Ski boats come in a variety of shapes and styles. Usually a boat for water skiing has a very shallow hull. This gives it a very shallow draft. Another very common feature is the inboard motor (As opposed to an outboard motor) which creates much less water disturbance allowing the water skier to go faster. Water skiing relies heavily on the ski boat as the water skier is pulled in order to gain speed and be able to perform a variety of water skiing stunts. These ski stunts include such acrobatic feats as flips, turns and even ski jumps. A variety of moves are possible limited only by the ability of the water skier. While outboard motors used to be very common in water skiing, the advances in technology have effectively ended its role in the sport of water skiing.

The recent introduction of “jet” powered skiing boats has created unique and challenging areas for water skiers. The speeds attained by these ski boats is so fast that only experienced water skiers should attempt to ski behind one of these water skiing craft. The water skiing boat driver is also a very important part of the skiing experience. Skiers and boat drivers must maintain some sort of contact, usually visual in nature, so that if the water skier should happen to fall or have other problems, they can work together to avoid skiing injuries. The water skiing boat and its driver are also responsible for staying on the course set up in skiing tournaments and skiing championships. The boat's driver or captain is responsible for lining the boat and the skier up together whether in skiing slalom courses or for water ski jumps. The water skiing boat driver and the water skier have to work together as a team with the water skiing boat as their common tool.