Taking the boat plunge

jaycee · Newbie Joined: 04 Aug 2004 Posts: 4

This wake boarding is pretty new to old pops but my kids just want to be out there every minute of every day. Looks like it is time to take the plunge
What is the best boat for the following?
-Used is OK
-Typically we have to ride on rough water 10-20 mins to get to calm water. The few nautiques I have seen on the lake seem to go really slowly or take on lots of water
-Budget is $20K -35K (is that enough/too much)
-Rider is typically begginer to intermediate (my two sons and daughter) but passionate. Starting out with a boat with upgrade in mind for a couple of years out is fine
-Where is the best place to look for used boats
-Need to carry 4-5 adults and 4-5 kids and all their "stuff"
Where is the best place to find wakeboard boat reviews
It looks like so much fun that maybe 40 year old dad will have to throw away the slalom

Thanks in advance,
jaycee

WhirlyBird5 · Soul Rider Joined: 27 Jun 2004 Posts: 261 City: Belmont

sounds like you need a larger boat, like a mastercraft x30 or malibu lsv. there is a gear guide on this website for boats.

WhirlyBird5 · Soul Rider Joined: 27 Jun 2004 Posts: 261 City: Belmont

and heres a link i would suggest you look into mastercraft, natiques, malibus, sangers http://www.wakeboarder.com/products/showgallery.php?cat=92

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

NEW: Centurions, Mobius

USED: Sky is the limit baby. You may give up 2-3 years but you can get a whole lot for 20-35k.

chaz28o · Posted: Aug 04, 2004 2:16 pm Post subject:

40? What a friggin youngster Laughing

I never thought I'd get into wakeboarding (kids made me do it) but this 45 year old fart is having a good time...

Lots of info here on many boats - few people here pull for the Sky Supreme's, but that's what I bought

Maybe it's a 40's thing? Razz

wesgardner · Posted: Aug 04, 2004 4:37 pm Post subject:

Hey jaycee,

Check out flipsell.com, boattrader.com for used boats...your budget is realistic, you should do fine. Oh, I'm 51 1/2, started boarding 2 seasons ago after my kids got hooked - prepare to have some fun! I bought a monster MasterCraft - Maristar 240 that'll haul all the adults and kids gear and with some weight will have an OK wake... the 454 has no problem moving along - spent $11K...she ain't no economy boat however Exclamation

Wes

Bruky · Guest

Whirley, doubt he could find an LSV with that budget. They have only been around a few years and most haven't depreciated that much...

burton156 · Posted: Aug 04, 2004 8:32 pm Post subject:

natique 226 would be sweet for u and me but not for like $57

Bruky · Guest

I think they are more like closing in on 70k if I'm not mistaken.

Calabria man · Posted: Aug 05, 2004 7:39 am Post subject:

http://www.flipsell.com/Phase3/home/DispVehicle.asp?VehicleID=6653

check it out

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Bruky, you are not mistaken.

Calabria man, nice ride.

dallasdrew · Criminal Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 59 City: Chandler

boattraderonline.com

jaycee · Newbie Joined: 04 Aug 2004 Posts: 4

Unfortunately this old man is up in Saskatchewan Canada and not too many of the sites list anything up my way. I can easily travelto Utah,Montana,Minn or anywhere else up in the North to pick one up.

Nice to see so many older boarders. I was worried that was a Canadian thing eh!

prestige · Outlaw Joined: 20 Jul 2003 Posts: 133 City: Kelowna

My wife and I are both 40 and love wakeboarding. Summers are for wakeboarding, winters are for snowboarding and spring and fall are for squeezing in a bit of work to take the edge off of waiting for summer and winter. It gets trickier now with a 15 month old baby girl because now we need a sitter and a spotter, but we make do.

We bought a Canadian made (Kelowna) Svfara SV609 and love it. Excellent attention to detail and a great wake. $49K cdn loaded.

jaycee · Newbie Joined: 04 Aug 2004 Posts: 4

Why is there so little talk about Calabria boats?? The Cal Air Pro V looks absolutely sweet but how does it compare to all the big names like Naut, Malibu, Tige and Master Craft. Seems to be a better sticker price??

Jaycee

Calabria man · Posted: Aug 05, 2004 2:54 pm Post subject:

The Calabria Boats are in my opinion are one of the best made boats on the market. The Pro V is an amazing boat. The wake is super clean and really fun to ride. The pure vert ballast system is awesome, no pumps to break down on you. I think the reason why the malibus and the Master craft boats are so popular is because those companies spend millions on advertising and marketing. The Calabria doesn't advertise as much. If you look at the Wakeboarding magazine, you may see one small page in the back of the magazine. I was fortune to be able to tour the Calabria plant in Merced, CA and I was very impressed by the way they build these boats. Around here, the Calabria boats are becoming very popular. I am seeing them more and more at the local lakes.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

jaycee, nothing but positives to say about Calabria. Top-notch boats IMO.

The Pro-V has a ridiculous amount of space in it.

Bruky · Guest

A good way of thinking about Calabria is they could be running a high 40's-low 50's sticker price on their Pro-V and get away with it, yet they don't. You will be able to find Tige 20v's, 22v's, and Malibu Wakesetter VLX's in the same price zone as the Calabria Pro-V though, just to let you keep your options open. The new Malibu VLX will be coming out next year, and the one they have/had in production for '04 is going to be called the V-Ride, and will be sold at a much lower price. The new VLX will be in the high-40's. Comparibly, a Mastercraft X-2 will run you roughly 50k depending on options. X-Star (not what I think you are looking for) will run you about 65-75 depending on dealer and options. I believe Olivier (Canadian that comes on these boards every so often) bought his for around 75k American. The Nautique 210 would work fine for you if you don't bring many friends in addition to your family. The 210 is also known as the Super Air Nautique (SAN 210). We ride with a crew of about 7-9 with 2-3 exposed ballast sacks, and it can get somewhat cramped, but not enough to complain. The 210 will run you about 50k into the low 60's depending on the trim package. Signature(base model), Ltd.(moderately equipped), and the Team(the works). The Nautique SV-211 may fit your needs better, as it is a more family-friendly boat and is a little easier on the wallet in the high 40's. If you have any questions about Nautiques, especcially SAN's, beam me over a PM anytime. We've had 3 Super Air's in the last 3 years, so I can answer questions about most anything on the boat.

Iman · Outlaw Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 116

You sound like you need a Moomba VLX to me. Has all the features you need including being a good rough water boat and it's somewhat more user friendly than lot's of other wakeboard boats that I've been around.

Bruky · Guest

If you read the instruction manual, it makes anything user friendly. I don't see how a Moomba would be anything but cheaper than the competition. Neutral

You got me Iman...