Looking for my first ski boat

[infx708]

While I wait to rebuild the floor of my '81 Sea Nymph, I've been looking at something a bit more sporty. My kids are now 10 and 12 and like to go fast. I'm looking for a bowrider in the $3k to 9K range. Needs to pull a heavy skier - might have another shot at it, at 51. I want to avoid wood as much as possible, and definitely nothing structural. Any recommendations on years/brands to look at or avoid?

 

[redneck joe]

any old starcraft since you know metal boats. My 18 CC can take a 115, i'm thinking about 45 to 50 top end if i had that.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Any fiberglass boat older than 15 years is considered a project unless proven otherwise

Your budget if 3-9k is low that is primarily project territory unless it's a tinny

Since you want to avoid wood, stick with a tinny

Because even today, many boats still have wood

With the right prop, you can even ski behind a 3.0 or 50hp outboard

 

[Chris1956]

I think you want an OB powered boat 18' or under, with a 125HP or larger motor. You want a boat that puts out a minimum wake, so a flatter stern area is better for that. I would not get hung up about the amount of wood in the boat. It is more about condition and design. Not all boats automatically fail at 15 years.

You will want to go about 32- 36MPH for slalom skiing, and may want to speed up a bit occasionally, to have some fun. You can ski on two at much lower speeds, but slalom is a much better time.

My 16 footer with a 135HP Merc is pretty good for skiing. I can run the same prop (21P) for skiing and high speed, because of the power and hull design.

 

[infx708]

After getting a better green light from the boss, I'm upping the limit to $16k. That change things?

 

[redneck joe]

always