new to boating

[micsol]

I am looking for my first boat. I am looking at a 92' Sea Ray 160 bow rider with a 75hp outboard. what can I expect from this set up. what kind of speed would I be looking at? Also I want to be able to pull a one or two person tube, and eventually a person on a wakeboard. will this boat be up to the task. If not what should I look for in a boat.

 

[BonairII]

Re: new to boating

You have a pic of the boat? Budget, brand of outboard, condition, price etc etc will help the folks here give you sound advice.

 

[oops!]

Re: new to boating

hi...welcome to iboats....

that seems like a good combo.....but it depends on the price and condition.

the 70 is a little under powered.....but it will be ok for kids to ski on....
the tube will be a real drag...lol (it will do it.....but it will take alot to get going depending on the prop)

 

[southkogs]

Re: new to boating

16' with a 75 is a good starter combo (again, like everyone else is saying depending on condition and price). It'll be an "okay" ski boat for the novice, and a reasonable tubin' boat. Wakeboard will probably be a little weak on that boat.

Wake boards need a bunch of wake cut by the boat ... typically that means ballast tanks or bladders. Add either to that 16' and she'll be struggling.

Post pictures if you have them.

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: new to boating

Search this phenomenon..."two foot-itis!"

I would suggest you consider nothing smaller than a 18/19 footer for your first ski/tubing boat. A 16 footer with 75 horses is only a two passenger boat if you expect any kind of performance. Put a third person on board and try to pull a tube or inexperienced wakeboarder...well, you are going to be just plain miserable. More folks will chime in here with a plethora of their own experiences in this manner, but we really need to know more about your waters, your family and friends skill levels and ultimately your main intended usage. Far too many variables for us to recommend the "perfect" boat for a beginner. If you said you want to play on a large, choppy congested lake with four of your heavy, inexperienced friends and a 40 quart cooler full of ice and beer and a full tank of gas, I would tell you to buy a 23 footer with a 454 Bravo I/O and charge your pals a boarding fee to offset the cost of operation. If it's just you and the size four wife and 8 year old child on a tube...well then, the boat you described will be perfect until you get some experience...and two foot-itis. Good luck!

 

[micsol]

Re: new to boating

Ok to answer some questions. The Hull and interior are in great condition. the motor is a 75hp Mercury 2stroke outboard. that has just been rebuilt by a local shop. the asking price is 3000. the boat its self is very nice very solid. My concern is the size of the motor. for the most part it will be me and my girlfriend and her child. but sometimes I may have 2-3 adults plus myself. so what kind of speed can I expect not pulling anything, and what kind of speed can I expect pulling like a one person tube; will I even get to plane. there is no tower so im not going to be pulling skiers or wakeboards for atleast this summer. If I was to get the boat is there anything I can do as far as prop trim tabs etc. to offset the low power without killing my top speed. or should I just look into something bigger. I am in colorado and most of the lakes ill be using it on will be 4000' and up in elevation. so far this has been the best boat condition wise in my price range, but will i be wasting my time

 

[QC]

Re: new to boating

I am in colorado and most of the lakes ill be using it on will be 4000' and up in elevation.

Of all of the things you posted, this kills it for me. Will behave like a 60 horse or worse. Keep looking.

Oh, oh, where are my manners? Welcome aboard!!

 

[drrpm]

Re: new to boating

At 4,000 feet there is about 10% less oxygen than at sea level. With a naturally aspirated engine that will reduce power by 10% as well. The 75 will be reduced to at most 67 HP and probably somewhat less since it is 20 years old. It might be OK for 2 adults and a child, but add another kid or 2 (my kids like to have friends come along) or try and tow a tube with a couple kids or a big adult and it will seem pretty weak.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: new to boating

At 4,000 feet there is about 10% less oxygen than at sea level.

Actually the affect on aspirated engines(including yourself) is of Ox Density, NOT Ox depletion...this is an especially important point to pilots of general aviation aircraft flying into high altitude airports. "Hot and high...you don't fly"!

As air pressure decreases oxygen continues to account for about 21% of the gasses in the air as it does at sea level. But, there is less oxygen because there is less of all of the air's gasses. For instance, by the time you go to 4000 feet the air's pressure is about 10% lower than at sea level. This means that with each "breath" you are getting about 10% less oxygen than at the lower altitude.

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: new to boating

Welcome to iboats...

As a guy who lives and boats in Colorado, I too boat at elevation (4,300' and up). The boat/engine combo you are asking about is going to be under powered for that boat @ elevation. I would say a 90hp or larger would get you in the ideal-perfect performance range for that boat.

What is your home lake?

We frequent Lake Pueblo, Horsetooth, Lake Meredith. All but Meredith have a fair amount of traffic to include large 30'+ boats which means choppy water on the weekends and in a smaller boat, it's a less than enjoyable ride....oh yeah, don't forget the wind!

I have towed 2 skiers at a time, wakeboards, tubes and large inflatable towables...I have almost 3 times as much hp.

I would recommend nothing smaller than 18'-20'. My boat is 18'6" and I wish I had 2 more feet (two-footitis!)

Anyway, as most would say, It's your money and you should purchase what you want, but the mere fact that you're on here [iboats] asking for advice at least means you have some reservations. You will get great advice, whether you heed it or not is up to you!

Is this it?
http://denver.craigslist.org/boa/2860146629.html

Happy Boat Hunting!
Brett

 

[micsol]

Re: new to boating

Welcome to iboats...

As a guy who lives and boats in Colorado, I too boat at elevation (4,300' and up). The boat/engine combo you are asking about is going to be under powered for that boat @ elevation. I would say a 90hp or larger would get you in the ideal-perfect performance range for that boat.

What is your home lake?

We frequent Lake Pueblo, Horsetooth, Lake Meredith. All but Meredith have a fair amount of traffic to include large 30'+ boats which means choppy water on the weekends and in a smaller boat, it's a less than enjoyable ride....oh yeah, don't forget the wind!

I have towed 2 skiers at a time, wakeboards, tubes and large inflatable towables...I have almost 3 times as much hp.

I would recommend nothing smaller than 18'-20'. My boat is 18'6" and I wish I had 2 more feet (two-footitis!)

Anyway, as most would say, It's your money and you should purchase what you want, but the mere fact that you're on here [iboats] asking for advice at least means you have some reservations. You will get great advice, whether you heed it or not is up to you!

Is this it?
http://denver.craigslist.org/boa/2860146629.html

Happy Boat Hunting!
Brett

ya that would be the one. my home lakes would be steamboat lake and rifle gap

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: new to boating

Very pretty boat (and a Sea Ray at that) but you better just expect no more than you, GF and child on board. No watersports, no speed contests, and certainly limited conversation at cruise throttle. Good luck!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: new to boating

except for the elevation issue, that's a good rig for a starter boat--especially b/c it has an outboard. You should buy it and move to the coast.