Primary use is intended to be water skiing/tubing rather than fishing, but thought I'd do a close friend a favor and post a request for recommendations for boat, motor, trailer. The folks on striped-bass.com know so much about boats in general that I just have to ask. Primary body of water will be Milton 3 ponds on the NH/Maine border.

My initial thoughts are a 18-20' bow rider with a 150 2 stroke direct inject outboard or 4 stroke outboard. It's been a while since I've looked at fresh water boats of this type but I have never been a fan of in board gas engines for safety and maintenance reasons.

All opinions welcome and appreciated!

Target specs as he has defined are:


-Enough power to have 1 adult water skiing with 5 or 6 people in the boat (maybe two of those adults, rest kids)
-Enough power to pull 2 people on water tube
-Able to fit 8 people in the boat, maybe 9 in a pinch
-Want it to fit in our garage preferably with the trailor (is that possible?). The garage is at least 24 feet deep.
-Preferably a step/ladder that comes off the back of the boat. Assume that can be added on?
-Preferably has an anchor, although we can possibly buy separately
-Ideally a trailer that comes with it, although not required as we can buy it separately
-Ideally has a range finder, although not required as we can buy it separately
-Not important that the exterior be in pristine condition, scratches etc are fine.

20 years ago I waterski'd all the time, we only had a 90hp 2stroke on an 18ftooter, it pulled <170lbs skiers with no problem , but it was a hell of an effort to pull up 200+ lbers.

I agree with no less than 150 2stroke, that gittyup for slalom skiing makes life much easier, and once you get up on 1 ski, you never go back to 2.

anything will pull the tubes no worries there.

I love 4strokes but they don't come out of the hole like a 2 stroke.

I'm jealous, I want a ski boat too. Good Luck!!

If it is going to be used as a lake ski boat then get a used inboard.. easy do it yourself maint.

I have had a mastercraft since 1988. same boat used a ton,, not one bad thing to say about it,,,

Something like a 19' Glastron or Four Winns bow rider with a V8 I/O would be the preferred boat for Milton 3 Ponds.

I like the idea of an older inboard ski boat too, but those are usually a bit pricier.

The boat dealers in the Ossipee and Winnipesaukee area have tons of these for sale.

Just saw this on craigslist, and thought of this thread

1990 21' Cobia Boat and Trailer (http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/boa/1754064421.html)