Help With Engine Selection

[Jerry Sanders]

I'm anout to buy a used 16'-17' ski boat about 3 - 6 years old. It will mainly be just me and my wife cruising the area lakes. We might on occasion pull a knee boarder. What size and type of engine would be best suited to this type of boat - an inboard/ outboard or an outboard? This boat will only be used a couple of times a month about eight months a year. I want something that has a good reliabilty record.<br /><br />If you recommend an inboard/outboard or an outboard, please give some reliable brands.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Jerry Sanders

 

[SeaDawg]

Re: Help With Engine Selection

Jerry, since you say the boat will be used in freshwater, I feel that both (I/O and outboard) setups will be fine, as long as they are in good shape. All brands are good and bad, you will get better answers from everyone here if you ask more specific questions.<br /><br />I would go out with my wife and find the boat that I liked, then look up the price on nada.com (or call a bank or credit union), and then either get a mechanic or trusted friend to go look at and drive the boat with me. You will then be an informed buyer, and know what you are getting into.<br /><br />If you have never owned a boat before, don't get one until you go out with friends a few times on theirs. Get them to let you drive it and coach you some. Also, take a Coast Guard course. It could save your life, even on lakes.<br /><br />I would also read a lot of these posts and look at the boating forum too.