Pulling waterskiers requires a boat with plenty of low end torque, smooth, yet powerful acceleration and great top-end performance. Pulling 16 sets of trio waterskiers (48 total individuals) simultaneously — with a potential Guinness World Record on the line— well, that requires power on a whole new level. This is precisely what happened earlier this fall, during the 2022 Big Pull water-skiing event in Mosinee, Wisconsin, when 48 skiers formed 16 trios behind a unique towboat designed for just such a record-setting attempt. By completing two successful lifts during the event, Big Pull established a new Guinness World Record for the most trio waterskiers successfully towed behind a single boat.
Speaking of trios, the innovative tow boat they used was powered by three Suzuki DF350 outboards, Suzuki Marine’s flagship model. With its powerful, large displacement V6 block, sophisticated digital sequential electronic fuel injection and innovative dual contra-rotating propellers, this 350HP outboard is an ideal match for these unique towing demands. The DF350’s twin-propeller design is designed to provide superior “grip” on the water, more effectively converting the engine’s power to forward movement. This Suzuki outboard is especially strong in delivering low-end torque and superior “hole shot” power from a standing start, both extremely important for pulling skiers.
“We’re proud to be the power of choice behind this record-setting effort,” said George “Gus” Blakely, Executive Vice President Sales & Service for Suzuki Marine USA. “Successfully lifting 16 trios of skiers not once, but twice, is quite a feat of waterskiing expertise and teamwork. Congratulations to the boat drivers, the entire support team and all the skiers in the Big Pull” added Blakely.
Big Pull is a group of volunteers that has been setting national and world waterski records since 1999, bringing together talented members of top waterski teams from across the country. This effort has led to the completion of 14 NSSA National Records and 11 Guinness World Records over the years.
About Suzuki Marine
Suzuki is a leading manufacturer of 4-stroke outboard motors ranging from the ultra-portable 2.5 horsepower to the flagship DF350 V-6 with contra-rotating dual propellers. Over the years, Suzuki outboards have won nine Innovation Awards from the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association (NMMA) for motors as small as 25 horsepower, demonstrating Suzuki’s commitment to making the best technology available to the widest possible audience. Over the past few years, Suzuki Marine USA opened a U.S. Marine Technical Center in Panama City, Florida and moved to a new corporate headquarters in Tampa, Florida, to be closer to the heart of the U.S. boating industry and boating capital of the country. Through its CLEAN OCEAN PROJECT, regional cleanup and habitat restoration efforts around the world, and company-wide plastic waste reduction efforts, Suzuki has demonstrated a commitment to protecting coastal and marine habitat at home and around the world.
