ski speed

[Lalli]

what is the ideal speed to pull the average skier or kneeboarder? thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: ski speed

Don't know about knee boarding but skiing speed is up to the skier so there is no optimum speed. Obviously friction will overcome ones ability to stay upright at some point but I have no idea what that speed is and I have no intention of trying to find out.

 

[Lalli]

Re: ski speed

I guess my question is more along the lines of, if my boat goes 30-35 mph will that be fast enough to pull a skier or a kneeboarder? thanks

 

[AguaSki]

Re: ski speed

30-35 is more than enough speed. I usually start around 18 mph when teaching people how to ski. Even that may be a little fast, but I find it gets them on top of the water with less drag. As the skier gets more experience, they will want more speed. When the skier is very skilled, they may want to go 30-35.

 

[swiss]

Re: ski speed

This may help some:


Kneeboards on average should run ~14 miles per hour, as someone gets better you can go faster or slower dependant on your wake to provide a bigger wave to jump. In most cases you should actually put weight in the boat to make the bigger wake and keep the speed at 14. Weight can be added via ballast bags sold at any boat store.

Wakeboards on average should run 18 miles per hour. Weight again added saftely to your boat can adjust the wake.

Skiing on average for non competition skiers is 28 miles per hour. You can run slower particularly on 2 skis versus one.

Most important thing, make sure the person on the water is having fun!

Steve