what would be the smallest size motor to pull skiers

[tpatt]

what would be the smallest size motor to pull skiers? about 4 people in a boat. 6 to 750 lbs. would a 50. hp motor work? i have heard they don't but would like to have some info from anyone.

 

[kevlar3000]

Re: what would be the smallest size motor to pull skiers

Back when my dad was a young one they pulled his 180 pound body around with a Merc 45 hp.<br />On a little glasspar G3. They had to launch by sitting on the dock. He told me that they pulled two skiers on occasion. That said, with a boat full of 4 people and only 50 hp you would be pretty fortunate to get folks up with any ease. That would work that little motor to a likely early death, and last time I checked, you can't pull a skier with oars.<br /><br />The bigger the better.

 

[Cruiser]

Re: what would be the smallest size motor to pull skiers

Here's a case where size does matter....<br /><br />The boat and motor need to be sized proportionatly for the best reponse boating and skiing. My buddy has an 18'four winds with a 220hp and has no trouble pulling anyone or anything. Another friend has a 25' Carver with a single 260hp and has a tough time getting up onplane alone....<br /><br />I agree - the bigger the better The prop is also a mojor contributer to the overall performance of the boat

 

[JB]

Re: what would be the smallest size motor to pull skiers

Good advice above. It depends on your boat, and the proper prop. Most boats with good planing hulls and the proper prop, well balanced, will pull two skiers with 70% of the rated max HP. If your boat is rather small (under 18'), go to 100% of the rated max HP. Select the prop for low end of the rated operating range of your motor at full throttle(with skiers)and high end without. Most motors operate between 4500 and 5500 rpm, but select the prop for the motor you get. Yes, you will have to try them out to get the ideal one for your particular boat, motor and situation. No slide rule or calculator can take everything into account.<br /><br />Good Luck

<br />JB

 

[High Plains Drifter]

Re: what would be the smallest size motor to pull skiers

all I remember about the boat I learned to ski behind was that it was red and had a 35 horse motor. We had at least three people including the skier and it wouldn't pull you up on one ski. I have just purchased my first power boat (a 17 foot '79 starcraft with a merc 80 o.b.). It has been at least 20 years since I last skied and have a stupid question. are the u-bolts on the back of my boat suitable for towing skiers or tubers or are they just for strapping the boat to the trailer? This power boating stuff is beyond the realm of my recent memory. I have been spending the last several years in canoes on tight little rivers. Thanks.<br /><br />Dave

 

[evin300]

Re: what would be the smallest size motor to pull skiers

Will the skiers be on two skis or one? Makes a big difference. High Plains, the u-bolts are for for skiing also. There is a single piece rope, each end connects to a u-bolt. At the middle of the rope is a hook with a small buoy (to keep it away from the prop) you connect the ski rope to this hook in the middle. This rope piece can be purchased.<br /><br />I started skiing with a 16 foot deep-v and a Evinrude 65hp. Two adults in boat and a skier with two skis did ok, but not a slalom ski! no way! But a V-4 90hp on the same boat did the trick (with the right prop). I dont see how a 50hp would have worked in my case as the 65hp was borderline.

 

[Navigator]

Re: what would be the smallest size motor to pull skiers

I pull the kids with a 40hp Honda, Tiller on a Crestliner Aluminum Mod-V Jon boat with 3 adults on board. The kids (actually teenagers) weigh 120-140lbs but the boat yanks them up. <br /><br />Three things though, <br />1. I have to have my passengers in the boat up front to help get on plane quickly.<br />2. They must use 2 skiis to start on. Once they are up, they can drop one and it still goes fine.<br />3. I added a hydrofoil to the engine that they greatly helped getting the boat up on plane quickly.<br /><br />My 40 works fine, but for my setup, a 50 would probably work better.<br /><br />As for the minimum, Back in the 80's My brother and I skiied behind a 14ft jon boat with a Merc 9.9. We had to sit on a kneeboard with the skiis on both sides so we had enough surface area to let the boat get on plane. It was a blast, and we proved it could be done. Its amazing what you can come up with on a hot lazy summer afternoon when someone bets you it cant be done <br /><br />Now if you want excitement, try skiing on a 4x8 sheet of plywood. Then see how many you can get on the board at the same time...(Do not attempt this at home, I am a professional... )<br /><br />Nav

 

[JeffSlade]

Re: what would be the smallest size motor to pull skiers

tpatt, I have been in your shoes. I asked the same question last year before my first boat purchase. The response I got was pretty close to what you are getting here. Some grew up skiing on little 40hp motors and some were deadset against anything smaller than a 150hp. I ended up with a 75hp on a 17ft Bayliner. It just would not pull a skier at all with only 2 adults in the boat. I dropped the pitch down on the prop to the right size for the combination. Now it pulls fine, 2 ski's only and won't go over 30mph. I would get at least a 120hp, easier to get up on the ski's and more power when you need it. Good luck, JeffSlade