Beef to Ski

S

spiller

Cadet
Joined
Jul 23, 2005
Messages
6
Hey, Im quite keen to give wakeboarding and waterskiing a shot. But need to know if my boat has enough beef to get the riders up and happy?<br /><br />My boat is an old glass over ply 16' with a 65hp evinrude. The boat isin't all that heavy, and seems to pull the ski biscuit without a hitch.<br /><br />I think my question is really, should I get a larger motor?? :D
 
Dunaruna

Dunaruna

Admiral
Joined
May 2, 2003
Messages
6,027
Re: Beef to Ski

From a fun point of view, you won't have any problems. Wakeboarding doesn't require big HP, I've done it behind a 10ft tinny with a 10HP. Two ski's, absolutely no probs, one ski (especially deep starts) may require a bit of trial & error learning.<br /><br />Aldo
 
SeaKaye12

SeaKaye12

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 3, 2005
Messages
1,107
Re: Beef to Ski

When I was about 15...I learned to ski behind an ancient boat with an equally ancient 25 HP motor.<br /><br />Well; lets say that I **tried* to learn how to ski. I was dragged along...I could never get up on the skis...<br /><br />Then; we met this guy with a 14' Alpex that had a 45 HP West Bend ( about to be Chrysler) engine on it.<br /><br />That thing just yanked me out of the water...it was such fun that my dad bought the boat!<br /><br />Have fun skiing...Chuck
 
B

Belchy

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 3, 2004
Messages
237
Re: Beef to Ski

Probally is possible, best bet is like Aldo said, trial and error, depends on weight in boat, weight of you, size of ski....<br /><br />Good luck and have fun<br />Belchy
 
M

Moody Blue

Captain
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
3,136
Re: Beef to Ski

spiller I have a 14ft fiberglass utility boat with a 40hp. Can easily pull up my sons (140-160Lb) on two skis but is somewhat difficult on one from a deep water start. We just start out on two and drop one. Dock start on one is no problem. You won't be able to have many passengers on-board, probably just you and the observer. If you have a ski pylon you will be able to get the skier out of the water faster as well.
 
J

Jixxxer

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 31, 2005
Messages
38
Re: Beef to Ski

I have a 70hp on my boat and we (3 of us in boat) pull a skier out of deep water. I'm sure u can do it!
 
T

tr918

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 15, 2004
Messages
153
Re: Beef to Ski

I had a 16ft tri-hull with a 1972 65hp. We could ski and tube off of it just fine. Slolom skiing will be an issue depending on the weight of the skiier. I could only ski with 2 skis off of my boat. I weigh 215lbs though. It was a little too much for the 65hp on one ski.
 
W

watered down

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 21, 2005
Messages
131
Re: Beef to Ski

Originally posted by SeaKaye12:<br /> When I was about 15...I learned to ski behind an ancient boat with an equally ancient 25 HP motor.<br /><br />Well; lets say that I **tried* to learn how to ski. I was dragged along...I could never get up on the skis...<br /><br />Then; we met this guy with a 14' Alpex that had a 45 HP West Bend ( about to be Chrysler) engine on it.<br /><br />That thing just yanked me out of the water...it was such fun that my dad bought the boat!<br /><br />Have fun skiing...Chuck
Click to expand...
Brings back memories...we had wood boat that had a 25-hp Evenrude but it pulled a skier fine. My dad would drop one ski while underway, couldn't get him out on only one ski.
 
K

KilroyJC

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 11, 2005
Messages
384
Re: Beef to Ski

My friends ahve a 16' Whaler with a 70HP, and it does just fine with up to 4 other people in the boat (they help keep the bow down when starting!).<br /><br />I don't think you'll have any problems other than practicing.<br /><br />Also, try to get an upright stanchion to secure your towline from, instead of the harness that goes to the transom eyes - especially when you are trying skiing for the first time:<br /><br />You really don't care about the boat pulling you forward - what you want the boat to do is pull you UP!!! The higher the rope is on the boat, the easier UP becomes. <br /><br />Have fun!
 
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