4 cyl. Will it be enough for skiing on a Wellcraft Cuddy?

[fishin mortician]

Ok... yes I am new at all this, but I need serious info about the size of an engine, the size of a boat, and if this boat will fulfill all my needs. I am looking to buy a 1988 Wellcraft 21 ft Cuddy with a 4cyl mercruiser Alpha One. I am told it will produce 165 horses. This said, the boat itself is in unbelievably excellent condition. No floor rot. No mold, must, or mildew smell or water marks. Pristine carpet and upholstery. Paint practically flawless. My father is a Chevy Mechanic of 50years and says the engine is clean and well maintained. Beautiful boat at an even more beautiful price. $5000.00. So here is the question...<br /><br />Will this boat and engine allow us to water-ski and tube effectively. We weren'treally looking to puchase a boat right now, but this came along. We just bought a brand new 30foot travel trailer for camping. So money is tight. Plus we have very small children that need to be introduced slowly to the world of boating. Don't need HIGH speed, but enough to pull the kids up to ski. Thanks for any answers... mom of 6

 

[Stanp]

Re: 4 cyl. Will it be enough for skiing on a Wellcraft Cuddy?

Had a 1987 wellcraft sunhatch with the same 4cyl merc. You should have no problem skiing with that setup. I miss mine terribly. We'd ski all day with 5 grown men in that boat.

 

[Walter]

Re: 4 cyl. Will it be enough for skiing on a Wellcraft Cuddy?

I agree with Stan. Deep water starts on a slalom ski might be a challenge...but for tubing, double skis...wakeboards...kneeboards...no problem. Additionally...when you're just out cruising/sight-seeing...you'll really enjoy that four cylinder's fuel economy.<br /><br />Man, it sounds like you got a heck of deal too! I assume that was a package deal which included the trailer and misc. equipment (life jackets, etc...) If so, that makes it one HECK of a sweet deal! <br /><br />Walt

 

[amtsst]

Re: 4 cyl. Will it be enough for skiing on a Wellcraft Cuddy?

second and third that.<br /><br />Just don't try to pull up a big guy on a slalom ski. His arms will give out before you get out of the hole.

 

[MrBill]

Re: 4 cyl. Will it be enough for skiing on a Wellcraft Cuddy?

Sounds like you have the 4 cyl, 3.7 liter (224 CID) mercruiser. The engine was only produced for two years, maybe placed in boats for three model years. Most applications of this engine have a closed cooling system. The same engine with a four barrel carb produces 190 HP, so that's an option if more power is needed.<br /><br />I have the 165 HP set-up in a 19 ft Dynasty bow rider, a rather heavy boat by today's standards, mine's a 1988. As you'll find out, there are some unique issues with this engine, such as charging system (statur assembly alternator, water cooled volt regulator) and the closed cooling system. But mine has been great and I have a friend who bought his new in 1988 and still has it. My boat weighes about 3400 lbs and I pull two skiers, knee boarders and slalom skiers up with no trouble at all. The Mercruiser shop manual (and I highly recommend one at about $30) indicates high-end engine rev at 4400 to 4800, this brings my boat to about 35 mph with a skier, but I get skiers (even big ones) out of the water fast. A hydrofoil on the drive help getting the boat on plane very fast, too.<br /><br />Good luck and here's a site with detailed engine and drive parts, schematics and wiring diagrams to help. http://www.mercruiserparts.com/

 

[Trent]

Re: 4 cyl. Will it be enough for skiing on a Wellcraft Cuddy?

My thoughts only...You could not give me that engine package.<br /><br />Talk to several marine mechanics. <br /><br />Again, My thoughts only!!!!!

 

[rogerwa]

Re: 4 cyl. Will it be enough for skiing on a Wellcraft Cuddy?

I would question the cuddy. If your usage will be trailering to lakes, beaching, and tubing and just tooling around, an open bow might be better.<br /><br />The cuddy will be wasted space and make beaching and trailering a little more difficult because you have to climb over the slippery gel cote to get to the beach or the trailer and vice versa..<br /><br />AS a mom of 6, you will need all the seating space you can get!

 

[MrBill]

Re: 4 cyl. Will it be enough for skiing on a Wellcraft Cuddy?

I guess I didn't really respond to some of your more important questions....but I assumed you bought the boat already and are prepared to make the best of it.<br /><br />Trent has a valid point, the 4 cyl, 3.7 liter is less than ideal, and the cuddy is tough if you moor the boat. I bought my rig last year for a couple reasons....the boat was in tip-top shape, purchased new by some one I know, and the price was 50% of retail book value. Which brings me to a final point...if you want to determine if you got a reasonable deal, check out the NADA guide<br /><br /> http://www2.nadaguides.com/

 

[jim redeker]

Re: 4 cyl. Will it be enough for skiing on a Wellcraft Cuddy?

I'm looking to buy a very similar boat (19 foot Wellcraft cuddy cabin with the Mercruiser 165) and I'm interested in learning whether Fishin Mortician bought the boat and how its worked out. My uses also will be nearly the same, skiing and wakeboarding with 2 adults and 2 young teen boys aboard. FM: if you read this, would you let me know how the boat has performed for you?<br /><br />Many thanks!<br /><br />Jim

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: 4 cyl. Will it be enough for skiing on a Wellcraft Cuddy?

That's a fair price, but search on several sites on the web to compare and I would bet you could get more power for the money. Teenage kids will want more power, and if they bring all their friends you will need it.<br /><br />There is no such thing as fuel economy pulling tubes and skiiers---I've been doing it for 20 years and you are using the very heart of the motor's low end with a lot of hard use also on the high end of the rpm spectrum.<br /><br />If you have any kids who are into slalom skiing, when they get older, that power unit will not pull them fast enough to run a slalom course.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: 4 cyl. Will it be enough for skiing on a Wellcraft Cuddy?

One other point----this question about having enough power seems to pop up here on the post every few weeks.<br /><br />Pulling tubes is like pulling anchors out of the water at the very first when you hit the throttle.<br /><br />Take the boat out an try it with adults on the tubes. If if lugs at all when you start, and takes more than 8 seconds to plane, keep on looking.<br /><br />That's really the only way to tell.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: 4 cyl. Will it be enough for skiing on a Wellcraft Cuddy?

Peataluma3----big difference in the boat you are looking at---two feet less length and the 165 workhorse. If it has been taken care of (regular oil changes, etc.) it will serve you well. However, like a previous post, I would not run a cuddy for fair weather skiing---not enough room.