Posted by JimM on August 06, 19103 at 06:04:42:
In Reply to: Looking for advice on a small ski boat (Rebel?) posted by Steve Morris on August 06, 19103 at 04:46:04:
First, please don't ask people to email you directly. This is a FORUM, for SHARING!!! We want to hear what everyone has to say.
Here's my opinion on what's makes a good skiboat.
I've been thinking about Outrage, myself. It starts out around 16', and I would stretch it to 17'. My choice is from experience of what a skiboat can be and ought to be.
I've had skiboats made of lapstrake wood, aluminum and fiberglass, lengths from 13' to 16'. The little ones are a blast! They're cute, fast, maneuverable, easy to handle, easy on gas. But they're so cramped inside!
My current boat is a 15' Checkmate from 1975, in fabulous condition. If I take a threesome for skiing, plus safety equipment, spare gas can, personal belongings and skis, there's barely any room for people! The skis won't fit under the gunwales, nor will anything else bigger than a water bottle. I try to jam the skis up under the foredeck, but they keep bouncing out. I don't like to put anchor and pfd's up there because they need to be very quickly accessed. The floor is pretty much taken up with all that necessary stuff, and you can't move around much.
So as much as I love the little boat, it just isn't big enough for more than 2 people. I think a 17 footer would be a lot better. A FIBERGLASS 17, however, would be a much heavier boat, and require more horsepower and fuel consumption. So that's where the Outrage comes in. All I need is the time to build it!