Likewise, I had heard that you have less of a wake, and since the
engine's weight is midships, you have a faster plane and more
predictable, controlable power. Plus you have a better towing power at
a low speed (wakeboard/trick ski)

interesting that the rudder is still off to one side of the prop. My
old '64 Chris Craft cavalier had the rudder offset as well. supposedly
to steer better when engine was under hard throttle torque, but
backing up was horrible. it would pull only to one side.


Chuck Gould wrote:
Here's one of the many fields I need to know more about; ski and
wakeboard tow boats.

I'm writing a very short piece (surprise!) noting that a manufacturer
of tow boats has appointed a dealer in the Pacific NW. While looking
over some of their models last week I noticed that they are equipped
with ballast tanks- and I do understand the benefit of making the boat
heacy in the stern to adjust the wake for wakeboarding.

I also noticed that even the smallest boats in this manufacturer's
line (about 20 feet) are all inboards, with the rudder slightly offset
from centerline. I presume the location of the rudder allows the boat
to turn circles in one direction faster than in the other?

I was told that "all tournament quality tow boats are inboards". Is
there something about the function or physics of a tow boat that
precludes using an IO, or is it more of a safety and logistics issue
associated with getting the running gear under the boat away from the
skier or wakeboarder and the tow line?

Interesting, My '73 CC Ski Nautique's rudder isn't offset and its fairly
simple to just drop the rudder to remove the shaft. ?? UD

I've seen a few outboard tournament ski boats but straight drive inboard
seems to be most popular.

'Ever try a quick turn with a sterndrive? Having the engine weight
near the center of the boat has a definite advantage in a deceleration
turn.

b.