Recommendations for a recreational runabout for water skiing

[Fish On]

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.