Newbie looking for a cheap, new boat.

nafunu32 · Newbie Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 5

I'll be buying my first boat in the next few months. I want a NEW boat that is decent for wakeboarding and within $30,000-$35,000 range. I understand that there are no great wakeboarding boats in this price range, but I'm hoping to find one that will satisfy me going out on the weekend and spending a few hours playing on a wakeboard.

Being that this is my first boat, I am wanting to purchase new so that it comes with warranty and such. A local boat shop has a SeaDoo Challenger 180 SE and a Tahoe Q5i that are within my budget. Are either of these boats capable of satisfying my progression from newbie to proficient over the next few years?

If not, would any of you mind giving suggestions, keeping in mind a NEW boat within 30-35k range?

I'm sure you guys get these types of questions all the time, but thank you for your time.

t_brown1986 · Newbie Joined: 31 May 2012 Posts: 15 City: Dothan

Just my opinion here but I am not a SeaDoo or Tahoe fan.. but they make Chocolate and Vanilla for a reason....
I one the other hand have been very pleased with my Caravelle.... Lots of great features like NO WOOD and snap carpets etc...

nafunu32 · Newbie Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 5

After doing a bit more research it seems that anything other than a v-drive inboard will be worthless after a few hours. That being said, is it possible to finance used boats up to 12-15 years?

t_brown1986 · Newbie Joined: 31 May 2012 Posts: 15 City: Dothan

My boat isnt a v drive and i/guys board just as well.. now yes NOTHING can touch a v drive but for the money my boat is floating and pulling fine untill that sweet a22 falls in my lap...

FlyZone CR · Posted: Jun 27, 2012 5:21 pm Post subject:

Do. not. buy. Seadoo.

nafunu32 · Newbie Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 5

jamespjackson95 · Outlaw Joined: 17 May 2012 Posts: 113

Yeah defiantly just get something used

kartman · Posted: Jun 28, 2012 6:38 am Post subject:

you will be able to pick up something bad ass in that range.

broccoli2 · Newbie Joined: 01 Jun 2012 Posts: 24 City: Santa Clarita

I was in the same boat (so to speak) a few months ago. I looked and probably around 45 or 50 boats. I am to anal and have a hard time spending that much money on a boat this is not absolutely perfect.
To answer your question. Yes you can finance a boat for 10 year if it is (i think, depending on bank) 3 to 5 years old and 15 years from new to 3 years old.
I started like you and kept upping my budget until I got a really great boat with the options I wanted.
Oh the other thing is if you buy an older boat the interest rate increases so you will end up paying more and even close to the total with interest of a new boat. If you think you can pay it off early then you will do better with a used boat.
I went new and couldn't be happier
Good luck and let us know when you get something

Oh the other thing is this is my 3rd boat and I really wish I would have just bought what I wanted the first time...

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

Well I bought a 2008 seadoo challenger brand new and it was cool for a while until i started getting into wake sports. I no longer have the seadoo (that cost way too much) i have an old malibu. There is a reason why these boats hold their value. Most inboard boats are built very well and solid. If you are looking for a boat that has zero problems whatsoever, let me know when you find it. things are going to go wrong on a boat no matter new or old so buy a boat that you are happy with and a wake that you like. You will be able to get a very nice V-drive boat for 30,000-35000. I'm not knocking other brands because i like them too but you cannot go wrong with a big 3 boat. (mastercraft, malibu, nautique) jmo. good luck.

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

You should be able to get a like new V drive for that kind of money. No offence to jet,IO and outboard owners but if you want to do water sports get a V drive or direct drive. Do it right the first time it will be cheaper in the long run.

carp22 · Newbie Joined: 01 Sep 2011 Posts: 36 City: great falls

Whatever you decide, do not buy a jet boat! We have a jet boat and it is great for skiing, but without a lot of weight placed in the right spots it is impossible (and still difficult with the weight) to maintain a speed between 16 and 22 mph where I like to wakeboard at.

jamespjackson95 · Outlaw Joined: 17 May 2012 Posts: 113

Cheap boat should be an oxymoron haha