I am selling my 19 foot ski boat because the new wake boats are creating such a wave that it is only a matter of time before it sinks. I am talking about when I am at shore or tied up to the house boat in the buoy field. The drivers seem to have NO RESPECT
Boat size
- Thread starter crimedog
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When you cram the whole crew forward not only will you take on water you will also get cavitation from prop
Sherrie (prev MB 2000)
Well-Known Member
Personally crimedog, we wouldn’t go smaller than 24’. For us, the interior space increase really makes for a much better multi-hour experience on the lake (we are generally out 6-8hrs on our boat per day).
Big_BobberII
Well-Known Member
I told my husband I wanted a boat when we got married. He thought I meant an Old Towne canoe. We bought a used 89 Phantom 18 ft fish and ski fiberglass boat and ran that on just about every New Mexico lake and some in Texas and then Lake Powell. It was good on smaller lakes but Powell and the Maytag Straights were a pounding challenge for it. We sold it and bought a 2002 Chaparral 196 fish and ski with 270 hp and still have it. It fits nicely across the back of the houseboat while in the slip at Wahweap and has enough of a gas tank to do a whole day on the lake towing the kids and now the grandkids. It can take the waves just fine and the boys even learned to wakeboard with it. The deep v hull makes it a drier boat than the 24 ft Malibu Wakesetter that my son-in-law has. But the Malibu can cruise up to Rainbow Bridge no problem in most seas with a load of kids and cousins.
Dave I.
Escalante-Class Member
It really depends on personal preference. Example?
My wife has never really been a "water person" and is always uneasy in boats that feel they rock easily. V bottoms and even some tri-hulls. But she has never been comfortable in anything less than a 20'er.
BUT, she loves the 28' pontoon boat.
My wife has never really been a "water person" and is always uneasy in boats that feel they rock easily. V bottoms and even some tri-hulls. But she has never been comfortable in anything less than a 20'er.
BUT, she loves the 28' pontoon boat.
I have had a 1999 Sea Ray Sundeck 210(which is a 21 footer) Open bow. No problems on Powell. 2010 Yamaha 242 LS, (24 footer)no problems on Powell.
Both boats have large fuel tanks and good range. That being said i would not want to be in any boat without power in the middle of a Powell storm with wind and rough seas.
Both boats have large fuel tanks and good range. That being said i would not want to be in any boat without power in the middle of a Powell storm with wind and rough seas.
bdn
Well-Known Member
This is such a good discussion. I think it basically comes down to knowing your boat and its capabilities, and always think ahead and know when to get out of the main channel and seek shelter in a cove during a significant storm event.
Edward Gerdemann
Well-Known Member
Width and depth are actually more important than length. A wider, deeper 16-foot boat is likely to be safer than a narrower, shallower 18 or 19 footer. One thing to remember - there are scads of wake boats now roaming up and down Powell. These boats are designed to throw out big wakes for wake boarding, and they have made the lake much rougher particularly in the narrower channels. Back in the 90s and early 2000s I fished up and down the lower lake in a 16-5 Sea Nymph aluminum with a 50 hp engine. It was less than 80 inches wide and not all that deep, yet I felt perfectly safe in it. The major thing I had to watch out for, besides the weather of course, was the tour boat, and I could deal with that. On today's lake with wake boats throwing out 4 and 5-foot wakes coming at me from all directions I would no longer feel safe in that boat. In fact, I no longer feel safe in the 17-footer that replaced it. That's why I have a new Ranger VS1882 on order with a 96-inch beam and a very deep V.
Of course, this conversation is relative to the seamanship skills of the boat operator. You could be out there in the Queen Mary but if you lack good seamanship skills you won't be safe - no matter how big your boat is.
Ed Gerdemann
Of course, this conversation is relative to the seamanship skills of the boat operator. You could be out there in the Queen Mary but if you lack good seamanship skills you won't be safe - no matter how big your boat is.
Ed Gerdemann
Rob’SleekCraft
Active Member
That’s exactly the reason our recently purchased boat has twin engines. I wanted something I could feel safe taking my family out in on such a large body of water. Chances are I won’t have any engine trouble but even less likely to have a problem with both engines simultaneously (divorced fuel supplies and batteries).
I’m anxiously awaiting our maiden Powell voyage with it in October.
That said we will be solo boat camping off-season for 4-5 days but I wouldn’t hesitate to be on a smaller ski boat for a day trip or with a large group or during the more populated time of the year. Whatever you have I can promise you’ll enjoy the experience on Lake Powell.
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bdn
Well-Known Member
Sweet boat. What year is it?That’s exactly the reason our recently purchased boat has twin engines. I wanted something I could feel safe taking my family out in on such a large body of water. Chances are I won’t have any engine trouble but even less likely to have a problem with both engines simultaneously (divorced fuel supplies and batteries).
I’m anxiously awaiting our maiden Powell voyage with it in October.
That said we will be solo boat camping off-season for 4-5 days but I wouldn’t hesitate to be on a smaller ski boat for a day trip or with a large group or during the more populated time of the year. Whatever you have I can promise you’ll enjoy the experience on Lake Powell.
Rob’SleekCraft
Active Member
I am thinking heavily on this as it will be used for fishing as well.
svivian
Escalante-Class Member
well worth it for the peace of mind. I had some minor motor issues in May while fishing in GHB. I was able to get it resolved but it felt good knowing that I had a second motor to get me home, also made the Sig other feel better as well.
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