R25OB waterskiing

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Wondering about water sports behind the R25OB. Anyone who owns one pull kids waterskiing or tubing, etc? If so where do you attach the ski rope to the boat?

Jim

 

[Robvic]

We are waiting for our R25 OB as well (next week) and posed a similar question awhile back- why don’t FM offer the ski pylon with the R25? The suggestion is to install a TurboSwing https://turboswing.com/. I haven’t had a close look at the engine/ transom of the R25, but there is the metal bracket that the engine is mounted to. Im sure it can be done, but was wondering if there is any interference between the plate and female part where the stainless pole slides into.
Rob

 

[IvanGuzman]

Hello Jim!

I was checking out the video for the install to the Turboswing from the post here, looks pretty cool by the way and a good option for a lot of boats, the only problem is that it might not work on the 25' due to the swimstep extensions that will be on the way, unless the Turboswings are maybe angle upwards? that might be a way. What we can suggest is something more custom like maybe a rack that goes over the engine and the base mounted to the swimstep. Or you can always do like a Y shape line to hold your line for water sports, this will be holding the lines from the cleats on the swimstep area.

thanks,

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Thanks Rob and Ivan.

Jim

 

[Robvic]

From the pictures on the Turboswing website, it looks like the high point is about 2/3 way up the height of the cowling of the 250hp VMax Yamaha motor (first image in installation manual). There is also a picture of a Yamaha with a large extended swim platform, so I don't think the swim platform will have any interference.
My question is about the metal plate where the engine is mounted. Following the Turbo Swing directions, the top bolt uses the existing engine bolt. The bottom bolt for the TurboSwing looks like it lines up smack dab in the middle of the curve where the two metal plates come together on the swim platform. Maybe someone with an R25OB can take a look to see if you could drill through the engine plate two holes down from the existing bolt?
Rob

 

[baz]

Excellent enquiry Jim.... 🙂

I 2nd Jim's reply.... Thank you. This accessory looks like a fun thing to include for my R25/OB next year. 🙂 The one for the Yamaha 250 is out of stock at this time ($1,000 price). For the $1,000 I would hope it's without any issues, and that the SS is top quality so will not rust or show seeping rust.

I did not see any specification about what the max tension on the tow bar is. Is it OK for small kids, big kids, big/small adults, can a dinghy be towed with this accessory, and so on? Just what are the safe 'use' limitations for this tow bar?

 

[baz]

Hello Jim!

I was checking out the video for the install to the Turboswing from the post here, looks pretty cool by the way and a good option for a lot of boats, the only problem is that it might not work on the 25' due to the swimstep extensions that will be on the way, unless the Turboswings are maybe angle upwards? that might be a way. What we can suggest is something more custom like maybe a rack that goes over the engine and the base mounted to the swimstep. Or you can always do like a Y shape line to hold your line for water sports, this will be holding the lines from the cleats on the swimstep area.

thanks,

Hi Ivan: Have you had any more thoughts about this TurboSwing product fitting without issues on the 2023 R25/OB ?

You say to use the swim step's cleats as an alternative. But from the views I've had for these cleats on the R25/OB's swim step is that they are not symmetric. That is the location of the port and starboard cleats are in different locations on the edges of the swim step. The port side one is located between the base of the safety rail whereas the starboard side cleat is further fwd and closer to the transom. Would using these two cleats then be an issue using a Y type line? Can you give this some thought and post back what you would advise.

The other issue I would have with using the swim step cleats is that with the boat moving at speed the swim step could be awash making the tow line immersed in the water/wake whereas the TurboSwing allows for the tow line to be much higher and avoid being immersed in the water/wake. This aspect of allowing the tow line be in the water/wake when using the cleats seems to me less optimal or even an operational issue (and maybe a safety issue) for towing something.
Thanks.... 🙂

 

[baz]

I had it from RT's good authority that the TurboSwing product is not compatible with the R25/OB. Tis a shame as it sounded such a good option. If anyone has installed this TurboSwing on their R25/OB I would sure like to hear the results and just what had to be done to make it compatible. Thanks... 🙂