I hate to say it but I don't think a 23' Cuddy of any weight is going to run
40 mph (true speed) w/ twin 35's on it.
Lets do the math. 40 = .90 efficiency x 5000 rpms x 19 pitch prop / 1056
conversion factor / 2 gear ratio.
You had 19 pitch props on your 35 hp engines on a 23' Cuddy. A 23' Cuddy w/
150s might turn 19 pitch props.
Your memory is a bit off I'm afraid.
Plus remember - old ski's were plywood that were double the width and
definetly longer than 65" of a current ski.

If you had a choice - would get get a boat that you are going to run the
engine wide open all the time or one that you will run the engine at 3000 to
4000 rpms all the time. I know my choice.

--
Tony
my boats and cars at http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com
"Bill McKee" wrote in message
ink.net...
Funny thing about power on tteh boat.
we had a lightweight 23' Cuddy cabin in my youth.
thin Merc 35's amd we skied with no problem behind the boat. Even had a
big wake, so we could get good air crossing the wake. On a good day we
could get about 40 mph with no one sking. Now everybody seems to requie
2-300 HP for any boat over 19'.

"NOYB" wrote in message
ink.net...

"tony thomas" wrote in message
news:mPh7e.10842$xL4.9837@attbi_s72...
A 21' boat w/ a 150 on it is going to be a dog if you try to ski with it.

That's true on most boats, but not on Panga's. The 22 is only rated for
max hp of 120hp. I'd bet that that's a 40 mph boat with a 115 and a
regular load.

What you say about skiing is probably true however. Maybe a lower
pitched prop or a four-blade prop would perform OK if skiing was the
primary purpose.