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.

[fishsmith]

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!!

[GattaFish]

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,,,

[gf2020]

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.

[fishsmith]

Just saw this on craigslist, and thought of this thread

1990 21' Cobia Boat and Trailer