Carefree Boat Sales Made Headlines for Running Real Outboard Performance Trials on Lake Lanier

Back in December 2020, Carefree Boat Sales did something that boat dealers almost never do: we put our money where our mouth is and ran a full, independent outboard performance trial right here on Lake Lanier.

Lakeside News — the go-to local publication for everything happening on and around Lake Lanier — covered the event in a feature written by senior writer Pamela A. Keene. You can read the original Lakeside News article here.

Why We Did It

Every week, customers walk into our dealership and ask the same question: how much difference does an extra 50 or 100 horsepower actually make?

It's a fair question — and for years, the honest answer was that nobody had tested it properly. Manufacturers publish their own numbers. Boating media runs limited tests with two people aboard. Neither reflects how real families actually use their boats.

David Rothwell, owner of Carefree Boat Sales, decided to change that.

"When you compare outboards from four different manufacturers at the same horsepower, all on the same model boat, you'd be surprised at the difference."

How the Trials Worked

Over two days in early December 2020, we brought together outboard and propeller manufacturers for a structured, head-to-head test on Big Creek on Lake Lanier, in front of Holiday and Lazy Days marinas.

Here's what we tested:

• 12 brand-new Premier Tritoons — all the same model, so the only variable was the engine
• Three horsepower levels — 250 hp, 300 hp, and 350 hp
• Four engine brands — Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Mercury
• Twin-engine setups up to 700 horsepower
• Real-world weight loads — two people, six people, and twelve people aboard

Certified drivers ran each boat through a slalom course, documenting maneuverability, fuel efficiency, acceleration, and top speed under each configuration. The weather was brisk and clear both days — ideal conditions for consistent data.

What We Found

The results confirmed what experienced boaters have long suspected but rarely had the data to prove: not all 300 hp motors are created equal. Depending on the brand, you might get better handling, less noise, more fuel efficiency, quicker acceleration, or higher top speed — sometimes at the same horsepower rating.

As David put it:

"People don't understand just how much it costs to go fast. Now that we've done this testing, boat and motor dealers will have more data to share with consumers as they make their purchases."

The complete results were published in Pontoon and Deck Boat magazine, a national publication covering the boating industry — giving the data a reach well beyond Lake Lanier.

Why This Matters for Buyers Today

That testing is part of why we talk to customers differently than most dealers. When you ask us whether the Honda BF350 is worth the upgrade over a 300 hp motor, we're not guessing. We ran the numbers on Lake Lanier with real boats, real loads, and real conditions.

It's also why we've been Honda Marine's Premier Partner since 2014 and earned the Honda Top Dealer Award for the BF350 V8 on a pontoon. We don't just sell these engines — we've tested them against the competition and know what they deliver.

If you're shopping for a pontoon or tritoon and want straight answers about engine performance, come see us at Carefree Boat Sales on Lake Lanier. We'll tell you exactly what the data shows — and put you on the water to feel it for yourself.

Browse our Lake Lanier inventory or schedule an on-water demo.