Skier pulling boat

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frost

Recruit
Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
2
I'm buying some lightweight boat 15-17 ft with outboard engine. Will use that for slalom etc. I've done skiing/driving with small boats and know that skier will pull the boat sometimes quite hard. I've skied also behind inboard, so I know what real skiboat feels like, but now I'll start with some low budget solution.

What are the factors preventing skier pulling the boat in slalom? Is it only weight of the boat which keep the boat in straight line or does engine type, place of pylon/eye, degree of V-hull or other factors play some role ?

Any ideas how to get small boat more stable ?
 
S

sethjon

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 8, 2010
Messages
692
Re: Skier pulling boat

frost said:
I'm buying some lightweight boat 15-17 ft with outboard engine. Will use that for slalom etc. I've done skiing/driving with small boats and know that skier will pull the boat sometimes quite hard. I've skied also behind inboard, so I know what real skiboat feels like, but now I'll start with some low budget solution.

What are the factors preventing skier pulling the boat in slalom? Is it only weight of the boat which keep the boat in straight line or does engine type, place of pylon/eye, degree of V-hull or other factors play some role ?

Any ideas how to get small boat more stable ?
Click to expand...

I don't think there are any. The boat charactersitcs aren't gonna change. Perhaps a lighter skier.
 
H

haulnazz15

Captain
Joined
Mar 9, 2009
Messages
3,720
Re: Skier pulling boat

Those factors all have a play in how likely the boat will move under the tension from the skier. However, there isn't really much you can do about it. On a 15-17' boat you really only have the option to add weight or relocate the rope attachment point towards the center of the boat.
 
BoomerSooner

BoomerSooner

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 7, 2010
Messages
35
Re: Skier pulling boat

Yes, center boat position for the mounting point is key. My old boat had an eye on either side of the outboard. You had to countersteer when someone cut hard. My current boat has a center position eye, 17.5 foot Carlson, 150 OB. I can feel someone pulling the speed down a little but not the sideways action of the previous boat.
 
skibrain

skibrain

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 17, 2004
Messages
766
Re: Skier pulling boat

Running with the trim down most of the way keeps more of the hull in the water and the boat tracking better.

NOT using a tow pylon helps - towing with a short bridle from the transom eyes works great. With the lower attachment, there is less leverage to rock the boat. It will also help with hole-shot for the same reason - a pylon tall enough to clear the motor will act like a lever, keeps the bow up and I've found that the boat doesn't plane out as quickly.
 
gjm700

gjm700

Cadet
Joined
Mar 22, 2010
Messages
14
Re: Skier pulling boat

Hi Frost,
Drop into a local water ski club & talk to some of the drivers/skiers, They will set you in the right direction!
 
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