<P> Competition skiing uses specifically designed towboats . Most towboats have a very small hull and a flat bottom to minimize wake . A true tournament ski boat will have a direct drive motor shaft that centers the weight in the boat for an optimal wake shape . However, some recreational ski boats will have the motor placed in the back of the boat (v - drive), which creates a bigger wake . Permitted towboats used for tournament water skiing are the Mastercraft ProStar 197, MasterCraft ProStar 190, Nautique 200, Malibu Response TXi, and Centurion Carbon Pro . These boats have ability to pull skiers for trick skiing, jumping, and slalom . </P> <P> Recreational boats can serve as water skiing platforms as well as other purposes such as cruising and fishing . Popular boat types include bowriders, deckboats, cuddy cabins, and jetboats . </P> <P> The towboat must be capable of maintaining the proper speed . Speeds vary with the skier's weight, experience level, comfort level, and type of skiing . For example, a child on two skis would require speeds of 21--26 km / h (13--16 mph), whereas an adult on one ski might require as high as 58 km / h (36 mph). Barefoot skiing requires speeds of approximately 72 km / h (45 mph; 39 kn). Competition speeds have a wide range: as slow as 22 km / h (14 mph; 12 kn) up to 58 km / h (36 mph; 31 kn) for slalom water skiing, and approaching 190 km / h (120 mph; 100 kn) in water ski racing . </P> <P> The boat must be equipped with a ski rope and handle . The tow rope must be sufficiently long for maneuvering, with a recommended length of 23 metres (75 ft) (within tolerance) although length varies widely depending on the type of water skiing and the skier's skill level . Competition requirements on rope construction have changed over the years, from "quarter - inch polypropylene rope" in 1992 to the 2003 flexibility as long as the same specification is used "for the entire event ." The rope and handle are anchored to the boat and played out at the stern . This anchor point on a recreation boat is commonly a tow ring or cleat, mounted on the boat's stern . For more dedicated skiers, a metal ski pylon is placed in the center of the boat in front of the engine to connect the skier . This pylon is mounted securely, since a skilled slalom skier can put a considerable amount of tension in the ski rope and the pylon . </P>

Who invented water skiing but never tried it