four winns 170 115 hp outboard

[jdwilson73]

I need to know if a 115 HP outboard will pull skiers easy, or will it struggle for power

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: four winns 170 115 hp outboard

How big are the skiers and are they doing deep water slolam or just using two skis? I am 6ft/215lbs and *have* gotten up on a 67" slolam behind a 17ft bass boat with a 115 Merc, but I definitely had to drag a while to get up. The boat wouldn't plane until I got on plane with the ski which is a bad situation to be in. However, when I used a 72" slolam, I could get up without too much issue.

Using two skis, I have pulled people weighing as much as 240lbs up. So it's really all in who you're towing. I also never propped down to get a better hole shot, so that can always be done as well.

I'd say your fine unless you want to start getting serious with slolam/wakeboarding, but you should be looking at an entirely different boat at that point.

 

[convergent]

Re: four winns 170 115 hp outboard

I have a 115 Merc on a 17.5' fish and ski and I've pulled my kids with no problem at all. They way up to about 160. I tried pulling my daughter's boyfriend who is about 215 (he says... maybe more) and never skied before. It took about 5 or 6 attempts and we finally got him out of the water be he was so worn out he couldn't ski. I think the boat was contributing but it was more him not being able to bend into a ball not knowing what to do. I am going to be trying to deep water slalom behind it soon and that should be a challenge... I haven't done it in over 10 years and I weight about 190.

 

[SeanT]

Re: four winns 170 115 hp outboard

That should be fine for skiing behind. As people already pointed out, unless they are experienced or just really strong, overall it's easier to start on two skis.

 

[riptide09]

Re: four winns 170 115 hp outboard

I have the same boat, 170 Freedom with 115 HP OB. No problems towing my brother in law who is 6' 225 lbs. One caveat, the boat was re-propped from 14x19 to 13.25x17 before I got it. I like the 13.25x17 so I never changed it.

 

[daveytheone]

Re: four winns 170 115 hp outboard

I ski behind my 85HP Merc no problem and I'm 6' 180lbs. I drag for 10-15' out of deep water, but it helps to have a driver that knows what they're doing too. A 115HP should be no problem.

 

[BoomerSooner]

Re: four winns 170 115 hp outboard

I have an outboard on a 17.5ft Carlson Bowrider, as seen in the picture. Get a 4 blade prop. Best investment for pulling skiers. You will lose a little top end but the hole shot pulling skiers will be significantly different. I have a 4 blade Solas Amita, $102 shipped from Iboats. Worth every penny.

 

[slalomskiing31]

Re: four winns 170 115 hp outboard

I have an outboard on my sea ray 185 outboard with a mercury 115 efi fourstroke. It has not struggled for power when towing anyone. It's lighter then the 3.0 liter by a mile so that's where it makes up for power over the 135hp. I