runabout vs. Ski/wakeboard boat differences

[toddbrown]

I am getting ready to buy a new boat (19-20 footer) and I can not decide on a wakeboard boat or a runabout open bow. I mostly do water sports but also need something that can handle chop and run at 40 MPH at times. From what I have heard, ski/wakeboard boats do not ride well in chop due to the flat bottom. Any thoughts?

 

[KCook]

Re: runabout vs. Ski/wakeboard boat differences

Depends on size and speed. If you need to run 40 across chop then stick with I/O bowriders. But if you don't mind slowing down for chop then some of the bigger, 21' and up, ski boats will do Ok in chop. Get a demo ride in a ski boat and see for yourself.<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[toddbrown]

Re: runabout vs. Ski/wakeboard boat differences

Yeah, I do need to get a demo! How does one go about that? Just go to a dealer and ask if you can test?

 

[KCook]

Re: runabout vs. Ski/wakeboard boat differences

It can be difficult. Different dealers have different policies. From what I've seen the phase of the moon is also a factor . The trick is to persuade the dealer that you are a serious shopper, real close to buying a new boat. So a bit of smoozing and romancing is in order. I would not bring up the subject of a demo on my first visit to a dealer. Wait until a later visit. Repeated visits by you will get the dealer's attention. Of course there is also the challenge factor. "The guy at Four Winns told me ski boats ride like crap" or words to that effect. Even dealers can fall for a challenge.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[tommays]

Re: runabout vs. Ski/wakeboard boat differences

i use both boats and if water sports are your main goal you will not be happy with the sterndrive boat Especially for wakeboarding .<br /><br />I/O BOATS have a very difficult time maintaining WAKEBOARD speeds.<br /><br />the ski boat is very happy at 12 to 18 MPH and will keep speed with very littel driver input<br /><br />it also uses far less fuel at wakeboard speeds than the I/O<br /><br />tommays

 

[toddbrown]

Re: runabout vs. Ski/wakeboard boat differences

really! So, what are the down sides of a Malibu or the likes? Are they safe for little ones (2 year olds) THe sides seem really low to me.

 

[tommays]

Re: runabout vs. Ski/wakeboard boat differences

well my BIL has a classic mid engine Correct Craft and i have a 20 ft I/0 sport cuddy<br /><br />you really would not want to take a long trip in rough water with the correct craft so that would be its downside <br /><br />its upside is it's water sports performance and fuel economy during wakeboarding it will generally pull most skiers at 2200 RPM <br /><br /><br />when we want to take a trip we use the sport cuddy its seating allows six people to sit in comfort and it has a much nicer ride and it also keeps everyone much drier and warmer in cool weather <br /><br />I have taken the cuddy as far as a Block Island and Connecticut ,trips like that would be impossible in the ski boat<br /><br />tommays

 

[QC]

Re: runabout vs. Ski/wakeboard boat differences

Originally posted by tommays:<br /> I/O BOATS have a very difficult time maintaining WAKEBOARD speeds.

tommays,<br /><br />I am very reluctant to disagree with you as you have more experience with tournament type boats. And let me say I have always wanted a Barefoot Sanger and I have always wanted a Mastercraft direct drive and I love the v-drives too. Basically I love all boats, so my opinion is carp <br /><br />Anyway, I don't agree . . . if the boat has adjustable trim tabs. It is unfreaking believable what combos I can come up with by using both the tabs and the trim. I can dig the biggest, slowest (14 mph) hole you can imagine and maintain it. I can also flatten it out for water skiing. Neither as good as a tournament boat, but that boat would have to have bags to match me.<br /><br />In my opinion this is about how much of a priority the watersports are, and what the water conditions are like where you boat. If you ever beach your boat you should seriously consider that issue as well. I also think the I/O or modern OB will get better fuel economy, but that to me is the least of your concerns as it would probably mean a difference of around $5 - $10 a weekend. I'll probably get some stuff thrown at me for this one . . . A 20 ft. OB or I/O with 175 horsepower will probably outrun a 250 bhp inboard of similar weight etc.<br /><br />Hole shot, there is no comparison, the inboard wins hands down. My .02

 

[KCook]

Re: runabout vs. Ski/wakeboard boat differences

Originally posted by Todd Brown:<br /> really! So, what are the down sides of a Malibu or the likes? Are they safe for little ones (2 year olds) THe sides seem really low to me.

Obvious downside is simply $$. More expensive to buy and more expensive to keep fuel in. Personally I wouldn't consider safety a factor. But then I like bass boats too <br /><br />Kelly

 

[tommays]

Re: runabout vs. Ski/wakeboard boat differences

kelly<br /><br />i pay the gas bills on both boats and if your going wakeboarding its hard to use up 20 gallons on the Correct Craft in a day<br /><br />the I/O boat just has to work much harder at those speed to overcome the natural inbalance from putting the motor that far to the rear of the boat<br /><br />NOW if you want to run around the lake all day at high speed thats a different story<br /><br />tommays

 

[KCook]

Re: runabout vs. Ski/wakeboard boat differences

Thanks tommays

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: runabout vs. Ski/wakeboard boat differences

QC,<br />I have to disagree with you on the fact of an inboard kicking arse in holeshot. Go to barefootcentral.com and look at the barefoot boat review. Compare the stats on a 420 hp inboard vs a 200 hp outboard. Virtually identical at 0-40mph. Roughly 6.2 seconds each. Signifigantly faster than a 330hp or 340 hp Sanger inboard (or Malibu for that matter. An I/O will be slower (holeshot) than both in most cases.<br /><br />Todd, I agree with Kelly on the fact of getting a test ride/drive. Get one and make an informed descision based on your own opinion. It's the only way to be satified with your decision.

 

[KCook]

Re: runabout vs. Ski/wakeboard boat differences

sangerwaker - How does the holeshot (with skier) for an OB fish-n-ski like Ranger or Skeeter compare to those figures?<br /><br />Just curious,<br />Kelly

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: runabout vs. Ski/wakeboard boat differences

As only a guess, I'd say a litle slower based on the way the tournament outboards like the Barefoot Sanger are propped. The prop of choice is a 19 pitch High Five for tournament applications. That puts the WOT at about 5800-6200 WITHOUT touching the trim. Hence the awesome holeshot. I would think if you propped a bass boat or fish-n-ski similarly, you could get very similar results. Most people don't prop their rig like this though.

 

[QC]

Re: runabout vs. Ski/wakeboard boat differences

sangerwaker,<br /><br />Actually I was comparing the I/O to the inboard tournament boat for hole shot, but I wasn't clear. Agree; your boat is an all-time favorite of mine and they are fast in all situations . . . <br /><br />My main point was that with adjustable tabs you can make a decent wake for wake boarders AND control speed. Without the tabs speed control at low speeds is very difficult . . . It truly is amazing how much of a difference they make!

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: runabout vs. Ski/wakeboard boat differences

Gotcha QC.<br /><br />I really think if you propped a sterndrive to run at the correct WOT without trim (or very little) your holeshot would be un-friggin-believable. Mileage would suck, and you'd lose a ton of top end speed, but you could pull stumps with it.<br /><br />I really can't comment from any experience on tabs. Never used them before. QC's comments do make sense, though.<br /><br />QC, with all of your traveling do you ever get into the Minneapolis area? If so, look me up. I'll give ya a boat ride to remember.

 

[QC]

Re: runabout vs. Ski/wakeboard boat differences

It has been a while, but if I get back to Minneapolis I will take you up on it. Thanks <br /><br />Can you make your boat porpoise at top speed? If so, tabs may work well with your boat too. I'll never own another boat without them.<br /><br />Another solution on that prop deal with the I/O is a Torque-shift prop. Those things work really well.