50 HP Boat Suggestions for Water Skiing

[lbp1126]

We own a summer kids camp on a lake that has a 50HP boat engine limit. Our existing boats are old and slow and older kids have trouble getting up to water Ski. Does anyone have any suggestions as to the best boat/engine to buy that would provide the best power for water skiing?

 

[aspeck]

Re: 50 HP Boat Suggestions for Water Skiing

A little 15'(or are they 16'?) Boston Whaler will do nicely with a 50hp on it. Our Marina used to use them for their ski boats with a 55 Johnson. They have upgraded since then, but with kids, the 50 on one of them should do just fine.

 

[Solittle]

Re: 50 HP Boat Suggestions for Water Skiing

A 15-16'er should be fine. Check the technique that the kids are using to get up. For example a big "kid" may ahve a problem getting up with a single slalom ski but will have no trouble getting up on a pair and then dropping one.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: 50 HP Boat Suggestions for Water Skiing

Slide the first 50 over a little, add another 50 beside it, put 25HP decals on both engines...Problem fixed....

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: 50 HP Boat Suggestions for Water Skiing

For nearly 10 years my family used a 14 1/2 ft with 50 merc. Pulled deep start slalom no problem (average adult). The weight of the boat is the key, dont load up with to many bodies or gear and play with different props. Aldo

 

[walleyehed]

Re: 50 HP Boat Suggestions for Water Skiing

Aldos' got the key element there......the correct prop.<br />Seriously, you may have to drop a step or so in pitch, but you would be surprised at what that 50 will pull with the right prop....

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: 50 HP Boat Suggestions for Water Skiing

The Boston Whaler and 50hp that aspeck spoke of is what all my pals and I learned to ski from many years ago.<br />It was basically a 14-15' Whaler hull minus the seats and was even a tiller control. It was the SUV of the lake. Not much to look at but it was all good skiing.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 50 HP Boat Suggestions for Water Skiing

If it's calm lake, you might consider a tri-hull boat with a 50 HP. They will pop out a skier in nothing flat and are very stable for the kids aboard.

 

[CTD]

Re: 50 HP Boat Suggestions for Water Skiing

I used to ski behind a 13 ft wood boat with a 22 Hp Scott Attwater. I was a lot lighter in those days and the ski's were bigger but just as much fun. Wish I still had those ski's. They were about 6 feet long and 7 inches wide, made of plywood curved up at the front. They would flex like crazy and you could go a long ways after letting go of the rope.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: 50 HP Boat Suggestions for Water Skiing

Regardless of what motor engine you deside on, the best results will come if you add Trim Tabs. For your size boats and motors the Smart Tabs are best as they are automatic, and cannot be used incorrectly. cost will be under $199. per set. The boatswill act like Master Craft. Search this site for comments.

 

[DJ]

Re: 50 HP Boat Suggestions for Water Skiing

The little Whalers would be an excellent choice. The Carolina Skiff models may be another option.

 

[Arnold96]

Re: 50 HP Boat Suggestions for Water Skiing

First thing would be to prop correctly. A lower number prop would likely help a lot. No lie when I was about 13-14, I could get up behind a Jon boat with a 9.9 on 2 skis. Weighed about 95 soaking wet.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 50 HP Boat Suggestions for Water Skiing

I would only add motor trim is important. Trim in or out to the best setting.Also raise the motor vertically to just before you get ventilation.<br /> this may be done with the mounting bracket or you may be able to add rev sticks 1/4 inch at a time where the motor rests on the transom.<br /> the correct vertical height can give as much as 4 mph additional top speed.Be sure the motor can still be mounted safely.You can put the spotter <br />all the way forward when pulling the skier up<br />and then have them move carefully back to a spot that will help maintain boat speed with a little less boat in the water.

 

[kd6nem]

Re: 50 HP Boat Suggestions for Water Skiing

I suppose most authorities neither know nor care that a new 50 almost certainly is more motor than a 55 was back 40 years ago because of the different ways they were rated (crank vs. prop, right?). I suppose my old 55 might not be legal but a more powerful 50 would be?<br /><br />Anyway, a 50 will indeed do the job nicely for even an adult on the right boat so long as it is trimmed properly. My 15' semi-vee pops up on plane easily without any of the benefits of power trim or trim tabs, though those may indeed be desireable on some boats. (my back says power tilt/trim would be nice, though my boat doesn't care in the least!)

 

[MrBill]

Re: 50 HP Boat Suggestions for Water Skiing

The previous posts have identified the items to key on...the boat weight and hull config are important. One other point, the skis...I use wide parabolic (O'Brien brand) for teaching novices young and old. The wide profile helps the heavier skiers get up, particularly the slalom one. Something like this would help quite a bit...and weight distribution and limit (2 trim individuals) in the tow craft will help too.