastest pontoon boat in the world. In this case, this factor would be your primary concern.

3. Safety and Security

Does the pontoon boat have enough safety features, such as guard railings and sufficient life vests for everyone on board? Can you quickly sound off a distress call or alarm in case of emergencies?

Conclusion – What Is the Fastest Pontoon Boat in the World?

The fastest pontoon boat in the world right now is the Tooned In ran by Brad Rowland. The fastest speed of this boat was 114 miles per hour, and it hasn’t been topped yet. The PlayCraft series are also fast-running pontoon boats, clocking at 50+ miles per hour.

Next in line are the Manitou series and similar boats at 50 or more miles per hour.

As a summary, here are the fastest pontoon boats in the world:

  1. South Bay 925CR Tooned In
  2. Super Sport 925
  3. PlayCraft X-treme 2800 Scorpion Version
  4. Play Craft Power Toon X-treme 3100
  5. Harris Crowne SL 250
  6. Manitou 25 X-Plode XT SHP
  7. PlayCraft Power Toon X-treme 2700
  8. Premier 290
  9. Bennington QR27 10 Wide
  10. Manitou X-Plode
  11. Berkshire Sport RFX9 3.0+

These are the 11 fastest pontoon boats in the world. These boats are constantly developed and modified to build faster, safer, and more comfortable pontoon boats.

Related reading:

Average Boat Speeds: Sailboat, Pontoon, & Cruiser