Hydrodyners.com

I've decide to build a new model of Dyna-Ski. It will be a 20' Boat geared towards the barefoot water skiers. Standard features to include front or center mounted pylon and a boom. The picture below is a 17.6 with a front or center mounted pylon.

I'm wondering if it should be an open bow or closed bow? Anyone care to weigh in on this or with any other realistic suggestions?

I AM AN OPEN BOW FAN MYSELF

My friend has a Malibu Flightcraft with a 225 Merc and a boom.
I've always thought this to be the ultimate barefoot boat. These are closed bow, low profile boats. For taking families to the beach open bows are great. Easier to get into and out of, and more seating. I like closed bows because at footing speeds the driver/rider has no wind on them. You really should not have riders sitting up front in your open bow at footin' speeds anyway. Closed bows offer more storage in front, so nothing is blowing out at high speeds. I have a '90 Nautique so maybe I'm just prejudiced but I like the closed bow. (I also have a dock so it is easy for me to get into and out of either type, without a dock of course an open would be easier to board.)
Hope my ramblings help! Good luck with your boat.

My boat is very similar to the one pictured above, except I have a snap on tonneau cover to cover the bow area. This takes care of the disadvantages of the open bow configuration as noted above, but I can take it off on the hot days and let the breeze flow through.

I pulled skiiers with an open bow for years, and pretty much hated it. I much prefer my closed bow Hydrodyne - which is what I now use.

No doubt open bow is a better choice if you do more recreational boating with family than waterskiing. If you use the boat mostly for skiing, the closed bow will assure that you can actually see while you are pulling skiiers - because you won't have people sitting right in your line of vision. I also think the closed bow is better in terms of no having wind coming through the boat blowing all of your life jackets, etc. out of the boat.

MOST important - I like a closed bow so that the fuel can be put up front. Not sure if that is an option or not on the Dyna Ski. However, it just makes logical sense to have your fuel weight up front to offset the weight of the motor hanging off the back of the boat.

That's my 2 cents.

Markbano

Thanks to everyone that posted here or sent me a direct message.

I was hoping to get a little more input soon since the materials are here and the time to build this one approaches on the build schedule.

If the materials are in...step off square one and build it.

Bob

Too busy building and finishing customer boats. I'm hoping to have this boat in the water by mid summer.

20' Open Bow Boat should be on display at the Wisconsin State Show Tournament if it gets done in time. Things have been busy at the Boat Factory and demo boats get done when there is time available.

The boat will be red and white with a red hull bottom and stripe. New graphics and no sun deck for lots of interior space. The back seat can be flipped around so riders can watch the barefooters. Pylon will be in the front position but there will also be a rear mounting position. KW Barefoot boom and BI Straight Boom should both work well. Telefex Tilt Hydraulic Steering may add power assist.

The Evinrude 250 HO should be delivered this coming week even though they are on back order and have been for awhile. These are very strong motors.

The plans are for an Evinrude I-Conn Digital Control System. This system allows the speed electronically to be changed in 1% increments.

Pictures and a full report when I get time.

As a long time owner of a 17-6 I can't comprehend this boat with an open bow. Living off the lake and trailering the boat the bow storage is far more important than the additional seating. Can you put anyone other than a couple of kids up there? Comfortably? While I wouldn't trade the boat for anything else when it comes to slalom ski, I really do not enjoy social outings running around on the big part of the lake. The boat does not like rough water and I finish such a day feeling like I have been beat on. It's a ski boat, a great ski boat, but really its only a ski boat.

As for your idea of a 20' with center pylon. I think this would make a great barefoot boat. Leave the bow closed, put the gas tank up front and only use it an hour after sun up and an hour before sunset!!!