Waterskiiing a reality?

[Ellen Bailey]

We just sold our ski boat last year and got an older MacGregor 25. Had lots of fun learning to sail last summer, but winds are not very steady here in the mountains. We are seriously considering getting the new 26M due to the waterskiiing/wakeboarding capability and trailerability. I weigh about 110 and am wondering if a 60 HP will be enough to pull me up on a slalom ski at 7,000' above sea level? Husband is 6'1" and likes to wakeboard. Can anyone verify that indeed these boats can tow a skiier/boarder as advertised. I doubt that the speed can get up to 25/26 MPH which is where I like to ski, I'd rather kneeboard, tube or wakeboard if it only can get up to 20 MPH. Thanks for any info you can provide. Ellen

[waternwaves]

Well, nothing like tossing this subject back up ......

not with the factory recommended engine..
Your options are.....

relatively few for wanting to get to 26 mph.... with the drag of a skier pulling hard.

But nothing new iwth a mac warranty will be on the end of the tow rope.

lightly loaded.... a 90 hp Evinrude etec flat out.....
Computers and sensors on these compensate well for high altitude

heavily loaded 115-140 Suzi in a good range..however..... I have not personally seen a suzi that big run well over 4,000 ft. but several on this board might have towed to a higher lake....by now.

You can get a dealer approved 70 hp suzi from Bluewter yachts in Seattle, and possibly others by now... Bill@B4S? are you ready to start offering that??


The 90 honda at 385 lbs might also make it.....but the extra 70 lbs. on the stern slows it a tad..., getting glose to the bigger Suzi weight by the time you get there.....

personally, at that altitude....I would try to arrange a demo in a new generation DI two stroke. (the nissan tohatsu, does not have altitude comp in 2004, dont know about 2005) ... rather than add the weight of the 4 stroke...since you are skiers...noise is not really the primary issue it seems, and at 4,000 rpm or higher, not much difference in 2/4 stroke noise levels.

This is one of those situations that might justify an older X boat.....with a new engine..

tho the idea of a new M with a 90-115 would be fun to put together... Idont wan to pay 50K+ to get it where I need it. with that bigger motor......lol heheh....sometimes the goodies can add significantly to the cost of outfitting..... lets see.....full head 1-2 boat bucks, radar 2 boat bucks, new charting gps 1 boat buck, heater/stove 1 boat buck, extra sails 1 boat buck, extended aluminum tanks....lol.....rudder upgrades. Engel fridge..... This boat is getting heavy......bottom painting.....(tho you probably wont need that in the mountains on a trailer.....)

JMHO

[Ellen Bailey]

Thanks for your reply. I wouldn't expect to ski behind a "sailboat" at 26 MPH. A competition ski boat would be the ticket for that! But at this altitude, even ski boats slow down. Anyone out there that can share their experience in skiing behind a 26M at altitude? Would a 60 HP be enough power to pull up a 110 skiier or a 190 lb wakeboarder?

Planning to take some trips down to Lake Powell (warm water) Lake Mead, etc. Is the boat as trailerable as they say?

[Frank C]

Hi Ellen!
I'm an advocate of larger motors on these boats, mainly for comfortable cruising, but I don't ski. Some observations though:

• - I think it's unlikely you'll (single) ski at 7000, even with a Suzuki 70.
  - Since that's the largest factory authorized motor, you'll go beyond warranty,
  - You should search here about reinforcing the transom.
  - Also, I think I recall that the eTEC's aren't recommended at altitude.
  - A modern fuel-injected motor (EFI or DFI) is definitely best for variable altitudes.

You're left to choose among:
EFI: Suzuki 90/115/140 (approx. 420 lbs.)
DFI: TLDI 2-cycle 90 (weighs a little less)

IMO, the 115 is probably right, but I'd have a tough time choosing it when the big brother (140) weighs a little less. Both large Suzukis have been installed by owners here (Mark & Billy). Also, search for Moe's outboard chart to see all the specs in one place. Since you'll be going beyond factory specs, I agree with above suggestion ... look at the used 26X market and assume swapping out the motor.

[Mark Prouty]

My boat is awsome. I can't imagine not having her.

Summer 2004

Observe the happy wakeboarder. With all my junk out and a couple of people, I can top 30.

I bought a used X and swapped out the old Force motor for a 115 Suzuki. There are caveats with a big motor however.

It is so cool to sail during the day and wakeboard in the evening.

[RandyMoon]

I have a Tohatsu 90 TLDI and it scoots. However, I remember a post several months ago from someone in Colorado who could not get up to full RPM with his Tohatsu 90 because of the altitude. He took it back and got a different motor.

So make sure the outboard you buy will perform properly @ 7000 feet.

[Dave X2000 Jac]

Ellen,
My 2000 Mac X has the Honda 50. My wife is 108-110 lbs. She got up on two skis, but not slalom. When she tried to exit right or left out of the smooth zone, the Mac slowed too much. My three daughters, all 90-115 lbs, kneeboard off the back. They easily leave the smooth zone and hop the wake. It can be done with 50 hp, just not slalom. BTW the Mac was loaded with coolers and other junk, but not ballast.
It's all fun,
Dave "Jac"

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

7,000 feet?
you'll need an expert in outboard motor power loss at altitude for this one...

[edurbin]

Ellen,
I've done some skiing too. You're right 26 mph is needed for single. I've not yet tried to pull a skier with my Mac. However, judging by the shape of the wake I reckon it will do nicely for a wakeboard. I use the Yamaha 60 four stroke with the the high thrust lower leg and big diameter prop. The high thrust motors really do pull hard with no (or little) cavitation under load. Don't think you'll lose too much in speed pulling a wakeboard.
I haven't got a wakeboard, but will try my surfboard before too long. Expect it to be fine with the bigger planing area you get with a surfboard.

No idea about the altitude impact.

Craig

[waternwaves]

Frank,,,

The TLDI Nissan/Tohatsu is not an option, no altitude compensation./lucky to get 50-55 hp out of a 90 at altitude....

The evinrude E-tec90 will do it....to a 10,000 ft altitude....so 7K on a hot day will be fine

I Also recomemnd the Et-tec90, cuz of the less weight.... It is over 100 lbs 33% lighter than the suzi.... and for most....26 mph is only going to be held for a few minutes at a time.... and that is about the top for the average loaded boat with a 90.....and it is still damn quiet

I have a nissan......performance drops considerably at 5,000 ft. have to lean those carbs way back.....which you can do on the older carbed machines the new TLDI not an option..

Enjoy.....

The 90 ETec runs about 7700 + dollars..... with a standard 10 ft. control head for another 200

Or an older carbed DF 90 nissan...... could also give you the speed, but I would look at replacing the jets with adjustable metered jets for various altitudes....

enjoy
|>

[Moe]

26 mph is only going to be held for a few minutes at a time.... and that is about the top for the average loaded boat with a 90....

That's without a skier and at sea-level. Although it adjusts mixture for altitude (and the Tohatsu doesn't), I doubt even the 90 E-TEC, with driver and observer in the boat, will pull a 110 lb slalom skier to 26 mph at 7,000' altitude behind an M. It still loses power to the thinner air. IMHO, wakeboarder to 20, maybe, and above skier to a bit more than that at lower altitudes.

--
Moe

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

While you certainly will want a bigger motor that the standard 50, don't sell it too short guys.

Here is a picture of me last summer skiing (on two) behind my X. We didn't empty the boat to make it happen. It was it's usual heavily loaded self with all the normal cruising stuff minus two coolers of food and drink and long stay clothing bags.

It was a pretty rough day out on the lake as far as skiing goes, but I was surprised how quickly I popped up.

The boat has a Tohatsu carb'd 2 strok 50hp motor. On board were my wife, 13 year old son (100+ lbs) my 9 year old, 6 year old and another 10 yearold guest. The boat was able to hit 15 knots (17.25 Mph). This speed was just about as slow as you could go and still stay up. I had to swing wide on the turns to stay above water. I doubt I would have been able to get out on a single ski. It is a speed that works well for towing tubes, knee boards, and (we hope) wake boards.

More pictures are at my web site

http://www.ddunn.org/LogBook65.htm

[waternwaves]

Moe...Right.....knock of two mph for an M boat.

But I am trying to sell her on the idea of a used X. I think Rolf pulled 30-32 top end (cant find it here)...which is enough for a 26 mph with a skier....

Blue may be faster sailing.....but an X is more than that faster motoring....

(Runs from the onslaught he sees coming over that comment.....lol)

Those etecs are incredible....They move houseboats at 18mph....jeez.....


and as far as derating....I'll dig up the perfomance curve I was sent..., but from what I remember...... I was impressed over my what it could do better than my nissan....

[Catigale]

Ellen - on the trailer issue

What vehicle will you be towing with? That's what really determines how easy the tow is

I tow Catigale about 3-4 long trips each summer with a 200 HP VW Eurovan V6...I think it handles easily, but I keep my speed at 60 mph or so.

Towing with a Taurus or equivalent is ok for short trips, but not a long haul imho.

[Catigale]

...and Welcome to the Board Ellen and your other half!!!