Wakeboard pulling with AVON S3.40 Help?

[kiteguy23]

Hi Guys,

Need some help here.
Recently purchased a supersport avon s3.40 11ft I think about 10-15 years old. Max weight is 950lbs and 25hp motor.

Can I pull a wakeboarder (185lbs) on this boat with a 20hp motor attached on to the wooden back (or where)?

Looking to see:

1-what size motor will pull someone
2-where to hook up the rope
3- Should I add those flaps for easier planning?


This is the boat but without the motor and flaps

 

[Luvinflatableboats]

Re: Wakeboard pulling with AVON S3.40 Help?

Hi,

THere is no way you can pull a wabkeboarder of 185lbs with a 20hp boat. You will not be able to get him/her out of the water.

Regards,


Darryl

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Wakeboard pulling with AVON S3.40 Help?

What happened with your 25 horse ? Is it old and heavy ? You can try if it's available. If you cannot pull from water, pull standing from shore line

Happy Boating

 

[kiteguy23]

Re: Wakeboard pulling with AVON S3.40 Help?

OK thanks , just trying to get an idea. If not 20 hp motor would a 25 hp?

 

[abdiver7777]

Re: Wakeboard pulling with AVON S3.40 Help?

I suggest you do not do this..........

Think about the amount of additional stress that will impose on the transome....

 

[kiteguy23]

Re: Wakeboard pulling with AVON S3.40 Help?

I guess the reason I ask, is that I see other inflatables on youtube (was trying to find video if it was possible) pulling people around on the wakeboard. Sorry for inexperience.

 

[abdiver7777]

Re: Wakeboard pulling with AVON S3.40 Help?

Don't ever feel bad for asking a question.........

It demonstrates inteligence...........

 

[nobrainsd]

Re: Wakeboard pulling with AVON S3.40 Help?

A 20 hp motor would be tough! When I first checked out wakeboarding behind the inflatable I saw an article on a bunch of kids riding behind a zodiac with a 25 hp outboard. First off they were light and secondly they were good riders. They moved up to a 40 hp. The article isn't linked anymore, but it inspired me. Not to say you should, but it isn't impossible. I really think it has a lot to do with your skill at pulling up. Wakeboards have a lot of surface area. I hydrofoil behind my mk2 futura now. I reglued the transom when I bought it and it hasn't been a problem. All depends on the condition of your boat and your experience.

 

[kiteguy23]

Re: Wakeboard pulling with AVON S3.40 Help?

would a 30 hp max be fine for a boat rated at 25, ha.

also how to reglue your transome?

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Wakeboard pulling with AVON S3.40 Help?

would a 30 hp max be fine for a boat rated at 25, also how to reglue your transome?

You can place a 30 HP at the back of a 3.40 sib, Try with actual engine and see what happens first. Can pull better by changing prop pitch too and just 2 mates, driver and boarder. This is all related to trial and error issues, theory not always works as expected.

Happy Boating

 

[nobrainsd]

Re: Wakeboard pulling with AVON S3.40 Help?

I had to reglue my transom because the seams were separating already when I bought it. Would towing wakeboarders be hard on old transom seams? I don't know. Depends on the condition of the boat. My well glued seams are not a problem.

It is pretty easy to find a bridal that attaches to two eye bolts on either side of the transom (machined or drop forged stainless not cheap hardware store bent style). The tow line attaches to the bridal which also has a float to keep it out of the prop. I think I bought my hardware and bridal at West Marine.

Lifters, flaps or trim tabs help with bow rise and get you on a plane faster. Same thing more or less accomplished by putting your spotter up front or sitting more forward.

I definitely think your success would depend on your ability to ride already. My buddy got towed forever behind my boat before he finally got up. He should have worn a snorkle. Once we got it down we could just pull up and go.

I should add that an inflatable has no real wake to speak of. I have fun behind my boat, but it is flatboarding rather than wakeboarding

 

[Haffiman]

Re: Wakeboard pulling with AVON S3.40 Help?

The wakeboarder will be in more control of your boat than the driver.
You will at least need a RIB.
Adding horse on that kind of boat only makes it worse and a real safety risk.
A kid of 60-80 lbs perhaps as max.

 

[nobrainsd]

Re: Wakeboard pulling with AVON S3.40 Help?

An inflatable may not replace a real wakeboard boat with ballast and tower, but it isn't as much of a mismatch as some seem to believe. My skeptical 225 lb friend went out on a cut, looked at me and then buried his wakeboard edge expecting to pull the boat toward him. Ha. He folded right over.

Yes, My Futura is a little bigger than the S3.40. Yes, when towing experience hydrofoilers I get some alteration in my heading and have to steer accordingly. Heck, they move the full size Ski Nautique too.

I've ridden behind jet skiis, sibs, pontoon boats and all sorts of vessels. While a small inflatable isn't going to give you a professional level pull, it can be a lot of fun to pop up and cruise around.

If I had listened to all of those who told me to not put a short ski pole in my boat I would have missed out on a lot of fun.

You'll notice my driver and spotter aren't exactly light weights either.

 

[kiteguy23]

Re: Wakeboard pulling with AVON S3.40 Help?

Wow nice pics and info! What system are you using to hold the line in the second picture. It would be me 190, a friend spotting, 165 , and the person being pulled 165.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Wakeboard pulling with AVON S3.40 Help?

I have an Avon Rover 340 wood floor 3.4m with a 25.
It will pull a wake boarder, but not legally.

The boat runs fine on plane with 1 adult and another adult in a tube or on a board or ski, but as soon as you make things legal with a spotter.....game over...about 8mph all you can do
won't pull anything with 2 on board

I don't know what the Supersport designation changes, but mine is older and has smaller dia tubes looks like..

and notice my 25 is a 77lb 2 stroke
I wouldn't put a heavier 25 on, and certainly not a 30..no way
25 is pushing it.... I got tossed at WOT with the 25 not paying attention... wear your lanyard!

 

[kiteguy23]

Re: Wakeboard pulling with AVON S3.40 Help?

so do people generally agree that the boat can pull 2 people around 180 but not 2 in the boat and 1 on the board (3 in all)?

 

[nobrainsd]

Re: Wakeboard pulling with AVON S3.40 Help?

No one here knows exactly whether or not you will be able to pull this off in your boat with a 25 hp. Everyone has an opinion. Like I said, I've seen people do it. I ride in my boat with a 40hp outboard, three big people and all of my gear (including suspension seats). I think I could get up behind a 25 with a stripped boat and skinny friends. Remember, to wakeboard you only need to run at 16 mph. A wakeboard is a big plate! My wife pulls up when the boat is barely moving and doesn't require much throttle at all. A single ski is a much different thing all together. No way you are getting up. What is your top speed now? If you can't go a little over 16mph now then you are not going to ride. If you can borrow a wakeboard and tow line you would only risk the expense for the eyebolts and bridal for the transom.

 

[kiteguy23]

Re: Wakeboard pulling with AVON S3.40 Help?

Do you really think 30hp would be the max instead of 25hp since this will ensure the best chance to get someone up if we decide to take the chance and try this?

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Wakeboard pulling with AVON S3.40 Help?

New engines 25-30 HP weights near the same. A 30 horse would be much better than a 25, 5 HP more makes a difference, anyway it's a matter to try under trail and error with driver + boarder alone, inflate well your sib for rigidity and better speed. If going for the 30 ask the store if buying new, for prop alternatives to get best hole shot for boardering specially if the back mate is heavy.

Happy Boating

 

[kiteguy23]

Re: Wakeboard pulling with AVON S3.40 Help?

rebuilt Tohatsu ? Nissan 30hp M30A3 346B 2stroke Boat Motor

were thinking about using a 30hp motor, any opinions on this motor?