Which boat for Long Island Sound?

robbierov · Newbie Joined: 04 Aug 2012 Posts: 6 City: Riverside

Intermediate wakeboarder here, never actually owned a wakeboarding boat but do it all the time behind older malibus/nautiques on Lake Tahoe, and behind my whaler on the Long Island Sound. Now looking to sell the whaler and buy a v drive wakeboarding boat that can handle saltwater and mildly rough waters when something pops up in the sound.

Was looking in the 30k-40k price range and found a 2005 Supra 21V, a 2008 Centurion Lightning, a 2007 MC X2 SS, and a 2006 B52 V23. Also found a 2007 MC X1 and a 2004 Tige 22V for 5-10k less than all of the previously mentioned boats.

Looking to go out maybe 4-5 months out of the year, with about 4-8 people each time. Any thoughts on which boat may be the best for my area? Don't need the "best" wakeboarding boat per say, just need something reliable and safe in case weather turns bad. Any thoughts or ideas are appreciated!

jtryon · Criminal Joined: 27 Apr 2011 Posts: 54

can't make a boat recommendation other than getting something with a closed cooling system, if not a complete "saltwater" wake boat. but i will say, why the sound??! trailer it up to the river...the haddam meadows launch is big, free, and the water is much calmer up that way. i can't imagine boarding in the sound Shocked

robbierov · Newbie Joined: 04 Aug 2012 Posts: 6 City: Riverside

Thanks for the reply, unfortunately I live in southwestern Connecticut in riverside so it's a bit of a distance to Haddam and I have a slip already where I live. I plan to go out fairly early in the morning and around dusk when it shouldn't be too wavy, especially on weekdays when I get the chance. Can anyone comment on the specific boats?

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

Centurions tend to have a little deeper V so they ride better in the chop. I've been on a B52 in rough water before, pretty decent ride also. I would look for something with closed water cooling for sure.

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

I used to ride in the puget sound in WA. water can be very nice at times and more bouyant. IMO closed loop cooling, 23ft. or bigger and the deepest v you can find. The water can change in a hurry on a body of water like this. Even though I'm not a big fan of the centurions I would go with them. Decent wakeboard wake, probably one of the best riding\cruising wakeboard boats and a world class wakesurf wake. Even if you don't wakesurf now you probably will. Its pretty addicting.

robbierov · Newbie Joined: 04 Aug 2012 Posts: 6 City: Riverside

Thanks for the replies. The B52 is 23 feet while the centurion is 21 feet. Does that trump the fact that the centurion has a slightly deeper V? Just found a pretty good deal on a 2008 supreme V220, i think its about 21 feet 4 inches. How does that compare to the B52 or the centurion?

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

between the MB and the centurion I'd probably go with the MB, bigger boat, more freeboard, heavier, and a a better wake IMO. I've never been out on a Supreme so I can't really comment on that one.

Cary K. · Outlaw Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 225 City: Wilson, NC

Def the smallest of the boats you listed, but the 2007 X2 SS, the SS stands for Salt Series. Should be closed cooling, and be better equipped to handle the salt environment.

robbierov · Newbie Joined: 04 Aug 2012 Posts: 6 City: Riverside

Yea I liked the x2 because it's part of the saltwater series line but does it handle rough water well at all if something pops up? And if I go with a boat that isn't closed cooling is it possible to install that?

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

I dont think a 21 foot centurion would be better than a 23 ft. MB. If you compare 23 to 23 I would go with centurion. Closed loop is not a must have but it will make life a lot easier. You need to spray the entire boat down after each use in salt water and flush the motor. You can add a closed loop cooling on these boats though. the salt series boat will also come with differnt metal parts to withstand salt contitions better. If you plan on owning this boat for a long time I would go with a saltwater series boat if the sound is your main boating area. JMO.

robbierov · Newbie Joined: 04 Aug 2012 Posts: 6 City: Riverside

I appreciate the responses. I'm going to test drive a 2007 MC X2, 2007 MC X1, and a 2005 MC X10 over in port jefferson this weekend. Hopefully I''l be able to try the B52 eventually but its like 3 hours away sadly.

robbierov · Newbie Joined: 04 Aug 2012 Posts: 6 City: Riverside

oh and how about flush kits? are those a good investment?

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

Yeah flush kits are nice, then you can just screw the hose to the boat instead of climbing underneath and using a plunger.

Keep in mind that the closed cooling systems still use raw water for the exhaust risers so you're going to be replacing them every few years.