When planning a day out on the water, one of the most common questions we get from renters is: “How much gas will I use?” The answer depends on a few factors, engine size, how you drive, how many people are onboard, and whether you’re just cruising or pulling a tube or skier. Here’s a practical breakdown to help you estimate fuel consumption for our pontoon, tritoon, and jet ski rentals.
Boat engines don’t burn fuel at a constant rate. The faster and harder you run the motor, the more fuel it uses. A good rule of thumb is:
Fuel burn (gallons per hour) ≈ horsepower × 0.10 at wide open throttle
But most renters don’t run at full throttle all day, so real-world usage is usually lower.
Pontoons are designed for relaxed cruising, swimming, and light towing.
• Cruising: ~2–3 gallons/hour
• Full throttle: ~5–6 gallons/hour
• Best for: Easy cruising, small groups
• Fuel tip: Very efficient if you keep speeds moderate
• Cruising: ~3–4 gallons/hour
• Full throttle: ~6–7.5 gallons/hour
• Best for: Slightly more power, still efficient
• Towing: Possible for light tubing, but increases fuel burn noticeably
• Cruising: ~4–5 gallons/hour
• Full throttle: ~10–11 gallons/hour
• Best for: Larger groups, stronger performance
• Towing: Tubing and light watersports are very doable, but expect higher fuel use
Tritoons have an extra pontoon tube for better stability and performance. These are ideal if you want speed or plan to tow riders.
• Cruising: ~5–7 gallons/hour
• Full throttle: ~14–15 gallons/hour
• Best for: Balanced performance and efficiency
• Towing: Great for tubing and beginner skiing
• Cruising: ~7–9 gallons/hour
• Full throttle: ~18–20 gallons/hour
• Best for: Strong towing power, faster cruising
• Towing: Ideal for wakeboarding and skiing
• Cruising: ~9–12 gallons/hour
• Full throttle: ~22–25 gallons/hour
• Best for: High performance, larger groups
• Towing: Excellent for all watersports
• Cruising: ~12–15 gallons/hour
• Full throttle: ~28–30 gallons/hour
• Best for: Maximum power and speed
• Towing: Effortless for tubing, skiing, kneeboarding, and wakeboarding
If you’re renting a jet ski, fuel usage is a bit different. They’re smaller but often run at higher RPMs, especially if you like speed.
• Cruising: ~3–4 gallons/hour
• Aggressive riding / full throttle: ~5–6 gallons/hour
• Best for: Casual riders, cruising, and light play
• Fuel tip: One of the more fuel-efficient jet skis if you’re not constantly at full throttle
• Cruising: ~4–6 gallons/hour
• Aggressive riding / full throttle: ~8–10+ gallons/hour
• Best for: Riders who want more speed and acceleration
• Fuel tip: High-output engine = more fun, but higher fuel consumption if you ride aggressively
Pulling a tube, skier, or wakeboarder significantly increases fuel consumption because:
• The engine works harder to get the rider out of the water
• You’ll accelerate more frequently
• Speeds are often higher and less consistent
• Tubing: Adds ~20–40% more fuel usage
• Wakeboarding / Skiing: Adds ~30–50% more fuel usage
• Multiple riders or repeated runs: Even higher consumption
For example, a 150hp tritoon cruising might use 6 gallons/hour, but while towing, it could jump to 8–10+ gallons/hour.
→ ~10–25 gallons depending on use
→ ~20–60+ gallons depending on speed and towing
→ ~10–30 gallons depending on how aggressively you ride
• Cruise at steady, moderate speeds
• Avoid full throttle unless needed
• Limit long towing sessions if you're budget-conscious
• Balance your load, too much weight increases fuel burn
• On jet skis, smooth riding (less rapid acceleration) saves a lot of fuel
• Plan your route to avoid unnecessary running time
If your goal is a relaxing cruise with family and friends, a 60hp–115hp pontoon will be the most fuel-efficient option. If you’re planning a more action-packed day with tubing or watersports, stepping up to a 150hp+ tritoon gives you the power you need, but expect higher fuel usage.
Jet skis are perfect for quick bursts of fun and exploring the lake, but keep in mind that aggressive riding can increase fuel consumption quickly and towing is not permitted on our WaveRunners.
If you’re unsure which option is right for your plans, just ask! We’re happy to help match you with the best boat or jet ski for your day on the water (and your fuel budget).
