Can't pull up a skier? Wrong prop???

[blacksmith]

I have a 1987 XP150 Evinrude on a fish n ski I just bought. It is proped with a stainless three blade 14 1/2 inch pitch 22. It will run great on top end, but will not pull up a skier well, just wants to drag them. Am I proped wrong? What should I be using?

 

[DJ]

Re: Can't pull up a skier? Wrong prop???

blacksmith,<br /><br />THat's a lot of prop. pitch (22") for pulling skiers. What is your rpm at wide open throttle?

 

[blacksmith]

Re: Can't pull up a skier? Wrong prop???

I have not had it wide open yet, my wife does not like going over 30 so I pushed it to 50 and lied to her, HAHA. Seriously, I don't know yet but would be glad to let you know. Thanks for your assistance.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Can't pull up a skier? Wrong prop???

Blacksmith<br /><br />Check this one http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=17;t=014920

 

[sandman]

Re: Can't pull up a skier? Wrong prop???

Thanks all, I will get back to you. UU, looks like a teriffic idea, if I can just figure out how to open or un-zip it now???

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Can't pull up a skier? Wrong prop???

Skiing is a seperate water sport related to boating. There are many factors involved.<br /><br />Is the skier experianced? If so how much? A beginner or even a novice is hard to "pop" out of the water at times.<br /><br />Is the driver experianced in pulling a skier? The trim should be all the way down and the throttle must be applied fast (not slammed wide open). Too slow will drag a skier.<br /><br />How is the weight in the boat distributed (where the observer is sitting)?<br /><br />I think the 150 with that prop is more than adaquate to pull a skier. I have ski'd behind a bass boat with a 150 mariner and a 25 pitch prop w/o problem. I have also pulled up a skier behind a 12' aluminum boat with a tiller steered 18 hp. <br /><br />Before you go prop investing consider the above.<br /><br />Bob

 

[sandman]

Re: Can't pull up a skier? Wrong prop???

I learned to ski behind a 40 HP outboard many more years ago than I care to admit. Quit skiing many years ago. Been pulling skiers with others boats ever since. This one is just difficult. All good points to consider. Something just isn't right here.

 

[pmueller]

Re: Can't pull up a skier? Wrong prop???

Sandman, I struggled with this same issue (90hp/17' - haven't skied in awhile, double skis no problem, single ski dragged forever). I got prop suggestions, even bought a hydrofoil (havn't installed it yet). Decided to look at different skis. Since ours we're so old, I bought one of the new parabolic single skis with wider top and bottom. Tried it out this weekend. My wife and I both got up no problem...and it gave us a fun ride. I figure for the price of a new prop and hydrofoil, I just about covered the cost of the ski. They come in doubles as well. Something else to consider.

 

[ajp]

Re: Can't pull up a skier? Wrong prop???

The key to getting up on one or even two skis, or wakeboards is pushing the ski down to get it closer to level. Then the ski or board will lift you out of the water with no struggle. Too many people fight to stay behind the ski and just plow the water and have to let go when their arms can't hold on. <br />The lift happens when the ski or board levels out and never before. <br />You may be strong enough to hold on till the boat forces you on top of the ski, but not many are. Concentrate on leveling the board first. Then the pull will be easy.

 

[sandman]

Re: Can't pull up a skier? Wrong prop???

Thanks for the great thoughts. All are appreciated.

 

[harrison20002]

Re: Can't pull up a skier? Wrong prop???

Blacksmith; About 20 years ago we bought a 17 footer with a 115 Merc. Two of our friends[both over 250 pounds], wanted to tandem ski. They were excellent skiers. I rigged up 75 and 100' tow ropes. They both got up the first time and skied like that often after that. <br /><br />I was running a 141/2" X 17" prop at 5700. I think if you went smaller that a 22" your boat could do as well. <br /><br />Me? I'm 65 years old and back to double ski's, that **** water just got to hard. Happy Boating, Hal

 

[sandman]

Re: Can't pull up a skier? Wrong prop???

Thanks for the info all. Will try a different prop. What do you think, a 19 or 20 pitch?

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Can't pull up a skier? Wrong prop???

The file downloadable at the site mentioned ( or here http://users.cybercity.dk/~ccc93391/ ) is a standard zip file.<br /><br />You will need an un-zip utility to make it readable.<br /><br />If you do not have a zip-utility you can download a free version from www.winzip.com