watersking

lockieboi · 27 December 2010, 22:15

Hi all,
my friend wants to get back into watersking and I am the only person he knows with a boat.

Firstly, will a 15hp outboard on 3.2 airdeck be suitable to ski?
If not what's the minimum size outboard capable to ski.

Secondly what's the best way to attach the ski rope to the SIB?

Any help appreciated.

PeterM · 28 December 2010, 08:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by lockieboi

Hi all,
my friend wants to get back into watersking and I am the only person he knows with a boat.

Firstly, will a 15hp outboard on 3.2 airdeck be suitable to ski?
If not what's the minimum size outboard capable to ski.

Secondly what's the best way to attach the ski rope to the SIB?

Any help appreciated.

I think you wil have trouble . I can ski behind a 4m RIB with 50hp. Its the start that will be hard with 15hp. You can always try it & see....... but I reckon you really want at least 30hp with a skillful skier to get going.

You should attach the tow line to a 'ski bridle' - essentially forming a Y shape. Two eyes either side of the transom with the main ski line running back centrally from a point behind the engine - basically making the pull central on the boat. You can do it from one side or the other but think on a small light boat you will be pulled all over the place..

prairie tuber · 28 December 2010, 14:45

You'd probably be able to tow a youngster on a tube with 15 hp with you and a spotter in the boat (a legal requirement here if towing a person). Can't imagine the speed would be 'exhilarating' though.

cgoing · 28 December 2010, 14:48

With most inflatables you would probably need a minimum of 40hp to get a light adult up on two skis much better with a 50 or 60hp. Might get a kid up with a 30hp. granted it was about 20 years ago however, if I dropped to a single ski I used to bring my dad's rib to a halt with a 30hp on it.

fishface14 · 28 December 2010, 17:52

i had a 3 meter rib with an 18hp and i had no problem pulling people out on a doughnut and even managed to pull my younger brother (13) out on skis so it is do able

georgieboy · 29 December 2010, 05:36

i got a 3.5 m rib with a 15hp on it and i can pull a inflatable around fast enough to make it fun. not sure about a skier though, would imagine getting started would be the hardest bit.

geir · 29 December 2010, 12:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by lockieboi

Hi all,
my friend wants to get back into watersking and I am the only person he knows with a boat.

Firstly, will a 15hp outboard on 3.2 airdeck be suitable to ski?
If not what's the minimum size outboard capable to ski.

Secondly what's the best way to attach the ski rope to the SIB?

Any help appreciated.

Used to do some water skiing behind my 12ft Domino back in the old days, at first I had a 20HP Evinrude, and it was very tricky to get up, kind of like lifting yourself by the hair

It got better with the 25Hp, but not really OK until I got the 30Hp Yam. Also driving the boat requires some skill, as the skier easily pulls the SIB off course.

kelson · 29 December 2010, 15:30

No way you are going to single ski behind a 15hp. Probably wouldn't be able to get up with two skiis either. I've wakeboarded (big surface area and lower speeds required) on as low as a 25. But it was a long submerged start! We regularly wakeboard and hydrofoil behind my 40 hp 3 cyl futura, but I don't even bother with the skiis on that set up! Your experience as a skier has a lot to do with the possibility of getting up. I pop up on the wakeboard, but my buddy needs a snorkel he is down so long.

Wakeboards work great at 16-18 mph. Single skiis like 28-30+ mph.