HP

[claude wistaff]

I'm looking at buying a 16.5' aluminum fish'n ski boat with a 75hp merc. opti.
Is this motor strong enough to pull slalom skier/wakeboarder?
Boat weight is app. 1400lbs.
Merc. claims the opti has excellent hole shot.
Thanks

 

[lombard]

Re: HP

In high school a buddy and I used to ski behind a 24' pontoon with a 90hp merc on it. He was a big fella (220lb) and used to slalom behind it.

I'd guess that you'll be fine.

 

[DaveM]

Re: HP

What are your main activities planned for that boat? I am guessing that you are more into fishing than skiing. That 75 HP will be barely adequate in my opinion. Perhaps you ought to try before you buy.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: HP

75 on a fish n ski aluminum, will be fine. we use to ski with 3/8 plywood fishing boat with a 1950's 15 hp evinrude.

 

[DaveM]

Re: HP

75 on a fish n ski aluminum, will be fine. we use to ski with 3/8 plywood fishing boat with a 1950's 15 hp evinrude.

You are correct that this setup will work. It all depends on how serious this guy is when it comes to slalom skiing.

I learned to ski behind a 12 foot row boat with a 25 Hp tiller. Now I use a competition ski with front and rear boots and refuse to be pulled by anything other than a tournament ski boat (this means I don't ski behind my own boat!) at a constant 34 MPH.

I could be wrong as I have no experience with an opti. I did, however, ski behind my father's 16' deep V aluminum with a 70 hp merc. WOT it could only muster about 29 MPH. A friend's 16 deep V aluminum, 80 hp merc. did better, but it was still WOT skiing for slalom.

I suggest taking the boat out for a spin.