Can my boat pull a skier (details inside)?

[JamesCoste]

I have a 1983 T-162 Glastron with a 50HP Johnson that runs well.<br /><br />Here is a link to the boat: Glastron T-162 <br /><br />Will it pull skiers or is the 50HP motor not big enough? How about pulling tubes, wakeboards, etc.? I mainly plan to fish in this boat, but am examining my options.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Can my boat pull a skier (details inside)?

I think it would pull someone up on two skis who's relatively light in weight, like kids for example... An "accopmlished" skier who's a bit heavier may be able to get up on two, but he or she is going to drag a bit, and a slalom ski is out of the question.. This all goes for wakeboards as well..<br /><br />Should be able to pull a tuber or a kneeboarder without too much trouble..

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Can my boat pull a skier (details inside)?

James, <br /><br />I agree with snapperbait, you are right there. I loved these boats, brother had one with the I/O but it was a great boat.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Can my boat pull a skier (details inside)?

There are a few "it depends" here.<br /><br />It depends on what prop you are running.<br /><br />It depends how many people are in the boat.<br /><br />It depends on how strong the person is that you are trying to get up.<br /><br /> And It depends on how long he or she can hold there breath untill they get up.<br /><br />

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Can my boat pull a skier (details inside)?

My kids learned to ski behind a 25 HP, but that was under ideal conditions. Light boat and very skinny little kids. You will probably run into the same thing. I would think your rig should do OK on everything mentioned except for a very heavy skier { around 200# +]. You may have to go to a lower pitch prop to get better acceleration in getting a skier up.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Can my boat pull a skier (details inside)?

A hydrofoil will get your boat on plane quicker and improve your whole shot for skiing. My buddy has a 55 Evinrude and it does ok.

 

[Mercury140-I6]

Re: Can my boat pull a skier (details inside)?

My parents had a 1967 16 (15.5') Glaspar with a 1967 Merc 650 (65hp) and we were able to pull 2 adults on single skis. Granted, it took some time to get them up, but it did it and I have it on video tape. Just don't know how to post it on here. 2 years later we upgraded to a Merc 1250 (125hp). the old 65 was worn out. It's a lot to ask from a small motor like that, but one at a time shouldn't be that hard on your 55hp.<br /><br />Criag

 

[dwci97]

Re: Can my boat pull a skier (details inside)?

I was watching Mythbusters on Discovery the other night and the Boston College mens rowing team pulled up a skier on 2 skis. That was incredible to watch. Those guys just pulled hard on those oars and pulled Jamie right out of the water. He skied for a good minute or 2 to prove that a row boat can pull a skier.

 

[JamesCoste]

Re: Can my boat pull a skier (details inside)?

Thank you everybody. It might be something to try sometime. I think I'll start off with tubes and other types of floats that they sell at West Marine, etc.<br /><br />I can ski some but kids are all pretty small for skiing yet. I'm 6'1" and 180 lb. so it might handle me. I've been working out with "Hans and Frans" for 4 months so maybe I'm strong enough. . I'll start off by going with a friend who has a typical ski boat and go from there. <br /><br />I might look into a hydrofoil to improve the boat for skiing if I get "into it".

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Can my boat pull a skier (details inside)?

I disagree with snapper. An experienced slalom skier can get up on your boat. I learn how to slalom on an 18ft trihull with a 55 hp and two adults and 3 kids on board. I was pretty young then though. I also got up on one stick all the time behind my grandparents fishing boat with a 35 horse rude! I was in high school then and was about 6'2"-175 lbs.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Can my boat pull a skier (details inside)?

I have seen people skiing behind some pretty crazy rigs, so yours should do okay. Definately look into repropping a bit, but not too much because then you'll pop up but the boat will run out of speed. Of course, according to todays mindset, you cannot have an enjoyable day of skiing unless you are behind a $50,000 rig (At least thats what the people who justify $50,000 rigs say).<br /><br />I saw that Mythbusters, that was crazy. Popping up was easy, he just had a hard time coordinating the oar strokes, but he popped up quick.

 

[strgazr]

Re: Can my boat pull a skier (details inside)?

30 years ago we had a old wooden boat with the 25hp green seahorse and i remember dad and the other adults sking,yep the bigger ones stayed wet a little longer but it was still sking. i also had a 13 ft boston whailer with a 50 merc.in the mid 1980s and it pulled just fine. neither rejected the single sticks. go--- have fun.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Can my boat pull a skier (details inside)?

You may need to have 2 props. One with lower pitch for pulling tubers and skiers and one for normal running. I had a 65 HP Merc on my Wellcraft 16'er and with the regular prop, it had a hard time getting up a skier. Got a different prop pitched 2" lower and it would pop them right up. Switched back to the old one when done with the water sports... With all that said, you have a Tri-Hull, which planes much quicker than my deeper V hull, which is also probably alot heavier than yours, so you may have no problem at all.

 

[JamesCoste]

Re: Can my boat pull a skier (details inside)?

I'm going to just have to try it. I honestly don't know much about how to hook up the ski rope to the transom. Does anybody have pictures of what is used to do just that? I might be able to find some if I search. I'll do that.<br /><br />I'm still in the "information collection" stage. I believe that my boat "might" handle a skier based on the responses. It might need a different prop as well. I was visiting the Glastron site and they "brag" about how quickly the tri-hulls get up on plane, so maybe that will, indeed, help.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Can my boat pull a skier (details inside)?

James, Normally you would use an equilizer rig to attach the ski rope to the boat transom. That is the device with a 8' piece of cable, a hook on either end and a pully/float where you attach the rope. I usually find the store-bought equalizers get into my prop, usually when my brother-in-law drives (funny thing!), so I shorten them to where they cannot get into the prop.<br /><br />Optiminally,you need to pull skiers at about 28MPH for two skiis and 32 MPH for 1 ski. You need to go slower with beginners or kids. Your boat should be good to pull skiers on 2, marginal for salom skiers. Adult salom skiers will need to hold their breath until (maybe two breaths) on startup. Have fun!<br /><br />PS tubes and other water toys will work great!