Lots of people learned to ski behind little outboards. My wife did as well.
But that doesn't make them the best choice for recreational water sports.
And trying to say the outboard was never in the way is crap, you just worked
around it. If you're going to do much of it in a day the outboard does get
in the way. Besides you'll never get the hole shot of a big i/o or inboard
with anything less than a $15k outboard. See any real ski boats with an
outboard?

"HK" wrote in message
. ..
jamesgangnc wrote:
Good one.

If ypu want a recreational boat then the i/os are the biggest bang for
the buck. Plus you get to have a full length rear deck for messing with
the ropes, skis, tubs etc. Sometimes we're bringing in multiple people
the same time we're putting out multiple people. Outboards are just in
the way, fine for fishing, but forget about it for recreational boating.
I/o's are a bad choice if you're going to leave it in a slip full time
though.


I boat in salt water, mostly. I wouldn't touch an I/O with a 10-foot pole.
If I were a fresh-water trailer boater, I'd consider one.

I learned to waterski behind an 18 hp Evinrude outboard. Somehow we
managed the skis, ropes, and getting out of the boat and back in. The
outboard was never in the way. Plus with an outboard, none of the cockpit
space is taken up by the engine box.

Each has their merits. I prefer outboards.