FINALLY got the HUSBAND on board

[iwannabooat]

I grew up on a boat. I learned to ski at 4 and slalom by 10 but circumstances changed and I haven't been ON the water in 12 years. I finally got the husband on board, and he has given the go ahead on a new USED 17-21 bowrider. He plans on recreational fishing, and I want to ski, slalom, tube, wakeboard, and simply just float around on my very own boat. It is primarily my husband, my brother, and I ; but we also have a few eager friends as well. Our budget is pointing us towards a 3.0. We have found a clean, well kept, single owner 2005 Stingray 185LX 3.0. with 140 hours. I am no longer an experienced slalomer considering it has been 12 years and 30 lbs. Will this boat pull me out of the water without me kicking everybody out of the boat or drowning me first???? Any advice will be helpful. We are point of going for a test drive and me TRYING TO SKI??

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: FINALLY got the HUSBAND on board

Well I'd REALLY recommend finding at least a 4.3L if not a V8 for watersports. It will likely be enough to pull most people out who are 180lbs and less, but it will likely struggle with multiple people aboard and a 200lbs+ guy trying to slalom. The 4.3L or 5.0/5.7L will hold it's value better and will move an 18-21' foot boat with much greater ease.

 

[mlpaskett]

Re: FINALLY got the HUSBAND on board

well i'd really recommend finding at least a 4.3l if not a v8 for watersports. It will likely be enough to pull most people out who are 180lbs and less, but it will likely struggle with multiple people aboard and a 200lbs+ guy trying to slalom. The 4.3l or 5.0/5.7l will hold it's value better and will move an 18-21' foot boat with much greater ease.

ditto

 

[3gsdad]

Re: FINALLY got the HUSBAND on board

I have that boat except mine is an 06'. I have pulled both a single tube and a triple tube with 2 men and a 12year old in it. It will pull the tube but it takes a while to get on plane. I can imagine it would struggle even more pulling skiers. I will say for just cruising around we love it. The 3.0 while not the fastest is very good on gas. And... as for the boat we are happy with the features, layout and size, I would say try to find a 4.3 stingray if you are going to ski alot.

 

[wingmastr23]

Re: FINALLY got the HUSBAND on board

Not sure how to answer your Poll Question...Hahaha!!!....Will it work for your needs? (Yes/No) Should we hold out for a 4.3? (Yes/No)

So - IMO - the answer to question 1 is: Yes - Barely.

Question 2 is: Yes - I would.

 

[drrpm]

Re: FINALLY got the HUSBAND on board

A more powerful boat will work better for water sports. There's usually a pretty good selection of boats in the Iwanna. Is that where you got your handle? I'm in Evans and do most of my boating up at Clarks Hill lake.

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: FINALLY got the HUSBAND on board

My 2 cents.......learned to ski behind a 68 Starcraft with 120 hp Mercruiser later switched out for a factory re-built 140 hp (which is the 3.0 I believe). The 140 was a big improvement but, I was 6'-4" 190 lbs and with three in the boat I had to learn to drag a leg coming out to help the boat. It was a "hit-it", count to 5 before you could stand-up and slip your back foot in, and another 5 seconds plus to get up to speed. This was a 1600 lb 16' boat....if you put that engine in a larger heavier boat, slalom skiing isn't going to be feasible IMO. You'll have a hard time teaching anyone to slalom behind it because you drag for so long coming out.

Get a V8 if you are going to do a lot of skiing......I bought an inboard and I'll never go back to skiing behind an I/O.

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: FINALLY got the HUSBAND on board

Hold out for a 4.3!

 

[jmarty10]

Re: FINALLY got the HUSBAND on board

I love my 4.3l for watersports. 4.3's are real popular in the 17-20' used range also.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: FINALLY got the HUSBAND on board

Buy plenty ibuprofen and biofreeze before you go sking, you'll need it the next morning!

 

[Big Gee]

Re: FINALLY got the HUSBAND on board

I?ve owned the Stingray 185LX with the 3.0 and we loved it because it was economical to operate. For watersports it did ok with an experienced/accomplished skier but it was less than adequate for someone new to the sport. I now own a similar boat with a 4.3 and it?s a huge improvement. I would encourage you to hold out for a 4.3. You might be surprised how much of a difference 12 years and 30 lbs can make. I was.

 

[iwannabooat]

Re: FINALLY got the HUSBAND on board

Thanks for all of your input. And I am just realizing that my poll question doesn't make any sense. Lol. And we are actully located in Evans as well. We plan on boating out at Clarks Hill Lake. We have searched a lot in the iwanna as well as boattrader.com. I guess the reason we kept looking at the 3.0 is because, with our budget.... We can either get a newer 3.0 or an older 4.3 and we were just weighing out the odds. And believe me, I was not making light of the 12 years and 30lbs! But I am excited for the challenge. Now just to find a boat...

And @ drrpm:
Someone was asking us how choppy the waters at Clarks Hill is. I though you might have some imput of that being that you have been on the water. (we have only been observers from the shore). They said depending on the waters, we might need a longer boat?

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: FINALLY got the HUSBAND on board

Dang it. I hit the wrong button. Im the only yes Boat. My recommendation is hold out for a bigger motor.

 

[ziggy]

Re: FINALLY got the HUSBAND on board

have ya skiied behind an under powerd boat? i have and it's a bummer.

no one says get the 3.0 for water sports, yet.

no one ever says, i sure wish i had a 4 cyl. engine instead of a 6.

everyone is always saying, how can i get more hp out of the engine i have. especially 4 cyl. engines. the answer is always the same, ya can't, get a 6 cyl. engine.

hope ya hold out.

there's nothing wrong with and older boat anyways. ya just gotta find the one that's sound amongst the garbage that folks sell as a water ready boat that really aren't.

imho, keep looking and go for displacement. in boating, the saying is, there's no replacement for displacement. i think it's true.

good luck in you decision.

 

[drrpm]

Re: FINALLY got the HUSBAND on board

Clarks Hill is a big lake and it can get choppy in the main body if the wind comes up. However, there are many areas at least semi protected from the wind and reasonable ski/board conditions can be found most days. An 18 foot boat would be adequate for any reasonable conditions on that lake. I have a 20 footer which gives me more room for my kids, their friends and a tube.