Outboard Ski Boat
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: Anything Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47269
Printed Date: April-29-2024 at 3:42am
Topic: Outboard Ski Boat
Posted By: Nautique2001
Subject: Outboard Ski Boat
Date Posted: March-17-2019 at 3:37pm
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I apologize that this isn’t a specific Correct Craft boat topic. Just wanted to collect thoughts about a ski boat for salt water. I don’t have it in me to destroy my ‘99, so that will stay fresh water. I live on the ocean and bought a 23’ Wellcraft with an I/O. The wake is horrible at best. Looking into some options. There’s a calm cove / river I specially live on that’s glass 50% of the time. I’m looking at some outboard boats that can handle salt water. Most of these boats have Yamaha outboards. I’ve heard a lot of bad reviews on Yamaha. Also looking at Mercury and Suzuki. Any advice on reliable outboards these days? PS, never buy an I/O for salt water. Thanks, Ken ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1052&sort=&pagenum=4&yrstart=1986&yrend=1990" rel="nofollow - Nautique 2001 |
Replies:
Posted By: DVskier
Date Posted: March-17-2019 at 4:59pm
| Yamaha is the best outboard for salt water period! |
Posted By: Orlando76
Date Posted: March-17-2019 at 6:12pm
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I’ve had almost all outboards. I would never ever ever ever never no way in hell ever own ANY Yamaha product again. I had a 2001 Yamaha HPDI 250 that they could never straighten out and me and the factory went round and round and the worst warranty I’ve ever dealt with. Currently my only outboard I have is a Honda that I bought new in ‘06. It’s been a good motor overall but it does struggle with the salt environment and I have some rust forming. I spoke with a my Honda mechanic and he admits all the Japanese motors struggle with rust. Their metal isn’t up to par with ours. My next motor will probably be a Suzuki if I have a choice, or maybe the Honda again. With our lifestyle changes lately I’m considering a barefoot Mastercraft for skiing because I too refuse taking my CC’s anywhere near the salt. ------------- Please support The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 1976 Ski Nautique 351 Escort 1993 Ski Nautique purple and black 351 HO PCM |
Posted By: Nautique2001
Date Posted: March-17-2019 at 6:26pm
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Appreciate all the feedback. Anyone know about the new line of Mercury outboards? ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1052&sort=&pagenum=4&yrstart=1986&yrend=1990" rel="nofollow - Nautique 2001 |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: March-17-2019 at 6:59pm
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I know nothing about outboards but from a friend out on the west coast, he'll run nothing but E-Tecs. He's been through all of the others and is now convinced. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: Jonny Quest
Date Posted: March-17-2019 at 7:16pm
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I used to own a boat that was very similar to a Malibu Flightcraft. 18 feet long with a 200 HP Mercury Black Max outboard. I bought it used with about 50 hours on the clock. For 12 years, that was the only vessel in the Quest Family marine fleet. Pros: - Flat wake (best I've skied) - Lightweight (tow it with a VW bug almost) - Fast (top speed of 55+ mph) - Thrifty (the Merc didn't burn much fuel) - Reliable (the Merc was bomb-proof) - Able to beach (no rudder or prop to foul) Cons: - Poor tracking (a good skier could really pull the boat around) - Poor speed holding (with engine trim, holding speed was difficult) - Rough riding (and you think that a DD inboard is rough!) - Poor slow speed operations for pulling trick or riders When the Ski Nautique came available, I sold the outboard and went DD inboard. Also, a properly maintained boat can successfully be used in salt water. You just need to be very disciplined with flushing the engine, trailer and boat after each trip to the ocean. I would also consider using some sacrificial zinc anodes. If you do, send me a PM and I'll send you up some pencil zincs that I have lying around. JQ ------------- Current 2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: March-17-2019 at 7:45pm
Like Pete, I'll claim to know nothing about outboards, but I do know that this is like every argument out there like Ford vs Chevy What's the best oil? What's the best filter? Gilligan or Mary Anne?  and a million more I'm sure every brand out there has people that just love them and people that just hate them |
8122pbrainard wrote:Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: March-17-2019 at 8:12pm
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I know little about outboards but know that Yamaha is the gold standard for good reason. Generally solid performers and very reliable. Etecs use some fancy 2-stroke technology to gain superior performance (certainly lower weight) at an aggressive price point. Probably can’t go wrong either way so long as your expectations are aligned with reality. I’m sure there are some good mercs too. Local dealer reputation will be key if you’re not the one maintaining in any case. |
Posted By: rosconole
Date Posted: March-17-2019 at 10:40pm
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Its like anything some years are better than other on certain brands. i've had them all and I can say Yamaha stood behind my 150 when it put # 6 through the side at 70 mph. even though it was out of warranty slightly. I would say suzuki has gotten a little bit of the action but yamaha, mercury, johnson, just usually differentiated on weight or fuel burn. Also some have different torque curve where the power comes in...Another consideration on a repower situation having to change all the controls to another brand if you go that direction. And at the end of the day how far is the dealer , price of parts and availability, etc. ------------- 1989 ski nautique ,1991 barefoot nautique, 1993 Mustang Cobra 1998 5.0 Magazine shootout invitee |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: March-17-2019 at 11:15pm
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Down here in S Florida it's Yamaha,Mercury and Suzuki in that order. And like everything it all depends on how good the dealer is. Mercurys are the most expensive of the 3 and have the the least dealers. Yamahas - you never really hear anything bad about them. Neighbor who is a service manager at a local boat dealer who sells Yamahas and Suzukis says Suzukis are good excapt the new 350 hp one has lower unit lubrication issues. His personal boat has a Merc. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: GottaSki
Date Posted: March-18-2019 at 10:14am
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Sanger Outboard but the guys who have them for sale may not sell to you if they learn what you're intending, just sayin ------------- "There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worthwhile as messing around with boats...simply messing." River Rat to Mole |
Posted By: rebel skier
Date Posted: March-18-2019 at 6:01pm
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The MC barefoot 200s are nice and roomy looking. Sea Ray made an outboard Ski Ray for a while. You can also get a brand new Dyna Ski or Mastercraft NXT Global with an outboard. ------------- Hotty Toddy lets go skiing! |
Posted By: Nautique2001
Date Posted: March-18-2019 at 8:51pm
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Thanks for all the feedback. Was looking at boats that’s aren’t necessarily comp ski boats, but more of something that has a better wake than a 4,000 pound I/O. Eyeing the Key West, and they all come equipped with Yamaha. Specially the 150 or 250 HP. I had a Merc growing up. Both of them were tricky to start when hot. They’ve sure come a long way though. Ken ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1052&sort=&pagenum=4&yrstart=1986&yrend=1990" rel="nofollow - Nautique 2001 |