will a 90 hp johnson on hydra sports boat pull a 200lb skier?

[pastorowc]

I am considering buying a 1996 Hydra Sports fish and ski boat. It is 16.67 feet long and weighs 1040 lbs with no passengers, no fuel or aftermarket accessories. It has a 90hp johnson. The guy that is selling it says that he weighs 200lbs and has no problem skiing slalom behind it, and that a skiier with 2 skiis just pops right up. My quesion is this, is that possible? I dont know alot about boats but a 90hp seems awful small to do that. Could you please give your opinions?
Thanks

 

[DBreskin]

Re: will a 90 hp johnson on hydra sports boat pull a 200lb skier?

I doubt you'll be happy with only 90hp.
Have the owner take you for a sea trial. Take the 200lb skier with you (maybe you're the skier) and have the boat pull you. If you get up slalom easily enough, the question is answered.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: will a 90 hp johnson on hydra sports boat pull a 200lb skier?

It's possible with a boat that light but I would make sure you like the ride back there. If you are an aggressive slalom skier, the bigger problem may be how much you are pulling the boat around.

 

[northern wake]

Re: will a 90 hp johnson on hydra sports boat pull a 200lb skier?

I have a similar set-up 17' lund pro-sport and weighs 1050 dry. I have a 90 Johnson (stroke) and I have no issues at at all. we salomn, wakeboard and tube. I am close to 200lbs. I don't find that I pull the boat around at all.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: will a 90 hp johnson on hydra sports boat pull a 200lb skier?

I weigh 185 and pull my 19ft 2000 lb bayliner around. It's just a matter of how hard you ski and how much you care if the boat gets moved.

The main thing is to try it out so that you know what you are getting rather than buying it and being disappointed later.

 

[pastorowc]

Re: will a 90 hp johnson on hydra sports boat pull a 200lb skier?

Thanks to everybody for their input. But a question for northern wake, How many people do you have in boat usually when pulling? and approx how fast does your boat do while tubing/skiing and when not pulling anybody?
Thanks

 

[skibrain]

Re: will a 90 hp johnson on hydra sports boat pull a 200lb skier?

The size of prop will make a lot of difference. 17" stainless with some cup would probably give you the best hole shot and with it, I'd estimate (my estimate only) around 38-42 mph top speed with a couple people.

I definitely agree with the advice to do a water test with a skier on back and see how it does.