Reviewing the Best Ski Boats of 2024

Water skiing is one of the most exhilarating outdoor sports there is. There’s something so surreal about being surrounded by cool blue waters, feeling the wind in your hair, and water splashing across your face. There’s truly nothing like it.

Whether you do it in the ocean, lake, or reservoir, there’s no better way to spend a warm weekend afternoon.

An important part of getting the most out of your skiing experience is having the right equipment for the sport, more specifically the right ski boat. While it may look quite similar to a wakeboard boat, the reality is – the two are very different.

Boat manufacturers have made them so specialized that it’s quite difficult to use them for anything else other than their stated purpose. Wakeboarding is all about creating massive waves. Water skiing, on the other hand, is about creating a relatively flat wake.

With that being said, what are the best ski boats, and how do you choose the best one? Here’s everything you need to know.

How to Choose the Best Ski Boats – Buyer’s Guide

Choosing the right ski boat is paramount to your entire on-water experience. Here are a couple of things you need to keep in mind when picking the best one.

Wake Characteristics

Whether you’re choosing a boat for water skiing or wakeboarding, the main thing you need to consider is the wake characteristic. Different watersports call for different types of wakes/waves.

If you’re wakeboarding, you want a larger, more aggressive wake. If you’re water skiing, you want a nice flat wake. The best ski boats should be capable of generating both types, to increase their functionality and utility.

So, rather than have one boat dedicated to wakeboarding and another specifically for water skiing, find one that supports different wake characteristics.

Hitch Point

The other thing you need to consider is the point where the rope attaches to the vessel. Ideally, you want a one whose hitch point is at the same height as the skier’s hands to pull them parallel to the water surface since water skiing doesn’t typically require an individual to make jumps on the water.

If you plan to use the same boat for wakeboarding, ensure that it comes with a hitch point positioned higher than the wakeboarder. This is usually achieved with a wakeboard tower on the boat.

So, once again, if you intend to use your ski boat for wakeboarding as well, it needs to have this capability.

Propulsion Method

As mentioned before, water skiing requires relatively flat wakes. The wake’s characteristic largely depends on the propulsion method used to generate torque.

You want a ski boat that has an inboard (not an outboard) motor. These are known to produce flat wakes that are ideal for water skiing since they are permanently situated inside the boat. So, they power the propulsion shaft through the hull.

Outboards, on the other hand, are situated outside the boat. You’ll see them hung at the stern using clamps. The best way to get a feel for the type of wakes generated by a particular boat is to get in touch with the dealer, arrange for a demo and see firsthand the kind of wake it produces.

Price

Although the price isn’t an indicator of whether a particular boat is more suited for water skiing than its higher/lower-priced counterpart, it’s pointless if the vessel is way out of your price range. So, find a boat that falls within your budget and meets your basic requirements.

Of course, the more high-tech or feature-rich a specific vessel is, the higher it will cost. The costs associated with maintenance and storage should also factor in when calculating the overall cost of ownership.

Crossover Capability

Finding a boat that you can exclusively use for water skiing isn’t a problem per se. The issue, however, comes about when you want something that offers a little more versatility. Something you can use for water skiing and other water sports like waterboarding, tubing, and even kneeboarding.

It is possible to find boats that support all these waterborne activities, although they will likely cost more. The downside is that boats designed for water sports are rarely ever good for anything else. So, you’re planning to do a little fishing or recreational cruising as well, you’re better off getting a more versatile runabout instead.

Skiing Location

The next thing you need to think about is where you’ll be using your boat. Do you plan to ski out in the ocean, or will you be resigned to the calm waters of a lake?

The one thing you need to keep in mind is that boats designed for skiing or wakeboarding don’t perform well in the choppy waters of the open sea. They are optimized for the tranquil conditions of clear lakes.

That is not to say you can’t use them in the ocean. Just don’t expect them to perform as well as they would in calmer waters.

Additionally, we recommend getting a crossover boat that can do a bit of everything. Get a ski boat that comes with an optional wake tower and sterndrive to produce nice large wakes for wakeboarding. That way, you have a vessel that’s ideal for both activities. Most manufacturers allow you to “Build-a-Boat” to customize it to your needs and individual preferences.

Pick a Reputable Brand

If you’re shopping for a vessel, ensure that you choose a critically acclaimed manufacturer with a glowing reputation for producing the best ski boats in the industry.

The 10 products detailed in this guide come highly recommended by water skiing experts across the world. They’ve outperformed several others in the same category. Contact a local dealer and arrange for a demo to get a feel for them.

In the meantime, are you on the hunt for a new Jon boat? Check out our comprehensive review on our top picks for the best Jon boats.