Absolutely, there’s more to a great day on the water than just horsepower numbers. It’s like obsessing over car engine specs without considering the pothole-filled roads you’ll be driving on-completely misses the point. Hull design can make the difference between slicing through waves like a hot knife through butter or bouncing around like a popcorn kernel in the microwave.
And don’t get me started on load and water conditions! Every extra cheeseburger you packed for the trip can impact fuel efficiency, speed, and handling. Two boats with the same 260-horsepower engine can feel as different as night and day thanks to these factors.
Educating newcomers is key. We should be encouraging them to consider the whole package-boat design, intended use, local water conditions-when shopping for an engine. After all, nobody wants to be “that” person stuck puttering around while the rest of the gang is zooming past them on the lake!