Boat gurus step inside...narrowed it down to 2 choices.

HHI Dave · Last edited by HHI Dave on May 12, 2011 10:38 am; edited 1 time in total

We are hopefully days away from pulling the trigger on a new (used) wakeboat. This boat is going to be used to run commercial watersports charters but will be our personal daily ride too.

Just to set the stage here's what we want... We are looking for a V-drive towboat in the $30k range. Actually $30k was our target max, but we'll go a little higher for the right boat.

We definitely want factory ballast and perfect pass. Obviously its got to have a tower and hopefully at least 2 sets of board racks. Tower speakers, tower lights, heater, etc. would all be nice but are not not priorities.

The boat's gotta have a bimini top - 12 hour days working on the water in the summer take a quick toll. And it must have a mooring cover - the boat will be kept in the water and docked at a marina most of the summer.

After spending the last couple of months poring over towboats for sale online, we've narrowed it down to a handful of boats. As of this minute these two are at the top of the wanted list based on price, distance, options, and condition advertised.

#1 is a 2006 Mastercraft X2 Saltwater Series. Boat has just under 500 hrs. Asking price is $36,995. This is a good bit above our $30k target but its exactly what we were hoping for which is a M.C. SS. It has everything I mentioned above. This one may be a non issue because apparently they have a buyer however he may be having some financing issues. Hope to know for sure by tomorrow.

#2 is a 2004 Nautique SANTE 210. This boat also just has under 500 hrs. and all of the options we want. Asking price is $33,000

Our plan is to drive to either Florida or Georgia (where each is located) sometime in the next 4 or 5 days and maybe bring one of them home. I was hoping that you guys could give some pointers as far as any common things to look for, either good or bad. I'm especially curious about issues that may be specific to these particular manufacturers and models. I am of the mind that MC and Nauti are two of the best quality boats on the market. Opinions are welcome here, but preferably based on firsthand experience.

Also, I know that some may love the orange or hate the green or whatever but color really isn't that big of a factor. We do want something that is going to stand out on the water because we are, after all, trying to stir up interest in the watersports venture.

Thanks in advance for the many and varied repsonses I'm going to get Laughing

PimpinD2 · Posted: May 12, 2011 4:07 am Post subject:

x2 is a much newer boat and will have more "updates" that the 04. Remember the 210 has changed significantly since then, while the X2 is still in current production.

I personally like the 210 wake more than the x2, but that is just me. If i wasnt so busy i would go check out the x2 for you as I live pretty close to Liquid sports.

Will you be using the boat in saltwater? If so i think it's pretty obvious which choise to go with?

Suprahunter · Soul Rider Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 486 City: Lowell

Although I love the color of the MC there is no way I would take one over a Nauti. Indmar or PCM, PCM wins every time. For the extra money you can get a newer Nauti. Check out PlanetNautique and CorrectCraftFan.

HHI Dave · Posted: May 12, 2011 4:32 am Post subject:

PimpinD2, the X2 is 2 years newer but they both have about the same hours. Yes the boat will be used in saltwater. Like I said, the X2 is the first choice but may or may not still be available. Hoping to know for sure today.

Suprahunter, thanks for the links.

PimpinD2 · Posted: May 12, 2011 4:43 am Post subject:

Chattwake · Posted: May 12, 2011 4:47 am Post subject:

I am not a huge fan of the x2 wake, but that's just me. If you are buying a boat to run a wb / wakesurf clinic/school, you should do a little more investigation into what boats produce a really good, consistent, wake at different levels of ballast. Also, why are you looking at, essentially, two 20 foot boats? Are you not going to have a fair amount of people on the boat from time to time?

If you're running in salt, you need a salt water package boat (or you will have to add a flush kit - which is still not near as nice as closed cooling). Personally, I'd try to find a '07 SANTE 210 with the zr6 (closed cooling) and add a flush kit to that. If you can't find one in your budget, and you want a small boat, I'd go for a Mastercraft X1 anyday over an X2.

You can also pic up an '07 VLX in the 30-40k price range, and those boats produce a great wake and wave as well.

HHI Dave · Posted: May 12, 2011 5:00 am Post subject:

Chattwake, we are limited by the USCG to 6 passengers max at a time so that's not really a concern. Right now I'm running my little 19.5' I/O so even a 20' v-drive is going to be a vast improvement. When its just us riding it will probably never be more than 3 or 4 people at a time.

Unfortunately its not really a wb school, its a watersports charter and (Im sad to say) the boat will probably spend as much time or more pulling tubes and kneeboards as it does pulling wakeboards.

After looking at several Nautis, I have yet to see an '07 SAN or newer anywhere in the low $30k range.

Please tell me more about the X1 vs. the X2 and why you'd choose the former over the latter. Also, if anyone knows of any boats for sale in the southeast U.S. that fit our parameters, please let me know!

Thanks guys Cool

EDIT: A quick search of onlyinboards.com showed a lot of VLX's for sale. The only ones anywhere near our budget were '03 or older. The '07-'08s were all listed at mid to upper $40's and higher. Shocked

Brit Rider · Posted: May 12, 2011 5:41 am Post subject:

HHI Dave, I much prefer Nautiques over MC... However, having just come home form work on a 2004 210, I'd say the MC will win this all day long.

the 2004 210 is a seriously dated boat now, and at 7 years old, regardless of hours, I'd not want to put it into a commercial operation.

Chattwake · Posted: May 12, 2011 5:52 am Post subject:

PimpinD2 · Posted: May 12, 2011 6:10 am Post subject:

The X2 has a much wider wake at slower speeds. And frankly i cant stand it. The X1 is a proven hull and can really accomodate all levels of riding.

I pull a couple girls who are learning to clear the wake, i my self have a limited number of tricks 1s 3s basic inverts etc.. and then pro level riders landing 7s / 9s / crow 5s etc... all behind the same boat...

shonuff · Criminal Joined: 23 Aug 2010 Posts: 58 City: Atlanta

I have an '05 SANTE 210. My crew is made up of beginners and I've found that a 350 lb sac under the bow seat with factory ballast empty and 5-6 people is perfect for teaching. At 22 mph the wake has a perfect shape and is small and clean for beginners to learn on.

If I'm not mistaken, you can buy a closed cooling conversion kit for the SANTE. I know it was an option from factory.

I've gotten to know my boat very well now doing all the maintenance and repairs myself. Where in GA is the SANTE located? If its close to me, I don't mind checking it out for you.

HHI Dave · Posted: May 12, 2011 6:22 am Post subject:

Chattwake, thanks for the links. Some of those are potential candidates.

shonuff, its in Leesburg. Quite a haul from Atlanta, but thanks for the offer.
http://onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=28459

anw7405 · Outlaw Joined: 10 Sep 2010 Posts: 188 City: edmond

http://fredericksburg.craigslist.org/boa/2291379369.html

just going by what you are saying, only max of 6 passengers and the boat will be doing a little of everything. Chances are running a charter that most of your riders are going to be beginners at everything. The salt water would be a big thing for me. Here is an 07 with only 106hrs for 29900. Im not sure if it has ferfect pass or not but offer the guy 25,000-27000 and put a closed loop cooling system and perfect pass and you have a closed loop v-drive with only 106hrs and everything you need for about your 30,000 price range. Just my opinion.

This is one of my dreams to own a watersport business like this. Is this going to be your first year? I would really like to know how it goes. good luck.

HHI Dave · Posted: May 12, 2011 7:04 am Post subject:

anw7405, thanks for the info and the well wishes.

Yes, this is Hilton Head Wake Sports first year. Its been 5 years in the planning and about 6 months of bureacracy and hoop jumping to get my USCG captain's license.

We've officially been open since Easter Sunday. I have some advantages in that I was able to slide right into a well established marina that already has a tremendous customer base. My business partner is starting his 6th season as a parasail boat owner/operator and has been doing better and better with each passing year. Hopefully this is an indicator of things to come.

jjaszkow · Posted: May 12, 2011 6:16 pm Post subject:

Congrats on the new business.

pickle311 · Newbie Joined: 17 Sep 2006 Posts: 48

What's your main focus, your own riding or your business?

If you are only concerned about your own personal riding, you won't beat a 210 wake.
If your primary focus is the business, which it probably should be, then the MC will be the better choice for you.

Both are excellent boats that will last. The 210 easily wins the wake war, but the X2 will be much more comfortable for your clients. The 210 is a small boat and can feel cramped pretty quickly. The X2 isn't much larger, but it felt like it was to me. Also factor in that the X2 I was in has the pickle fork bow which opens up a lot more room.

Chattwake · Posted: May 13, 2011 8:38 am Post subject:

IMO, I'd rather ride behind an X1 than a 210. Both are nice wakes, but the X1 wake is not like hitting a curb. It has some transition to it.

HHI Dave · Posted: May 13, 2011 2:07 pm Post subject:

Well guys, looks like the buyer was able to get his financing so the X2 is now off the table. Crying or Very sad

As I said in my original post we are trying to stay as close to our $30k budget as possible. So we were happy to hear that he paid full asking price for the boat ($36,995) which we were NOT going to do.

pickle311 you make some good points. The pickle fork was definitely one of the factors that made the X2 desirable. And yes, it is a business boat, but yes it will also be our ride-behind boat. So yes we want to have our cake and ride it too... Laughing

So, taking the X2 out of the picture still leaves the '04 SANTE I posted originally. We are also considering a few other boats as well. The long list includes:

'07 Moomba Mobius LSV listed at $32.5k.
We think this might have been Kyle Schmidt's boat at one time because he did have a red LSV a few years back and this one has a UGP sticker on it.
http://onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=28634

'05 MB Sports B-52 listed at $30k. Definitely a flashy ride.
http://onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=28424

'04 Centurion Avalanche Storm Series listed at $28.9k. Don't know much about these but this is a great looking boat. Especially like the walk-through rear transom for getting tourons in and out without trashing the cushions.
http://onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=28286

'04 Tige 22V Limited listed at $24.9k on onlyinboards.com. Listed at $22.9k on Liquid Sports Marine website. The price is RIGHT.
http://onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=26889

I know we're all over the place as far as types of boats but we're really trying to stay within our budget. We also are looking for boats that fit our requirements. Must have a trailer. Must have a bimini. Must have a cover. Must have reasonable amount of hours. Must be as close to $30k or below as possible.[/img]

ridininmd · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 1231

MB's don't get much love on this board but those B-52's are seriously nice boats. If I was in your position I would for sure be giving them a hard look. Huge underfloor ballast so your lockers are free for storage and they are massive, you could seriously hide a family of 5 in the rear lockers...comfortably. The freeboard is huge also so you really sit down in the boat, which is nice with small kids on board. The wake is big and has a nice shape when you fill it up, flattens out pretty nicely empty. Your not going to confuse it with a tournament ski boat or anything but it can be skied.

You can probably beat them up on the price some too, they don't build many boats so they don't have the following of the bigger brands, but they are quality boats.

HHI Dave · Posted: May 13, 2011 7:24 pm Post subject:

ridininmd, it definitely has a lot visual appeal. I like the idea of big storage because we do have a lot of vests and gear to fit various people and it will probably grow as time goes on. The only down side is that boat might be in TN or it may be north of Indianapolis... guess I'll have to call and find out.

In other news, due to circumstances beyond our control, we have had to postpone our planned boat shopping trip on Monday. Looks like it may be another week or two before we can make the road trip to physically check out some boats. The upside to this is that, though some of the boats we're looking at may sell by then, there may be some new ones come onto the market. And if the current crop hasn't sold, then that's one more week of sitting on the lot...its a buyer's market. Mr. Green

Bambamski · Posted: May 19, 2011 10:39 am Post subject:

If your running in salt water does that mean you could potentially see some big water from time to time (waves/boat chop)? If that's the case I would go with the X-2 as it's got a much deeper hull then the SAN. Although the wake isn't as good as an X-1 or SAN anything more then a ripple in those other two boats isn't fun to be in. I know in my boat rough water = getting pounded. Just something more to consider in your boat purchase.

anw7405 · Outlaw Joined: 10 Sep 2010 Posts: 188 City: edmond

what boat did you end up going with?

HHI Dave · Posted: Jul 10, 2011 8:00 pm Post subject: