Best new motor for ski/lake boat.

[imq707s]

I know that this will really turn up the water, but what is the best outboard for a fast ski/lake boat. It will probably be going on a Hydrostream type hull, or maybe a heavier fish/ski type hull. What company has the best lower units,power,reliability,ease of finding spare parts,ease of finding aftermarket go-fast parts,...
Thanks for the information in advance.

[AnthonySS]

....How FAST Do You Want to GO and on WHAT Stream?

I know what my clear answer would be!

Sincerely,

AnthonySS

[imq707s]

Probably a Hydrostream Vegas, or a 18' Astro fish n' ski. I would be happy with speeds in the low-mid 80's (not sure if the Astro will be very stable at these speeds). It will be used mostly for lake recreation (water skiing, tubing) and an occacional informal (outrun your buddy's boat) type of race. I need a motor with some good low end power for pulling people out of the water, and would also like it to be pretty reliable. I don't think it will take much to get the Vegas to go 80, but not sure about the Astro.

[Rusrog]

Vegas or Astro.....VEGAS. YOu will be getting a much better and much faster boat. I am not a fan of Fish & Ski hulls because they are such a compromise...they don't do any one thing well. Get the Vegas and put a good 3.0 Merc or 3.1 Yamaha on it and have fun. With either one get a good nose cone with LWPU, a big jackplate, a little compression and go have some fun...

[imq707s]

Probably a Hydrostream Vegas, or a 18' Astro fish n' ski. I would be happy with speeds in the low-mid 80's (not sure if the Astro will be very stable at these speeds). It will be used mostly for lake recreation (water skiing, tubing) and an occacional informal (outrun your buddy's boat) type of race. I need a motor with some good low end power for pulling people out of the water, and would also like it to be pretty reliable. I don't think it will take much to get the Vegas to go 80, but not sure about the Astro.

[AnthonySS]

To go 80 in a VEGAS you'll have to get a motor that will turn a 28 pitch prop at 62-6400 rpm, with your standard 1.86/87 ratios.

That will put you in the category of most 200-225 hp engines.
So I would go far a decent 200-225 / 2.5/PM / Merc as far as availabilty of parts and reliablty.

The PM can be cost effective too cause it has all the go fast goodies you would have to pay for on Yami or OMC, like SM Case, solid mounts, light weight cowl, glass reeds etc.

I have also heard some good things about the new 200 XS too.

The ASTRO may need about 250 hp + to 80! and like you noted, it may not be designed to run that fast!

Sincerely,

AnthonySS

[Edited by AnthonySS on 08-01-2001 at 02:12 PM]

[Todd]

I ran a 98' 20' Procraft F/S with a 200 Merc EFI and 10 inch plate. Best speed was 72 MPH with 25" Yamaha prop. The transom started getting a lot of stress cracks and the bottom did as well. I finally got a new hull from MFG and sold the boat right away.

They are a good family boat with speeds in 60's but you won't see 80's. They fish pretty good as well. Mfg told me they would void warranty if you put a plate on the boat.

[Psyco]

Astro?Procraft?They may be good fish and ski boats, but if you want to go fast(75+),you gotta get a speed hull. Those F/S botes don't have the same pad as a speed hull. If you want to run with the Boyz,go with the Hydro. If your buying new call Laser and ask about their 19' V-hull. A friend who owned one with a stock 150 Mag III,6" setback, and 23" Laser prop. It would run all day at 75+ on 12 gal. gas and still pull up a slolam. If we were strictly sking he would swap to another prop for better pulling. I don't remember exactly what he was using, but it would yank your arms outta your sockets. Lasers # is 817-430-1271. Good luck and stay away from them slow boats.

[sosmerc]

lots of great 18-20ft. hulls out there that will both ski and go fast. Sanger 20ft. barefoot skier is one great boat. I've got a 20.8ft. LaveyCraft Mod VP that does double duty pulling skiers, yet runs close to 80 with my "almost-stock" 2.5 litre Merc 175 EFI. As time goes by I am more impressed with the power and durability of Merc's 3.0 litre V-6....no matter whether carb, efi, optimax or ProMax. I love the sound of the HP V-6 at 7500RPM and above....but for durable, affordable performance I'll cast my vote for a 3.0 litre at 5800RPM on mid-grade gas with next to no mods.
Lavey, Stoker, Sanger, Carrera, Cougar, Eliminator, Hydrostream, Checkmate, on and on.....speed is addictive...have fun!!