enough?

[crfracer]

i found out for storing in saltwater an outboard is the way to go so i decided on a glastron ssv 170 with a merc 115 so is that sufficient to pull a skier etc.

 

[Dave.Mishchenko]

Re: enough?

As I had mentioned on your other thread you'll be OK for the basics. We have a 17' boot with a 135 (3.0L) HP I/O. I'm 230 lbs and it does OK to pull me up on skis and on a wakeboard. For the wakeboard I've also had the kids ride on my back to the total weight was over 280. It would probably be a challenge to come up on one ski with a deep water start and we're pushing the limits of what the boat can accomplish.

If you're thinking of keeping the boat for a while, then think ahead to where you want to be with a boat in 2 or 3 years. If you plan to get serious about wakeboarding then I would get something more capable for that.

 

[skibrain]

Re: enough?

A 115 on the SSV 170 is a nice set up. My brother in law had the SSV 16 version with the 115 Merc and it worked great for watersports. Find out what prop is on the motor. 19" pitch is pretty standard. Going to a 17" or 18" pitch will give more pulling power with a bit less top speed. Should easily outperform a 135 hp I/O.

 

[SeanT]

Re: enough?

I think you'll be fine. One thing I think you'll like about the outboard is the holeshot. I think it'll pull whatever you need, and by the time you start hitting the limitations of it you'll probably want a bigger wake and a bigger boat anyway.

 

[nola mike]

Re: enough?

Yeah, depending on what you do, you should be ok. Couple of days ago I got up (185#) on a 66" slalom with 3 in the boat--it was a long, drawn out adventure, though it pulled me no prob once I was up. Deepwater start on a dedicated slalom will be the biggest challenge. Popped my buddy out of the water in a hurry on 2 skis.

 

[convergent]

Re: enough?

I just sold a 17' with 115HP Merc and moved up to a 20' with 200HP Merc. Big difference, but the 115HP did OK for us getting started. It should have no problem getting the under 200 pound folks up on skis or a wakeboard. I did get a guy up on a wakeboard that was 225 lbs, but it was a chore. The most I pulled up on a slalom ski was 165 lbs. I never successfully got up behind it on a slalom at 190 lbs, but I'm also way out of shape and rusty. I am able to get up on the current boat with the 200HP. For tubing, the 115HP did fine with two on the tube, but again... big difference in the 200HP. So it will work for starting out, but IF you get to the point where you want to do bigger people, multiple people, slalom, etc... you may want more.

Also, with a good slalom skier behind the boat, the 17' was moving all over the place when they were cutting back and forth, while the 20' is pretty stable. These were both fish and ski boats with a very low draft, so a bigger deep V boat sitting lower in the water may be different.

 

[skibrain]

Re: enough?

So much of the conversation is around how a boat is used. If every time you boat you are loaded with 4-6 people and gear, a bigger boat is really nice. If you are skiing off a beach or dock at a cabin where the gang is on-shore and you just need a driver and spotter in the boat, I'm a big fan of a smaller set up.

 

[BoomerSooner]

Re: enough?

If you are not happy with the holeshot, try a 4 blade prop. Solas Amita, about $100 shipped, is an excellent choice. I bought one for my 17.5 ft with a 150 and it was night and day difference. Hole shot is like a direct drive now. My 2 cents...