2012 Hurricane 188 IO - 220 hp vs 270 hp? I need some advice on which one to buy.

I am looking to buy a new 2012 Hurricane 188 IO blue in color. I need to know which engine to get with the boat. We will be having 6 adults on the boat the majority of the time and my question is: Will the 220 hp engine be able to pull a 250 lbs slalom skier out of the water if we have the boat loaded up with 1000 -1100 lbs worth of people. Nobody can answer my question. The salesman dosen't know - and told me that not that many people ski that much anymore anyway - Nice answer. I called the factory and asked the same question and they would't commit to an answer either. The rep told me that if it was a problem I could have three people get out and then it wouldn't be an issure. Well guess what - that won't work as we will be trailering the boat to and from the lake. All either place will tell me it that the majority of the boats are sold with the 220hp but you can order the 270 hp. The factory and the dealer do not do test drives making the situation worse. I'm only concerned with this situation but apparently they are not. The salesman was good until it came to this horsepower question. They want me to make a purchase of this size without an answer - that's super weird.

Does anyone have any insite on the matter? I would like to have this behind me in two weeks. I am Located in the southwest part of Michigan

Thanks

Re: 2012 Hurricane 188 IO - 220 hp vs 270 hp? I need some advice on which one to buy

My first thought was, that, since you are asking then you need to order the 270hp.

That is only an 18 footer, right? But a heavier deck boat style?

I think the 220hp with the right prop could do the work you described. The 270hp probably do it all with no prop change.

What is the difference in price?

Re: 2012 Hurricane 188 IO - 220 hp vs 270 hp? I need some advice on which one to buy

Maclin said:

My first thought was, that, since you are asking then you need to order the 270hp.

That is only an 18 footer, right? But a heavier deck boat style?

I think the 220hp with the right prop could do the work you described. The 270hp probably do it all with no prop change.

What is the difference in price?

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+1 ^^^. Is the 220 hp the injected 4.3 V6 and the 270 hp the 5.0 V8 ? If so, and you can swing it, go for the 270 hp if watersports are going to be a large portion of you time. Good luck !!!

Re: 2012 Hurricane 188 IO - 220 hp vs 270 hp? I need some advice on which one to buy

I would think that fuel economy would not be an issue either way, running the 220 hard or the 270 easier.

If you are in doubt and don't want regrets go for 270.

Re: 2012 Hurricane 188 IO - 220 hp vs 270 hp? I need some advice on which one to buy

I would love to see a 250lb person slalom ski!

Re: 2012 Hurricane 188 IO - 220 hp vs 270 hp? I need some advice on which one to buy

Never had anyone I sold a boat to come back and say "I wish I'd have gone with the smaller motor".

Re: 2012 Hurricane 188 IO - 220 hp vs 270 hp? I need some advice on which one to buy

Levinz11 said:

I would love to see a 250lb person slalom ski!

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Been there and done that behind a 15.5 foot 55hp tri-hull. All in the technique used by the skier. Pretty? No. Did it happen? Yes. Lots of times. No extras in the boat, just my smallish brother and one lookout, sometimes no lookout and just the mirror. 11p prop, top speed of 29.9, that kind of thing.

220hp is enough in that Hurricane, but loaded with gear and people AND pulling a big skier? I would go with the 270hp and never look back, well, except to check on the Hulk back there on the skis.

Re: 2012 Hurricane 188 IO - 220 hp vs 270 hp? I need some advice on which one to buy

Oh yeah, and use the heavier duty ski rope, get a new one every year!

Re: 2012 Hurricane 188 IO - 220 hp vs 270 hp? I need some advice on which one to buy

Welcome aboard.
My 19 foot Maxum has the same 220 hp engine and I would not see that effectively pulling a skier plus having 5 adults on board. I believe my capacity plate also indicates 8 people or 1250 pounds whichever comes first and the fine print also says that includes the engine. So you might want to verify the capacity rating on that 18 footer which may not be enough boat; legally.
Mark