Which engine is best for skiing?

[jlaitar]

Hello all

I'm looking to buy a bowrider this summer and I'm trying to do research on different engines. One of my favorite watersports to do is slalom ski, so I'd like to make sure that my boat has plenty of power to pull me up on one ski
(I weigh 215). Obviously the more power the better, however could I get by with a 4.3L V6 with 220hp (I'm looking at an '03 Kayot that has this engine), or should I look for a 5.0L V8 with 220hp? I'm also looking at an '04 Chaparral with a 5.0L 290hp engine, is that the way to go? I'm new to boating and currently have a '89 Maxium with a 125 outboard, so I'm looking for an upgrade.

Thanks for the help

Jeff

 

[danond]

Re: Which engine is best for skiing?

Boat size/length has everything to do with your question. A 4.3 works great in anything up to about a 19 footer. After that I'd go with a V8. For general pulling, power and efficiency, you simply cannot beat the 4.3 in a 16-19ft boat. It's an excellent engine.

 

[searay3]

Re: Which engine is best for skiing?

Just be advised that merc or volvo power should be your choices for manufacturer. OMC, Yamaha etc are out of business and you will have expensive headaches keeping them running....

 

[hoot]

Re: Which engine is best for skiing?

glad you understand the need for power. one of the biggest mistakes i see in boat buying is getting a big boat with a low HP engine at a good price and then asking why it won't pull a skier up or get on plane quickly. when you load up with friends, jackets, coolers, etc...it adds up. i use a 17.5' boat with a 165 hp inboard, works good for me. prop pitch can be adjusted also for more pulling power. go down in pitch for power, up in pitch for speed, don't overrev the motor with the prop.

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: Which engine is best for skiing?

Ditto to above 4.3 up to 19FT . If you can swing a 5.0 in a smaller boat like a 19 go for that. You can never have too much power when skiing and watertoys.

 

[DaveM]

Re: Which engine is best for skiing?

Here is some simple questions to think about before you buy:
1. Why do you want a boat?
2. Picture yourself on the water, what are you doing?

A bowrider is perfect for family cruising, wakeboarding and occasional slalom skiing. But if you are really more interested in slalom skiing, I encourage you to expand your search to include a tournament ski boat. I posed these questions to a friend while skiing on my boat (4.3L I/O). He found an older Brendella and now gets out nearly every day. He has since ruined me in that I ski only behind his boat (including 5:30AM today!).

As far as engine size, you can search this forum for answers. Plenty are looking for more power, I can't recall anyone complaining of too much engine HP. A V8 will have the low end grunt to get you out of the water.

 

[mylesm260]

Re: Which engine is best for skiing?

Truth be told, the size of your engine doesn't REALLY matter all that much, because you can always adjust your prop accordingly.

The more HP/Torque you have, the less prop adjusting you're going to need.

For example, you could have the 3.0L with a prop that pulls the skier up, but your top speed will be 30 MPH @ 5000, because you're propped so low.

And you could have a 4.3 that could pull a skier up, with of top speed of 40-50 MPH with the same prop.

And you could have a 5.7 that could pull a skier up and have a top speed of 55-60 MPH with the same prop.

The 305 (5.0L) is not a very desirable motor. A vortec 4.3 makes just as must power and a smidgen less torque. Between the two motors, I would personally rather have the 4.3.

IMO you're only two choices are the 4.3 and the 5.7. Either one would have no problem getting a skier up, just depends on what kind of top end you want and weather or not you want to change your prop for water-sports.


I have a 20' boat with a 230HP 4.3. It can pull me up on a wakeboard (260lbs) and has a top speed of 55 MPH with the same prop (23P).

Having said that, with 7 people in the boat and gear, it's a dog out of the hole with the 23P prop, but still fast enough to get me up on the board.