boat / motor recommendation

[sjtm]

We have found a seasonal rental on a nearby 300 acre man made lake with boat size restrictions of 18 feet max and 90 hp max. We are shopping for our first boat and plan to buy new or lightly used. We only intend it to be used on recreational freshwater lakes and primarily for waterskiing / tubing / wakeboarding. My preference is a bowrider but will consider all recommendations. I prefer durability / quality but still want the best bang for the buck. Can this restriced size still allow me to have four people in the boat plus a skiier?

 

[skibrain]

Re: boat / motor recommendation

With skiing as the objective, I'd tend to look at boats that were on the smaller end (16 or 17') with max hp rating around 90 or 100 hp - just so your overall boat weight is not as great. Many 18' boats will take a 135 or 150 hp and will feel pretty underpowered with 60 - 65% of recommended max.

If you have a cabin as a base of operations, leave some of the crew on the dock for less weight in the boat.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: boat / motor recommendation

300 acres ain't much space to play, you sure they allow swimming, skiing, and tubing?

 

[skibrain]

Re: boat / motor recommendation

I do 95% of my boating (all skiing) on a 160 acre lake. 5% on a 500 acre (which is about 50/50 sailing/skiing).
Prefer the 160 for skiing

 

[oldjeep]

Re: boat / motor recommendation

300 acres ain't much space to play, you sure they allow swimming, skiing, and tubing?

MN - land of 10,000 lakes. Most of them are well under 300 acres. The local one we do a lot of skiing on is 163 acres (Bavaria). Plenty big

 

[skibrain]

Re: boat / motor recommendation

If we get to pick out new boats for people, here are three VERY different set ups.
What part of the country? What dealers are in your area? Price range?

http://www.glastron.com/ModelPage.aspx?ModelRef=161

http://www.dyna-ski.com/176OB.html

http://www.bostonwhaler.com/Page.aspx/pageId/29594/pmid/204643/170-Super-Sport.aspx

I bought a 15' 6" boat with a 90hp on it 15 years ago for $2800. We had a blast with it for 4 years and sold it for...$3000.

 

[sjtm]

Re: boat / motor recommendation

Massachusetts. The most common brands I see in the used boat classifieds seem to be Bayliner, Stingray, Glastron, Four Winns, Sea Ray, Nautique Chapparell, Larson and of course, Boston Whaller. The only new boat option I have seen that fits these limits is the Larson LX 620, which is 16' with several 90hp motor options ( Suzuki, Mercury, Evinrude, Yamaha). With a bunch of options - covers, ski pylon, tilt wheel, radio - and galvanized trailer is around $18K. This is upper end of my budget - would love to spend $12K-$15k as long as I am not buying someone elses headache.

Can anyone rank the quality of these brands?

 

[skibrain]

Re: boat / motor recommendation

I can't. You might have a better response if this were not buried in the waterskiing form.
Best ski boat is secondary to your hp restriction and other goals for use.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: boat / motor recommendation

I do 95% of my boating (all skiing) on a 160 acre lake. 5% on a 500 acre (which is about 50/50 sailing/skiing).
Prefer the 160 for skiing

I realize that skiing, etc can be done on a small lake if all you intend to do is run the slalom course and such. I was implying that buying a boat just for the purposes of fitting into the requirements of a single lake isn't really advisable as opposed to buying the boat that best suits your need. 18ft and 90HP is a big restriction when it comes to the boating world.

PS - MN needs to get with the program and rename about 5000 of those lakes to the country standard: ponds. lol

 

[oldjeep]

Re: boat / motor recommendation

18ft and 90HP is a big restriction when it comes to the boating world.

In what way? Unless you are on the ocean or one of the great lakes, that is plenty of boat for most people.

BTW - I wasn't aware there was any water in Oklahoma

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: boat / motor recommendation

In what way? Unless you are on the ocean or one of the great lakes, that is plenty of boat for most people.

BTW - I wasn't aware there was any water in Oklahoma

90HP isn't a lot for pushing an 18' runabout while trying to pull up a 200lbs slalom skier. We have tons of water in Oklahoma, it's just that most of it currently has blue-green algae warnings on it right now, lol.