Ski boat

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In boating, a ski boat is a boat specifically designed to safely tow one or more water skiers. This is achieved by using a high-horsepower, marinized automobile engine usually positioned in the midsection and driven through a direct drive to the propeller. A skier is pulled on a towrope attached to a tow bar located in front of the drive motor and affixed to the bottom of the hull.


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[edit] U.S. requirements for ski boats

In the United States, in order for a boat to qualify as a ski or towboat, it must pass a series of eleven tests measuring the following boat characteristics:

  • Power and Acceleration
  • Handling and Maneuverability
  • Engineering
  • Drivability
  • Sound level
  • Slalom course center-line drivability
  • Slalom spray
  • Jumping center-line deviation
  • Jumping wake
  • Slalom wake
  • Tricks wake

Each approved towboat meets or exceeds a preset set of standards defined by the USA Water Ski Federation, Formerly American Water Ski Association, AWSA. The tests are performed by members of the USA Water Ski Towboat and Speed Control Committee, technical experts, and elite water ski athletes.

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