buying 1st V w/$45-50K budget, suggestions?

martasban · Newbie Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 48

Hi all. I've been looking at V drives for a couple of years and have finally decided to pull the trigger! I'm pretty close to finalizing a deal on a '03 SAN 210 LE. The dealership is asking for $52K with perfect pass, tower, trailer and some other goodies. It's a nice boat but since I'm new to this and probabely a lot older than most you pro's, I want to make sure I'm making the right purchse.

I love the way it looks, Nautiques in general. But MasterCraft and Malibu also have nice boats. I guess here's what I need help with:

1: How do SAN, MC and Malibu V's compare in price and quality?
2: What's the most I should pay for either 3
3: Is this an overkill for my family and I, nephews and sons ranging from 6-11 ys/old.
4: After 15 yrs when it's paid off, will the boat feel/drive the same (considering it's well maintained)?

Thanks all in advance...

Budman · Outlaw Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 137 City: Tifton

I have two kids and X-star. It gets a little crowded to say the least especially if you have any other buddies who you ride with. I am considering moving to an X-30, BU 23' LSV, or Supra SSV. These are all 22'+ boat and just generally have more room. There's no doubt the SAN is a sweet boat, but if you are a beginner and have a family, there may be better choices. If you wanted to stay with CC, they have the 226, but you may have to get a third mortgage on your house. I think it's like 65+

RanMan · Outlaw Joined: 14 Apr 2003 Posts: 186 City: Pittsburgh

Look at the Centurion Avalanche! Merc' 350 MPI Mag 325hp. 100'' beam. 22' long. Unparallelled construction methods. Solid, loaded, roomy, smooth, looks great. 10k less than your SAN. Walk through is controversial but nice with the kids. Gives them a place to drain a bit. And easier for them to get to the swim platform. Storage galore. Built in cooler in bow walk through holds 42 12oz cans. Kickin' stereo. Quality is there. New Storm series from Centurion are built to a unparallelled quality standard. The SAN is nice, no doubt, but with kids, go bigger.

Seth Martin · Moderator Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 891 City: Orlando

1. I would say they are all pretty equal in price and quality. Each will have stronger points than the others and you will have personal preference on the different aspects of each.

2. Not sure

3. I don't think, you get more room, a wake that can be built to fit the ability and a quality boat.

4. should

chuck · Outlaw Joined: 22 Apr 2003 Posts: 170 City: Arlington Wa

The Supra SSV is a sweet boat for the money. I bought one last march after a friend and I did demos all winter. Just upgrade the sacks in back to 600 lb and change out the stock speakers. The boat has no problems and has a wake big enough to surf. Honestly though....I had an x-star w/ a 330 hp indmar so I got the bigger motor in my ssv ....if you go w/ a supra the 320hp is plenty...I cant tell the difference. My friend bought the identical boat w/ a 320 and the pull is very similar. Best idea is to actually RIDE behind a variety of boats and choose what you like best.

B-rad · Posted: Jun 16, 2003 7:17 am Post subject:

If you are looking for space a SAN is not the one to go for. The wake is excellent on them, no doubt about that. I think the other 2 have a lot more room. It sounds to me this is going to be a family boat more than a pure wakeboard boat. I would look at the BU's and the Mastercraft's more in that sense. A friend of mine just bought an 03 X-10 V drive. It has a ton more room than the SANTE that another friend has. I'm a big fan of all the brands you mentioned including Tige', Supra, and Calabria. I think that you should look at something else besides CC if this indeed is going to be more of a general boat. The nauti's just get crowded too easily.

Dave W · Posted: Jun 16, 2003 7:26 am Post subject:

This is a big investment. Are you going to test drive all of them before you buy?? I've never gotten that serious about it because I am a long way off from buying one, but I would try to get seat and wake time in on all of them buying. My personal brand preference is malibu, but I would still do as much research as possible. Good luck with the purchase, and if you ever need a spotter or anything on the new boat feel free to give me a call.

Shawn Madison · Posted: Jun 16, 2003 8:09 am Post subject:

'04-23' Wakesetter VLX-Tons of room! Just have to wait a bit!

wakeborder5 · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 279 City: Commerce

Check out the Tige 22V, if you are looking for a lot of room and storage and an awesome wakeboard boat

BIGMAC · Posted: Jun 16, 2003 8:52 am Post subject:

Do you realize how much you have actually spent after 15 years.

Xbrdr1 · Outlaw Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 161

Do you realize how much FUN you'll have after 15 years! ! ! !!

BIGMAC · Posted: Jun 16, 2003 9:11 am Post subject:

True!!!

calair03 · Posted: Jun 16, 2003 9:30 am Post subject:

Calabria Pro-V is the best way to go. Try it, YOu'll like it!.

Tal · Posted: Jun 16, 2003 9:31 am Post subject:

i have had 4 boats....
glaspar
centurion
Mastercraft X-9
and now a Calabria Cal-Air Pro-V

Buy the Calabria!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tal

ltw235 · Newbie Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Posts: 27 City: Redmond, Oregon

Tige, Mastercraft, Centurion, Calabria, Nautique, Skiers Choice and Malibu all make great boats. There are little differences between construction, options and warranty, however, the major difference, in my view, is wake preference. Drive them all and then make your decision. I drove many boats in my process and decided on a MC X-2, perfect boat for me [just two of us]. But that doesn't mean the other boats arent nice as well. If you have a large family, the Pro-V might be your best bet. Tons of storage, and great ballast system. Good luck. Dont get into a rush, drive them all.

stewart · Posted: Jun 16, 2003 10:47 am Post subject:

I just went through same ordeal. I ended up getting a Malibu Wakesetter LSV (23'). I looked at the Mastercraft X-30, Sanger V-230, Centurion Avalanche and Hurricane, Tige 21v and Supra Launch SSV.

All were nice boats, but the BU, won in the end. This weekend we went out with seven adults, Wakeboarded, etc for the whole day and there was plenty of room and storage. The Malibu also comes with, 3 year engine warranty, 3 year bumper to bumper, 5 year fabric, and lifetime transferable hull warranty. All this for under $50k.

Just my .02

Shawn Madison · Posted: Jun 16, 2003 12:55 pm Post subject:

stewart, Second That!

Sportster4Tec · Posted: Jun 16, 2003 1:00 pm Post subject:

Tal of course the pro-v will out perform and i/o and two direct drives.

Kingpin · Posted: Jun 16, 2003 2:26 pm Post subject:

Martasban,

I am in a similar situation as you. I have been looking for a Board boat for awhile and have decided to go for it. I have looked at The malibu's, MC, Tige, and Nautique. After demoing them all I would rank the boat:

1. Nautique
2. Tige
3. Malibu
4. MC

The nautique is smaller, but that may not matter if you live on a lake. It also comes with the 5 year bumper to bumper waranty, and is the best fit, finish, and construction in my opinion. I put the Tige next cause they are a quality boat with good construction. I tested the 20v and 22v. The thing I like about this boat is it throws a nice wake for boarding and skiing. I still have a few friends that like to ski and they really like the boat. The boat also has tons of room. As far as the Bu and MC go i think they are fine boats I just am not into them. I would TEST, TEST, TEST,TEST and TEST some more. Go out and demo every boat you can. It will just make your decision easier and make you more confident in it. Whatever you get you will have a blast you cannot go wrong with these companies.

dane · Posted: Jun 16, 2003 2:50 pm Post subject: Ski Supreme

I just thought I could add a really nice boat to this forum. Be sure to check out the Ski Supreme V-Drives, V220SP or the V230SP, the 23' is new for this year. We also use the Mercury Mag 350 MPI EFI engine, and all supremes comes standard with lots of equipment. They also have 5 year warranty on upholstry and carpet, and lifetime transferrable on the hull as well. Their custom graphics are right into the gelcoat, no cheap stickers or anything. Their towers have board racks welded right into the towers, and no one can see them. Dual ballast tanks, heater, shower, depth finders, digital readout on EVERYTHING, mph, knots, rpm. The Cd player also has a touchpad on the drivers side, bolster drivers seat, Matching trailers. Their aren't many dealers around because the hulls of these boats are hand-laid, and are more of a custom boat. I have a few pictures on my website, www.rvmarine.ca and there is also pretty sweet videos there too. They rated just as high as the other boats MC, Malibu, Mastercrafts. But they are priced below them.

big air daddy · Newbie Joined: 08 May 2003 Posts: 39 City: so.oregon

Here is a 23ft/102in beam v-drive...way less dollars than the previous lists above

martasban · Newbie Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 48

Nice boat there big. What is it? Can you provide more info please?

Thanks,
Edwin.

George · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 552 City: Chattanooga

After riding in and behind a SAN, wakesetter vlx and lsv, and x-star now x-2 i would still save some money and get the Supra SSV. This boat has one of the best wakes, enough room for 10 and more to spare. Personally i wouldn't pay anymore than what an ssv cost to get any other of the big three's. Now all of them make top quality boats and there wakes are great but why spend 10 grand more when you can have as great of a boat for less.

Spyplane8 · Outlaw Joined: 10 Feb 2003 Posts: 228

I honestly can say that the wake behind this boat is perfect. I replaced the stock bags in the rear with launch pad 540s and the front bag is a 700. I paid 40k for the boat it had 0 hours but was an 02 left over. The boat has everything. Perfect pass pro, heater, shower, depth gauge. Beatiful boat

big air daddy · Newbie Joined: 08 May 2003 Posts: 39 City: so.oregon

M, This is a Gekko G3 2002 model.There has been a name change for 2003, Revo 7.1...This is a multi-sport tow boat..Great tracking, smooth ride, plush interior, tons of storage, room for 12, intermediate level wakes, awesome salom wake for its size, a perfect family sports boat...Look at Gekkosports.com and get more info...Ask to talk to Mark Overbye Pres of Gekko great guy..E mail me for more personal thoughts on the Revo 7.1 Thanks, Big... Smile

martasban · Newbie Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 48

Thanks for all your replies and help. I took the advise of some of the older boat owners with kids and checked out the Pro V. It's a nice boat, lots of room. I understand it's no match for the Air as far as wakeboarding, but it's good enough to pull a tube and my kids!!!

Let me know what you think...
Edwin.

sambo · Criminal Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 94

We have the Tige 21v. Tons of room due to the wider beam than most others. Deeper seating area also. Holds 6-8 comfortably. We've had as many as 10, although it's starting to get crowded at that point. Decent wake, even unweighted. The new 22v is also very sweet. We looked at all the boats at the Detroit stop and if we were to buy another, it would probably be the Supra SSV. Also a very sweet boat with considerable room. The bottom line: Your fixin' to spend 40K, get what makes you and yours happy. All the new wakeboard boats give a decent wake. It ultimately boils down to personal choice in the "creature features", in my opinion.

Phaeton · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 572 City: Redding

martasban, No match for an Air is right. The Pro-V has minimal bow rise, a bigger wake, more room, best ballast system, drives better and is a custom hand built boat. Test drive the others and you will be back to the Pro-V.

Here is my 04 we just picked up.

Dees · Posted: Jun 20, 2003 11:57 am Post subject:

bigger wake my a$$

martasban · Newbie Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 48

be nice dees Evil or Very Mad

calair03 · Posted: Jun 20, 2003 1:11 pm Post subject:

The wake on an un-weighted pro-v is bigger than most boats on the market with factory ballast and probably even a sack for that matter. The following pic is of me behind an unweighted (no ballast OR sacks). Tell me any other wakeboard boat on the market would give me pop like that with no extra weight. Keep in mind that I am 6'3" 240lbs.

Spyplane8 · Outlaw Joined: 10 Feb 2003 Posts: 228

I think the Pro V owners need to venture out of their dream world. I am sure your wakes are good without ballast but who cares to get a real good wake you will definatally add weight. Lets not forget the Pro V has a 65 gallon gas tank and is about 300 pounds heavier than most of the boats beside Tige. No reason to go off about how much better your wake is because in that pic they are no bigger than a SANTE or a Launch SSV without weight. Sometimes it is easy to convince yourself that because you own something it is the best but lets face reality.

calair03 · Posted: Jun 20, 2003 1:54 pm Post subject:

calair03 · Posted: Jun 20, 2003 3:00 pm Post subject:

King of the Tigers · Posted: Jun 20, 2003 3:34 pm Post subject:

Man, you finally got me. Wait to go Calabria owners. Now I know what a complete idiot I am for preferring Nautiques. You guys are so smart.