Buying a new boat.

X-Star · Soul Rider Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 253

I am giving my friend suggestions for buying a used boat. Does anybody have any suggestions of things I can tell him to look for while he is previewing boats. I'm telling him to look for things like stress fractures, and water damage. Things like that. Are there any expert used boat finders out there that can help him out.

southbayboarder · Newbie Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Posts: 39 City: Milpitas

obviously take it for a test drive on the water before you give him any cash you would be suprised how many people don't test drive boats. It is also a good way to find out if the boat is leaking water somewhere. Check the compresion on each cylinder. They should be within I believe 10 lbs of each other. As the guy the last time he changed the impeller. It shows how much a person takes care of the boat also ask for any documentation on maintenance. I have a receipt for everything ever done to my boat including when I just boat some new bumpers. Check out the upolstry that can get expensive to repair. Dont jut check to top of the seats see what it looks like on the bottom of the seat cushions also. The number one thing to go wrong on a boat is electrical items. Make sure to check all the guages. A lot of boat repair business will inspect the boat for free for your friend. They figure if they find things wrong with it you will bring it back to them to get it fixed so they are more than happy to give you a free inspection. GOOD LUCK
The two happiest days of owning a boat is the day you buy it and the day you sell it.

ohsix · Posted: Apr 08, 2003 9:12 am Post subject:

southbay pretty much covered everything i know of. if it's an early nineties or older boat you might also want to check for woodrot. if you can post what kind of boats your friend has narrowed his choices down to and im sure at least one person on here can tell him a lot about the specific boats.

X-Star · Soul Rider Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 253

Cool thanks guys. My friend and I are gratefull for all the info. I'll keep everyone posted with the boat he gets.

wingnut · Newbie Joined: 08 Apr 2003 Posts: 6

Thanks fellas... I'm "the friend" x-star is talking about. I'm looking for around a 20' open bow wakeboarding boat, probably a direct drive as my budget is around $20,000. I figure I can get a decent 97-99 boat with around 300-400 hours, wakeboard tower, and a 350 motor for around this price. It seems that the Ski Centurions are good value, however I haven't heard whether or not they are truly good boats. I also saw a Moomba, but because it seems that Moomba isn't a well-known brand, I'm hesitant to go in that direction in case I need to find a place to get it serviced or get parts.

If anyone has any opinions as to what brand gives the best 'bang for the buck', I'd love to hear about. Any brands I should stay away from? Any particular comments about Ski Centurion?

Thanks a lot!!

George · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 552 City: Chattanooga

Ok i would say a 99 or older moomba wouldn't be the way to go but a 00 or newer would be good. Moomba is a very well known boat manufacture. Skiers Choice makes both Supra and Moomba. Moomba's aren't finished at well as Supra, but they are still a great boat. I have a 01' Mobius V and i would still get another one to this day. I dont know much about Ski Centurion so if you find one just go with what people said before about checking it out.

glsurf · Outlaw Joined: 19 Feb 2003 Posts: 117 City: Tampa, FL

Dude, you could probably find a really good older Nautique, loaded for under $20k. I'd sell you mine, but I like it too much. Check out wakeboardboats.com or flipsell.com, they have lots of options.

Dirty$outhRida · Addict Joined: 24 Feb 2003 Posts: 665 City: Austin, Tx.

my friend bought a 96 sport nautique and its really nice it was under 20 and its nice runs awesome, and has a nice clean wake

noneya · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 796 City: Roxboro, NC

I have to second the Moomba opinion, I got mine last year we put 120 hrs on it no probs at all.

ricktrav · Criminal Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 54 City: san diego

for that price I would look at the older malibu sunsetter with the wedge it has one of the best wakes out there.

jvanick · Posted: Apr 10, 2003 7:30 am Post subject:

I second rick's suggestion too...

95-97 Malibu Sunsetters and 95-98 Nautiques throw some of the best wakes around and you'll probably be under the 20k mark you're looking for...

if you look hard, you might even be able to find a Vdrive for that amount.

-J

wingnut · Newbie Joined: 08 Apr 2003 Posts: 6

Are you guys saying that a ski centurion is not the way to go? They seem to be less expensive, but I guess you get what you pay for. I'm a little concerned about getting a 95-97 boat simply because of reliability. Everyone seems to like the nautiques and malibus though, sounds like it's worth getting a slightly older, but nicer boat, than a newer centurion. I saw a new Moomba at the lake yesterday - looked sweet! As of now, I'm looking for Nautiques, Malibus, and Moombas. Thanks for all your inputs - keep em' coming if anyone else has an opinion!!

noneya · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 796 City: Roxboro, NC

Dont know where youre at but if youre in the Dallas area I'd be happy to give you a pull behind my moomba

Cyclonecj · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 338 City: Atlanta

I saw a '96 Ski Nautique (closed bow) in fine shape with 300 hours for 16k recently. It was very nice. Lots more boat than a Moomba, no offense, they're a good deal for the money. If you have 20k in hand right now, I would think that you could find a lot of deals right now.

wingnut · Newbie Joined: 08 Apr 2003 Posts: 6

Moneya, thanks for the offer!! Unfortunately I'm in Los Angeles, so I won't get the privelige. Based on everyone's advice here, I'll be looking out for a 96+ Nautique, Malibu, or Moomba (preferably 00+). Definitely will go for an open bow for the extra seating capacity. Thanks again for all your inputs!

-Jason

RanMan · Outlaw Joined: 14 Apr 2003 Posts: 186 City: Pittsburgh

Go Centurion! They are great boats. Remember what it is you are buying. The manufacturer makes the hull. That's it. Everything else is made by someone else. Centurion uses Mercruiser, Teleflex, Faria, and all the same names as the more expensive boats. There are not different levels quality among these boat equipment suppliers. Find out what your local marina can service, or will service. Moombas with their Indmar engines can be more problematic finding warranty service. Not a concern of course buying used. Nautiques are powered by PCM. 351 Ford that is, to you and me. Good engines with great reliabillity. Mercruiser is 350 chevy. Also tops on the reliability list. Mercruiser is the most popular package in the world. If you have only one local shop, they are most familiar and will have the most parts on hand for your Mercruiser than anyone else. Guaranteed. So, in the end. Check out the hull. Look for cracks, rot, keel wear, and any place something is attached for leaks or cracks. If the hull is sound and the power package is in good condition, then make your decision. The manufacturer should be your last consideration.
Just my two cents...

noneya · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 796 City: Roxboro, NC

Malibu and Mastercraft both use Indmar

wingnut · Newbie Joined: 08 Apr 2003 Posts: 6

I've been doing some research into Moomba and am pleasantly surprised to find how inexpensive their boats are. They start at $24,000 for a direct drive Outback. With wakeboard racks (tower??), perfect pass, and rear ballast system, it's $26,835 (Indmar 310HP and a trailer). The Mobius looks to be fairly similar, only it has all the wakeboard stuff on it standard - it goes for $28,500. This was a little more than I wanted to spend ($20k), but it sounds like you get a lot of boat for your dollar with Moomba. I'm not too excited about getting an older Malibu or Nautique in the $20k range because I don't want any problems with it. Also glad to hear some positive feedback on the Centurions from RanMan. I've found some great deals on used Centurions.

www.moomba.com

Texasboarder · Newbie Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 5 City: Kingwood, TX

The boat market is a real buyers market right now so take your time. I just bought a 1999 Air Nautique for $23,500 from a dealer. The boat only has 141 hours (PCM GT 40 - 310 hp), is in great shape and is pretty nicely loaded with options. The dealer included a new stereo head and 12 disk changer and Digital Pro Perfect Pass. I found my locally but you can shop nation wide and they'll deliver them for a reasonable fee. Check out web as there are numerous late model Airs available. I would buy 1998 or newer as they changed most everything in 1998 - hull, more storage etc. The Nautique quality is had to beat - no spider webbing or delamination problems. Good luck and have fun!

RYDOG · Outlaw Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 163 City: NOR CAL

Don't go for an older centurion. I have had many friends with 00 and older ones and they just weren't worth the problems. Not sure about the newer ones, but I hear they are improving. Not ripping Centurion, just speaking from experience.