Best Motor both Trolling and Water Skiing

[Debby Kirschenman]

My husband and I are in the market for a new boat. We would like to be able to troll for fish(1 to 3 mph) and water ski using the same motor. We need to be able to pull a 200 lbs person out of the water on one ski. We have been looking at 6 cylinder stern drive motors and would like to know if they can be operated at 1 to 3 mph for extended periods of time. We are also considering a 115 hp fuel injected outboard and are wondering which would fit our needs the best. We have been told that outboard engine are not designed to operate at trolling speeds for extended periods of time.

 

[JB]

Re: Best Motor both Trolling and Water Skiing

Hi, Debby.<br /><br />A suitable engine depends mostly on the boat you intend to power with it.<br /><br />4 stroke, EFI outboards will troll as well as a 4 stroke stern drive engine and better than most.<br /><br />Select a size and type of boat. Then ask us again.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Debby Kirschenman]

Re: Best Motor both Trolling and Water Skiing

We have been looking at 17' bowriders from almost all manufactures, including Glastron, Bayliner, Maxum, Sea Ray, Monarch, etc.

 

[JB]

Re: Best Motor both Trolling and Water Skiing

A 115hp EFI 4 stroke outboard would do very well, provided the boat is rated for that much power.<br /><br />Stern drive boats that size don't have much room in them.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[MajBach]

Re: Best Motor both Trolling and Water Skiing

I've had problems trying to slow my boat down for trolling. A fine pitch prop I thought would not only be good for waterskiing but also for trolling. Not the case. Even with a prop that allows my boat to redline at WOT, I still troll at 2.5 mph. Solution was to buy a fabric drag net and hang it out the side to give lots of drag. Cheaper than a kicker.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Best Motor both Trolling and Water Skiing

I have 2 v-6 sterndrive boats a 17' glastron175sx and a 19' bluewater cuddy and I have found the only way to go slow enough is to pull a 5 gallon bucket from the ski eye. you will have no problems pulling your big skier though!!!! I weigh 250 and my glastron has no problems pulling me out. I put a 17 pitch prop on it and my wife was able to pull me my cousin and my dad with no problems although it knocked top speed from 55mph down to around 35.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Best Motor both Trolling and Water Skiing

Debby...we were kind of in the same boat (Pun Intended)this year and we settled on a 16' Cutter bowrider Canadian made boat with a 115hp Merc (carbs) it actually starts off running on only 2 cylinders which is supposed to be for low speed fuel efficiency and around 1800 rpms the other 2 cyls kick in. It definitley goes slow enough for trolling and has more than enough power for skiing, it pulls both of my boys(men) one is 230 and the other is 175 lbs. For high speed it pushes the boat over 50 mph depending on load and trim, seems to be a good all round package.

 

[mtemple]

Re: Best Motor both Trolling and Water Skiing

Looked for the same about a year ago - chose a 18 foot Lund Fisherman with a 115 HP Johnson 4 Stroke. Trolls down beautifully to just under 2 mph and will pull me out of the water no problem with two skiis. Quietness is beautiful. One ski maybe a challenge. Lots more room with the outboard especially if your skiing and or tubing with a family.

 

[KCook]

Re: Best Motor both Trolling and Water Skiing

Considering the modest size of the boat and the very low trolling speed I would think an electric trolling motor would work? They sure do a nice job on bass boats.<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Best Motor both Trolling and Water Skiing

Or, one of these will slow you down no matter what motor you choose:<br /><br /> web page