As a rule of thumb, the top speed of outboard motors can be anywhere between 5 and 100 mph. To be more precise, the average top speed within each class is as follows:
- 2.5-20 HP (Portable): 5-28 mph
- 25-100 HP (Midrange): 22-55 mph
- 115-600 HP (High-Performance): 38-100+ mph
(Note that the available speed is heavily dependent on the specifications of the boat and environmental conditions.)
If you want to find out more about the average top speed of outboard motors, you’ve come to the right place.
We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled them into one chart!
Factors That Affect the Top Speed of an Outboard Motor
The top speed of a boat rigged with an outboard motor depends on many factors other than its engine power. In a nutshell, the most important factors to be taken into account are as follows:
- Features of the outboard (displacement, strokes, gear ratio, year, etc.)
- Features of the boat (type, hull design, weight, dimensions)
- Load (passengers, fuel, gear, etc.)
- Prop size
- Water and weather conditions
- Altitude
Due to all these factors, there are no hard numbers for a specific top speed that would be true in all circumstances.
For example, a 90 HP 4-stroke outboard can push a pontoon boat 20-22 mph, while a bass boat with the same motor can even hit 40-45 mph.
However, the top speed of most planing boats typically falls into the same ballpark, within the same powerbands.
For your convenience, we’ve extensively researched and compiled the top speed of many different outboard boats under one roof.
We primarily focused on planing sport and fishing boats like bowriders, cabin cruisers, center console boats, aluminum fishing boats, Jon boats, bass boats, and other types of fishing vessels.
This means that houseboats, pontoons, and other heavy setups have been excluded from our research.
How Fast is an Outboard Motor?
How Fast is a 1.5 HP Outboard Motor?
The smallest gas-powered outboards are designed for kayaks and inflatable boats. These 1.5 HP motors can reach a top speed of 4-10 mph depending on their features and the boat’s specifications.
How Fast is a 2.5 HP Outboard Motor?
You can expect a top speed of a lightweight boat with a portable 2.5 HP outboard to be 5-10 mph.
For example, a Mercury F2.5 rigged on a 12-13′ dinghy can reach a top speed of 7-8 mph.
A fishing kayak can also reach a top speed of 8-10 mph with a tiny 2.5 HP outboard.
In this test video, a 2.5 HP Mercury outboard propels a RIB with one person onboard at a top speed of 10.2 mph:
How Fast is a 5 HP Outboard Motor?
The top speed of a 5 HP outboard motor on a small boat can be anywhere from 7-18 mph.
For example, here’s a test of a 5 HP motor rigged on a 14′ Foremost aluminum V-hull (top speed: 11.6 mph):
In contrast, a lightweight 12’ Jon boat with the same motor tops out at 17-18 mph.
How Fast is an 8 HP Outboard Motor?
8 HP outboards can propel boats at 15-22 mph under ideal conditions. These models are often de-tuned versions of their 9.9 HP brothers.
Examples:
- 11’ RIB + Johnson 8 HP: 17-18 mph
- Gamefisher 14 + Mercury 8 HP: 16-17 mph
- Solar marine RIB 8.5’ + Mercury 8 HP: 16-17 mph
- 1436 G3 + Mercury 8 HP: 16-18 mph
How Fast is a 9.9 HP Outboard Motor?
9.9 HP outboard motors are the unrestricted variations of their 8 HP siblings
As a rule of thumb, a 9.9 HP outboard can propel a lightweight hull at a top speed of 15-24 mph.
Examples:
- 9 ft. RIB Tender + 9.9 HP Yamaha 4T: 20-22 mph
- Gheenoe LT 10 + Yamaha 9.9 HP: 20-21 mph
- 330 RIB (11’) + Yamaha 9.9 HP 4T: 22-24 mph
- 1436 Tracker Jon boat + Mercury 9.9 HP 4T: 23-24 mph
- 16’ Waco (flat bottom) + Mercury 9.9 HP 4T: 18-20 mph
- 15.5′ Gregor H-51 + Honda BF9.9: 15-17 mph
- Boston Whaler (13ft) + Honda BF9.9: 16-17 mph
How Fast is a 15 HP Outboard Motor?
The top speed of 15 HP outboard motors is typically somewhere between 18 and 26 mph.
Examples:
- 1448 Starcraft flat-bottomed boat + Yamaha 15 HP: 22-24 mph
- Awn 270 VIB + Yamaha 15 HP 2T: 25-26 mph
- 13’ Jon boat + Mercury 15 HP 4T: 18-20 mph
- 1436 G3 + Mercury 9.9 HP 2T: 24-26 mph
- 14′ Lund + Honda BF15: 14-15 mph
- Young Kang YDX 380 (12’6” RIB) + Honda BF15: 17-18 RPM
- Genesis 310FT (10’2”) RIB / Honda BF15: 20-21 mph
How Fast is a 20 HP Outboard Motor?
The top speed of a 20 HP outboard falls into the range of 20-28 mph.
Examples:
- 14’ Sea Nymph Fishing Machine + Suzuki DF20A: 26-28 mph
- Sk470xl KaBoat + Suzuki 20 HP 4T: 22-24 mph
- 1448 Weldbilt Jon Boat + Tohatsu 20 HP EFI: 20-22 mph
- 1440 Triton All Welded + Honda BF20: 23-25 mph
- 3.8 SIB + Mercury 20 HP 4-stroke: 20-22 mph
- Tracker Pro 170 + Mercury 20 HP 4-stroke: 22-24 mph
How Fast is a 25 HP Outboard Motor?
Based on our research, a boat rigged with a 25 HP outboard motor can hit a top speed of 22-32 mph.
Examples:
- 1436 Jon Boat + Yamaha 25 HP 2T: 30-31 mph
- Dafman 400 RIB (13’) + Yamaha F25: 28-30 mph
- Crestliner 14 Sportsman + Mercury 25 HP 4-stroke: 22-24 mph
- 1436 Jon boat + Mercury 25HP 4-stroke: 28-30 mph
- 14’ Conway Special + Mercury 25HP 4-stroke: 30-32 mph
How Fast is a 30 HP Outboard Motor?
A 30 HP outboard motor can move a boat at a top speed of 24-38 mph under ideal conditions.
Examples:
- Stacer 399 Proline + Yamaha 30 HP 4T: 28-30 mph
- GALA Atlantis A390Q AQUAHELM + Tohatsu 30 HP: 31-33 mph
- Whaly 435 + Mercury 30 HP ELPT: 28-30 mph
- 11’ aluminum boat + Mercury 30 HP: 36-38 mph
- Bush 470 RIB + Honda BF30: 24-26 mph
- Atlantic 445 Westwind (14.5 ft) + Honda BF30: 28-30 mph
How Fast is a 40 HP Outboard Motor?
40 HP outboards are typically powered by 750-1000cc, 3- or 4-cylinder engines. These motors rigged on an appropriate hull can reach a top speed of 25-40 mph.
Examples:
- Track Grizzly 1548 Sportsman + Tohatsu 40 HP: 34-36 mph
- Boston Whaler 13 ft. Sport + Tohatsu 40 HP: 33-35 mph
- SACS S540 Young + Mercury 40 HP: 23-25 mph
- Tracker 1754 Grizzly + Mercury 40 HP: 30-32 mph
- Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller + Honda BF40 EFI: 28-30 mph
- Walker Bay Generation 340 (11’2” RIB) + Honda BF40: 31-33 mph
- Stabicraft 1410 Explorer + Yamaha 40 HP 2T: 32-34 mph
- 648 Landau (Jon boat) + Yamaha 40 HP 4T: 38-40 mph
How Fast is a 50 HP Outboard Motor?
You can expect the maximum speed of 50 HP outboard motors to be in the ballpark of 26-40 mph.
Examples:
- Big Fish 5014 Sport + Mercury 50 HP: 33-35 mph
- 15′ center console + Mercury 50 HP: 38-40 mph
- G3 Pro 175 + 50 HP Yamaha 4T: 30-32 mph
- Stratos 176 + 50 HP Yamaha 2-stroke: 35-37 mph
- Boston Whaler Sport 13’+ Honda BF50: 28-30 mph
- Marinco 4.75 ff + Honda BF50: 30-32 mph
- Karel 545 + Tohatsu 50 HP 2T: 28-30 mph
- Anglapro Core 444CSR+ Suzuki 50 HP 4T: 30-33 mph
How Fast is a 60 HP Outboard Motor?
The available top speed of boats with 60 HP outboard motors can be 28-42 mph depending on the size of the boat.
Examples:
- Lund 18′ SSV + Mercury 60 HP: 32-34 mph
- Lowe FM165 (16′ 5″) + Mercury 60 HP: 33-34 mph
- Sport 15 center console + Mercury 60 HP: 40-42 mph
- Triton TC17 Tin + 60 HP Yamaha: 33-35 mph
- Triumph 1700 Skiff (17’4”) + Honda BF60: 30-32 mph
- Stessl 4.9 runabout + Honda BFP60: 31-33 mph
- Grand 480 (14’11”) RIB + Honda BF60 (L): 34-36 mph
How Fast is a 75 HP Outboard Motor?
Most often than not, a boat rigged with a 75 HP outboard can hit a top speed of 30-44 mph.
Examples:
- Sangstercraft 14′ + Mercury 75 HP 2T: 32-34 mph
- Bass Tracker Pro Team 175 + Mercury 75 HP 4T: 36-38 mph
- Boston Whaler 17′ + Mercury 75 HP 4-stroke: 40-42 mph
- Alumaweld 17 Stryker (17’) + Honda BF75: 35-36 mph
- Polar Kraft V 186 T (18’6”) + Honda BF75: 37-39 mph
- Alumacraft Pro 175 (17’11”) + Honda BF75: 41-43 mph
How Fast is a 90 HP Outboard Motor?
You can expect a whopping top speed of 32-47 mph with a stock 90 HP outboard motor.
Examples:
- 1860 Triton SC + Mercury 90 HP 4T: 40-41 mph
- 18′ Bayliner bowrider + Mercury 90 HP 4T: 41-43 mph
- Tracker 185 + Mercury 90 HP 4T: 45-47 mph
- Alumacraft Voyageur 175 (17’10”) + Honda BF90: 36-38 mph
- Weldcraft 173 Rebel (17’3”) + Honda BF90: 38-39 mph
- Action Craft 1720 CC (17’2”, fiberglass) + Honda BF90: 44-46 mph
How Fast is a 100 HP Outboard Motor?
100 HP outboards are very rare in the US since the manufacturers market these models overseas.
One of the exceptions is the popular Honda BF100, which is the most powerful member of the 75-100 HP family. This motor enjoys a 4-stroke, 1496cc, 16-valve, inline-4 engine.
The top speed of this model is very close to its 90 HP siblings, anywhere from 34-50 mph depending on the boat and its features.
Examples:
- Highfield Deluxe 540 (17’8” RIB) + Honda BF100: 36-38 mph
- Key West 1720 Sportsman (17’2”) + Honda BF100: 38-40 mph
- Alumacraft Voyageur 175 (17’10”, alu) + Honda BF100: 40-41 mph
- Inventech 18’ RIB + Honda BF100: 40-42 mph
How Fast is a 115 HP Outboard Motor?
The maximum speed of a 115 HP outboard motor can be anywhere from 35-55 mph with an average of 45 mph.
- Sea Ray 175 Bowrider + Mercury 115 2T: 38-40 mph
- Tracker Pro Guide V-175 + Mercury 115 HP: 40-42 mph
- Tracker 18 All Fish + Mercury 115 HP 4-stroke: 54-56 mph
- Key West 186DC + Yamaha F115: 35-36 mph
- Skeeter SX180 + Yamaha F115: 39-40 mph
- Skeeter TZX170 + Yamaha VF115 V MAX SHO: 50-52 mph
- Clearwater 2000 (19.8’) + Honda BF115: 40-42 mph
- Capecraft 190 Bay (19’, fiberglass) + Honda BF115: 40-42 mph
- Lund 1775 Impact XS (17’11”) + Honda BF115: 41-43 mph
- Carolina Skiff 198DLV + Suzuki DF115A: 38-40 mph
- Focchi 550 RIB + Suzuki DF115BG: 50-52 mph
How Fast is a 150 HP Outboard Motor?
150 HP outboard motors are typically powered by 2350-3000cc, inline-4 engines and can reach a top speed of 38-62 mph.
Examples:
- Ranger Reata Fish & Ski + Mercury 150 Optimax: 42-44 mph
- Nitro Z18 + Mercury 150 HP 4T: 60-62 mph
- Parker 21 Special Edition (SE) + Yamaha F150: 40-42 mph
- Bar Crusher 560C + Yamaha F150: 45-47 mph
- Key West 2020DC + 150 HP Yamaha 2-stroke: 46-48 mph
- C-Dory 25 Cruiser (25’5”) + Honda BF150: 34-36 mph
- Hewescraft 20 Sea Runner HT + Honda BF150: 38-40 mph
- Dusky 218 + Suzuki 150 HP: 46-48 mph
How Fast is a 175 HP Outboard Motor?
175 HP outboards are available with both inline-4 and V6 engines. You can expect the top speed of these motors to be anywhere from 40-65 mph.
Examples
- Champion 18.5 + Mercury 175 HP 4-stroke: 58-60 mph
- Nitro Z18 + Mercury Pro XS 175: 62-64 mph
- Triton Tr-186 + Mercury 175 Pro XS: 63-65 mph
- Cruise Craft F360 + Yamaha F175: 45-47 mph
- Capelli Tempest 700 Sun + Yamaha F175: 44-46 mph
- Skeeter ZX190 + Yamaha V MAX SHO 175: 55-57 mph
- Dusky 227 + Suzuki DF175: 43-45 mph
How Fast is a 200 HP Outboard Motor?
The top speed of a 200 HP outboard motor averages between 42 and 70 mph, but bass boats and performance boats can even hit 70-75+ mph with these power sources.
These motors are available with inline-4, V6, and V8 power sources, displacing between 2900-4600cc.
Examples:
- Pantera II (19’1″) bass boat + Mercury 200 Pro XS: 70-72 mph
- Falcon F195 + Mercury 200 Pro XS: 72-74 mph
- Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 + Yamaha F200XCA: 37-39 mph
- Skeeter ZXR 20 + Yamaha V6 VMAX SHO 200: 60-62 mph
- Hewescraft 260 PC + Honda BF250: 41-43 mph
- Phoenix 721 Pro XP + Honda BF250: 70-72 mph
- Crest II 210 L Tri-Pontoon + Suzuki 200 HP 4T: 41-43 mph
How Fast is a 225 HP Outboard Motor?
Based on our research, a 225 HP outboard motor can propel a boat at a maximum speed of 45-80 mph.
Examples:
- Sterling 200 XS (20’) + Mercury 225 HP Pro XS: 64-66 mph
- Rangler Z519 Bass boat + Mercury 225 HP Pro XS: 70-72 mph
- Triton TR-21 X + Mercury 225 Optimax: 70-72 mph
- Stabicraft 2250 Centre Cab + Yamaha F225: 40-43 mph
- Haines Hunter 625 Horizon + Yamaha F225: 46-48 mph
- Skeeter ZX225 + Yamaha Vmax 225: 70-71 mph
- Z2200 Shearwater Bay Boat + Suzuki DF225: 56-58 mph
How Fast is a 250 HP Outboard Motor?
You can expect the top speed of a 250 HP Mercury outboard to be 45-90 mph.
Other examples:
- Triton TR-21 X + Mercury 250 Pro XS: 73-75 mph
- Bar Crusher 730HT/Yamaha F250: 48-50 mph
- Bassport XB21/Yamaha 250SHO: 84-86 mph
- 21 Contender + Suzuki DF250: 46-48 mph
- SeaArk ProCat 240 + Suzuki DF250: 50-52 mph
- SeaArk ProCat 240 + Yamaha Vmax SHO 250: 58-60 mph
How Fast is a 300 HP Outboard Motor?
300 HP outboard motors can hit an impressive top speed of 45-90 mph under ideal conditions.
Examples:
- SeaJay 7.6 Pursuit + Yamaha F300B: 46-48 mph
- AMM 7400 Weekender + Yamaha F300AETX: 48-50 mph
- Cruise Craft 685 HT + Yamaha F300: 50-52 mph
- 25′ Center Console Fishing Boat + Mercury 300 HP: 48-50 mph
- Viper Bass Boat + Mercury 300R Racing: 88-90 mph
How Fast is a 400-600 HP Outboard Motor?
Depending on the size and type of boat, the top speed of boats powered by 400-600 HP outboards varies greatly.
To make the situation more complicated, these motors are often used in twin, triple, and quadruple configurations.
Rigged as a single unit, a 400-600 HP outboard can propel a boat anywhere from 50 to 100+ mph, but most of them top out at 50-70 mph.
Examples:
- Caribbean 2400 Hardtop + single Mercury Verado 400: 48-50 mph
- Princecraft Vogue 27 RL + single Mercury Verado 400: 53-55 mph
- Extreme 885 Gamefisher + single Yamaha XTO 425: 57-59 mph
- Sea Ray SLX 260 + single Mercury Verado 350: 49-52 mph
- Sportsman 267 Bay Boat + single Yamaha XTO 425: 60-62 mph
- Monterey 275 + single Mercury Verado 400: 61-63 mph
- Lund 2175 Pro V + single Mercury Verado 400: 66-68 mph
- 2021 BASS CAT JAGUAR + single Mercury Verado 400: 66-68 mph
- Liberator 22 + single Mercury 450R: 110-120+ mph
- Velocity Powerboats 290 Sport Cruiser + twin Mercury Racing 400R: 100-110 mph
- Skater 28 Catamaran + twin Mercury Racing Verado 400R: 110-120 HP
Takeaways – Outboard Top Speed Chart
As a takeaway, we’ve compiled the average top speeds of outboard motors into one chart.
Please note that these figures refer to the top speed of planing sport and fishing boats like Jon boats, RIBs, bass boats, center console boats, bowriders, and offshore outboard boats.
(Houseboats, displacement boats, and other heavy setups are excluded from this list.)
| HP | Approx. Top Speed (mph) |
| 1.5 HP | 4-10 mph |
| 2.5 HP | 5-10 mph |
| 3.5 HP | 6-10 mph |
| 5 HP | 7-18 mph |
| 8 HP | 15-22 mph |
| 9.9 HP | 15-24 mph |
| 15 HP | 17-26 mph |
| 20 HP | 20-28 mph |
| 25 HP | 22-32 mph |
| 30 HP | 24-38 mph |
| 40 HP | 25-40 mph |
| 50 HP | 26-40 mph |
| 60 HP | 28-42 mph |
| 75 HP | 30-44 mph |
| 90 HP | 32-47 mph |
| 100 HP | 34-50 mph |
| 115 HP | 35-55 mph |
| 150 HP | 38-62 mph |
| 175 HP | 40-65 mph |
| 200 HP | 42-75 mph |
| 225 HP | 45-80 mph |
| 250 HP | 45-90 mph |
| 300 HP | 45-90 mph |
| 350 HP | 50-90 mph |
| 400 HP | 50-100+ mph |
| 500 HP | 50-100+ mph |
| 600 HP | 50-100+ mph |
Disclaimer: The top speed figures in this post are just ballpark figures for general informational purposes only. Please note that the top speed of an outboard boat is dependent on many factors like the specifications of the hull, the size of the prop, the load, and environmental conditions.
