Is a 4.3 enough to ski??

[brianmccullough]

I'm in the market for a family boat, that will be fun to cruise, but also want to do some skiing (primarily slalom). I am looking at a Sea Ray 185 with the 4.3 Mercruser (190hp). <br /><br />My skiing experience has all been with an OB (115hp) or a mastercraft ski boat. <br /><br />Will the 4.3 I/O do the job?? Seems like plenty, but never skiied behind one.

 

[hgrection]

Re: Is a 4.3 enough to ski??

How big's the family. Sounds like plenty motor for normal-sized skier. I think the big ? is how many people do you plan on having riding in the boat when you ski.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Is a 4.3 enough to ski??

New boat buyer<br />If the Searay is a 18 foot then I think it will do fine. I can ski behind my 21 foot Crestliner with a 3.0 140Hp with my lower pitch prop but for slalom really need more power.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Is a 4.3 enough to ski??

One of our sons has an 18' family boat with a 4.3 and it does fine. With the right prop you can fill the boat up with people and still pull one skier.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Is a 4.3 enough to ski??

We have a glastron 175sx with the 4.3 and It has more than enough power for anyone to ski behind. I weigh over 250 and have no problems getting up. We tried several different props and the one that is best for pulling is a 19 pitch.My father (fat) Was driving, My mother (not skinny) on the flag and My wife (Skinny) my cousin(skinny) and myself all on skis. The boat had no problem except It is real easy to over rev and slowed the boat down at cruising speed. with a 23pitch It cruises 40 mph at 3400-3500rpm with the 19 pitch I think it was like 32-33mph at 3500rpm. We were there for water sports not going fast so it didn't really matter.

 

[KM2]

Re: Is a 4.3 enough to ski??

It's enough. I'm 210 lbs and get get up relatively easy behind a 18' boat with 4.3 VP(190hp). It has a 23" prop and I will probably move down to the 19"-21" range and maybe a 4 blade for better acceleration. The boat will put out a bigger wake then your used to in the mastercraft. <br />Kevin

 

[salty87]

Re: Is a 4.3 enough to ski??

is there still ice on the lake? if not, bust out the dry suit and take her for a spin. if skiing is what you want, i'd make sure it gives you the pull you want. if you're a big guy, you might pull it around a bit. mastercraft's track and hold speed a hell of a lot better than an i/o.<br /><br />if wakeboarding is on the menu, i think the 18' would leave you wanting more room.

 

[cottonmouth]

Re: Is a 4.3 enough to ski??

ok, next question. i'm considering an 18' sea ray with a 135 merc. outboard. i've never skiied on an outboard. will it be enough to get a 200lb skiier out of the water slalom with 800lbs of passenger on the boat? 135hp is the biggest motor i can get on this boat. :confused<br />oh yeah, the dealer says its plenty, as i guessed he would

 

[djvan]

Re: Is a 4.3 enough to ski??

I have a friend with a 115 merc outboard on a 17' sea ray, he weighs about 225 and the rest of his family are "big boned people". He pulls three tubes quite often. They also ski and wakeboard with this setup. He usually has at least three people in the boat (probably about 450-500 lbs) and misc gear. <br /><br />HTH's<br /><br />DougV>

 

[Ripsnort]

Re: Is a 4.3 enough to ski??

FWIW:<br />Had a Chevy 4.3 V6 in a 19 ft. Larson AA Cuddy and pulled 4 skiiers with it once. (Granted, it *did* have the Volvo Penta counter rotating Dual-prop. I loved that outdrive, if you were a skiier, and said "hit it", you'd better be holding on, it'd yank you right out of your skis.)