HMX Unmatched Performance

Starcraft HMX Performance Package — Ski Boat Personality, Pontoon Versatility

Thanks to Starcraft’s advancements in pontoon performance, you no longer have to choose between the freedom of a pontoon and the thrill of a ski boat. The HMX Performance Package transforms how your pontoon handles the water — sharper turns, faster planing, higher top-end speeds, and the kind of response that lets you dig in and pivot back to a downed skier without missing a beat.

Pair it with a higher horsepower engine and you’ll feel an exhilaration most people never thought possible on a pontoon.

What is the Starcraft HMX Performance Package?

The HMX Performance Package is Starcraft’s engineered upgrade for pontoon boats that delivers ski-boat-level handling and speed. It combines specially shaped performance strakes welded to the pontoon tubes with optional PR25 or PR20 center tube configurations to dramatically improve lift, reduce drag, and tighten cornering.

In plain terms: it makes your pontoon faster, more responsive, and capable of pulling skiers, wakeboarders, and tubers like a dedicated sport boat — while keeping every bit of the lounging, entertaining, and family-friendly space that drew you to pontoons in the first place.

What do HMX Performance Strakes actually do?

HMX Performance Strakes are precision-engineered fins running along the pontoon tubes. They change the way water flows around the hull, which delivers five real-world benefits:

• More lift — the boat rides higher on the water instead of plowing through it
• Less surface drag — less tube touching water means less resistance
• Higher top speed — less drag plus more lift equals more MPH from the same horsepower
• Faster planing — you get on plane quickly instead of struggling to climb out of the hole, which matters a lot when pulling skiers or a loaded boat
• Tighter turning radius — sharp, confident cornering so you can pivot fast and circle back

That last point is what separates an HMX pontoon from a standard pontoon when watersports are part of your day on the water.

What’s the difference between the PR25 and PR20 center tubes?

Both are performance center tube options designed to work with HMX Performance Strakes, and both include an integrated ski pylon — meaning you have a built-in tow point rated for skiing, tubing, and wakeboarding without needing aftermarket hardware.

The difference comes down to your engine choice:

• PR25 — built for a 25-inch transom height, designed for engines with a 25″ shaft length
• PR20 — built for a 20-inch transom height, designed for engines with a 20″ shaft length

Most higher horsepower outboards run a 25″ shaft, so the PR25 pairs with the bigger engines that take full advantage of the HMX package. Your Starcraft dealer can help you match the right tube configuration to the engine you want.

Can a Starcraft HMX pontoon really pull a skier?

Yes — and that’s exactly what it’s built for. The combination of HMX Performance Strakes, a PR25 or PR20 performance center tube with integrated ski pylon, and a properly matched higher horsepower engine gives you the holeshot, top speed, and tight cornering needed for slalom skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, and kneeboarding.

The integrated ski pylon is the detail that often gets overlooked. It’s a structural tow point engineered into the boat, not a clip-on accessory, which means it can handle the loads watersports put on a tow.

How fast can an HMX pontoon go?

Top speed depends on the engine you choose, your load, and water conditions, but with a high horsepower outboard the HMX package puts pontoon performance into territory that competes with traditional runabouts. The strakes and performance tube configuration are what unlock the engine’s potential — the same horsepower on a standard pontoon won’t deliver the same speed or handling.

For specific performance numbers on a particular Starcraft model and engine combination, talk to your local dealer about a test run.

Why choose an HMX pontoon over a traditional ski boat?

If you’re torn between buying a ski boat for the kids and a pontoon for the family, the HMX package was designed to end that debate. You get:

• The deck space, seating, and lounging room of a pontoon
• The shade of a Bimini and the comfort of plush furniture
• A swim platform and easy water access
• Watersports-grade performance from the strakes, performance tube, and ski pylon
• Family-friendly versatility that a 21-foot ski boat just can’t match

One boat. Tow the kids in the morning. Cruise at sunset. Anchor out for the afternoon with friends and a cooler.

What Starcraft models offer the HMX Performance Package?

The HMX Performance Package is available across several Starcraft pontoon model lines. Specific configurations and availability vary by model year, so the best move is to check with your authorized Starcraft dealer for current options on the model you’re interested in.

Built in Indiana since 1903

Starcraft has been building boats in northern Indiana since 1903 — that’s over 120 years of know-how poured into every weld, every tube, and every performance package we put on the water. The HMX system reflects what happens when a multigenerational, family-owned boatbuilder keeps pushing what a pontoon can do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the HMX Performance Package an upgrade or standard on Starcraft pontoons? It’s a performance upgrade you select when configuring your boat. Standard pontoons are available without it, but choosing HMX is what unlocks the ski-boat handling.

Do I need a tri-toon to get HMX performance? The HMX strakes and PR25/PR20 center tubes are designed to work together as a performance tri-toon configuration. The third tube plus the strakes is what produces the lift and handling characteristics.

What size engine should I pair with HMX? Higher horsepower delivers the full HMX experience. Your dealer can recommend the right engine package based on the Starcraft model you choose and how you plan to use the boat.

Can I add the HMX package to a pontoon I already own? No — HMX is built into the boat during manufacturing. It’s selected when you order a new Starcraft pontoon.

Is the ski pylon strong enough for wakeboarding? Yes. The integrated ski pylon on PR25 and PR20 center tubes is engineered as a structural tow point for skiing, tubing, kneeboarding, and wakeboarding.