will this boat pull a skier

[Big Laker]

I'm looking at a new Crestliner 16ft with full console with a Yamaha 75 4-stroke. This is plenty power for my fishing needs, is it enough power to pull an occasional skier?

[Farley]

Once the skier gets out of the water, it's a breeze, but I would think it would be enough for a skier that knows how and doesnt weigh 250+. You could definetly pull kids out of the water with it, I'm not sure about adults.

[Ralph Wiggum]

You could easily pull a moderately-sized skier. You'd probably run into problems teaching a "larger" individual to ski, but anyone who knew how to ski wouldn't have a problem. And kids would be no problem, too.

[FISHER ED]

I have a 1650 Fishhawk with a 60 Johnson 2-stroke. With the required 2 people in the boat and myslef (170 lbs) as the skier, I can really slow the boat down when I cut in and out. That 75 will have a little more get-up and go than my 60 but the skier will have to know what they are doing and they probably won't have the best of times. I get tired pretty fast trying to stay up due to slowing the boat down.

[DTro]

well, I learned behind a 35hp, of course I was about 75lbs soaking wet. I actually did a LOT of skiing (slalom) behind a 70hp merc. I was about 160 (those were the days). But at that time I was even doing barefoot with the 70. So yes you shouldn't have a problem with anyone under 200lbs. Sad to say I no longer meet that criteria .

[Bigfife]

Tell the skiier to hold their breath. They are going to have to swallow some water to get up, but then they should be OK. From my experience, 4 strokes are slower out of the whole so it is hard to just pop a skiier up.

[united jigsticker]

This was my question when I bought my new Lund last fall.

I bought a 1700 Adventure series, and it is rated for a 75. They only make 75's in 4-strokes. I have been in enough 4 strokes to know that hole shot isn't very good. I've pulled a skier in a 1650 with a 50 4-stroke.

If he wasn't talented, there was no way he would have ever gotten up. It was like slow motion.

I put a 70 hp 2 cycle on the back of my 1700. 5 less HP, but alot less weight, and far better hole-shot.

This sucker gets up and goes.

Might be a consideration.

[LocalGuide]

I did it on a 16' crestliner with a 35hp motor. It can be done its just hard to get out of the water and sometimes the corners can pull the boat down a bit too.

I learned on that boat and it was tough but I got it done. I did get to taste a lot of lake water...but it was a good way to learn.

I think with the boat you have it shouldn't be to much of a issue. If you are a first timer as long as your strong enough and somewhat skilled you should be able to get out eventually.

[Paul Waldowski]

Guess I'm in the minority. I don't feel that it's enough motor or boat to ski behind. The rig that you're inquiring about is not enough to get up an adult skier on one ski with 2 people in the boat, let alone 3. I would look for more. I have a 17 footer with a 90 horse and can "stop the boat" when I cut.

Just my .02

[Big Laker]

thanks for the input.

I've decided to upgrade the motor. Now the only question is the 115hp Optimax or the 115hp 4-stroke?

[buzzsaw]

four stroke..... do it brotha! You'll never look back.

[wall eyell be]

Four strokes are GREAT for TROLLING

BUT

If you want to waterski behind it, GET THE OPTI !

[Rip_Some_Lip]

I have always been told the best way to wreck a fishing boat is to pull skiers. I dont know if it is true or not.

[hanson]

I've noticed a couple of themes in this thread and you might want to focus on them to make your decision.

-The first is the experience of the person being towed.

-The second would be the holeshot of the towboat.

They are pretty related. An experienced skier should be able to get up behind most anything. A beginner whos never skied before is going to struggle with a slow holeshot IMO.

I've tried to get up on skis in the past behind 'fishing' boats and have struggled. I couldn't get up and out of the water. But then a buddy of mine recommended I try it behind his Mastercraft. Night & day difference there. Hit it and I popped out of the water like we were launching the space shuttle. Awesome!

I've noticed the same while wakeboarding. The holeshot is important to get you up out of the water. I guess you can get spoiled after skiing and wakeboarding behind an inboard ski boat but that power makes it real easy on you.

As Tim Taylor would say, "More Power!"

[tashit]

I would think you would be ok pulling "an occasional skier". It definitely depends on that skier's ability though. 1 or 2 skis is also a factor. I've been slaloming for about 15 years now (I'm 24 now) and I have to say I would not want to slalom behind a 75 hp 4 stroke. Getting up on one ski would be the biggest reason, but also slowing the boat down when cutting too. I ski a lot behind a 1986 Bayliner with a 85 hp Force and a 1986 Starcraft with a 90 hp Merc and I don't even like getting up behind those (granted they have lost power in their old age). In short, yes, the boat will pull a skier, but I would consider what type and how much skiing it will be used for.