Most 17' boats w/ outboards are going to be under your weight requirement.
17' I/O w/ trailer and everything is going to be in the 3500+ range. 20' is
going to be closer to 4500 lbs.
I think a cuddy is out of the question.
I would recommend you find one that has the max rated hp engine on it.
These boats are not very fast and powerful to begin with and if the boat is
rated for a 130 you want every bit of that. A 90 is going to be a dog in
terms of ability to pull you on a slalom. I know a lot of people will say
they skied behind a 25 but that was on a plank (not a 65" slalom of today).

--
Tony
my boats at http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com

"Tran" wrote in message
news:%I2uc.2055$g%.1042@lakeread04...
Hi,
I'm considering becoming a first-time boater. I know next-to-nothing
about
boating, but have been doing some online research. I can probably only
afford something that I can trailer and launch myself; town boat launch is
about 4 miles from my house. My tow vehicle would be a 2003 Kia Sedona
mini-van. It is rated to tow up to 3500 lbs, but total Gross Weight is
about is 5959 lbs., so really I can probably tow about 3300 for the short
distance to town launch, or less if I want to put wife and kids in the van
and go farther. My question is, what size/type boats should I be looking
at? I would like a "ballpark" idea of boat/motor/trailer combined
weights,
so I don't waste time looking at ones I couldn't possibly hope to tow.
Since I have small kids, I like the cuddy style more than the bowrider
(porta-potty and nap spot) but I'm guessing they are heavier. Anyone who
could give me some clues, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!

Tom