can you ski behind a 70 hp johnson

[dirtriderdave]

i have a 15 ft tri hual with a 70 hp johnson i can not get up on skis it seams like there iss too much drag on boat and it wont let boat plane out fast enough. it pulls a tube just fine but i can not get up on skis i dont know if i have right prop set up or right motor set up,it does not have trim adjuster except where it locks in and that setting seems to be level with botom of boat. i know this size engine will do it but i cannot get this one to do it. other than not being able to get up on skis this boat runs great. any help would be appreciated thanks

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: can you ski behind a 70 hp johnson

Should be able to ski no problem with it. Weight distribution (loading) of the boat is job #1, motor set up (trim and height) are vital and if still an issue then it's time to consider a more suitable prop.

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: can you ski behind a 70 hp johnson

Oh yea, the 70 should be MORE then enough. We had a 1982 Rinker 17ft with a 70 Johnson and had ZERO issues with 4 people in the boat. Granted it did "pop" them out of the water, but we did it.

 

[dirtriderdave]

Re: can you ski behind a 70 hp johnson

where and how should my trim and height be set because the boat doesnt want to get up on plane while dragging skier

 

[ridefst]

Re: can you ski behind a 70 hp johnson

Yeah, if you can't get on plane, it's going to be awfully hard for the skier to get up.
I'd try putting some extra weight in the front of the boat, see if that drops the bow enough to help it plane. If it's a open bow, just get the passengers to all move forward and try that out.

 

[boomer2]

Re: can you ski behind a 70 hp johnson

where and how should my trim and height be set because the boat doesnt want to get up on plane while dragging skier

Trim all the way in (down) should plane quickly unless weight distribution or engine issues (height, tune, etc). Properly rigged, unless you have a large boat and are already underpowered skiing shouldn't be a problem with a engine that size.

 

[skibrain]

Re: can you ski behind a 70 hp johnson

If you're using a ski pylon in the boat, I would recommend trying a tow from a transom eye instead. On a smaller boat I used to have, the leverage from the high pylon would keep the bow high and it took longer to get on plane.

 

[dirtriderdave]

Re: can you ski behind a 70 hp johnson

the motor trim is set on an adjustable pin and its set basicly level and only has one more setting to go down but that would actually point the prop downward a little is that ok or suggestable. i also have this flat plate that bolts to the bottom of motor called a whale tale or something like that would using it be better also?

 

[shorts&chanclas]

Re: can you ski behind a 70 hp johnson

How about that diagonal pull that someone suggested a few posts ago? I have never tried it but it made sense.

 

[skibrain]

Re: can you ski behind a 70 hp johnson

Go ahead and try the trim at the lowest hole. Prop points down and helps lift the stern and lower the bow at hole shot. Costs nothing to try. Top speed will be lower, but it is worth a try.

If you had power trim and tilt that lower position would essentially be the same as the full-down trim.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: can you ski behind a 70 hp johnson

Trim it all the way in, load what you can in the bow and try again. Check what prop you have on your motor and let us all know as well.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: can you ski behind a 70 hp johnson

If it will not trim in enough you could add some wedges to the transom to trim it in some more.

 

[dirtriderdave]

Re: can you ski behind a 70 hp johnson

the prop is a 13 3/8 x 17 and i will have to try and bring the motor in more i guess and give it a shot .
I am new to this forum thing so i made new thread accidently about how im 250lbs and think that my weight might be an issue because my brother who is 150 lbs and never skied before got right up. and with me the skis seem to sink when tring to get up. oh and i have had everybody in front of boat the whole time mostly two adults and 2 year old and one adult driver .

 

[red10]

Re: can you ski behind a 70 hp johnson

i have the same motor and boat size, you need a 15" pitch prop for skiing, i tried the 17 that came with the motor and it was slow, changing to the 15 made a huge difference and i weigh 215.

 

[Mr. D]

Re: can you ski behind a 70 hp johnson

I agree with Red 10. As long as RPM is within range, the 15 pitch will help alot. I learned to get up behind a 40 HP mercury but only weight 170 pounds then. Changing techniques would also help: One leg dragging behind the ski and used as a rutter is easier than both feet locked into the bindings.

Cheers!
Mr. D

 

[ultrarunner]

Re: can you ski behind a 70 hp johnson

My entire family and half my High School friends all learned to ski behind our 35 hp Evinrude Lark... and at 6000' elevation at Lake Tahoe no less

The only way to single ski was to kick one off... not enough pull to get an adult out on one ski...

Even at 240 pounder with two skis is OK... it's more technique... when the motor pulls, I would have to use my arms and assist...

 

[Mr. D]

Re: can you ski behind a 70 hp johnson

Even at 240 pounder with two skis is OK... it's more technique... when the motor pulls, I would have to use my arms and assist...

Good one! Ultrarunner

CHEERS!

 

[cr2k]

Re: can you ski behind a 70 hp johnson

Heck I was skiing behind a 12 ft. aluminum boat with a 9.9. On a single. Had to drop one, Oh and I was dredging about 2 ft of water until I hit a sandbar and blew my shoulder and fx my arm on landing. But I did ski behind the alum. fishing boat!!

Won that bet.

 

[wtxpatrick]

Re: can you ski behind a 70 hp johnson

I think you should be ok skying behind a 70. Issues are motor height, prop, trim settings. My old VIP pulled my ex wife's fat butt out with a Chrysler 90 in fine style. I figure the Evinrude 70 would be pretty close to equal. Check your boat loading and weight. It ought to work.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: can you ski behind a 70 hp johnson

I learned to ski (as a teenager) on Taylor Lake which fed into Clear Lake near Houston's NASA, behind a 14' wood boat and a '59 18 hp Evinrude with only the driver in the boat. No slaloms, had to have a pair.

Taylor lake was kinda cool in that it was only a couple of feet deep and you didn't need a life jacket. Getting up was a piece of cake as you could rest the back of the skiis in the mud and it did make a big difference from a deep water start.

I discussed this a day or two ago somewhere on this site: In the early '70's 15' trihulls were common in the neighborhood and were pushed by 60-65 OMC loopers. Couple of folks in the boat with one of ski(is) meant that a 15" prop was in order. Anything over that and you just didn't get up.

Mark