water sking

[John Fisher]

I am having trouble pulling a water skier on one ski out of the water. I have a 90hp force on a 18ft Maxum. Someone told me if I went a pitch lower on the propeller that that would help. And another person told me to get a ski pylon. Any suggestions?<br /><br />Thanks, John

 

[boaterntexas]

Re: water sking

90hp outboard on and 18ft boat isn't much power. Does the person skiing know how to ski?. How heavy is the skiier. Can you pull other skiers?<br /><br />What pitch is your current prop, what is your WOT rpms? <br /><br />I don't think a ski pylon will do you any better.<br /><br /><br />It takes lots of juice to pull a some one up on one ski. My 17' bowrider is equipped with a merc 3.0 (135 hp) and it has a hard pulling up heavier people on two skis.

 

[ae708]

Re: water sking

I have a 19 pitch prop on my boat and can pull a skier from deep water just fine but if I put my 17 pitch on I can pull him up much easier although I lose a bit of top end, but then you don't pull a skier much over 35 anyway... as a rule.

 

[BMDODGE]

Re: water sking

what's the pitch on it now ??? i would think a 17P would work o.k - if you use it more for watersports then get a 4-blade set-up. welcome to the board and keep posting - Bruce

 

[John Fisher]

Re: water sking

Im not sure what the pitch is, i will find out this weekend. They skier in mind is about 190<br /><br />thanks for all the replys - John

 

[Richok]

Re: water sking

John Fisher<br />I am running a 17 pitch on my 17 1/2 foot with an 85 hp Evinrude. I am about 150. On one ski I can get up but it takes the boat a bit. 190 might be pushing it. I think the advice BM dodge says about the 4 blade prop would be good, if you are running a 17. Consider the weight you have in the boat when you are pulling. If I am pulling someone heavier than me I have to load most of my weight to the bow to get it to plane quicker even though I have power/tilt trim. May sound crazy but it works on my rig.

 

[cinder1995]

Re: water sking

The lower pitch will help but my friend has a 50 horse and it struggles, but it pulls me up and i'm 200#s.

 

[John Fisher]

Re: water sking

Originally posted by ae708:<br /> I have a 19 pitch prop on my boat and can pull a skier from deep water just fine but if I put my 17 pitch on I can pull him up much easier although I lose a bit of top end, but then you don't pull a skier much over 35 anyway... as a rule.

 

[John Fisher]

Re: water sking

Im not sure what the pitch is, i will find out this weekend. They skier in mind is about 190<br /><br />thanks for all the replys - John

 

[cuzner]

Re: water sking

Consider smart tabs, It may solve your problem with your current prop.<br /><br /><br /> Jim

 

[mkuehnl]

Re: water sking

John:<br /><br />he responses you recieved here are very good. Your prop can make all the difference. A lower pitch will give you a better hole shot and the higher pitch will give you a faster top-end. Also, a pylon can aid in your ski efforts but may not do much for getting people up and out of the water. Your problem lies in your prop....

 

[Mercury140-I6]

Re: water sking

I'm running a 19P on my 16' Glastron with a 140 (Crank Rated) ~115 at the prop motor and I can pull 2 at a time (Pulled 3 once (Just to see if I could)).<br /><br />Problem is you have exactly the opposite set up that I do. Try a lower pitch prop, or teach him how to do a dock start<br /><br />Hope this helps.<br /><br />Craig