Help! First time boat buyer, what should I look for?

[Fuelbaby]

I am buying a boat for the first time that will be primarily used for wakeboarding. I am not a pro by any means, I just LOVE to do it. I don't need anything super fancy, but I do need an inboard, something that is reliable with low maintenance and hopefully (even though used) will last for a while! I don't know how to know if people are scamming, but I want to spend 10K or less!

Is this even possible?? If I buy a boat that is old will it die on me fast? How old is too old.....Please help, any advice would be very much appreciated!

[mgs917]

Welcome to the forums. The first thing I would do in your position, is read the "budget boat breakdown" thread. It is at the top of the wakeboard boat general discussion forum. This chart shows some of the best budget inboard boats. Many of these are in or near your price range.

I would search craigslist.com, boattrader.com, ebay.com, and onlyinboards.com. If you find something you like then you can ask the members here what they think of price and appearance. Good luck in your search and ask as many questions as you want, most of us are very friendly and /or knowledgeable.

[Fuelbaby]

Thanks! Yes, this place is great, I have been reading all day! I have found a couple that I like....of course, none of which are on the budget boat breakdown list I will definitely keep looking though. Maybe at different times of the year the selections are better/different, but I am liking this one:

http://texas.freeboatshopper.com/boats-parts/1999-bayliner-21-ft-bowrider-capri.html

Even though, I feel like 21 ft might be a bit large for me. It seems like a good deal though! I would probably have to buy a wakeboard tower.

[Baltfrog]

thats an i/o or an inboard/outboard. Not ideal for wakeboarding, tough on maintenance and don't hold value at all. I'm limping through this season with my capri and then dumping it for a real wakeboard boat.

[Fuelbaby]

OK thanks....good to know. Should I wait until after the season to buy? When are the best deals on used boats?

Another option....doesn't have a trailer, which is annoying. Thoughts on this boat?

http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=32638

[buckthis]

You will get a better deal at the end of the season.
Wakeboarders don't let wakeboarders buy I/Os

[Suprahunter]

Try some inboard specific forums like CorrectCraftFan, Supra and Moomba . There will be a lot of information about the boat as far as wake boarding and you will probably get a better maintained boat from a member.

[FlyZone CR]

For 10K or less I would look at Nautique 2001's and Sport Nautiques. I have an '85 2001 with almost 2000 hours and it's still going superstrong. So I wouldn't worry much about a used boat not lasting long enough. Find one that's been well maintained, and do your homework.

[slidin_out]

You should look for a good friend with a good boat and just pay him gas money, bring drinks, and help with boat maintenance and clean up.

[Fuelbaby]

Thanks! I think I have a lot more research and talking to do before I purchase. So far I'm really liking Supras and the Tige! I have seen mixed opinions, or no opinions at all about the Tige. The more I read the more I REALLY think I am going to require an open bow and a tower already on it.

I don't think I have enough experience to really understand, but buying an older boat really makes me uncomfortable becaue I don't know what an acceptable amount of hours is, how to check to see if it has been maintained properly etc. What I've gathered is a need to do a lake test for sure and a compression test for sure before I buy. Really, how old is too old of a boat for someone who really doesn't have the ability to do any sort of revamp to it (me)?? When I see some 1994ish boats going for 20k, I'm like WHAT!!

Also, what is the real difference between an I/O wake and an inboard wake?? I was initially leaning more towards the I/Os because they are cheaper! Haha, but the inboards look a lot safer to me.