First Boat?

DBudman · Posted: Jul 16, 2004 11:06 am Post subject:

Yep! I have a new Mastercraft. Thought I was getting slick rafting off my inlaws pontoon. Well......s c r a p e ! Then..........next day thought I was slick sliding into the hoist and came in a little too hot.........Well......s c r a p e ! on the other side! DAMN! 30 hours on boat and two descent scrapes. I'll need a new Mastercraft decal for one side. Oh well....live and learn. Plus I freak with my kids bring soda or something on the boat...don't want it to be sticky...ya know? BUT....good 'ole Budweiser get spilled!

DBudman · Posted: Jul 16, 2004 11:08 am Post subject:

part of my text seemed to be missing. meant to read...BUT...good 'ole Budweiser surely won't get spilled!

show_boy08 · Criminal Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Posts: 93 City: Cedar Falls

ha my dad is excactly the same. i cant seem to get a picture of my boat to copy. its a solid yellow crownline 202 with cool decals on the sides.

DBudman · Posted: Jul 23, 2004 8:40 am Post subject:

Hey Sboy............I think I saw your boat in your profile. Ya trying to copy like I have the B? by your name? I had to insert where it says avatar...whatever that is. Had to be a small size. like under 6k?

Bullitt73 · Criminal Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 58 City: Grand Rapids

I am also looking for my first boat. Someone said with a little information they could help out. Here goes. I am thinking about an 18 ft. I/O open bow. Something like a Bayliner or a Sea Ray but brand name is not very important. I am willing to spend a max of $5000 and hope to find something in the range of a 1990. The main purpose of this boat will be for wakeboarding and some tubing and skiing. Any helpful information on size, style, brand, what to look for, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

pcm2a · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Posts: 318 City: LaVergne

Take the boat to a mechanic and have them expect it before you buy it. Some common things that you wont notice will be things like gimbal bearing housing about to go out, shift cables going out, and of course the whole engine going out. Rotted wodden floors and transom is bad too.

You will be able to find a 1988-1994 Bayliner/Maxum/Sea ray/Montery/etc without much problem that will do just what you want it to!

BrandonC · Addict Joined: 25 Jul 2004 Posts: 539 City: Murrieta

I've just bought my first boat a few months ago. I did look around quite a bit for new and used beforehand. I got the Glastron SX195 open bow. I really like it, I saw one the other day with a 13th floor tower on it and I have to get one! Just some FYI's It's got a 5.0 220hp V-8 Volvo. I got the upgraded CD and bimini. Trailer with surge brakes, moor cover. 2 years warranty on mechs and lifetime limiited on their v-tec hull. I got it for 20.9k in Southern California.

They were asking something like 23k for the same boat with a V6, stock stereo and no bimini, so you do have some room to bargain! Just thought I'd throw that out for ya! I'd recommend it to anyone in this price range.

dirtysparks · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 2428

I'm rockin the bayliner for now. They are a pretty good start, I think....Many people say start with an older inboard, but many of us don't want the hassle of repairs with an older boat. I have a 99 bayliner 1750 and paid 8500 for it. It's mostly the same as new 175, but the 175s don't have some options like radio, speakers, interior trim and padding, etc.... new 175s are a bare bones boat, but a buddy of mine paid 12K with the tower and graphics package. I'll be looking for an inboard next year sometime. The MC 205s are about your best bet for open bow I think. Probably gonna pay around 15 for a decent 90s MC though.

TubeNazi · Soul Rider Joined: 27 Aug 2003 Posts: 368 City: Dallas

TubeNazi · Soul Rider Joined: 27 Aug 2003 Posts: 368 City: Dallas

Shifter · Newbie Joined: 30 Jul 2004 Posts: 37

I bought a Ski Centurion this last winter. The test drive was interesting - it was actually snowing at the time.
I wanted something I could progress to for big air, but something for the skiers in the group too. I have five kids so I needed a bow rider.
My Centurion seems to produce a fantastic wake at the slower wakeboarding speeds. Huge with a nice soft lip to it. At water ski speeds, the wake seems to flatten out very nicely. Also with a full tank of gas in the back (37 gallons), you have about an extra 300 pounds directly over the transom to give you an even bigger wake. Add five kids and one wife an you'd better be ready for some air Smile

I also like the safety of a direct drive as well as the huge swim platform on the back (not dooable with an outboard or I/O). The centurions (as do most wakeboard/ski boats) come with the pilon in the center. I have the extended pilon to raise it another six feet. I do hope to get a tower next year. Not only is the pilon great for wakeboarding, but it's really great for tubing. It keeps the rope out of the water so you don't get splashed all the time.

Anyway, the idea here is to wakeboard. Any boat with a little power will make you have a good day right?