Water sports enthusiasts would enjoy scouting for used ski boats on the Internet. Whether you are looking for Correct Craft's Ski Nautique, Moomba, or Master Craft ski boats, you can always browse through online classifieds, dealer websites, and marine electronic storefronts.
Ski boat is the ideal choice for various kinds of water sports activities that involve towing. These are great companions for tournaments and training. Alternatively, you can ride in your ski boat and just zoom about lakes and quiet waters.
Today's ski boats have come a long way in terms of design and engine power. They come as powerful, comfortable tow boats with speed-control packages, electronic engine-management modules and sound systems.
Measuring 16 feet to 24 feet, ski boats are usually powered by a gasoline, 4-cycle, V-8 engine, as a straight inboard direct drive system. It normally runs on 250 to 350 horsepower. Powered by inboards, ski engines can cast a perfect wake for very serious water skiers and wake boarders. Passengers would usually include the driver and a "spotter."
A water ski has an open cockpit with a powerful "V-8" engine. The engine is placed as low as possible in the center of the boat. This engine, coupled with a specifically designed propeller, gets the boat and the skier/wakeboarder up on plane (on top of the water) within a few seconds. To allow the driver to perfectly steer a course regardless of what the skier or wakeboarder may be doing behind the boat, the towing point (ski pylon or wakeboard tower) is placed at the center of the boat.
The hull for a ski boat is usually a Vee entry with a relatively flat after section. Fiberglass plastic is used mostly for hulls.
Brand new ski boats range from $15,000.to $ 25,000 while the used models go for $4,000.00 and above. Ski boats can hold one to five people and may be used with trailers. However, skiing must really be your passion because a ski boat is not the ideal boat for entertaining friends.
Limitations
Also, ski boats work best in calm water and the ride may be bumpy with just a little toss. Passengers may be in for a very wet ride when ski boats are used in not so calm water because the freeboard section of ski boats is usually very low.
A more serious downside of ski boast is the potential dangerous exhaust it is believed to emit. Past reports point to cases of carbon monoxide gathering in deadly concentrations behind ski boats. Health researchers say that the highest concentrations are around swim decks, where children and teens usually hang on for a ride.
Findings like these have prompted appeals for ski boat operators to prevent their passengers from playing or riding on the swim deck with the engine running or idling. There are also recommendations for manufacturers to consider removing the swim platform or changing the location of the exhaust. Engine manufacturers are also asked to enhance and develop emission control devices for marine engines.
When buying used ski boats, make sure to hire a marine surveyor to thoroughly inspect the boat before you purchase it. The service may cost you several hundred dollars but it will reveal any potentially disastrous problems. You need to be sure the engine is functioning and the hull is sound. Also check out for amenities that you can get from the used ski boat.
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