Looking for my first ski boat

[infx708]

While I wait to rebuild the floor of my '81 Sea Nymph, I've been looking at something a bit more sporty. My kids are now 10 and 12 and like to go fast. I'm looking for a bowrider in the $3k to 9K range. Needs to pull a heavy skier - might have another shot at it, at 51. I want to avoid wood as much as possible, and definitely nothing structural. Any recommendations on years/brands to look at or avoid?

 

[redneck joe]

any old starcraft since you know metal boats. My 18 CC can take a 115, i'm thinking about 45 to 50 top end if i had that.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Any fiberglass boat older than 15 years is considered a project unless proven otherwise

Your budget if 3-9k is low that is primarily project territory unless it's a tinny

Since you want to avoid wood, stick with a tinny

Because even today, many boats still have wood

With the right prop, you can even ski behind a 3.0 or 50hp outboard

 

[Chris1956]

I think you want an OB powered boat 18' or under, with a 125HP or larger motor. You want a boat that puts out a minimum wake, so a flatter stern area is better for that. I would not get hung up about the amount of wood in the boat. It is more about condition and design. Not all boats automatically fail at 15 years.

You will want to go about 32- 36MPH for slalom skiing, and may want to speed up a bit occasionally, to have some fun. You can ski on two at much lower speeds, but slalom is a much better time.

My 16 footer with a 135HP Merc is pretty good for skiing. I can run the same prop (21P) for skiing and high speed, because of the power and hull design.

 

[infx708]

After getting a better green light from the boss, I'm upping the limit to $16k. That change things?

 

[redneck joe]

always

 

[Texasmark]

any old starcraft since you know metal boats. My 18 CC can take a 115, i'm thinking about 45 to 50 top end if i had that.

And while you are at it, put a "ported" SS prop on that 115 to get the best of both worlds you mention. I had an original Mercury Laser (they have a Laser II now also) ported SS prop on my first 115, a "tower of power". I got pulled up on slalom just fine and 50 MPH on the other end was not a problem. In reality, the 50 was alone, not expected on skiing excursions. I think I recall a 19P but you'd have to figure out what would be your best pitch for you.

 

[redneck joe]

After getting a better green light from the boss, I'm upping the limit to $16k. That change things?

so to clarify, $16k is better than $4-9k. That said....

Do not creep up in the project boats class. $16k will find you a glass boat that looks all pretty but will still need work at a minimum or worse a structural rebuild. $16k will also find you a solid aluminum boat that all you have to worry about is the usual when dealing with items that have spark plugs in them.

what part of the country are you in?

 

[matt167]

$16k should buy a decent mid 2000’s to early teens bowrider but it’s going to be hard to find one with more than a 4.3L

 

[Chris1956]

A stern drive is not usually a good choice or a ski boat. They are 1100 pounds or so, causing the boat to put out a larger wake.

An OB will be less than half that weight, have plenty of power and produce a smaller wake. Anyone who cuts across the wake on skis will appreciate the smaller wake.

 

[infx708]

so to clarify, $16k is better than $4-9k. That said....

Do not creep up in the project boats class. $16k will find you a glass boat that looks all pretty but will still need work at a minimum or worse a structural rebuild. $16k will also find you a solid aluminum boat that all you have to worry about is the usual when dealing with items that have spark plugs in them.

what part of the country are you in?

NC. I'm not seeing any aluminum ski boats for sale within 500 miles. I'm not sure what brands fit that description. We're only going to be using it on lakes.

 

[infx708]

A stern drive is not usually a good choice or a ski boat. They are 1100 pounds or so, causing the boat to put out a larger wake.

An OB will be less than half that weight, have plenty of power and produce a smaller wake. Anyone who cuts across the wake on skis will appreciate the smaller wake.

I'm seeing 200hp I/Os and only about 115 on the OBs, if I can find one. I prefer an OB from a maintenance perspective. Trying to find a 4-stroke has been equally difficult. I was thinking about an older Mastercraft or Ski Nautique as well.

 

[Scott Danforth]

a dedicated ski boat requires deep water as they draw a bit for the rudder and prop. remember that when you are looking at older mastercrafts or ski nautiques. They also are extremely specific to skiing. they will pull up to a dozen skiers right up to 35mph..... no more. boats like the ProStar or MariStar would be good boats if you find a well cared for one as your budget has you looking at 25-30 year old examples of well-cared for ski boats.

I personally like 2-strokes over 4-strokes when it comes to outboards, however that is my preference.

as far as dedicated ski boats, you wont find one in aluminum. you will find bow riders though. Most can be skied behind, pull a tube, go fishing, go cruising, etc.

there are older dedicated outboard ski boats such as Switzercraft Hugger, Hustler, HydroStream, etc. these are found in one of 3 conditions. Needing a lot of work, Pristine, and claimed pristine, but needing a lot of work. They have balsa cored hulls, so consider most of them a project

 

[infx708]

a dedicated ski boat requires deep water as they draw a bit for the rudder and prop. remember that when you are looking at older mastercrafts or ski nautiques. They also are extremely specific to skiing. they will pull up to a dozen skiers right up to 35mph..... no more. boats like the ProStar or MariStar would be good boats if you find a well cared for one as your budget has you looking at 25-30 year old examples of well-cared for ski boats.

I personally like 2-strokes over 4-strokes when it comes to outboards, however that is my preference.

as far as dedicated ski boats, you wont find one in aluminum. you will find bow riders though. Most can be skied behind, pull a tube, go fishing, go cruising, etc.

there are older dedicated outboard ski boats such as Switzercraft Hugger, Hustler, HydroStream, etc. these are found in one of 3 conditions. Needing a lot of work, Pristine, and claimed pristine, but needing a lot of work. They have balsa cored hulls, so consider most of them a project

Why do you prefer the 2 stroke over the 4 stroke? I learned to ski behind a 2 stroke from the 60s in our Scout troop back in '90. Then next time I was behind a boat was in 94 and my dad had a jetboat. I didn't have any issues with that one either. I'm told it is supposed to be rough, but at 19, I didn't notice. I just remember the 2-strokes being loud. The 50 on my Sea Nymph is loud too. I haven't been on an I/O boat.

 

[Chris1956]

Dedicated ski boats are best for serious skiing. They have direct drive or Vee drive with large inboard motors. They are geared down to skiing speed at WOT, giving great acceleration. For the rest of us mortals a recreational boat is best. If the kids want to ski, and plan to ski well, get something light with a relatively flat aft section and a bit more power than is stock.

 

[redneck joe]

a 'ski' boat is designed for skiing. Small wake, not good for running in much chop [or traffic].

If you want something to pull a skier and have a bow rider there are plenty if you are not fixated on finding a 'ski' boat.

A nice family boat, with power, is what you want if you have a....family.

 

[redneck joe]

here is a fishing boat that would not take much to convert to a bowrider with seats up there. Some butt pads and bolsters

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[redneck joe]

Same, newer and appears to be in really good condition

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[redneck joe]

19.5 foot

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[redneck joe]

18 foot, all sorts of money left to make it your own wiht a repower.

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