135hp enough?

[jholloway17]

I've been boating/skiing once or twice every year for about 10 years or so. I've always went with my friends who have really expensive Mastercrafts, malibus, etc etc that have all kinds of power to do anything. I'm finally looking for a boat for myself, but I'm trying to stick around the 10k-13k range. I've been looking at 17ft-19ft boats, most of which have a 3.0 135hp, but I'm really skeptical. I really doubt it would be quite enough power?? I'd like to have the option to have 2 people up on one ski sometimes, and I have no idea if that engine would cut it. Should I just not bother, and get something a bit older with a 4.3L or bigger?

Any thoughts? I'm trying to keep it newer than 2003 or so...Glastrons, Bayliners, and other cheaper boats. Any advice would be great!

 

[shorts&chanclas]

Re: 135hp enough?

I would say it depends on prop pitch, wieght/size, skills, and how many others you have or most likely don't have in your planned boat.

I would have a hard time justifying anything less than a 190hp 4.3 for the way i use a boat. I had the MPI 4.3 (220hp) in my first boat (2003 Searay 185) and with the stock stainless prop it would pull me deepwater starting on a double boot slalom ok provided i had 3 or less in the boat. It was better with a 19 pitch 4 blade.

Personnally I recommend you look for a deal on something with 190 hp or better and budget another 2 bills for a good prop in the near future.

 

[schmitty66]

Re: 135hp enough?

Our family has a 1994 17' Bowrider CrisCraft with a 3.0L OMC and use it for all water sports. The adults and kids wakeboard, we pull a single and triple tube and we waterski. I did change the prop to a get a better hole shot but lost some top end speed. There's usually 3 kids in a tube and 4 adults (and a dog)in the boat most of the time with no issues. Our lake isn't huge so we don't need a faster boat....just something we can all enjoy!

It's what ever you fell comfortable with......good luck

 

[Showtime22]

Re: 135hp enough?

I think with a 4 blade prop it would be enough. You'd want a 4 blade prop for boarding and a regular 3 blade for cruising.

The boat in my profile pic is a Santara 20.5 Ft Deep V cuddy w a 170 horse (Merc 470). Its a big boat. The sides of the interior hit me in the waist. With a 3 blade 19 pitch prop it would tow 3 boarders out of the water at once. Or haul 7 people and a boarder.

Last summer I upgraded to a V8 350 and added the 4 blade prop and was amazed at the 4 blade props performance change. It holds plane at slower speeds and does much better when turning.

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: 135hp enough?

I think it will be disappointing for you. Especially if you are used to being pulled behind competition type of boats.

I have a 20' shallow "V" boat with a carbed 4.3L OMC at 175 HP. I find it to be ok, but not as good as i want. Will be purchasing either smart tabs or a 4 blade prop in the near future. I think this will dramatically help my hole shot. (Which is where i find the boat lagging)

I would opt for more horsepower, you can always throttle back, but can't go any faster than what you have.

Keep looking around, i think you should find something decent in your price range.

Just my $0.02, hope it helps!

 

[Johnscott]

Re: 135hp enough?

i have an 07 bayline with the 3.0 135hp it does everything i need it to do there than carry 10 people. i put a tower on it and i have not had a problem with anyone being able to get out of the water. it will pull a boarder or tubes with out a problem i even pulled two kneeboarders last weekend. i would like a lil more power and if i had it to do all over again i would go with the 4.3 or larger.

 

[Showtime22]

Re: 135hp enough?

Some motors are upgradeable.

My Merc 470 had 170 Horse 4 Cylinder with a 2 Barrel carb and if I had upgraded to a 4 barrel it would have been 190 horse.

 

[ronn07]

Re: 135hp enough?

I think with a 135 and a prop with the right pitch you should be ok. If you are wanting to do competition style skiing, you will definitely want more HP in your boat.

Hope that helps.

 

[bigpoppakdog]

Re: 135hp enough?

holy crap people. 135 hp motor not enough power? Guess he wasn't specific on what he wanted it for. But, it was in the wakeboard topic, so I figure that's what he wants it for and not for moving barges on the river. Not sure what size person you others are pulling, but 135 hp is insanely enough power with a 3 blade prop. No offense, but I'm a little shocked in the recommendation that 135 would not be enough power
.

*** I guess for pulling 2 people on ski's I would have to suggest you follow the others info. I have no experience pulling two skiers at the same time.

 

[Liquid_force]

Re: 135hp enough?

Two people on slalom?
Unless they're both 150lb or less AND have excellent technique I seriously doubt a 135's going to do much for you, even with a light load.
At a little over 200 and a pretty good recreational skier I'm not automatic behind our 19' w/175hp.

 

[overload]

Re: 135hp enough?

135 is plenty for one person. Two people you will be disapointed.