What set up is best for water skiing?

[tfret]

Hello,
I'm new to the web site and this is my first post. I'm very impressed with the wealth of friendly and knowledgable people this site seems to offer. I grew up around boating and have owned a couple over the years, though not currently. However I am in the market, but want to do some research to be certain I make an informed decision on which boat to buy. I am a slalom skier and am looking for a good ski boat. My preference is for something small with good power. Like a 16' or 17' boat with at least 150HP. Now I'm finding lots of boats, but the vast majority are outboards. I guess I have the conception that outboards are more expensive to service, get worse fuel economy, and since they move the center of gravity further back on the boat, cause the boat longer to plane off (big negative for skiing). So my feeling is that a stern drive boat makes for a far better ski boat. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, I'm just trying to learn as much about it all before I jump in. I don't want to have any regrets.
Thanks so much for your feedback!

 

[hotbeek]

Alot of your competition ski boats will be inboards. Direct drive or similar drive system is recomended. Engine will be located midship and long drive shaft extends to rear of boat. This will produce a flat running little wake. If wake boarding is an interest many people will add water ballasts or fatsacks to the bow section of the boat so boat will plow more water resulting in a nice wake.

An outboard adds weight to the transom of the boat, not an area that you want weight to be distributed to for watersports. Some of these manuevers can be accomplished with an outboard. If you drop your drive and trim in you'll be able to run a fairly flat boat while pulling. If you notice the bow wants to run excessively high trim in more or add more weight to bow area(people or equipment) Run a 4-5 blade prop for maximum results. Outboards do have a distinct advantage in HP to weight ratio and adjustability. Inboard motors and drives/tranny have much more weight. It can also give a larger range of trim and height variations. The outboard can deliver a good all around package if utilized correctly.

 

[Chris E]

to be honest if you are seriously into skiing and that is your primary activity, only one boat will do the trick, a direct drive inboard - mastercraft, tige, nautique, etc. any other boat will be a compromise. having said that a small outboard in the 17 - 18 foot range with a minimum of 150 hp probably a bowrider then you can have a spotter up front to help keep bow rise down.

 

[merc245]

I like O/Bs with a ski pylon (a must) the smaller wakes, larger personal areas, a v6 with 150+hp will jump on plain quick enough.And you can run 50+ mph too.

In my case 14yrs ago I had to decide between a skiboat & performance boat. My thinking was I could ski behind a speed boat, but couldn't speed with a skiboat. So the choice was easy a 92 starflite with a 245hp merc O/B found its way to my drive.And 14yrs later its still there and I haven't regretted it once.


http://www.kodakgallery.com/starflite

 

[tfret]

Thanks guys for the quik responses. Yes, ofcourse, I'm very familiar with the pro ski boats with full mid engine inboard, and have skiied a lot behing them. I totally agree, for skiing they are by far the best. They are also very expensive. Not to mention not very practical for much else. I guess I should elaborate a bit. I'm really looking for a good all round family boat (thats why i've got to have open bow) but our primary focus is water sports. The Checkmates have very low profile hulls which cast a very flat wake. That is what I want for skiing, and for teaching my 5 year old twins to perfect thier skiing talents as well. Plus the Checkmates are just plain COOL. I guess an O/B could work for me. I had already planned on getting the mid boat tow pole with front strap. I understand the idea that the O/B is more adjustable, I just don't know much about how to set it all up. I guess I like the simplicity of the stern drive where you simply trim all the way down for hole shot power while getting a skier up, then trimming up for best ride and wake. But what about long term maintenance. Isn't the stern drive easier to service. I once paid $375 to have the starter replaced on an Evinrude 115. If it were a standard Ford or Chevy block I could have done it my self for about $80. What do you guys think? I really appreciate all the help.
THANKS

 

[hotbeek]

Longevity wise a small block sterndrive would be the way to go. I will guarantee you that winterizations will be more expensive with a sterndrive and if you ever have to or want to do anything major to the engine on a sterndrive it will be more costly than a outboard. There's nothing better than an outboard when it comes to accessabilty to drive and engine components. I've spent way too many hours in an engine compartment trying to contort myself to access sparkplugs, seawater pumps, block drains, oil coolers, and not to mention fishing tools, sockets etc. from the bilge. This is my first year of owning an outboard always had sterndrives or jetdrives. I am just amazed at how fun they are to drive and how easy they're to maintain.

Sterndrives do offer a nice sun deck over engine compartment.(nice to stash tubes etc. Where O/B will tend to give you more interior/cockpit space.

You could go either way. The main thing is to get something useable. Something suitable to you, the body of water you navigate, and mostly the wife/significant other and kids. I have two young boys 3 & 5 and they love the boat, whether we're ripping along at 70 or we're at our favorite fishin' hole. Family fun comes first !!!

Good luck with your choice.

 

[tfret]

Amen Hotbeek, I'm all about the quality time with the family. And we plan to own and use this boat for many years to come. I know about the winterization and accessability issues of the stern drive, but are you saying it will last longer than an O/B? Personaly I've never understood how a 2 cycle doesn't self destruct. And my budget won't allow for one of the newer 4 cycle O/B's. But I know a well maintained block will last for a long long time. What do you think?

 

[hotbeek]

I may be strung up for saying this but, it's my OPINION that if both motors were given equal maintenance, the I/O would last longer. Why I believe this ? O/B have a higher rpm range(generally 1000-1800 rpms higher) Most small block I/O's are 4600-4800 rpms while O/B are 5800-6400 rpms + or - a few. It's also my opinion the lubrication on a I/O motor is better. It seems very common for some small block I/O's to run for more than 400-500hrs.(for me that equates into 10+ yrs)

Take it for what it is........my opinion. Others may have different ideas, this is the reason for these message boards..... get people to express their experiences and ideas, then let people make their own educated guess from the info. they read.

 

[MERC-MATE]

Inboard ski boats have terrible wakes. My V-Mate, Diplomat, and Pulsare had great wakes! I had a Stratos 201 Ski that was a good ski boat. Get yourself an outboard Checkmate with a pylon.

 

[tfret]

Thanks again guys for the candid opinions. The feeling I have is much like many things in life, everything involes compromise. The O/B boat will have a smaller wake and the boat will weigh less which will make towing behind the family mini van much easier. But the I/B will probably last longer, require less maintenance, and get better fuel economy. That is the opinion I'm developing based upon other's feed back and my own boating experiences. Like was stated previously, this is a place to exchange ideas, opinions, and experience, and I deeply appreciate everyones help.
THANKS SO Much!