Spray’s Tow Boat Test 1982

This was the most comprehensive test done on the five most prominent tournament tow boats in 1982! The entire testing process was conducted by Spray's evaluation team with a keen eye to objectivity and detail; was critical in measuring spray, wake and sound levels! There was NO attempt made at evaluating cosmetics of the boats made! Spray said "While the attractiveness or creature comforts of a boat may make you a proud owner, they don't affect your skiing." I have listed all seven pages that were shown in the Fall of 1982 Spray issue. My hope is that this would generate some discussion. These were very factual test without the influence of the boat companies dictating what was printed!






Spray Height and Width-The Ski Nautique 2001 had the lowest spray height at 2'4" tall!


Wake Height-Take a good look at this! The Ski Nautique 2001 at 36 mph at 28 off had better scores than Mastercraft and took second to American Skier!


Acceleration without skiers-Mastercrafts power slot was easily the best.


Acceleration with four skiers-Mastercraft power slot was easily best.


It was too bad that the Ski Nautique 2001 did not have an Acme 540 prop or the 1:23 gear reduction during that year!

Fuel Consumption


Sound Level

Thats sweet. I wonder why the nautuque was so much slower with 4 skiers but faster than other boats with no skiers. Probably bow rise. My boat pulls up a little higher with more skiers behind it than with one or none. I need a 540 the 4 blade 13x13 oj legend super cup is to much prop. It only turns 4100 wide open.

hey Pauly this is really great stuff you're bringing here, is there any chance all this scans could go into a new site section???

My eyes are hurting trying to read the scans! have any of you noticed all 5 boats used a 351?

Pauly-Banana wrote: Alan, what caused you to switch to the 1981 Ski Nautique? I never really did much with the Mastercrafts, but was approached by Rob Shirley back in 1968 about buying his new boat at a three event tournament. I have tricked behind a 1976 red, white and blue! That is all I have on the Mastercraft.

Interestingly enough Pauly around 1984 we had my 82 MC, a 83 2001 and an 81 Ski Supreme all tied up at my dock. I lived on the lake and we skied just about 7 days a week. All three boats were good rigs but the Mastercraft got 70% of all the hours. It was just a good pulling rig and with the lower freeboard and wider hull than the other 2 boats it had more room in it and turned flatter.

The Supreme was a great boat and the Nautique had the new 2001 look that is still classic today but performance wise the MC had it hands down.

That was 25+ years ago and I went through a phase of about 15 years without a boat, when I decided to get back into it I was simply looking for a Classic Ski boat and a pre 2001 was all I wanted. Who would have known I'd be skiing as much as I do now at this age but I truly thought I'd be just cruising around towing the kids. These things have a way of bringing you back to life.

the MC with the powerslot was even cheaper than the other boats equipped with the 1:1!!!

What would happen testing a "powerplus" 2001 against the Powerslot Mastercraft.

I wonder why CC waited 8 years to bring a reduction geared boat.

Pauly, My powerslot had a 14x16 on it, don't quote me but I believe the original was a 14x18 but I'm not sure. I remember propping it down so we could pull the 4 deep footers but it still ran 44 on the top end. That prop brought the rpm's to 4800 which was beyond were PCM intended it to go.

I reference to the 540 on a Nautique, I run one on the 81 which we know is a much smaller boat than the 2001 but the results are dramatic over a 13x13 cast prop. The 540 also brings a 351 to around 4800.

And Joel thanks for the kudos, I said to you last year that my only goal was to make sure I had fun every time I skied but going hard is in my blood. No matter what I try I can't do it any other way.

Alan, I would have liked to have seen this same test with the Acme 540 on the 1982 2001! I have pulled a 14 person pyramid off the dock back in 1992 with the old 13X13 prop! It's a system of knowing when and how to provide power at the right moment! The take off speed when ropes are tight is so critical. If it is too fast they tumble forward and too slow they sink too far into the water to pull them out. You have to have momentum, but can't jerk the skiers off the dock. I sure wish that I had my 540 back then, but I am really happy that I get to use it now! It is like a whole new boat! This summer we pulled ten skiers each on two skis out of the water. I used a twink to connect all ten skiers to the center pylon. The boat did the job, but should have switched out some larger skiers. We were able to grunted it out! Some cabin owners took pictures and will post after we meet up with them to include the shots on this site. One 1993 Malibu boat owner skied in this and was offered a chance for his boat to complete the same task and he said, "NO WAY, my boat will only do seven!" I am not sure if that is true, but I do like the fact that he knows mine will take a challenge and most likely succeed!     

81nautique wrote: one of these days I'm going to pull Joel through the course behind my 81 and see what he's really made of!!!!

Had to laugh Alan. I remember when my brother got his first C/C...we could've cared less about the wake. Never knew they bad wakes or lots of side spray. Now-a-days my boat is best for going fast. You wanna serious ski I gotta go find my friend Gary B with my old '98. What a difference the newer boats make.

john

You mentioned ski school and it jogged my memory...my wife and I were in South Africa last fall (highly recommend the trip) and while driving between Johannesburg and Kruger Nat Park there was a ski school right next to the highway. There was only one dock but in the lift there was a Ski Nautique. Everyone in our van probably thought I was crazy upon the announcement to my wife. Unfortunately I couldn't get my camera up quick enough. Sorry no pics. There was another boat that I could see on trailer that looked like an Air Nautique but not 100% sure. What a trip. This spotting made the long drive to Kruger that much better.

dwcar wrote: M3Fan I grew up skiing with Jay and Anne. Jay was quite the skier in his day. One of the best in the country. Good people.

It was our first visit there and we felt like we've known them for years, it was a great week spent with some new and old freinds then topped off with a crawfish boil listening to Jays stories which I think could have lasted all night.

Pauly, Really looking forward to meeting you at Green Lake this summer, your input to the site and history/knowledge of our sport and favorite boat brand is very enjoyable.

10 years late, but does anybody still has the article?
I would love to read it because I own a American Skier!

Thanks in advance!

Timely resurrection because Jay Bennett was just inducted into the skiing hall of fame.

I too went to their ski school, probably around 1984.

I cannot for the life of me remember the boats. I remember the lakes well, and the ramp.

Pauly-Banana wrote: Alan, I would have liked to have seen this same test with the Acme 540 on the 1982 2001

I have a 540 on my 82 SN. Happy to provide any performance data next time out.