Looking into buying a boat for water sports. What horsepower range should I look for?

Question

I want to use it for fishing and tubing/skiing. Do not want to be under powered.

Answer 1

The key to water sports, other than fishing, is for the boat to get to plane as quickly as possible with the tuber/rider behind the boat.  The more horsepower, the faster this is achieved.  The weight of the riders/tubers will also affect this.  I've wakeskated behind an older seadoo and didn't have any trouble getting up and i weight 180 lbs.  I have a 350 hp inboard wakeboard boat and have pulled a 6'6" rider on a slalom with no problem.  Yanks wakeboarders right up.  The less hp you have, the more the burden will be on the rider to get themselves up while the boat is getting on plane.  Do your research and test drive and test ride behind all choices.  If the dealer or owner will not let you do this, then keep looking.  Good luck in your search.

Answer 2

The more engine you can afford the better you will be.  My searay 200 select bowrider has an inboard 5.0 and it will yank you out of your shorts.  This can be accomodated by changing your prop to give you quicker acceleration as well.  Larger props my take speed off the top end but will allow you to pull harder