3.0L Merc, any good for skiing?

[Anthony Nadalin]

In general terms, any problems skiing with a 18 foot boat (1900 LB) and
a Merc 3.0L (135hp) engine? What can I expect?

-Tony

[Steve Barnes]

Steve wrote; not bad . will depend on what type of prop you
use.!!!!!!!!1
What year??????

Master Technician in Mer.

[The Abbey Family]

I just got my boat last summer, a 19' BAYLINER of all godawful things, huh
guys?, with a little 3.0 135hp. Took it out on the lake with us three and
another family of three, I am pushing 200 and the other guy is well above,
and had no problems at all getting either of us out of the water. It is
definitely no speed demon, but we ski behind it at a pace well suited to us.
If I could have afforded it, I would have gotten a bigger engine for when my
son becomes a better skier, but maybe when I upgrade. (Like the wife will let
me!)

[Anthony Nadalin]

Its a 1997 3.0L (XL), it has the standard prop from Rinker on it have not changed
it. What is the best prop for skiing behind a 3.0L Merc (135HP)?

-Tony

[G. Schnauzer]

Both the original question and this answer are perhaps illustrative of the
problem with asking a non specific question which often gets an answer that
may or may not apply. For example the original question provides no
information as to the weight, expertise or type of skiing that the user
intends to do. The answer provides no indication either of the level at
which the responder is skiing, only that it will pull them out of the water
and goes at "a pace well suited to us."

A much better answer might have been obtained if the poster had provided
information on the following:

Weight of the skier
How many skis? Two or single Slalom? If slalom - two full boots?
Are deep water starts planned? With two skis? With one ski?
How many other people in the boat?
What speed does the skier need for the boat to maintain?
If the skier is pulling hard does he expect that the boat will maintain
speed?
Does the skier ever plan to barefoot? Deep water start for barefoot?

Is the basic expectation that the skier is able to experience the act of
water skiing? or is this going to involve serious water skiing?

A 135 hp on a 1900 # boat may be suitable for the former and be totally
unsuitable for the latter.
--
G. Schnauzer
The Abbey Family <abbe...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:36AAD384...@earthlink.net...

[Anthony Nadalin]

Sorry for not being specific,

Skier is 175 pounds, a good slalom skier, with one full boot. Deep water starts
are planed with slalom ski. Also some skiing with 2 skis and a drop of one of
them (for a few folks that are starting). The speed I ski at is 30 mph. If I
pull hard I hope it will maintain, but the SeaDoo did not (down fall).

Now I use a SeaDoo GTI PWC and this does a great job, but its a pain as there is
no storage. So I was just looking for a small runabout and most of them seam to
have 3.0L engines.

I would not expect any bear footing.

[Polbike]

I had a 3.0L for three years. I am a good skier always deep water starts with
one boot. Usually 3-4 people in the 17' boat. Never a problem.

BTW - If you are a good skier and someone ( preferably an in-law) , can't get
up behind your boat and blames your lame motor, just jump overboard and get up
on one ski- it shuts them up fast.

[life_...@hotmail.com]

In article <36AAADF1...@prodigy.net>,

Anthony Nadalin <nad...@prodigy.net> wrote:
> In general terms, any problems skiing with a 18 foot boat (1900 LB) and
> a Merc 3.0L (135hp) engine? What can I expect?

You can expect it to barely pull you up on a slalom ski. It will work, but not
that well. You'll _always_ be running at WOT. You'll wish you got the bigger
motor..

- Lifespeed

-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own

[Jon Bowden]

I don't think you'll have too much trouble. Mine is an 85 Regal Medallion
175 with the 3.0,
and I usually ski with two medium guys and my wife in the boat. Pulls me up
(I'm 195lbs) on one ski. Tops out at an indicated 43 or so, which is faster
than I ski. The boat cruises at around 32mph at 3300rpm, or thereabouts.

Here's a good saying, though: You can never have too much horsepower, but
you can have too little.
jon b

Anthony Nadalin wrote in message <36AAADF1...@prodigy.net>...

>In general terms, any problems skiing with a 18 foot boat (1900 LB) and
>a Merc 3.0L (135hp) engine? What can I expect?
>

>-Tony
>

[JJames915]

You'll be happier with the v6. Before buying take a test ride with a normal
complement of passengers and a skier. Boat performance of small boats varys a
lot with number of passengers, 5 adults can be over 800lbs especially if
they're all males.