I/O Wakeboard Boat

PK · Newbie Joined: 04 Apr 2011 Posts: 1 City: BRECKENRIDGE

I am looking for a family boat that we can wakeboard behind. Haven't had a boat since a family boat in my teens/twenties in the 80s. I have teenagers and I know they are going to be wakeboarding. The lake we'll be on is known for its sandbars and we may be beaching the boat from time to time. This, coupled with the fact that my driving skills are rusty and I'll be teaching my kids to drive eventually, has me thinking an I/O is the way to go. We'll be getting a used boat. Price range is under $35K. Friends have recommended Sea Ray or Cobalt. There is a Crownline dealer on the lake. Would like to seat at least 8 and preferably more. I know I'm not going to get the perfect wakeboard experience with an I/O but I think this is the place we have to start. Would really appreciate some advice.

pet575 · Posted: Apr 04, 2011 9:32 am Post subject:

As long as you are OK going in with the shortcomings of an I/O then I'd say any of those three brands will have a decent hull for throwing a decent I/O wake. I've got a 22' Four Winns that I've figured out how to get a decent enough wake out of. It is no inboard but given how much other stuff I do with the boat I'm OK with the tradeoff I get.

Recommend either a Bravo 3/Duoprop outdrive with 300HP if you're going to get 20' or bigger. If you can't get that then get a 4 or 5 blade stainless steel prop for it. Also swear by PerfectPass.

h2obug · Soul Rider Joined: 10 Aug 2003 Posts: 450 City: Muncie, IN

PK -If you have teenagers dont make the mistake of buying a IO. Especially if you are willing to go $35K, the family likes watersports, and you want to teach them to drive. V-Drives are the safest boats for watersports, period, end of story. You will no more hurt a V-Drive than an IO for beaching it.

The 21 foot Moomba LSV is the best selling boat in the world. There are plenty on the used market for the price you want. Here are a few

http://onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=28120
http://onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=27629
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2008-Moomba-Mobius-LSV-97868329
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2007-MOOMBA-Mobius-LSV-98061430
www.boattrader.com/listing/2006-Moomba-Mobius-LSV-98417527
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2008-MOOMBA-Mobius-LSV-98424010
There are more

jjaszkow · Posted: Apr 09, 2011 6:32 pm Post subject:

I agree with h2obug. It sounds like your boat usage is similar to what my wife and I use ours for. We just switched from an IO to a V-drive and our only regret is that we didn't do it sooner.

I know that one of your concerns is your experience driving a boat. I will agree that a V-drive drives differently than an I/O, I think that the skills required can be developed quickly. I guess I wouldn't base my purchase on a reason that will no longer exist after the first few times out.

9DROZD · Outlaw Joined: 21 Apr 2010 Posts: 114

If you choose to go with the inboard, it will out handle an I/O except in top speed. Youll get a cleaner better wake, safer boat, and a lot less headache in terms of yearly maintenance. The only drawback with this boat is docking. An inboard only backs up one direction. Its very easy to learn to dock tho, and it wont take long.
Good luck with your boat purchase.