Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power

[DemoDick]

Hey all I have been looking for a good used Fish and Ski for about 10k

I do not think this should be an impossible task, but am looking for some advice.

I am currently thinking about this Nitro 185 sport.

Is 115 enough power for this boat?

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2002-NITRO-185-Sport-98689802

 

[blifsey]

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

My 19' bay boat is pushed about 42 to 45 with a 115hp. Depends on what speed you would be happy with. Some folks that do bass tournaments feel need to run 50, 60 or more to cover more water in a short tournament time and would want a 150hp on it. One rule of thumb is at least 75% of max HP rating.

 

[DemoDick]

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

I will never fish a tourney, this is more for taking the kids out and pulling tubes, swimming off otf it and looking for a bass or two.

I will often ahve 2 adults and 2 kids in the boat though and I assume wieght matters??

 

[blifsey]

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Yes, weight will both reduce top speed and increase your time to get on plane but should still be OK. You might need to run a prop setup for watersports to help get on & stay on plane at lower speeds for tubing.

That boat is probably only rated for 5 or 6 persons so keep that in mind. Back in 2000, we had a 17-1/2 ft fish and ski rated for 5 (IIRC) and our kids began wanting to bring friends along. We ended up moving to a 20' bowrider rated for 10. If you can find a good deal on a 20' fish and ski, it might give you capacity for each child to bring a friend...if you think that would ever be important.

Also, I see you are in Atlanta, any thoughts on what lakes you will be visiting? With the crowd I've seen on my few trips to Allatoona, a 18' fish and ski could be a scary ride during middle of a weekend day.

 

[DemoDick]

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Thanks for the info. I live exactly 2 miles from Lanier. The kids are very yound(both under 4 now) so it will be afew years before they bring friends.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

The 115 is plenty of hp for boats in the 17-19ft range for the type of use you're describing. The nitro is a nice boat too.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

I think Lanier is big enough you can find nice uncrowded areas toward the north end...at least that is what I've read on different forums. There are some big boats on south end that can throw up big wakes and get water pretty choppy.

One thing to keep in mind with very young kids, you will want an adult spotter in boat with you. Are your kids old enough and adventurous to tube alone or will you need an adult with them? You might find need for a 3rd adult (or older, responsible teenager) or it might be a few years before you want to try the tubing. My son was probably 5 or 6 when he started tubing alone. I've seen some that look younger on deep donut style tubes.

 

[DemoDick]

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Well my daughter age 4 would probably skydive she is so crazy, but it will be awhile till mom would let her alone. She went to ISR and has been able to swim across an Olympic sized pool since 2.5 with nothing but a swimsuit.

Now that said to me safety is paramount so we already have a really good life jacket that she wears when she is on grandpa's boat at all times. If we find a nice spot for lunch we let her go in the water supervised without.

It will be a few years till they are going solo.

I am not super concerned about speed I just want the boat to be able to pull a tube and get on plane with a few people in it. If the boat will hit 40mph with me and a buddy in it to go fishing I would be perfectly happy.

 

[444]

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Don't take much power to pull a tube. And 20-25mph on a tube feels fast!

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

For your stated use, I think the 115 would be fine. When we were looking for our boat, we test drove a Nitro 185 with the 115 and it was really pretty nice. Unfortunately, the boat we took out just before (Nitro 188) had a 200 on it, so we were biased with the power. We ended up with the procraft and 200 optimax, but honestly if I hadn't driven the two back to back, I wouldn't have any problem with the 185/115 combo. I think you'd be happy with it.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

That looks like a super nice boat and should be great for your intended usage. Price seem pretty fair also.

 

[DemoDick]

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Picked her up today.

Boat was in great shape and I cannot say enough good things about the folks I bought it from.

http://boatsalesofwylie.com/index.htm

Not only where they completely honest about the condition of the boat sending me very accurate pictures and really detailing the "bad" spots so there were no suprises.

On top of that my truck alternator wend bad when I got there and they hooked me up and helped out with getting a new one on while there.

Nice guys.

 

[emoney]

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Congrats and just in time for the holiday weekend. Be safe and have fun!

 

[blifsey]

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Congrats! Hope you enjoy it. We don't get to Lanier very often but maybe will run into sometime (not literally of course )

 

[DemoDick]

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Congrats! Hope you enjoy it. We don't get to Lanier very often but maybe will run into sometime (not literally of course )

Yes please do not run ome, just honk and wave

 

[HiGrafX]

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power.

Wow, great post, i have the same question, i'm picking up a 2005 Nitro 189 Sport with the 115 tomorrow, i will use it the same as above and i was a little concerned about the HP. But after reading this i think i will be very happy with it.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power

plenty. I have a 17' Key West Dual Console (fish n ski desiong, really) with a 70 and it has served our family very well. Fast enough and strong enough for water sports.

You will not want to use that boat on open water where it may get rough.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Looking for a used Fish and Ski question about power

I'm gonna be a dissenter on this one. We had a 17' bass boat with the Merc 115 and I hated that thing. Couldn't get out of it's own way, much less pull up a 200lbs guy on slolam without undue hardship, lol. We grew up using a 17' trihull w/90HP Johnson and I swear that engine would out-do the Merc 115. Personally, I would try to find a 150HP version for an 18ft boat as a minimum. Heck, 18ft runabouts (I/O's) usually have at least 180-200HP in general, so while the f-n-s might be a bit lighter with less draft, I'd still want at least 150HP.