Is a 35 HP Mercury outboard enough to go tubing behind?

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Merc Man1635

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Aug 6, 2002
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I am a 16 year old high school kid whose parents bought a boat for me to use when i turned 16. My problem is this...When my friends and i go tubing, the motor has problems planing, even with a hydrofoil, pulling one person on a tube. The maximum horsepower for the boat is 60 horsepower...I told them i would pay for the difference in price between the 35 and the 60, but my dad says that the 60 wont make much (if any) difference when we go tubing. Is this true? your help is much appreciated! please email me!?<br /><br />puckplayer_33@hotmail.com
 
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merc20

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Aug 6, 2002
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Re: Is a 35 HP Mercury outboard enough to go tubing behind?

Try putting more weight on the bow. If everyone gangs up in the stern of the boat, it will be hard to plain. <br /><br />Also, the larger motor will make alot of difference!!
 
JB

JB

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Re: Is a 35 HP Mercury outboard enough to go tubing behind?

Howdy, Merc Man.<br /><br />Give us some details on your boat; make, model and, if possible, weight.<br /><br />I think that nearly doubling the HP should make a big difference in performance, but it depends on the boat.<br /><br />Another, probably cheaper option is to get a smaller boat for your 35.<br /><br />Good luck. :)
 
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Merc Man1635

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Re: Is a 35 HP Mercury outboard enough to go tubing behind?

I should have explained this before...it is a 16'6" Alumacraft Classic 16. It weights about 550 pounds. the only problem i have with getting a smaller boat is finding a boat that has console because the motor is remote steering, not tiller. i am in high school, so its not like i can get a loan to get a new boat. i have a good job that will give me the money to pay off whatever i dont get on the trade in for the 35. but thanks for the ideas and if you have any new ones for me id much appreciate them! :)
 
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KCLOST

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Re: Is a 35 HP Mercury outboard enough to go tubing behind?

MercMan,<br /><br />I have a 16" Aluminum Tracker with a 50hp on it and I'll tell you how it performed while me and my dad tried to ski with it.<br /><br />He and I went out and that thing barely got me up... I think my boat is much heavier than yours so that's probably why... He was the only one in the boat at the time (which wasn't legal)...<br /><br />I'm sure that going to a 60hp or even a 50hp will help you a lot. Also when and if you do, you want to make sure you get a prop that will do the job. I'm no expert on props, but there is one out there that is designed for more power for the skiing/tubing thing.. Good luck...
 
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Dhadley

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Feb 4, 2001
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16,978
Re: Is a 35 HP Mercury outboard enough to go tubing behind?

I agree with JB. Doubling the HP should do something! Although we all learned to ski behind a Boston Whaler with a 40 hp. But it was propped for skiing.<br /><br />Good luck!
 
sloopy

sloopy

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Re: Is a 35 HP Mercury outboard enough to go tubing behind?

I am also 16, but own a sailboat and wave runner, what are you pulling, yes the larger motor will help, also will trim and a SS prop :)
 
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tuber

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Jul 20, 2002
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Re: Is a 35 HP Mercury outboard enough to go tubing behind?

If you can wing it go with the max hp the boat is rated for, could be 90 hp for that boat but check. The only substitute for power is a ragged out motor after some heavy use. Just back off the power after the tuber/skier is planing. And take it easy on your buds when they're in a turn.
 
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ledgefinder

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May 2, 2002
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916
Re: Is a 35 HP Mercury outboard enough to go tubing behind?

The right prop will make a BIG difference. I'd guess you want it propped to hit 5500 rpm (or whatever the high end of the powerband is for your motor) at around 25-27mph. Propping it right is like shifting down to climb a hill; it helps by giving the motor better leverage & by letting the motor get up into the rpm range where it makes horsepower. We just switched from a 13" pitch to a 10" pitch on a 16'/50hp ski boat, feels like we doubled the horsepower (don't copy my pitch numbers - we probably have different gearing as we running an oddball lower unit from a 65hp). If you want to pull a skier or tuber, and you've got a slightly small engine on your boat, you want it propped so that when you're alone in the boat, it planes within a couple seconds.
 
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dmessy

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Jul 8, 2001
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505
Re: Is a 35 HP Mercury outboard enough to go tubing behind?

We tube behind my 16' CC Seaark with a Merc. 40 HP alot. It does have a hydrofoil and it pops up on plane pretty quick even pulling #220 Fred. :D
 
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manitoba1

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Jan 8, 2002
Messages
121
Re: Is a 35 HP Mercury outboard enough to go tubing behind?

merc man:<br />I have a alumacraft classic 16 (1987) with a 70hp 4 stroke Suzuki and it performs beautiful. I can pull a slalom skiier with ease as well as 2 tubes with adults. I had a 55hp Suzuki 2 stroke previously and had no problem pulling 2 tubes and could pull a slalom skiier but it was a bit tougher getting the person up. This boat is rated up to 75hp, so the 35 you have is a fair bit underpowered. Remember that you have a starting battery, gas and the weight of the driver and spotter in addition to the boat. Stepping up to a 60hp would make a huge difference in performance on this boat. Trust me on this one. The fuel you burn would probably not change greatly since a 35hp has to work very hard to move that boat.
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: Is a 35 HP Mercury outboard enough to go tubing behind?

Mer Man,<br /><br />A 40 should do it fine. It won't be blistering, but still fun. <br /><br />You have to prop right and keep the load out of the rear of the boat.<br /><br />I learned to ski behind a Johnson 18 hp. on a 14 foot aluminum Aerocraft-with controls and windshield. <br /><br />When my children were young, I pulled them on a tube with a 9.9, and planed them.
 
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ivar

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Jul 30, 2002
Messages
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Re: Is a 35 HP Mercury outboard enough to go tubing behind?

I learned to ski on a 14' fiberglass hull with a 89' 40HP Yamaha(3-cyl) , a strong engine compared to most other 40hp's from that era.<br /> The hull had a pronounced hook in the bottom which made it plane very easily. That also limited top speed to around 30mph. It pulled up one skier with ease. 2 skiers obviously made it struggle a bit more , but once up and running , it worked surprisingly well. (one skier at 150#,one at 200#)<br /><br />So with the right hull and the right prop , you don't need 100's of hp to have fun.<br /><br />If you don't have a tach, try to get a hold of one of those "Tiny Tachs" and watch your rpms , then its much easier to suggest a prop that will work for you.
 
sloopy

sloopy

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Re: Is a 35 HP Mercury outboard enough to go tubing behind?

merc man, I sent you the letter, then it was sent back to me, your adress is invalid ???
 
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KeltonKrew

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Jul 31, 2002
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1,325
Re: Is a 35 HP Mercury outboard enough to go tubing behind?

you were going to send me the help. you sent an email stating several people wanted it and you would post it here.<br /><br />did I miss it?
 
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