Will a 90HP pull a skier?

K

kevrangray

New member
With the summer weather here just around the corner I was curious if the 90HP engine on my 22' Cruiser would pull a skier? I'm roughly 200 pounds but my kids are just around the 100 pound mark. Any info is welcome.

Thanks
 
Yes, The problem may be a little slow out of the "hole"--you might want to drop down 2" in prop size. This prop will also work well at higher elevations such as the 3700 feet at Powell.

I used to ski routinely on a slalom with 25 to 35 HP--and I was about 170 lbs then. (There was a time this was the largest outboard available) I skiied for many years with a 18 foot deep V, and an 85 hp outboard. My kids (when small) skiied behind a 9.9 hp on an inflatable, and we went to a 25, and on the inflatable it would pull me or Marie. But with the very low HP you have to come up on two skiis and then go to the Slalom.

With the flat bottom of the C Dory, a heavy and good skiier will pull the boat around some--but it works fine.
 
Yup, Check photo #11 in the Bixby's Cub Album. 90 HP Mercury

As you know the 22's bow steer pretty bad at higher speeds when the motor is trimmed down. So after you pop the skiier up and start reaching speeds in the low 20's it helps to trim the motor up to raise the bow.
 
Thanks much for the replies. Will drop down to a 2" prop and remember to raise the bow. Sea Wolf is right down the road so maybe he will want to do some skiing as well. Thanks again for the info. Should be a pretty good summer.

:lol:
 
A new prop is expensive, Try it with your existing prop and see how she does. In the meantime keep your eyes peeled for a used lower pitch prop at pawn shops, flea markets, and marine dealers.

The pitch on your existing prop should be stamped or engraved some where on the hub. Chances are that it is a 15Pitch.

Or leave some gear back at the dock and drain the water tank. Making the boat a bit lighter may give you enough of a boost that you don't need to drop down in pitch
 
I agree with Texsaire. No need to get a new prop--just if it is too slow out of the hole, it may help.

If you don't have trim tabs, they are also a good addition. We have never had a problem with any of the C Dories bow steering, but I adjust motor trim all of the time as we are going along. The bow steering would be more likely going down wind/waves.--and in heavy waves, you will probably not be waterskiing...
 
Another really important thing...

If you're talking slalom ski instead of double, the selection of a ski makes a world of difference. A narrow competition ski probably won't get up unless your technique is flawless. A medium width ski might work best.

I had a really underpowered old Glastron for a time and I could get up with care on a medium ski. One time I rented a wider "old guy's cruiser" ski to experiment and I couldn't find a technique to get up on it. It kept holding the boat back too much. I switched back to the medium and popped right up. You might do better, but that was my experience.

Have you tried a wakeboard? MUCH easier to get up on, and you can use a very slow launch. No high power hole shot required. You can tow about 16 to 18 mph and ride all over the lake without being exhausted like on a slalom ski after a few minutes.

Also, if you want to keep enjoying driving the C-Dory, DON'T try driving a tournament ski boat (Malibu, etc.) They drive like a dream. Maneuvering around the dock at low speed is another matter. Typical single screw inboard. Helpless...

When I used to ski here in CA some years back, we never saw people use two skis. I went back to Wisconsin for a visit a saw lots of them.

Then I discovered wakeboards and hung up the ski. Too tiring. Fun's over too soon.

-Jeff
 
I actually just got done pricing some props and think that the plan is to stick to tubing and knee boarding. :P This will be much easier for the little ones to pick up anyway.
 
kevrangray":1atxtgtl said:
I actually just got done pricing some props and think that the plan is to stick to tubing and knee boarding. :P This will be much easier for the little ones to pick up anyway.
Click to expand...

I actually just overcame a similar issue. I have a 1989 SeaRay Bowrider 18'8" fiberglass weighs about 2300 lbs empty 130 horsepower.

I am a big guy about 6'3" 270 lbs. I had some trouble getting up behind this boat. Problem was the boat wouldn't plane and I was just eating water way to long. My dad has been skiing slalom and regular his whole life and taught me a trick.

Instead of having the boat take off straight away have it take off at a 90 degree angle from the skier. I know this sounds weird but it WORKS GREAT. I had my doubts when my Dad tried to tell me this but in practice it works like a charm. Difference was night and day.

See Picture below:


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