heavy skier vs light skier

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dirtriderdave

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Jun 19, 2009
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well i tried everything sugested about sking behind my 74 johnson 70 and i could not get up it was close but no cigar every time i tried to stand up the skis would sink and drag, boat would not plane fast enough. I weigh 250 lbs and my brother who weighs 150lbs who has never skied before got up on his 3third try and every time there after. so im guessing it is a body weight issue. is there some kind of specific type of ski that is made for heavier people? maybe a wider ski?
 
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haulnazz15

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Re: heavy skier vs light skier

dirtriderdave said:
well i tried everything sugested about sking behind my 74 johnson 70 and i could not get up it was close but no cigar every time i tried to stand up the skis would sink and drag, boat would not plane fast enough. I weigh 250 lbs and my brother who weighs 150lbs who has never skied before got up on his 3third try and every time there after. so im guessing it is a body weight issue. is there some kind of specific type of ski that is made for heavier people? maybe a wider ski?
Click to expand...

The only thing you can do is try and drag n that water longer until the boat gets on plane. Wider skis will help, but not really by much. Also more weight in the bow of the boat will help the boat plane out.
 
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smclear

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dirtriderdave

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Re: heavy skier vs light skier

i have tried draging in water but i have a johnson 70 and the boat will not plane because it is dragging too much. I have not tried a ski like that but it seems a little pricey
 
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jkust

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Re: heavy skier vs light skier

250lbs is heavy for a 70hp engine to lug up with any ski. Our 85 hp would struggle at 250lbs but even when it got there and the skier cuts over hard, the motor would stagger regardless of the ski. I am going to say you need more displacement.
 
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deanramey

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Re: heavy skier vs light skier

Try adding a Stingray Hydrofoil to your outdrive. That will get your boat on plane alot faster and should help get you out of the water and up on those skies.
 
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haulnazz15

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Re: heavy skier vs light skier

deanramey said:
Try adding a Stingray Hydrofoil to your outdrive. That will get your boat on plane alot faster and should help get you out of the water and up on those skies.
Click to expand...

I've skied behind 80-90HP boats many times and I weigh in at 205-210lbs. I always pop out of the water relatively easily with generic 67" combo skis. I can't imagine 10HP and 40lbs is going to make/break the ability to get out of the water. Once the boat planes out, you will be able to get up.

Good luck finding a longer ski in a combo set. The don't usually make them more than 68" in length. I still say get someone in the bow of the boat or get smart-tabs. You could always try repropping the boat as well to get you out of the hole.
 
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Cletus74

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Re: heavy skier vs light skier

How about technique? It sounds like you are trying to stand up too early. I've taught several people to ski and wakeboard. This is a common tendency. Wait for the boat to pull you out of the water and gain some speed, then stand up. Lightweights can get away with standing up too early but heavier people must wait for the boat to pull them out of the water. This can take a while with small motors, but just hang on with your arms straight and knees bent. Stay in your crouch until completely out of the water. Good luck!
 
skibrain

skibrain

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kenmyfam

kenmyfam

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Re: heavy skier vs light skier

My opinion is that you should be able to get up behind that 70hp if it is running correctly. Loading of people and gear in the boat is vital. What is your rpm at WOT without towing ?? you may need to prop down a pitch or 2.
 
kenmyfam

kenmyfam

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Re: heavy skier vs light skier

Other option is a dock start. Half throttle, brace yourself for the "tug" and away you go.
 
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willieboy

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Re: heavy skier vs light skier

What kind of boat, how big?

A v-hull 17footer is going to act totally different than a 22 foot pontoon and totally different than a 17 foot trihull, etc...

250 behind a 16 foot vhull "ski boat" with a healthy 70 hp should pop you out, albeit slowly. You may have to reprop and pitch for hole shot, not top speed. Even when a slalom (totally recreational skier) I don't break 30mph, and I am 205. So go for hole shot when you pick your prop, you will be much happier.
 
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jack1130

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Re: heavy skier vs light skier

Good tips from cletus74....I spent most of my skiing life a 220lb slalom skier behind less than powerful boats....spent a good deal of time getting dragged.
I would try having more weight in the bow and a hydro-foil, then just hang in there and let the boat pull you out and have a patient driver...keep trying.

If that doesn't help, hopefully you can find a pair of the larger skis on ebay or craigslist cheaper!
 
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