advice needed for purchasing a ski boat

[davejnz]

After boating with me this past yr,my brother has decided to take the plunge and by a boat.He wants something he can ski behind.It will be used mainly in the freshwater lakes around Orlando,FL.He's a big guy at 220lbs as am i and he also wants the boat to be big enough for the 2 kids(6-8yr old girls).So,what kind of boat would you recommend?How much hp will he need to pull a heavy skier?Inboard or Outboard?I'm really liking the new E-tec outboards and would like to see him get a boat with an outboard -vs- inboard.So,lets here your suggestions.BTW,$16,000 is about all he wants to spend

 

[DJ]

Re: advice needed for purchasing a ski boat

$16K is probably going to land you in the used boat category, which is NOT a bad thing.<br /><br />A 16-18' boat with an engine in the 100+ HP (Outboard) range will EASILY do the job. You'll want a V-6 if going I/O.<br /><br />If looking at outbaords, get something with an engine that is at least 80% of the boats max. rated HP capacity.

 

[KCook]

Re: advice needed for purchasing a ski boat

If your lakes aren't rough and have nice ramps I would just get a direct drive inboard ski boat. $16k will easily cover a used one. Nothing better for skiing.<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[snapperbait]

Re: advice needed for purchasing a ski boat

I second the Inboard ski boat.. <br /><br />The inboards (nautique, mastercraft, ect.) are much better suited to sking and family boating, IMHO... Also, much easier to service...

 

[CATransplant]

Re: advice needed for purchasing a ski boat

I second the used boat idea. This is especially true if it's a first boat. You can buy a heckuva nice boat for $16K. Much nicer that you can buy new for that money.<br /><br />Just make sure to have it inspected by a marine surveyor. It's worth the bucks.

 

[davejnz]

Re: advice needed for purchasing a ski boat

thanks for the advice/suggestions.He was also looking at the inboard/jet drive ski boats.I've just always heard they're not very efficient compared to a prop driven outboard.

 

[KCook]

Re: advice needed for purchasing a ski boat

There are several runabouts with jet drives, not sure I would call them ski boats. Here is another thread on jets - Jet Pump vs. Conventional Prop <br /><br />Kelly

 

[murphini]

Re: advice needed for purchasing a ski boat

As long as he's looking at 16k or less, I'd recommend a V8 over the V6. In a perfect world he'd be able to find an I/O with a V-Drive--so the engine is in the rear but propeller is under the boat, vs Inboard with the engine smack dab in the middle. <br /><br />Open Bow runabouts 20' of more will give more family room than the skiboat for your brother, his kids--and of course YOU.<br /><br />Also look at I/O's in that range. <br /><br />It's all about the torque, not the horsepower, to pull a skiier up, which is why an Inboard or I/O will do better for what you want. There is no replacement for displacement.

 

[tommays]

Re: advice needed for purchasing a ski boat

there is NOTHING more trouble free than a correct craft STYLE mid engine ski boat<br /><br />they leave the factory in balance dont need trim tabs , can pull a wake boarder at 2200 rpm ,stay dead stright through a salom corse<br /><br />they also use much less gas during water sports because they dont need to run at high rpm compared to other types of drives<br /><br />on the other hand they make really bad fishing boats <br /><br />so it depends on what you do most<br /><br />tommays

 

[DaveM]

Re: advice needed for purchasing a ski boat

Yup, if the primary purpose is to waterski, you can't beat a tournament ski boat. They are not so good in rough water, but then who would want to go skiing in a heavy chop.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: advice needed for purchasing a ski boat

Do all of you a favor. Florida is loaded with water sking boat clubs. Find the nearest one on the web search. See, ride and buy locally. They always help another boater and skier.

 

[salty87]

Re: advice needed for purchasing a ski boat

for water sports, especially with kids...inboard. the prop is out of the way and there's a nice swim platform to put gear on and climb out of the water. plus the power of a v8.<br /><br />your brother should test drive all 3 though and make up his mind. he should also bring his vest, ski or wakeboard, and rope and get a pull behind each of them. there's really no other way to get that perspective than jump in and ride.