decking out a ski boat or buying a wakeboard boat?

KBSmith88 · Outlaw Joined: 26 Sep 2003 Posts: 182 City: Jacksonville

I have been riding with a friend and his dad for the past 2 years and have finally decided to get on my parents to buy a boat of our own. The only catch is they are real sticklers for money. So I was wondering which of the two ventures is cheaper: Weighting, a ski boat and adding a tower, or just buying a wakeboard ready boat? If you know of a boat(ski or wb) that is more conservative on pricing but still good quality please fill free to post the type of boat and what it usually runs for.[/list]

Bruky · Guest

If you want a cheaper low 30k wakeboarding specific boat, try demoing a Moomba Mobius. Any mid engine ski boat with some weight in it will do fine though. I recently rode behind a Malibu Response LXI I believe (Malibu's cheapest boat I think) and with an extended pylon and about 2k of bags in it, it was a very good wake for a boat that didn't cost all that much. The guy who owned it does a lot more wakeskating which is what I did on it, but I still loved the wake.

Sportster4Tec · Posted: Jun 08, 2004 5:58 pm Post subject:

I think you might be happy with the Malibu Wakesetter, not the VLX, but the direct-drive version. Its base MSRP is about $30,400. These are all new boats though. I dont know how much money you are talking about? The lowest price for a good wakeboard boat would be about $10,000 for an 1984-1988 Ski Nautique 2001. Check out www.boattrader.com and some other used boats websites to check some prices on boats. Give us a price range though and we could give you better info.

Bruky · Guest

Nothing against your post Sportster4tec, but most people don't want to or can't mess with the problems they will most likely encounter on an older boat like the SN 2001. It will make a descent wakeboarding boat weighted, but with first time boat buyers who haven't ever owned anything, even if they are on a tight budget, an SN 2001 isn't always the best choice. I say this because on these boards it seems to be like a default answer to these types of questions. I totally agree with the Malibu Wakesetter though. It is a nice mainstream boat from a trustworthy brand that a first time boat buyer will have a lot more confidence with. I also recommend anything from the Sanger lineup, depending on your budget. With Sanger you get what you pay for for every model of boat. The Sanger direct drives make awsome wakes weighted, and the v-drives are only that much better and that much roomier, for just that much money. Check out the Ski Sanger DLX's and V210 too.

KBSmith88 · Outlaw Joined: 26 Sep 2003 Posts: 182 City: Jacksonville

Thanks for the feed back. I think the higest my parents would put out for a boat is $32.5 if that helps out more.

Grace B. · Posted: Jun 08, 2004 6:44 pm Post subject:

Look at a 2000-2001 Air Nautique, we got our 01 Air for around that price. Its not a V-drive, but weighted it throws a nice wake. If you want a V-drive you could look at the older Super Sport Nautiques. And a Malibu would be a good choice too.

Alan C · Soul Rider Joined: 26 Jan 2004 Posts: 329 City: Calgary

tige came out with an awesome introductory wakeboard boat... its sweet for the price... http://www.tige.com/tige2003/models/switchv.htm its still fairly pricy but if you could find a good deal on one it would be cool!!!

KBSmith88 · Outlaw Joined: 26 Sep 2003 Posts: 182 City: Jacksonville

Yeah we looked at one down in St. Louis earlier in the year.

Bruky · Guest

Do you plan on running in rough water or anything? Anything we should know about as far as your riding spot goes? Tige boats have a great deep V hull, fantastic for rough water. You never mentioned if they wanted a new or used boat either.

KBSmith88 · Outlaw Joined: 26 Sep 2003 Posts: 182 City: Jacksonville

The lake I ride on usually is pretty smooth. And They would probably consider both used and new.

Erik · Posted: Jun 09, 2004 6:15 am Post subject:

Bruky · Guest

New-I would buy a Moomba or Tige.

Used-you should try to find a used 2001 SAN, or a newer Malibu or Tige.

Do your parents have any particular seating/engine arrangement in mind? V-drive, dirrect drive, etc... Question

KBSmith88 · Outlaw Joined: 26 Sep 2003 Posts: 182 City: Jacksonville

Just something that can seat around 5 and a direct drive is most likely what will get

Bruky · Guest

Sanger DLX-great boat and you can weight them to death and get some of the best wakes you will see.

Ski Nautique-add a pylon and bimini and such, and you will have a great boat for a long day at the lake. Couple of fat sacks...

This really is a broad question...you can't go wrong with just about any new direct drive ski boat with some weight in it and a pylon. I really like the Malibu Response's wake and the DLX's when weighted, but that's just me. Go demo them with some weight in them...they will probably all be on the same playing field, then from there just buy the one that looks/feels/works out the best for you.

KBSmith88 · Outlaw Joined: 26 Sep 2003 Posts: 182 City: Jacksonville

does anyone know how the Malibu sportster does weighted down?

wcwakeskater · Newbie Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Posts: 49

at boattraderonline.com, i have found 1999 or 2000 wakesetter vlx's for about 30,000. u should check those out, they have everything u need.

Rock Toy · Outlaw Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 105 City: San Francisco

Here are two GREAT boats below your price range that should be perfect first time boats:

http://forums.wakeboarder.com/viewtopic.php?t=26137

http://forums.wakeboarder.com/viewtopic.php?t=24422

Anyone that disagrees is smokin' crack Laughing

chaz28o · Posted: Jun 15, 2004 7:26 pm Post subject:

I borrowed a 1200 LBS "Launch Pad Sofa" and put it in my 86 Ski Nautique (2001) and it made a huge wake!!! Unfortunately, all I had was the normal ski tower, or I bet I coulda aired it out huge!!!!!!!!!

The sofa is item # 45WS-LS at www.skilimited.com - $150

4HUN · Posted: Jun 15, 2004 7:53 pm Post subject:

SCottman · Newbie Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Posts: 26 City: Memphis

Nauty · Addict Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 827 City: Lake Dallas

I paid a little over $11,000 for this '96. I added a tower and bought 1300lbs of sacs. With 3-4 people in the boat the wake is very nice. It's not as big as a Wakesetter or SAN, but it's big enough to do anything you want to behind it. The wake is also very rampy and clean!