I saw a thread about a jet boat and not wanting to hijack the thread I thought I would start a new one. We are purchasing a lake house this year and I have to go find a boat. I enjoy water skiing and wake boarding and this boat will primarily do that but it will also have to be able to take people on the water and do the whole tubing thing. We will only have one boat. I noticed that an inboard is recommended for skiing and wake boarding, does this cause a large decrease in cabin space? I have been in I/O boats but never an inboard. Do inboards handle better/worse/same in choppy water? Anything else to consider?

Initially I was thinking of a Ski Nautique or Mastercarft (maybe used) but now I really don't know what to look at. Suggestions? It will be used in Lake Geneva WI which is a fairly good size fresh water lake.

Otherwise, any suggestions on a good forum to look at for this stuff?

Thanks for the help

 

As far as Wakeboarding and Waterskiing go, you should definately look at getting an Inboard. For many years though, I Boarded and Skied behind I/O's, and they certainly do the trick. A Comp Boat (inboard), handles much better than an I/O, has lots more low end torque (which is needed for pulling a slalom skier out of the hole), gives a cleaner/more consistant wake for the Boarders in your family, and can definately still be used for tubing.
As far as decrease in cabin space goes, an Inboard and an I/O have about the same amount of room.
In choppy water, you just have to watch the bow of an inboard boat, being that it sits closer to the water. Either hit the waves sideways if you're sitting still, or make sure that you have some momentum to keep the nose up if you hit them head-on.
Ski Nautiques and Mastercrafts are excellent choices, as well as Supras or Malibus. You mentioned that the boat would mainly be used for Skiing/Boarding, so I would definately go for an Inboard (it's all about the rider when you're on the water).
I/O's are good if you want to just cruise on the water with friends, and have a picnic on the lake.

 

Thanks for the help, one follow up question.

You state:

<quote>
I/O's are good if you want to just cruise on the water with friends, and have a picnic on the lake.

</quote>

Why the difference if they have about the same amount of room? Are they cheaper? Just curious. Thanks again, it is greatly appreciated.

 

Why must it be a motor boat? Would a sailboat give you any pleasure without the expense of gas?

Join the discussion at: http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/traile...ailor/index.cgi

 

I'm not sure if I understood your question in your original post. You mentioned cabin room, and I assumed that you were speaking about seating area. In this case, the Inboard and the I/O have about the same amount of room. The Inboard has the engine in the middle, which cuts down on space inside the boat, but can be used as a additional seat. This leaves plenty of room the the back the the boat. An I/O has the engine at the back of the boat, so you don't have the engine in the middle taking away the space, but cramps the seating up a bit more being that the engine space in needed in the rear of the boat.
If you are talking about storage space, the I/O does have a bit more storage, being that it is a bigger boat.

They best way I can phrase this is as follow:
Inboard Boat = S2000
Fast, Handles Well, Sporty. An investment that brings a grin to your face everytime you launch it.

I/O = Accord
More Room, Bigger, Slightly More Practical. You can drive it hard and try to get it to perform like a sports car (Inboard), but it just doesn't have the same capabilities

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by sailboatfool
Why must it be a motor boat?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by sailboatfool
Why must it be a motor boat?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Monkei
They best way I can phrase this is as follow:
Inboard Boat = S2000
Fast, Handles Well, Sporty.

 

I have to disagree slightly. Inboard is preferred, true but I/O are no slouches. I would also prefer and I/O new for the same money as a well used inboard. As far as space goes, if you want to take out four people (adults) or more, minimum of 18 feet would be required, 19 would be better. With each extra foot of length comes additional width and lots more room. 19's tend to be pretty well powered so you dont have to worry about engine size. Most I have seen are 150hp-175hp sternrives.

A nice 18/19 I/O foot would not = accord. A fairer comparison might be Miata.

 

Just re-reading my post, don't think of Miata meaning underpowered. One of those competion boats would be fantastic, but keep in mind, those things can pull ten skiers in a pyramid because of all the power they have. An 150 horse I/O won't quite do that but it will pull a couple tubes or skiers fairly easily. No problem.

I was told by my boat dealer that my boat was just heavy and powerfull enough to pull a para-sail. It barely meets the para-sail manufacturers specs but it is only a 17 foot with a 135 horse i/o. With three 200 pound males on board and a wakeboarder behind, it bogs only slightly pulling up a wakeboarder, but not too bad.

I still agree competition boats are better for pulling toys, just don't want you to believe that a less expensive I/O would be a piece of crap.