On Fri, 11 May 2007 05:34:09 -0400, "RCE" wrote:

"Mike" wrote in message
t...

It seems like I sruck a nerve with Jim H. Apparently he didn't comprehend
my statement in which I said that towing behind an outboard required
either a tower (as in wakeboard tower), or a ski pole mounted in the boat.
Sure an outbord can have plenty of power to pull a skiier or boarder, but
that big engine hanging off the transom gets in the way. Most competition
ski boats use a pole mounted just behind the engine (straight drive not
vee drive), and an outboard can do the same thing. However, any seating
behind the pole is useless while pulling a skiier. On the other hand, an
inboard, or I/O can pull with a simple rope hook mounted on the transom,
and doesn't interefere with seating. For most casual skiiers or boarders,
this arrangement is just fine. Maybe Jim thinks you can mount a tow hook
on the outboard itself? That's about the only way to do it so the motor
doesn't interfere with the line.

So, back to what I said, and inboard or I/O is much better for pulling
people or toys.

In my youth I skied and tubed with outboard powered boats all the time and
none, except one had a tower or pole. Our ski/fishing/cruising boats were
equipped with a line attached to two "U" brackets mounted on each side of
the transom with backing plates. (Many boats come with them.) The tow
line attached to a heavy duty pulley that ran on the transom line, allowing
the tow line's point of attachment to run back and forth across the transom.
It didn't interfere with the engine at all.

You probably won't believe this, but when I was a kid and a member of
the Sea Scouts I weighed all of 140 pounds dripping wet. One Saturday
morning a few of us were at the local Scout hangout (Beachcombers out
by Fort Sewall), somebody got the idea that we should try skiing
behind our restored 12 man whale boat.

We rounded up the rest of the whale boat crew and by afternoon had set
up in the harbor - 12 rowers, the Scout Master as coxswain (which was
normally my job) and me as the skier being the lightest guy on the
crew - no wind, flat calm.

Two false starts - third times the charm.

Skied for almost the length of Marblehead harbor. :)