Buying first boat in a year or two. Shopping advice anyone?

jmv78 · Newbie Joined: 05 Jul 2011 Posts: 4 City: Columbus

So Im a student that is about to graduate with my master's degree in mechanical/systems engineering. Looking at placement statistics, I'm expecting a starting salary of about 60-70k. I have two questions.

First: What percentage of income is fair to spend on my first boat? (I save a lot and pinch pennies. But Im not trying to buy thrift on my first boat. Boating has always been my passion and its the only thing I really spend money on, aside from rent, car, and food. The occassional beer doesnt run my budget too high. And, in preparation for my first boat Ive already prepared a budget on excel and looked at the most I could save monthly [about 25% of income])

Second: With that kind of entry offer, should I look to buy new and go with a budgeted entry boat like an X-1 or comprimable boats? OR, should I buy used and go with the X-star or comprimable boats? (Based on reviews, style, and wake I would like to stay with either mastercraft, malibu, moomba, or axis... not entirely limited.)

Sidenote: Ive only ever wakeboarded off of my parents runabout. Its a '95 rinker captiva 209. They wont let me add ballast or a tower. So getting air is out of the question. The low line has made me better at control and stability. I think I have the capacity to handle any sizeable/hard wake after enough practice. Anybody on here ride in KY/TN?

Thanks a lot for any advice/opinions.

GazawayTM · Newbie Joined: 08 Jul 2010 Posts: 8

I honestly never understand why hobby riders go with a pro model boat. The wake is huge, but its more than you will ever need, and gas is ridiculous.

Also, most of the novice riders you will be with will not know/care how much your boat cost.

IMO, there is no reason for you to buy brand new for your first boat.

I say, used A22, Mobius, V-ride, X1.

Im about to to the same thing. Im graduating with a master in Science Education, so I wont be making as much. Im going to pick up a gently used A22.

I just do not see the point in buying brand new right now with the market being flooded with 50ish hour boats for like 15-20K off MSRP.

jjaszkow · Posted: Jul 06, 2011 10:03 am Post subject:

I know that you say that you don't want to be thrifty on your first boat, but I'd really recommend doing just that and focus on establishing significant savings, especially if you plan on financing the boat. You should be able to find a very nice used v-drive in the mid $30k's. Of course if you already have the money saved up to buy a new one, still have ~6 months of expenses in the emergency fund, and also building up long term savings, that's a totally different story.

Since this is going to be your first boat, another reason for going used is that you aren't going to take a huge depreciation hit if you decide that the boat you purchased isn't exactly what you wanted.

Don't forget to budget for gas and maintenance too. In the summer, we spend significantly more on boat gas than we do on gas for our cars.

pet575 · Posted: Jul 06, 2011 10:10 am Post subject:

I would absolutely NOT spend more than $30K and no way in hell I'd finance it for more than 5 years given your situation. There is no good reason to be boat poor and at your stage in your life you are not yet in what you call a secure job situation. What would happen to you if your $500 a month boat payment was sitting out there for the next 10 years while you're unemployed?

Pay as much cash as you can, finance as little. Once you figure out how those numbers line up for you, get opinions (you will get some good ones on here) about older makes, models, and years for good wake hulls.

Commodore · Ladies Man Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11636

jmv78, congrats on getting your degree. Now, with that being said you're going to get a lot of criticism, but hear everyone out.

You're young (I'm guessing), and just out of boot so to speak. Unless you have a substantial amount of savings, the last thing you need to do is finance a boat. The only thing that would be acceptable to finance is a car or home right now. As you must have both, those are about the only things you should finance right now.

Until you have at least $10,000 in savings, you shouldn't finance any toys. Why? Because when it hits the fan, and it always does somehow, you need to have a cushion of cash on hand.

I understand you're a boater, so am I. I've been on a boat since I was 3 days old, got my captains license at 23. So I can understand. While I know it would be awesome to have a nice newer boat, you can have all the same things for a much more affordable boat. Especially your first.

There is no question you should buy used. Don't get a new boat, get a used one that has taken the hit from depreciation, and is more affordable. I'd say in your situation you shouldn't buy a boat unless you can pay cash. And you can get really good boats for $10,000 if you know how and where to look.

I'm being dead serious. My last two boats were less than $10,000 when I bought them, and many times got more compliments than some of the high dollar boats, and with no boat payment that makes it that much more fun. You never have to worry about getting into a tight situation with a boat you don't even use in winter.

I could go on, and on, but I think you get the jist of it. We would all be happy to show you some examples of what you can get for cheap, and have a kick ass boat. But the first thing you need to decide is should I be smart with my money, and get something reasonable first? Or possibly extend myself with my cash flow on a boat that's just newer? Especially since you're kind of new to wakeboarding.

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

Agree with he advice so far. There is definitely a nice feeling of truly owning the boat, just in case. I would lean heavily towards the advice of paying cash, even if you need to step it down a notch. An older ski boat with a tower and some ballast will give you a good pull and a good wake without having to put yourself in debt.

hawkster0001 · Soul Rider Joined: 21 Jul 2010 Posts: 441 City: GR

another thing to consider is where will you be rinding? certain lakes have limits on boat size and whether they can run ballast. and what willyou be towing it with? where will you store it? if in your own garage factor in the length of the trailer to make sure it fits

chawk610 · Addict Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 668 City: Fort Worth

Agreed as well... get something you can buy outright... I bought mine outright...and I already have a home, cars, and are well established. I do not plan to "buy" a new boat for a year or two more.

jmv78 · Newbie Joined: 05 Jul 2011 Posts: 4 City: Columbus

Thanks for all the good advice. I've found this site is very helpful, even before I decided to get involved with posting. So thanks to all of you that dish out great advice.

You're right on being young, 24. I have a decent savings from my job. I have paid schooling and a monthly stipend for being a TA for the college of engineering at Ohio State. (Don't ask about tressel please, lol. Time to rebuild is about the only thing I would say. Glad he's gone though.)

So If I'm looking into used, somewhere in the 15-40k range what should I look for. I wouldn't say I'm new to wake boarding. But Ive certainly maxed out my talent on my rents outboard. I want to be able to start learning tricks. Right now I can do surface 180s and nose grabs, but cant get up enough to get any real tricks under my belt. Also, what kind of maintenance should I prepare for with used. My parents just bought a 39' formula used and have had so many problems with it. That's my only scare to buying a couple summers earlier and used.

Thanks,
- JV

Commodore · Ladies Man Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11636

jmv78, Well seeing as I was looking at very nice V-drives in the low 20's, I think you should start there. A nice original X-star would be perfect for you and is in the low 20's, to high teens if you find a rough one. That's a great boat to start with, and really is a very good wakeboard boat.

As for maintenance, that all depends on the boat. Some can be a nightmare (like your parents), some can be a dream. If you find a boat you like, post it up here. We'll tell you what to look for and watch out for.

Collectively you've got some of the best minds here to pick. There are 3 of us I know of that can tell you everything you need to know about Supras. I know of 4 that can cover MasterCrafts, and 3 that know Nautiques inside and out. We can help you pick.

But again, it comes down to where YOU start your search. ME? Here's some of the boats I'd be gunning for if I were you.

Late 99-2003 Nautique 210 Super Air, also known as the SANTE.
Like this one in your area. PERFECT!!! And the color is sexy too. Although it does look rough.

http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=28870

2000-2005 Supra Launch's anything in V-drive

http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=29346

Or the original MasterCraft X-star

http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=28511

This is the order I would go. The Nautique 210 Super Air is my first pic. Then the Launches, and then the X-star. I roll an older Supra 24' Saltare. But it's not a V-drive. And if you're going to go above $20,000, get a V-drive.

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

http://columbus.craigslist.org/boa/2451542624.html

For $800 you could pay someone to finish the boat and still come out ahead.

FBCoach · Newbie Joined: 01 Jul 2011 Posts: 10

I don't want to hijack this thread, but how much would it cost to have someone finish out the boat on craigslist you linked to, Nor? I know I wouldn't be able to do it myself and it looks like it need everything from the hull out, including new paint/gel coat. He does say the engine just got rebuilt, though. Please redirect me to another thread, if appropriate.

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

FBCoach, based on some other posts on the interwebs about $3-5K for the stringers, upholstery about $1500-2K, and no idea on refitting all the pieces back together, my bet is you could complete the project for $7K if you found the right shop to do it all. It would make a ton of sense if you DIY the whole thing. And most likely wetsanding would bring the gelcoat back up to shine.

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

FBCoach, Nor*Cal is right in the ballpark. You can call Viper Customs in TN and talk about that boat. Jim used to work for Supra and has done many rebuilds. There are other guys around the country, too, but he seems to be very knowledgable with the older Supras.

jmv, those links haugy listed are a great start. Like he said, look around and find candidates and post 'em up. Lots of knowledge on here.

kartman · Posted: Jul 07, 2011 7:32 pm Post subject:

FBCoach, shoot Okie Boarder a pm. he did an amazing job on his sunsport 2 winters ago.

jmv78 · Newbie Joined: 05 Jul 2011 Posts: 4 City: Columbus

Its all good, on the "hijack". I got the advice I was looking for, so use the thread if need be. Thanks again for all the advice.

- JV

vossy003 · Newbie Joined: 18 Jun 2011 Posts: 19 City: Highland

Off topic, but I'm amazed on how similar our situations are except for I still haven't graduated and have to keep rocking behind my parents boat. I'll remember to go back to this thread once I do get a job to buy a boat

Chattwake · Posted: Jul 08, 2011 5:14 am Post subject:

Well, I both agree and disagree with some of what has been said on here. My first boat was a 1990 prostar 190. I paid 9k for it in '02. I bought it just to get on the water, not because I wanted to wakeboard. I started learning to ride and had a friend who had a '02 Xstar. It got to the point where we would not want to ride behind my 190 ever. I looked and looked and looked and eventually, through some connections, found another '02 Xstar in '04 with 150 hours on it for $32k. I borrowed $20k, put down $12k. I got a 10 year loan at like 6%, so my payments were only like $240 a month. I had just graduated lawschool and I was making pretty good money, I was single, my car was paid off, and I was living in a cheap rental. I had lots of extra monthly income, so I didn't worry about a boat payment. Also, I paid a little extra each month towards principal.

Was it worth taking out a loan and a monthly payment to own that XStar back in '04. Hell yeah it was. I believe that I had more fun and got better at riding than I would have behind a non "pro model" boat. Because I got such a good deal on that boat, when my friend opened a BU dealership in '06, I was able to trade in that same XStar for 32k on an '07 VLX. Yeah, I burned up some money in interest, but I was basically able to own that XStar without losing my butt for two years.

Over the last five years, I've bought and sold a bunch of boats. I financed every on until I bought my '11 A22. It is definitely a nice feeling to pay cash for a boat. That was one of the attractive features of the A22. However, after owning many wakeboats, one thing I can say is that buying new at this point in time is not necessarily a bad thing, but just know that the wakeboat industry is changed very much in the last 8 years, and that just because you pay more, doesn't mean you're getting a better wake - or even a better performing boat.

If I were trying to buy my first boat, I'd go back to where I started and try to find a Mastercraft 205v (XStar, X2, X1). Those boats should hold their values very well, considering the fact that MC is mothballing that hull. If you decide that you want something newer, a 2010 Axis A22 is also very hard to beat in terms of the performance/wake that you get out of that boat.

buckthis · Posted: Jul 08, 2011 4:15 pm Post subject:

Chat, I have the 2005 VLX, which should be the same as your '07, so how was that wake compared to the Xstar? What about the 02,03, and 04 VLX? I never had a chance to ride behind one of those, how does that wake compare? you can get one of those for under 30k. The inboards holds their value and do not depreciate that much compared to fun value. I bought a '99 response used in '02 and just sold it this year, and I didn't have any mechanical problems with that boat ever and the wake was as good as the '05! Also I could go wake to wake, both heelside and toeside, regular and goofy. Now with the '05 I am learning all over again(I thought this was supposed to be easier?) Anyway I also love to surf, thats why I bought the bigger boat.
jmv, are you still in Columbus? My son was a gta in engineering this last year, I know(why didn't he get one of those 60k dollar jobs, they are out there) He got up surfing for the fist time when he was home a few weeks ago. Shoot me an e-mail if you want to try out the VLX or anyone with a boat in the area, I wouldn't mind trading pulls.

Chattwake · Posted: Jul 09, 2011 4:04 am Post subject:

I think that the 07 vlx hull is different than your boat. I think the hull changed in 06. I could be wrong though. I liked the vlx wake alot. The a22 wake is similar, except it can get bigger with the wedge without rolling over.

DRAGON88 · Posted: Jul 09, 2011 7:17 am Post subject:

Chattwake · Posted: Jul 09, 2011 10:06 am Post subject:

Ah, thx dragon. I wasn't sure when the switch was made.

buckthis · Posted: Jul 09, 2011 12:57 pm Post subject:

yah Draggon, the 05 is alot bigger than the 04, and they cost alot more money too. they biggest difference is that in the 04, the back ballast tanks are above the floor and in the 05 both back tanks are under the floor(nice for surfing) The 02,03, and 04 should be the same haul as the 05,06, and 07 Vride boats, so all those boats would be great starter boats for under the 30k price tag but I do not know how their surf wake is if you were interested in surfing.

GazawayTM · Newbie Joined: 08 Jul 2010 Posts: 8

You do not need a giant wake for learning on. Someone needs to find the video of brett esienhower wakeboarding behind a old flatbottom outboard.

PimpinD2 · Posted: Jul 11, 2011 12:32 pm Post subject:

We picked up a 06 X1 for $25k and overall it has cost me about $28k (not including the $3k in stereo we put in it) ... deals are out there, dont buy new.

AbsoluteZero · Criminal Joined: 04 Jul 2009 Posts: 50