Water skiing is a great idea for a fantastic time if you are planning a trip with your family or friends to a lake or the sea. If this is your first time using water skis, one of the things you might not know is the amount of horsepower your boat will need.
How much horsepower do you need for water skiing? You will need about 70 horsepower for your water skis; however, using a 90-horsepower motor is the best option. This is a safe amount of horsepower that isn’t too fast or too slow for your water skis.
The amount of horsepower you choose depends on a couple of factors. We will discuss some of these factors in this article, so keep reading to find out more about the right amount of horsepower for you.
How Much Horsepower for Water Skiing?
As mentioned earlier, many people use a horsepower of 70; however, the best option is to use 90 horsepower or above. Some people use less horsepower than that. They can go as low as 25 horsepower. Below, we will go more in-depth about each horsepower.
25-40 Horsepower
This amount of horsepower is probably best for more lightweight people.
It’s a safe amount of horsepower for them; however, it does not leave much room for improving water skiing skills. You could even go as low as 20 horsepower for a child.
However, it would not work well for a heavier person, as the boat might get damaged, leading the person to lose control. If you are in dire need of using a horsepower lower than 50, you will need to consider the weight of the boat, including its load.
50-55 Horsepower
This amount of horsepower is perfect for a smaller-sized adult, typically a teenager.
A smaller boat suits this amount of horsepower, about 130 lbs. Acceleration might be hard for heavier water skiers. Pulling a heavier skier could also lead the boat to lose control.
60-65 Horsepower
This amount of horsepower is fit for an adult water skier on double skis at a speed of around 20 mph.
It can be difficult, however, to maneuver a water skier on a boat full of passengers with that speed and horsepower. So dropping one of your skis is also possible and safe for adults.
70 Horsepower
70 horsepower is one of the most common horsepower. It’s a safe option for beginner water skiers as it is not too fast or too slow for them.
You could tow two skiers using double skis with this horsepower. However, this might be difficult to do with more than two people on the boat.
90+ Horsepower
Using a 90-horsepower motor is usually for adults who know what they are doing. Adults can weigh up to 160 lbs, which would offer them enough power to water ski easily.
For example, a boat with a 115 horsepower engine can carry a water skier weighing 230 lbs while holding three passengers.
Why Do You Need 90+ Horsepower for Water Skiing?
For more experienced water skiers, using more than 90 horsepower is the best way.
For example, if your boat weighs 990 lbs and has a 90 horsepower motor, it will be enough to carry a heavy adult, and this will help drag this person out more easily and provide a more fun experience.
Likewise, if you have a 200-horsepower motor, you could pull two people on double water skis at once. The more horsepower you have, the more weight you can pull, and the recommended horsepower for an experienced adult is 150.
Can You Still Water Ski with Lower Horsepower?
You can definitely ski with low horsepower; the only things you’d need to consider are weight and the skill level of the water skier.
You can have just as much fun on a 30-horsepower motor; the only issue you would have is when you do sharp turns, and this might slow down your boat dramatically.
While it might be hard to use low horsepower on an adult, it is not impossible. However, it might be dangerous to your engine.
Suppose any horsepower below 50 is used to tow an adult. In that case, they might over-accelerate, which might cause your engine to overheat.
You might also be at a higher risk of damaging your boat or engine if more people are on the boat. Smaller boats are usually at more risk than bigger boats when it comes to lower horsepower engines.
The reason low horsepower is good for children is that they do not need to accelerate as sharply as adults do. Therefore, we do not recommend adults use low horsepower. We also recommend using low horsepower for more inexperienced water skiers.
What Boats Do You Need to Water Ski?
About any boat may work for water skiing. These boats include fishing boats, center consoles, ski boats, and pontoon boats, and all of these types work great for water skiing.
We recommend going for a boat between 16 and 25 feet long. You may also find bigger boats for larger bodies of water.
You might even find boats specialized in water skiing and many other types of water sports. Below, we will further discuss some of the types of boats and what they may be good for.
Outboard
Outboard boats are often a more affordable type of boat that you can get for water skiing. However, you may need your own customized loop to tie to your skiing rope.
This type of boat is great for many other types of water sports as well.
Outboard motors are versatile, and the engine comes in different shapes and sizes. Outboard boats offer a great range of horsepower, ranging from as low as 2.3 to as high as 627. It’s generally a great option for water skiing.
Inboard
Inboard boats are another great option for water skiers. This is because the boat’s propeller is located underneath the boat, making it much easier for water skiers to tie their skiing ropes. It also makes it one of the safest options to go for.
Inboard boats are the types of boats that are usually a bit more expensive than others, but you get what you pay for. The motor might not be too expensive on its own, though. It’s great for many other types of water sports as well.
Jet-Powered
Jet-powered boats are another safe option for water skiers. Yamaha has some of the market’s greatest jet-powered boats for water skiing. You might need to have your own custom loop on a jet-powered boat for your skiing rope to avoid any tangling with your jet.
This type of boat is best used for lakes or any other bodies of water that do not have many waves. It is also recommended to use this type of boat in shallow bodies of water since jet-powered boats are less fuel-efficient than other propeller boats.
Sterndrive
This type of boat contains many great traits that are similar to inboard and outboard boats.
The sterndrive is one of the best types of boats to use for water skiing because the engine is located underneath the boat, so you do not have to worry about getting your rope tangled with the engine.
It is still important to research the type of boat you want according to how much horsepower the motor will provide you. Having a discussion with a water skiing professional will help guide you to the best boat according to your experience and preference.
What to Look for in a Boat for Water Skiing
There are a couple of factors to consider when looking for the right boat for water skiing. It also helps to know the right model with the right specs for the type of water skiing you are going for.
So, let’s take a quick look at the factors to look for in a boat for skiing:
1 – Hull
The hull of the boat is not the most important aspect to look out for when looking for a water skiing boat; however, it can make a difference. The physics of the boat has to be right in order to carry you through your water skiing journey safely.
The hull of the boat plays a role in the wake of the boat. The less wake there is, the better time you will have water skiing.
It is important to look out for a hull that will create a flat, thin wake to guarantee maximum water skiing enjoyment.
2 – Motor
The motor is the most important aspect of the boat. You want to make sure that you look into getting a boat with more than 70 horsepower. This is because the average water skier uses about 90 or more horsepower while water skiing.
You want to guarantee that your motor will be versatile enough to carry about two adults but has the capability to go down to as far as 25 horsepower.
Low horsepower is not always necessary unless you take a child with you. Generally, horsepower above 90 is the best option for a motor.
3 – Wake
The wake of the boat is the waves that the boat leaves behind. You want to make sure that you find a boat that is going to leave behind a flat, soft, thin wake. The flatter and less wake there is, the better time you will have water skiing.
This is especially true for beginner water skiers. Having fewer wakes is going to make it easier and more enjoyable.
Experienced water skiers also enjoy having fewer wakes because it is generally safer than having your boat create vicious waves while you are water skiing.
4 – Budget
We recommend you set a budget for yourself when trying to purchase a boat for water skiing.
Many water skiing boats do not cost that much and have great motors that are able to run on more than 90 horsepower. These boats are also safe to use for water skiing.
What Type of Water Skis Do I Need?
When purchasing water skis, you will typically get a pair, and both of them will have a binding.
If you are a beginner, you will need combination skis because they are wider near the front and generally have a large surface area. This makes them extremely stable and prevents beginners from falling.
Some of these beginner skis could also come with trainer bars that connect both of your skis together. These skis are generally great for kids or beginners who are more afraid of trying out water skiing. They are extremely safe to use and very easy to get started with.
As for the size of your water skis, you will need a pair that match your body weight and how capable you are at water skiing. Water skis can measure up to 72 inches, which is great for beginners because they are more stable.
On the other hand, more experienced water skiers can go for something shorter, which would make them faster. The heavier the skier is, the longer their skis should be. This will allow them to be more balanced and ensure their safety.
Another thing to consider is the water ski fins. Your ski fins are located at the bottom of your skis and usually help with turns and acceleration. If you are a beginner, you probably will not need to look too much into your water ski fins.
As for experienced water skiers, you might want to look into the type of fin depending on whether you are skiing for fun or competition. Please note that these fins can wear out, but the good news is you can buy replacement fins online or in-store.
Related Questions
Is 135 HP Enough for Skiing?
A 135 horsepower is definitely enough for water skiing. This can pull out up to two water skiers with the right boat size and weight. This horsepower is usually recommended for experienced adult water skiers.
Will a 75 HP Motor Pull a Skier?
A 75-horsepower motor can pull a skier; however, it might be more difficult than using a higher-horsepower motor. This type of horsepower is recommended for young adults who might not be too experienced with water skiing.
Is 115 HP Enough to Pull a Skier?
A 115-horsepower engine can definitely pull a water skier. In fact, it can pull a skier that weighs up to 230 lbs while having up to three other people on the boat. This is definitely a good horsepower for water skiing.