how much power is needed for a boat

[Tragically Canuck]

Looking to buy a Hurricane GS 202 Fundeck with 150 outboard 4 stroke

Is that enough power for me to water ski behind and still have 5-6 people on the boat?
when I see a lot of comparable models with 5.0 or 5.7 i/o I'm concerned that I'm underpowered.

Thanks for the feedback

 

[rallyart]

Re: how much power is needed for a boat

If you put a second one one you'll be Golden.
With a bunch of good sized people in that set up it will take a while to get up a slalom skier. Passengers go in the bow.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: how much power is needed for a boat

Looking to buy a Hurricane GS 202 Fundeck with 150 outboard 4 stroke

Is that enough power for me to water ski behind and still have 5-6 people on the boat?
when I see a lot of comparable models with 5.0 or 5.7 i/o I'm concerned that I'm underpowered.

Thanks for the feedback

Welcome to iBoats . . . a 200 hp would be better. I think that you will be marginal with the 150 hp.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: how much power is needed for a boat

An outboard will almost always outperform an inboard or I/O of comparable horsepower. Outboards are lighter and are designed, built and tuned to perform only one task, move a boat through water.

I can't speak directly to the combination of boat/motor that you are refering to. I can say however, that my 150 HP outboard (2 stroke DI) can, has and will yank a slalom skier up without any hesitation. In fact after years of pulling people sking with i/os of moderate-low power, I have had to adjust my throttle technique with this boat. I can no longer just go from idle to full throttle and hope the skier holds on long enough to get up. Now I have to hold back from WOT and basically just glance back and see that the skier has either had their arms ripped out or popped up and is enjoying the ride.

Your experience may vary, all I can say is that a 150 HP outboard is more than capable of pulling a skier. Regarding the boat and the load you intend to carry on the boat, that can only be determined with experience.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: how much power is needed for a boat

View attachment 149713

Here is a 21 foot cuddy powered with a 140 engine. It is slightly underpowered and I am in process of attaching a 5 cylinder 150. However, with a prop change it will pull me out on a slalom ski--I just can't do 36-36 (36 MPH, 36 feet off the rope). The 150 four cycle will probably lack the low speed balls of a two cycle outboard and may have trouble pulling a skier up on one ski. It should be more than adequate for a person on two skis though and certainly should do the job for tubing.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: how much power is needed for a boat

I owned the same boat you're looking at. Mine had Yamaha F150TXR, and it is an incredible engine. I thought the power was okay. I would have preferred a 200 hp direct injection 2 stroke, or at least 200 4 stroke. The power to weight ratio with the 150 4 stroke isn't the best in my opinion especially with heavy load pulling a slalom skier...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: how much power is needed for a boat

I'd want a 200 on that boat.

 

[Philster]

Re: how much power is needed for a boat

5-6 people and skiing = 200 HP on a 21' boat.

O/B power: Measured at the prop after drivetrain losses. I/O power: Measured at the crank, before drivetrain losses

O/B vs. I/O wieght: Some HP that an I/O makes goes towards moving the extra weight it carries.

So, a 200 HP O/B is good for the job, but the 5.7 making (260?) would be the I/O equivalent.

Props: Vented props, with four blades, and of proper pitch can help a 4-stroke with planing and hole shot.

So....

200 HO outboard with a vented, 4-blade prop (preferably stainless).

Where does the OP live? High elevation sucks the power out of things.

 

[drrpm]

Re: how much power is needed for a boat

If waterskiing with a crowd on board is your intended use, then more power would be better.

 

[Sunsetrider]

Re: how much power is needed for a boat

Normally I would think folks would leave the crowd ashore while pulling skiers. No matter what size engine.