Required HP for slalom skiing

[Mjr5253]

I currently have a 1980's Jet Boat with a 350 sbc (~400 hp). It's been a great boat and works well in the river because it doesn't draw much water when on plane and maneuvers good in the narrow river. It also pulls us out of the water faster than any boat I've ever skied behind. Unfortunately it's getting old and I'm looking for a new boat.
I am absolutely not interested in an outboard and a v drive wouldn't work in the river, which means I'm looking at I/O's. I'm curious if anyone has skied behind the new 250 HP mercruiser 4.5L V6 motor? I was looking at a Chaparral ssi 21' but I'm worried it'll drag me down the river forever until I pop up. I'm 6'4" about 200 lbs and a fairly aggressive slalom skier (one handed cuts, etc). I do not ski courses and never will. Obviously nothing will pull me out as quick as the jet boat, but is this a decent motor? If not, is there another one that you recommend? I/O's only please


Thanks in advance!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Both my buddy (6'2" #275) and I (5'-8" #200) have slalomed behind my 17' boat with a 3.9, my 19' boat with a 5.0 and a few other boats

What ever you pick, you will need to prop accordingly

I would be looking for a 5.7 in a 21' boat

 

[BillWilliams]

I do not think you'll have any issue, especially if you're an experienced skier.

 

[F_R]

My, how things have changed. 21' boat, ~300-400 hp, on a narrow river? Enjoy it while you can. They will be posting that river as a No-Wake Zone sooner or later just as they have around here. The rivers were being destroyed by such activities.

Now back in "My Day" we got along just fine and had just as much or more fun with a 15' plywood boat with a 35 hp outboard.

Those two girls just made a deep water start on slaloms. Note where the wake starts. The boat hasn't traveled much more than th e length of the tow ropes. By law, there were two people in the boat also.

 

[Scott06]

Both my buddy (6'2" #275) and I (5'-8" #200) have slalomed behind my 17' boat with a 3.9, my 19' boat with a 5.0 and a few other boats

What ever you pick, you will need to prop accordingly

I would be looking for a 5.7 in a 21' boat

I don't think you can get a 5.7 in these anymore Merc is going from the 4.5 /250 hp to their (not GM 6.2)

to the op - is the 250 the biggest engine? Would think you will be ok but might want to get a ski prop.

I was surprised skiing behind my neighbors Larson 208 w a 4.3 mpi (220 hp) yanked the rope out of my hands .

 

[jimmbo]

Both my buddy (6'2" #275) and I (5'-8" #200) have slalomed behind my 17' boat with a 3.9, my 19' boat with a 5.0 and a few other boats

What ever you pick, you will need to prop accordingly

I would be looking for a 5.7 in a 21' boat

I would be looking a Big Block in a 21 footer

 

[jimmbo]

In the Days of 2 Strokes, you could get pulled out easy by a motor of less than 60hp, Today's Torqueless 4 Strokes require 150 - 200hp to pull the same Skier out with the same boat.

 

[Laneman25]

4.3 in a 21 foot is underpowered. 4.3 18 ft, 5.0 minimum in a 21 ft., 350 SBC is better in that size boat.