180 BR as a ski boat

[Carpediem44DB]

So I have a 1989 180 BR with the 2.3 V6
I’ve never been into pulling skiers around only tubes. I’ve got a good friend that loves skiing and we are thinking of skiing behind the 180. He is concerned that it won’t have enough hole shot to get him up on one ski. We will typically have only four adults on board so three in the boat and one 200 lb max skier. What do you all with the 180 BRs think? What prop do you use for best hole shot for pulling skiers or should we be looking for a more capable boat.
Thanks
Carpe Diem

 

[Lazy Daze]

2.3L... that must be an outboard?

The obvious answer is try it, first. That's some pretty good HP for a little boat. Might be surprised.

If you do decide you need more get up and go... and assuming the engine is healthy and runs like it should...

-- You can drop as much pitch as you want, but 2" to 4" would be advisable for watersports activities.
-- A better option would be to install Smart Tabs. You're familiar with trim tabs, and these affect the boat by the same basic principles. But they use a large gas shock (like what holds up some of your hatches) instead of a hydraulic cylinder. There's no electric or hydraulics to install. They just work. 'Bout $150, and hour to install, and you won't be disappointed with them.
-- Tell your buddy to push the nose of the ski down more. I have never skied behind your model year 180, but I've slalomed behind boats your size with less HP and a lot of the success comes from being an active participant - not just sitting down and letting the boat do all the work.

 

[Chris-380]

Loved my smart tabs, one of the best mods I have ever put on a boat

 

[BEH]

I have a 1990 200BR with same engine.
14X19 prop
Lots of power

 

[Chris-380]

I have a 1990 200BR with same engine.
14X19 prop
Lots of power

Ahhh, so it's a 4.3.... I seen 2.3 and assumed it was something off...... great motor, I had a 1989 and a 1996, both 19'.... could pull my fat 250 lbs around, a little harder to slalom, but def doable. Good boat for skiing imo

 

[BillK2632]

I am guessing you mean a 4.3 v6 - that’s what I have in my 185 and it has plenty of power. I ski behind it - not much now, but I used to, also daughter and friends kneeboarded and wake boarded behind it. I never had problems getting up on one ski. I run a 14.25 x 21p propeller, also have a 14x23p, but the 21p was better for water sports. Never messed with smart tabs.

 

[lawndoctor]

Not exactly an identical comparison, but in case you find it helpful. I had a 1971 SRV 190 with the 165hp 250ci straight six MerCruiser with what I think would be called a “pre alpha” drive. I was about 200 lbs at the time, and with 3-4 other 200lb guys on board it would pop me right up on a slalom ski and it could take me down a buoyed slalom course at any speed and with just about any amount off the line no problem. I tend to think what you are describing would perform at least as well, especially since you can put some of the riders up on the bow to help plane off more immediately. Also, just my opinion, but I think the more skilled the skier, and also the more skilled the driver, the more you can get up on one ski on just about anything. Learned that on vacation a few times.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Thanks all for the input. I did mean 4.3 L V6. I've been impressed with the time it takes to get on plane with 4 or 5 passengers and figured it would be just fine for skiing. I've got a friend selling an 05 180 in near new condition. We may sell the 89 and pick up the 05 and share it, being the third boat in the fleet it would get great utility as a partnership boat. The 05 has a 14.5X19 prop on it now.
Carpe Diem

 

[Lazy Daze]

I did mean 4.3 L V6.

OK. If it's a V6 sterndrive then that, if memory serves, in '89 would have been 175HP. The '05 is going to have the 4-banger. This is just my opinion, but the boat you have now is better suited for what you want to do with it. I say that not just from the numbers, but from actually using these boats (with a sterndrive, I am familiar with that model).

EDIT: Just to add... if you're set on looking for a newer model, the '98-'01 180BR's (still only had a 4cyl) performed slightly better than the newer 180's. But you could also look at late '90's/early '00's 185's (would have a V6 standard) or as the years went on, look at a 182 as well (V6 was an option).

 

[ENstig8or]

I had a 2003 182 with the 4.3. That boat had no problem pulling a 200lb skier out of the water on 1 ski with 3 other adults on the boat.

 

[Arminius]

Assuming this is a bowrider, put your passengers in back and hit it. Don't want to be pushing water at the bow. Now have them run forward to put the boat on the plane. Your skier should now have enough speed to get up. This evolution becomes more difficult as more beer is consumed and the skier is forgotten. There was nothing like a big outboard but now they are heavy 4-strokes with diminished output. Luckily, skiing has fallen out of favor and wakesters prefer low speeds, big wakes and short ropes (and loud amps expressing themselves but avoiding music).Wouldn't you rather have a V-8?