Will this bass boat pull a skier?

granite · 10-08-08, 05:15 PM

Ok, somewhat off topic, but it factors into my boat buying decision. Looking at a 1988 Basstracker tx17 aluminum with a 80hp Mercury. Owner states it tops out at 35-40 mph. I'm looking for a good bass boat, but also would like to drag the kids around tubing sometimes and, eventually, maybe a waterskier. My fairly uneducated guess is that it might not be enough horsepower. I know that's not what this boat is designed for, but looking for your thoughts on the feasibility of such an idea. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

MIbasser · 10-08-08, 05:43 PM

I learned to ski behind an old glass boat with a 25hp johnson on it. If the person skiing is any good, that should be fine (as long as they are not over 150lbs either!).

texasbasser · 10-08-08, 05:51 PM

Should be OK, but definatly not ideal at all..

TB

zooker · 10-08-08, 06:15 PM

seen more folks skiing behind a jon boat this year than ever before...

rember guys they were skiing behind boats before there was a hundred horse moter.. one of the best ski moters of old is a 75 horse-mid 60's- pushing a heavy glass boat..

zooker

zooker

Nitro911 · 10-09-08, 08:25 AM

It will be fine, especially for kids. If they get to the point where they want to slalom ski, they may have to get up on 2 skis and kick one of them off (had to do that as a kid). The second ski will allow the boat to get the skier on plane faster.

One thing to keep in mind is that the shallow draft of a bass boat and the light weight of aluminum will allow the skier to pull the boat around a lot. If the skier is heavy or aggressive enough, it could cause you some control problems.

woody · 10-09-08, 09:47 AM

Whats the safest way to rig the tether to the boat?

Bob Smith · 10-09-08, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woody

Whats the safest way to rig the tether to the boat?

Get the ski pole that fits in the aft seat hole and has two support legs that attach to the deck at each of the rear corners. This will also place the pulling point higher and cause the boat to sit lower in the water while pulling (thus minimizing the ski pulling the boat affect). You won't have to worry about pulling folks out of the skis and it should be great for pulling kids on a tube.

(caution! do not let any of your die hard bassfishing buddies see you doing this shameful act with a bass boat! LOL)!

granite · 10-09-08, 01:49 PM

Appreciate your help. Allowing for multiple uses will make getting a boat a lot easier. ("Get these kids OUTTA HERE!")

1FASTLASER · 10-12-08, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Smith

Get the ski pole that fits in the aft seat hole and has two support legs that attach to the deck at each of the rear corners. This will also place the pulling point higher and cause the boat to sit lower in the water while pulling (thus minimizing the ski pulling the boat affect). You won't have to worry about pulling folks out of the skis and it should be great for pulling kids on a tube.

(caution! do not let any of your die hard bassfishing buddies see you doing this shameful act with a bass boat! LOL)!

EXCELLANT point Bob and I might add the SAFEST way to pull skier. Them ole 80hp Mercs are great ski motors. Keep GOOD fuel in dat motor and she should do just fine. Also be very careful when doing battery maintenance on those older mercs. DONT arc across the posts and when not using the boat for along period of time disconnect the battes

10-08-08, 05:15 PM	#1
granite BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 14	Will this bass boat pull a skier? Ok, somewhat off topic, but it factors into my boat buying decision. Looking at a 1988 Basstracker tx17 aluminum with a 80hp Mercury. Owner states it tops out at 35-40 mph. I'm looking for a good bass boat, but also would like to drag the kids around tubing sometimes and, eventually, maybe a waterskier. My fairly uneducated guess is that it might not be enough horsepower. I know that's not what this boat is designed for, but looking for your thoughts on the feasibility of such an idea. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

10-08-08, 06:15 PM	#4
zooker BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: denton nc Posts: 13,441	seen more folks skiing behind a jon boat this year than ever before... rember guys they were skiing behind boats before there was a hundred horse moter.. one of the best ski moters of old is a 75 horse-mid 60's- pushing a heavy glass boat.. zooker zooker __________________ the godfather.. aml in remission since 7-20-09

10-09-08, 08:25 AM	#5
Nitro911 BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: San Antonio Posts: 535	It will be fine, especially for kids. If they get to the point where they want to slalom ski, they may have to get up on 2 skis and kick one of them off (had to do that as a kid). The second ski will allow the boat to get the skier on plane faster. One thing to keep in mind is that the shallow draft of a bass boat and the light weight of aluminum will allow the skier to pull the boat around a lot. If the skier is heavy or aggressive enough, it could cause you some control problems. __________________ San Antonio, Texas STFH

10-09-08, 01:49 PM	#8
granite BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 14	Thanks for all the input Appreciate your help. Allowing for multiple uses will make getting a boat a lot easier. ("Get these kids OUTTA HERE!")

10-08-08, 05:43 PM	#2
MIbasser BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Okemos, MI Posts: 1,447	I learned to ski behind an old glass boat with a 25hp johnson on it. If the person skiing is any good, that should be fine (as long as they are not over 150lbs either!).

10-08-08, 05:51 PM	#3
texasbasser BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 2,301	Should be OK, but definatly not ideal at all.. TB

10-09-08, 09:47 AM	#6
woody BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jonesville, Indiana Posts: 3,597	Whats the safest way to rig the tether to the boat?

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