waterskiing, what horsepower needed to

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meneermalik

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Hi everyone, <br /><br /> this is a very simple and perhaps silly question. I'm looking at a boat to buy, it's very cheap. I just wanted to know what size engine is needed to waterski. It's one of those 14 foot fiberglass boats with the steering wheel and the little windshield. It comes with a 28 hp working Johnson, and a non-working 33hp Evinrude which I hope to repair. Thanks for any help.
 
tommays

tommays

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Re: waterskiing, what horsepower needed to

we have done it on something like that when we were young BUT it required a LOT of skill and you had to let the boat make a running start :eek: <br /><br />i cant say how much is the minumin but a lot more than that if you really want to ski<br /><br />tommays
 
Boomyal

Boomyal

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Re: waterskiing, what horsepower needed to

Ditto to tommays. Don't forget you also need to carry a minimum of two people in the boat. (one as observer) In addition an average skier will pull that little 14 footer all over the lake. Also there is nothing worse for a new skier to learn behind an underpowered boat.<br /><br />I would venture to say that you should find a minimum of 16 ft and 70-90 hp to keep from making it more work than fun. With that you could carry three people in the boat plus the skier and make a day or a party out of it.
 
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whywhyzed

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Re: waterskiing, what horsepower needed to

That's funny - read the thread title and immediately thought to myself.."28"<br /><br />That's because I used to pull a buddy on a slalom ski behind his 14 foot w/ a 28 johnny.<br />He would cut, and the boat would just about stop dead.<br />He was a good skier and could recover.... but when it was my turn I would sink every cut.<br /><br />I would recommend 40HP.
 
Texasmark

Texasmark

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Re: waterskiing, what horsepower needed to

When I was young I skiied behind an 18 rude......just barely. Some of our group had the Johnny 25's of the day (34 cu in) which did great, and some the later 35 hp (34 cu in) which did even better.<br /><br />We were on 2 skiis and light weight (persons). It wasn't a dazzling sensation, but we did "ski".<br /><br />Now later on as an adult behind a 125 Johnny, I could get serious about some slalom skiing and goofing off and all.<br /><br />Mark
 
Realgun

Realgun

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Re: waterskiing, what horsepower needed to

Mythbusters did it behind 8 guys rowing. :) <br />.3 HP per person x8 people= 2.4 HP <br />I do not recommend it.
 
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Moody Blue

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Re: waterskiing, what horsepower needed to

Well, the boat I have sounds very similar to what you described and I'm running a 40hp Mariner. Easily pulls my two teenage (15&16) sons out of the water (one at a time of course) on two skis. A water slalom start is a bit of a struggle and they need to hold their breath for a few seconds :D . We mostly get up on two and drop one ski. Once up, there is no problem. I usually only take the one observer because of the limited space and HP limitations but a 40 works well for me until I can afford bigger.
 
Bondo

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Re: waterskiing, what horsepower needed to

I've skied behind a 25hp on a 14' tinny,....... On 2 Skis.........<br /><br />My Bud Skied Slalom behind the same boat,...........<br />When he Cut,....... He Steered the Boat,.........<br /><br />When he leaned back on the ski,....... Then the boat Stopped............<br /><br />I agree with everbody here,........ 40hp/50hp Can get it done,.......<br /><br />It depends on the Boat,+ the Skier's Talent......<br /><br />And,...........<br />As with Anything Else in a Boat,........<br /><br />More Horsepower is ALWAYS Better,........................
 
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Paul Moir

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Re: waterskiing, what horsepower needed to

The 33hp Evinrude is called a Skitwin. Almost as though to prove it can be done. :D <br />
seite_14.jpg
 
Reel Poor

Reel Poor

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Re: waterskiing, what horsepower needed to

When we were 12/13 we skied behind a 57 18hp Rude, wasnt a problem and maaan it was fun. Later got 40hp Rude SuperQuiet, we were probably 14/15 and we could ski double behind that. It would pull up twin slalom, if you knew how to get up and hold your breath.
 
Texasmark

Texasmark

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Re: waterskiing, what horsepower needed to

All this was fun and brought back fond memories. I liked the commercials they had back in those days of small engines....like the one shown.<br /><br />You can tell that he is barely moving by the size of the spray droplets.<br /><br />Liked your comments guys about stopping and steering the boat......one of the first things I noticed when we got our first deep V with the 125. Those days were over.<br /><br />Now, something I don't understand.....with a goodlooking babe next to him like that, hows come the driver of that bus didn't cut the ski rope and take off for the nearest quiet lagoon? Grin.<br /><br />Mark
 
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