Minimum HP Requirements

[glnbnz]

Hello,

My wife and I are looking to purchase an 18-20 foot bowrider boat. We would like to be able to seat about 6 people and be able to do all types of skiing and tubing. What would you suggest would be the minimum HP with an inboard/outboard setup?

Thanks!

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Minimum HP Requirements

I've got a 19ft with the 140hp 3.0 L. With 6 in the boat I wouldn't want to try to slalom behind it unless I went up on 2 and dropped one. For that size boat and load, I think you'll want at least a 4.3L V6 if not a V8

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Minimum HP Requirements

Get a V8 if you think you will have 6 persons and gear. You might get by with the 4.3L V6 for the most part, but a 20' boat with people and gear is going to be tough to get out of the hole for slalom skiers on a deep start. If you search through the threads on this site, you will rarely ever hear of a person complaining about having too much power. The 5.7L is a solid choice and pretty common in boats, which should have between 230-260HP for most versions, up to 300HP for the fuel-injected Magnum.

 

[glnbnz]

Re: Minimum HP Requirements

Thanks for the replys!! I really appreciate them

 

[alldodge]

Re: Minimum HP Requirements

Agree with the V8 and to add a note. A fellow boater has a 23 footer just like mine, he has a 350 and mine is 454. I burn less fuel then he does and we agree its because I have more HP. You don't have to get into mine to get the boat up and he has to push it a bit harder. Now your looking for a 20 footer and a 350 (5.7) should work out very well and the resale value should be better also.

 

[glnbnz]

Re: Minimum HP Requirements

Okay just for future reference what is the minimum HP for a boat with an Outboard motor?

 

[Okieboatguy]

Re: Minimum HP Requirements

It depends, I have a 21' Tri-Toon and it has a 90hp and we run WOT at 35+, and are able to pull skiers, tubes, and wake-board(Although there is not much of a wake). My 83 Bayliner has a 120hp Volvo and I top out at 30. We are able to do all the same stuff, but more HP on the fiberglass Bayliner would be much better.
It all goes back to the old Power to Weight ratio!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Minimum HP Requirements

6 cylinder in the average 18 footer or an 8 cylinder if you are going 20foot or over in my opinion. As said earlier though very few people complain about having too much power. (Spoken from a guy with a 21 foot boat and a V8)

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Minimum HP Requirements

I'd say if you have an 18' runabout, loaded with 6 people (and gear), and you want to pull up a slalom skier . . . I'd guess a 165HP I/O is the MINIMUM I'd be trying it with, but I'd be cussing it. If given the choice a 200HP+ V8 is always a better option.

 

[glnbnz]

Re: Minimum HP Requirements

Thanks again!! This definitely gives me good guidelines to go by.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Minimum HP Requirements

The boat dictates the the maximum HP you can put on it. Need to read the capacity plate on transom before any purchase.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Minimum HP Requirements

It depends, I have a 21' Tri-Toon and it has a 90hp and we run WOT at 35+, and are able to pull skiers, tubes, and wake-board(Although there is not much of a wake).!

Top speed wouldn't be the problem, deep water starting a slalom skier with 6 people on that pontoon would be PAINFUL!

 

[emilsr]

Re: Minimum HP Requirements

I grew up boating with and skiing behind an 85hp Evinrude; the twin to the Johnson in your picture. We often had 6 people (or more) on the boat. You end up making the best of whatever you have.

Still....get the most power your budget permits. You can always throttle back. More power means the engine doesn't have to work as hard, and for that reason can sometimes be more fuel efficient than a smaller motor.