3.0L I/0 performance

[jlash]

I presently have a 16ft runabout with 75HP outboard and primarily use it for water skiing. I want to upgrade to a 17 or 18 foot runabout bowrider and noticed they mostly are 3.0L I/O's. I see very few 4.3L. My question is will the 3.0L be sufficient power for water skiing in a 18ft runabout?

 

[KCook]

Re: 3.0L I/0 performance

Depends on the design of the 18 footer. The bargain models can get away with it due to light weight (and sometimes extra wide chines). The more premium 18 footers need the 4.3L due to greater weight (and sometimes deep V bottom). Here is another thread to help - Entry level boat questions <br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[Boatist]

Re: 3.0L I/0 performance

I have a 21 foot Runabout with a 3.0L I/O 2800lb and it will pull a skier with no problem. It is a modified V with dead rise of about 20 degrees.<br /><br />However with my 19 pitch prop and no skier top speed is 38MPH. For skiing I would use my 17 pitch prop with a top speed of 35 MPH with no skier.<br /><br />So if the skier likes to ski Fast 30MPH then you would be running at full throttle. So on my boat for skiing I would want a V6 with MPI. Since I am a fisherman or cruiser 95 percent of the time I wanted the best fuel mileage so I got the 3.0L.