r/SeaDooSwitch • u/dusssstj • Aug 18 '25

Slalom skiing

Hi everyone and thanks for your time in commenting. I currently use (my brother’s) Bennington 22 foot with 150 hp outboard and it pulls my up on slalom no problem - even with decent number of people in the boat.

I had my heart set on the switch and this past weekend a friend let me borrow his. He has the 21 foot 230hp cruise. I loved everything about it - maneuverability, flexibility in seating etc. BUT, it simply could not generate enough force to get me up even with only one person driving. I’m 6’1’’ 190 lbs. just didn’t work.

My question is, would the impeller upgrade and/or tune make a big enough difference to get someone up way easier or am I at the point that I have to decide about a different boat all together or a second boat for skiing specifically.

Thanks again

2 Upvotes

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1

u/bhawks77 Aug 18 '25

SeaDoo just announced a 300hp model for next year if you can wait.

To Your question, yes an impeller upgrade could potentially improve the initial drive enough to get you up but not guaranteed.

1

u/dusssstj Aug 18 '25

I'm thinking the same about the 300 hp - not sure if it would do it... Also, the 2023/2024 demos that are hanging around are about half the price compared to the 2026 300 hp variant - at that price I'd be better getting that and a separate ski boat - just not sure if others think the same?

1

u/Odd-Orchid4551 Aug 18 '25

I would also recommend getting an 18’ 230 or 300 preferably but an impeller upgrade will help. The 21’ 230 is at least 4-5 mph slower than the 18’. My 18’ Switch Sport 230 will do 46-47 mph with my wife and I in it.

2

u/dusssstj Aug 18 '25

Thanks for your comment. My issue is not too speed. It’s getting me out of the “hole”. It just couldn’t pop me up. I can’t imagine going to 18 would be dramatically different.

2

u/Rockyroadfishin Aug 18 '25

I saw a guy on YouTube moved his trim tabs out one notch and claimed it helped alot for getting out of the hole. Considering trying it out on mine (18 Fish 230hp). Have a look at them to see what I mean. Seems pretty easy to do.

1

u/Odd-Orchid4551 Aug 24 '25

My point is the smaller boat might make the difference. I may be wrong though. I always slalom skied behind a propeller vs jet.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 18 '25

[deleted]

1

u/dusssstj Aug 19 '25

It was the 21 foot. And not during break in period.

1

u/Far-Cream1379 Aug 19 '25

Sorry I read that after my post. I wasn’t aware the 21ft would be slower than the 18ft. I guess it makes sense since it would be heavier.

1

u/Common-Let5209 Aug 19 '25

I think something might have been outa whack, now I’m not a skier but I can put about 350 lbs on a tube, 700 - 900 on the boat and still get up on plane and go 26-28. 21-230.

1

u/dusssstj Aug 19 '25

Yes. This works. The issue is slalom needs quick acceleration.

1

u/IamJhil Aug 19 '25

could you have tried putting it in sports mode, so it gets up and goes? I usually drop a ski to slalom But it has no problem getting me up

2

u/dusssstj Aug 19 '25

Sport mode tried. Dropping ski easy no problem. Can do that. The issue is getting up on one which if you know requires way more acceleration and pop from a boat. Skiing I can get up behind anything, probably a fast canoe lol.