V drive or I/O Ski boat vs wakeboard vs runabout

[karenk]

We sure could use some advise. We are on a lake and enjoy many friends and relatives coming to visit. We have wakeboarders and skiiers alike. What kind of boat/motor do we purchase? We already have an older deck boat for lounging. One option we are considering is a crownline in the 20 ft range with a 5 liter I/O. We like the open bow and the fact that we can raise and lower the trim. We are also considering, a ski or wakeboard boat but don't know as much about them. Again, 20 - 22 ft open bow. We are not interested in a true in-board so is the V-drive the way to go here? How do you accomodate both wakeboarders and skiiers? Any suggestions on brand of ski/wakeboard boats? Our price range is about $30,000.

 

[QC]

Re: V drive or I/O Ski boat vs wakeboard vs runabout

Why do you want trim? If it's for the beach and shallow water then you do not want an Inboard or a V-drive. If you prefer a V-drive to an IB due to the engine box, then an I/O will also be good.

IMHO the most flexible for both wakers and skiers is an I/O with a tower and trim tabs. I have a 23' I/O powered boat now and I can make a monster wake by planing at very low speeds with heavy trim tab application. I can also clean the wake up a lot, but at 23' it is not that great for skiers. A smaller one could do both fairly well. V-drives are good at both, but you cannot get the prop out of the water at all, ever . . .

I am not that big about brands because they all need work. Where do you boat? Do you need a windshield? Full canvas? Wide open?

 

[DJ]

Re: V drive or I/O Ski boat vs wakeboard vs runabout

A true inboard and a V-drive are basically the same thing. V-drives just have the drive in a V pattern but the engine is inside the boat and the prop is under the boat about 2/3 back.

An I/O has the engine in the boat but the prop is behind and is tiltable.

I have a 26' Crownline (nice boat-very high quality). We have an I/O. We have to have an I/O because the dock area is quite shallow.

I'd love to have a direct drive/V-drive ski boat but I would struggle getting it in/out of our dock area.

You'll be happy with an I/O. Get as much power as you can afford. just because you have it doesn't mean you have to use it. Larger engines loafing will get better fuel economy than smaller engines struggling.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: V drive or I/O Ski boat vs wakeboard vs runabout

go 5.7, if you want to ski and wakeboard. the main difference, between a ski and wake board boat, is the wakeboard has bladders that are filled with water to increase the boats weight and wake. you can do the same thing with a ski boat, by having your passengers sit in the stearn area instead of the bow. they even make a bladder that is in the shape of a bench stearn seat, that you fill with water, for outboard boats.

 

[KCook]

Re: V drive or I/O Ski boat vs wakeboard vs runabout

New or used? New V-drive boats are certainly over $30k. For watersports I would go V-drive, I/O is better for cruising big lakes (significantly less gas).

Kelly Cook

 

[sickwilly]

Re: V drive or I/O Ski boat vs wakeboard vs runabout

The v-drive/inboard advantage is that they will turn on a dime, do not have bow raise when starting out, have incredible pull and with the skegs under the midsection a good skier cannot pull them off track, and they will hold a plane at a lower speed. If you or your kids ever get to where you are running slalom courses, jumping, or even competing in tournaments, the advantages will be very important. Their maintenance is even less than an IO. IMHO, they hold their value better. I will add, nothing beats pulling a skier in one.

Their disadvanatages are that you cannot trim them, they typically are slower, typically take bumps worse and are less comfortable for cruising, and are expensive.

An IO with the right HP and pitch prop will do all the pulling 80% of people will ever need. I think they only top out when you reach a real high level of ability.

In my own experience, my last boat was a malibu skier. At the time I was tournament slalom and jump skiing. Its was an incredible boat. Fast forward through college and starting my family, an inboard seemed like too much boat. I love my IO. The test will be as my family gets older and better at skiing, at which point in time I may consider an inboard or v-drive again.

 

[roylee87]

Re: V drive or I/O Ski boat vs wakeboard vs runabout

a late 70's v hull with a cavatation plate is excellent for the purpose of what you are looking for. Also, they are a v-drive i have one, you are looking to spend between 200 and 5,000 dollars used. They are very good for skiing and wakeboarding.

 

[basalt51]

Re: V drive or I/O Ski boat vs wakeboard vs runabout

Inboards are also great from a safety aspect. The rope is much less likely to get tangled unless you actually run it over, there is no prop hanging out the back while your skier is right behind the boat, etc. I'm not real familiar with newer I/O ski boats as we've been skiing behind a Malibu Sunsetter (LOVE IT!!) for 23 years. But if you got one with a large swim deck covering the outdrive it might be almost as safe.

I finally got my own boat (for fishing) and I was so happy to finally have a I/O so docking and loading on the trailer would be so much easier now. But I was wrong. While the inboard could only back one direction, the control was so smooth and predictable I could put that boat in any slip with only and inch to spare. My fishing boat, though 3 feet shorter, doesn't track well at slow speeds, pivots very differently, and OMG does the wind take the bow for a ride!!!!!!! Those may just be things I need to get used to, but its not nearly as easy to drive as I was expecting.

My favorite thing about inboards though is putting the wheel hard over and doing a 180 on the spot. Just make sure no one is sitting in the back!

 

[QC]

Re: V drive or I/O Ski boat vs wakeboard vs runabout

Almost two year old thread guys . . .

 

[smitty1258]

Re: V drive or I/O Ski boat vs wakeboard vs runabout

lmao on the thread revival.

But I want to chime in here. Not only would a inboard be the safe bet for everyone involved, but it would also suit the OP needs perfect and then some.

If I remember correctly, inboards can run in shallower water than an I/O?

Many manufacturers make crossover boats. For example my 09 Centurion Falcon V Air Warrior is suited for ski, wake and surf. Has a very wide hull. I dont think its any rougher than my older I/O was either.