Horsepower help . . . or how do i get my butt out of the water?

[wierdna]

I am looking to purchase our first boat. My wife and I love to ski and tube. this will just be a family type boat, we aren't looking to compete, but how much do i need to get my 6'4" 235lb frame up on skis?

 

[flatskiff]

Re: Horsepower help . . . or how do i get my butt out of the water?

1000HP just guessing?

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Horsepower help . . . or how do i get my butt out of the water?

Hi Wierdna<br /><br />Welcome to the best boating board in the northern and southern hemispheres.<br /><br />It makes a big difference whether you're talking about starting on single or double skis. Starting on a single ski requires a lot more grunt from the boat.<br /><br />You're not too much heavier than me - I'm 6'2" and 209 lbs. I have no trouble what so ever starting on double skis (I don't do single ski!) from my boat which is moderately powered - 115hp Evinrude on a 19' Fibreglass Cuddy Cabin (boat's max HP is 150). That includes having 2 or 3 people in the boat too. I'm sure my boat could tow you without a problem.<br /><br />Water skiing is always best with as much HP as you can afford. The more the better - especially if you want to use a single ski or have more than one skier up. My point is that you don't have to go too far over the top for your size (unless you want to). <br /><br />Just my 2 cents...

 

[Franki]

Re: Horsepower help . . . or how do i get my butt out of the water?

There are heaps of variables in place here..<br /><br />1. the boat, fiberglass or Aluminiun? the former is way heaver then the later.. so it will need considerably more power to tow you.. <br />2. Weight overall, how loaded is your boat gonna be? fuel, people, fishing gear, that sort of stuff... the more weight, the less speed and takeoff.. <br /><br />Hull design.. some are fast, some are not.. depends how much water it displaces (or has to push out of the way) when its moving.. the more it moves, the more power required to do it.<br /><br />So as you see, its sortof hard to guess.. it would help if you had a boat model/type to base this on..<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank<br /><br />(having said that, I've seen people sking behind a 60 hp on an aluminiun, and I suspect that my 100HP will pull me up on a 17 foot FB halfcabin.. which is very narrow, flat hull and shallow nose.. and I am 6 foot 4 as well, (247 pounds).

 

[skier]

Re: Horsepower help . . . or how do i get my butt out of the water?

If I were you, I would get a 16'(Minimun)17' - 18' and max out on the HP. You might not always need all that power, but the few times you do you will lick yourself if you don't have it.<br /><br />Just my theory on boat power.<br /><br />Craig

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Horsepower help . . . or how do i get my butt out of the water?

A good word of advice. I have been sking behing many boats. IF you go with an inboard/Outboard try to go with the 160Hp or better. The 140 (4 cylinders) will pull a heavy skier but it has to work hard. For an outboard I would suggest 100HP or better. Remember, with wife family friends then add a skier the boat will be working hard. You can always ski at a moderate thottle and get more speed/power if the motor is big enough.<br /><br />Bob

 

[bp21]

Re: Horsepower help . . . or how do i get my butt out of the water?

here here to the boys above...they all know what they are talking about. If I were you, a 115 hp would be as low as I'd go. I ski and tube a lot in the summer time (6'0" 210) and I have a 17' Nitro with a 90. It has no problem pulling me up with two or three people in the boat but it seems that in rougher water I could use a 115. I think you would be safe in that hp range. That'll be 2 cents please.

 

[dhammann]

Re: Horsepower help . . . or how do i get my butt out of the water?

It all depends on well you ski also. People were sking 40 years ago when less than 85hp was the norm. I got a very heavy boat with 3.0 four banger and it does just fine, plus it is economical and practical. I am a heavy person and usually have 3 other people in the boat and have still been able to pull my son-in-law on one ski. People seem to get hung up on this quest for power, for example we cut our grass now with 24Hp riding mowers, used to do it for years with 11hp with the same results. Remember the Hoover Dam ( one of the 7 wonders of the world) was built with 4 bangers.

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Horsepower help . . . or how do i get my butt out of the water?

Very good point Big Dee. <br /><br />I learnt to ski behind a 15' F/G runabout with a 1967 Evinrude Big Twin 40hp. I think the skis were a little wider back then than they are now - which helped.

 

[lilharryjr]

Re: Horsepower help . . . or how do i get my butt out of the water?

This is my first time on this post and the above are all right on (great post site)...despite my display name I'm no little guy either 6'2"/ 255 and I could get up on two on my 17' Chrysler w a 30 yr old 85 hp Johnson, but getting up on one was impossible. This year I bought an I/O w/ 190 and this should do the trick just fine...Although I am just about to do a post concerning prop pitch...

 

[Deeps]

Re: Horsepower help . . . or how do i get my butt out of the water?

Since we are on the subject...<br /><br />I have a Merc 85hp on a fiberglass tri-hull. I haven't had it long and have not attempted to ski with it yet. I would like to do some water skiing this summer and am about to purchase some ski equipment. Do you think I will be able to pull a skier without any problems with my boat setup?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Horsepower help . . . or how do i get my butt out of the water?

I'm running an 85 Johnson on a tri hull and it will pull a skier w/o problem. There are a few things to consider: Is the skier experianced? Getting a experianced skier out of the water is ALLOT easier then a nocvice. Pulling a skier on a single ski out does take more power. Is the motor mounted with tilt and trim? W/O T & T my boat would definitely struggle more to pull a skier out. My general rule is to even pull a good skier out on 2 skis and let them drop one. Saves on the stress on my boat. Personal opinion.<br /><br />Bob

 

[Alrobot]

Re: Horsepower help . . . or how do i get my butt out of the water?

Gotta put my .02 in. I have a 17' Galaxy tri-hull. Its an older, heavy one. It has 190 Horses under the cover. It won't break any speed records, but it manages to pull my 6'2", 285# frame out of the water. I ski on a short lake so I have to turn alot, the 190 keeps it up on plane and a steady speed great. That is another variable to look at, will you need to turn a lot.<br /><br />Al...

 

[NathanY]

Re: Horsepower help . . . or how do i get my butt out of the water?

I have to disagree with most of the guys on this subject, I have been skiing for years on the back of my 1970 Ranger with a 50 Johnson and I weigh 265. It is not the motor per say, it is the prop. A good four blade prop will get your boat out of the hole and make sure that you motor is not set too high. Also a Hydrofoil is good to add to an outboard ski boat.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Horsepower help . . . or how do i get my butt out of the water?

The point of needing power is when the skier is to be pulled up and at the same time the boat is going to get on plane. With a good skier he'll be out of the water before the boat and the motor copes with one task at the time. Once up and running the need for thrust is much less.<br /><br />In most cases the prop needed for pulling up (low pitch) will make your motor over-rev on top once planning thus forcing you to reduce throttle.<br /><br />If the extra resistance from the skier only makes a small portion of the total displacement, the boat/motor hardly notices it.<br />A light boat with a flat bottom will plan easier but may have handling problems when the skier pulls out on the side etc.<br /><br />Thinking about the investment, a good starting point will be a reasonably sized boat with at least a moderate V-hull. Close to the max. rated HP and a prop pitched down to provide quick planning rather than top speed.

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Horsepower help . . . or how do i get my butt out of the water?

This thread has included a lot of factors that affect your waterski towing performance. I think they are all correct - which means a complex answer to your question Wiedna. BUT, you only need to consider ALL of these factors if your chosen boat is at the slower end of the scale. Most moderately experienced skiiers and boaters can take a quick look at a boat and (in most cases!) simply "know" whether it will work for skiing or not.<br /><br />Here's a list of the factors discussed. I hope others will add to it if I leave anything out...<br /><br />Engine HP and type<br />Weight of the boat (including contents)<br />Design of the hull<br />Fibreglass or Aluminium or... etc<br />Prop Pitch<br />Weight of the skiier<br />How many skiers at once (more than one?)<br />One ski or two<br />Water surface area of the skis (wide or narrow)<br />Skill of the skier<br />(Skill of the boat driver)<br />Starting method (drop a ski or start on one)<br />Water & weather conditions<br /><br />Wierdna, I hope this list doesn't make it look too complicated. I notice that a large number of the posts are describing different boats & setups that WILL work for you.<br /><br />Have fun and good luck!

 

[Alrobot]

Re: Horsepower help . . . or how do i get my butt out of the water?

Wow, I wonder if I have the right boat now. I just found one I liked the look of and recognized the name. Make sure you are not settling for a boat just because it has more power than the last one you liked. Make sure YOU are happy with what you choose. There is nothing worse than having to try to sell a boat you don't like to look for one like you saw last week. Remember also that when you don't want to sell you will have people throwing money at you, but when you are trying to get rid of one to get another, you can't give it away.

 

[butlp]

Re: Horsepower help . . . or how do i get my butt out of the water?

I agree with all above! <br />I think you have to consider who is going to ski behind the boat and their experience. A good skier can deep water start on a single ski behind a 40 hp, but it's not a lot of fun!<br />I started on a 15' with 55 Yam and over the years peaked at a 235 O/B on a 19' which would pull a 4 skiers with 4/5 people in the boat. <br />Now with three of my own and half of the kids on the lake wanting to ski & tube, my 16' with 90 Yam does a great job for now and is economical. <br />I personally would not buy a ski boat without a ski pole and at least skiing behind it to make sure it performs and meets my minimum requirements.

 

[bcbob]

Re: Horsepower help . . . or how do i get my butt out of the water?

Hi, Being an avid waterskier I thought I would through in my 2 cents worth. Are looking to ski recreationaly or do you want to go for bear! Easy skiing, double or single go at least with a 115hp or larger on a 18' boat. My family has a 18' Canaventure Bowrider with a 115 Yammy and both my brothers are 6'2" ,210-230lb and can get up behind it in fact I'm a little light at 6' 180 and I can barefoot behind it. It is a little light and could use some more horses. My nephew has a Ski Natique 351 hi/po Bowrider Great for footing, wakeboarding, and skiing. The swim grid really makes it easy for putting on skis and teaching. They are a little on the heavy side which makes it more difficult to trailer and more expensive, mind you in the States older tournament boats are a dime a dozen. My brother inlaw has an 18' Dbl Eagle with a 140hp Rude (Deep V) great for the chuck and fishing but a lousy ski boat. I just bought 93 Wellcraft Excell from the repo yard needs work but I'm into it, anyway I think I'll put a 115 to 125 on it should do 40/45mph, fairly flat bottom and wider beam which is better for single skiing(boat dosen't rock as much from side to side when you cut hard)Plan to do some wake boarding but will probably need a water bladder to create a larger ramp. Bottom line, about an 17-19'bowrider great for hauling around those pesky " I wanna go in the boat kids" (and won't interfere with the ski rope or your vision of the skiier in your mirror) 115-135hp depends what you can afford, definetly get a ski pylon or ski bar( moves the weight further to the front of the boat)and is easier to control. All in all still a good boat for cruising the beach or the chuck under calmer conditions. This is probably to much info but what the hey it's my 2 cents worth.

 

[DaveM]

Re: Horsepower help . . . or how do i get my butt out of the water?

I can never pass up an opportunity to give an opinion! I would recommend getting the right boat for what you want to do. If you are mainly getting the boat for skiing, then get a ski boat. Get something else if you want to also take happy hour cruises, fish, etc. Engine size is really relative.<br /><br />Examples: My entire family has skied behind my dad's aluminum fishing boat with an 80 hp Merc. (not much fun though). My brother's 20' Malibu Echelon with its 5.7L V8 could not pop me up on 1 ski even though I am 6' 170# (no technique). The low end torque of my Wellcraft Excel with a 4.3L V6 pops me up like a cork, but my brother refuses to ski behind it (he prefers nothing less than a competition ski boat).<br /><br />You didn't say whether you were going new or used. If money is the issue, I would get a used boat that was the right boat before a new boat that came close.<br /><br />Enjoy the water!