05 180 sport 3.0l wakeboarding?

[threesixes]

Hello, Im trying to choose between two boats, and it all seems to boil down to if I can wakeboard on a 05 180 sport with the 3.0 4 cyl. Do any of you that have this boat use it to wakeboard?

The other boat im considering is a 97 wellcraft eclipse 2000s. Its a much bigger (20ft with a deep hull) boat and has a 350 engine. The 2 boats are very close in price, but id rather take the newer ,smaller, more fuel efficient sea ray, but if you cant wakeboard on it that will pretty much be a deal breaker.

It seems everyone i ask has a different opinion on whether it will work or not, so I came here hoping someone here has first hand experience with this boat/engine combo.

Thanks for your help

Josh

 

[wake]

We have a 06' 175 with the 3.0
I ride alot. Wakeskate and Wakeboard.

It pulls fine, but you will want to put a different prop on it. (4blade 19pitch)

I also have run a some ballast and the wake is pretty good for a small boat.

We have 450 hours and the motor has been awesome. (most of the hours are towing)
We also do alot of slalom skiing. Pulls a skier up fairly well.


Good luck and have fun.

 

[MrIcemaker]

I have an 07 175 with the 3.0 - This is a picture of my brother at about 275# last summer (Don't let the picture fool you -he is 6'7" tall) - pulled him up without any problem at all.

Still, if you have friends that want to come along, there is alot to be said for size....

 

[Sluggo33]

I have on 08 175 Sport with the 3.0L and stock 19P and it pulls me just fine. I'm about 235lbs and it's not as easy to get up behind as a larger boat with a tower, but the nice thing is if you can get up behind this you can get up behind most anything. If you plan on doing alot of wake boarding you can always upgrade with a tower (that's what I'm doing).

Good luck with whatever you purchase.

On a side note, I love the fuel efficiency of the 175. I can pull wakeboarders, skiers and tubers all day long on less than a 1/2 tank of gas.