Looking for first boat

maxon · Newbie Joined: 22 Aug 2004 Posts: 3

Went out on a friends 2004 x-10 and wakeboarded for the first time and now im hooked. Now i need a boat. i have a jet ski now, but never owned a boat.I would like to spend between 20,000 to 25,000. This boat will be used for wakeboarding only. And i plan on using it every weekend it is warm enough (at lake every weekend now). Like the looks of the nautiques and mastercrafts, but dont know if those boats are in my price range? Will be looking as soon as i sell my escalade to help finance my new addiction. What boats would you recomend? Also any one lookin for a pimped out escalade? Laughing

logan · Posted: Aug 22, 2004 6:54 pm Post subject:

I would suggest a used super sport nautique, and then add a tower and ballast system. That would give you the equivelant of a Super Air Nautique.

maxon · Newbie Joined: 22 Aug 2004 Posts: 3

thanks for the suggestion, i will ckeck them out definetly. anybody else have any suggestions?

Calabria man · Posted: Aug 23, 2004 6:34 am Post subject:

I'll sell you my boat for 28,000
It's an 04 Calabria

maxon · Newbie Joined: 22 Aug 2004 Posts: 3

looks nice, but is a tad more than im looking to spend.

weaesq · Newbie Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 10 City: Jacksonville

I had the same reaction after going out with some friends for the first time early this year. Instead of selling off toys though (i.e. your Escalade, my '67 de Ville convertible), consider buying a cheaper boat. Not only does this save you some jack, but some heartbreak as well since you're bound to do some really dumb stuff that damages the boat. I started off thinking about the same price range you're talking about, but ended up buying an '82 Ski Nautique 2001 that was in great shape for $10k. Adding some ballast puts out a great wake and, while I try not to bash the crap out of the boat, I definitely don't feel as bad when I gash the sides on the trailer, ram the dock, etc. as I would if I had spent twice as much. I figure I'll use this boat to learn how to drive a boat and learn how to board and I'll pony up the big cash in a couple of seasons.

NeverSummer · Newbie Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 20

Weaesq where did you get that 82 nautiqe. I'm looking for somthing cheap as well. If there is a link could you put it on. thx

chaz28o · Posted: Aug 23, 2004 5:08 pm Post subject:

maxon - if this is your first boat - I wouldn't suggest spending $20k - $25k

I'd suggest spending $10k

Why you ask?

Most boat owners turn their first boat over pretty quick (I don't mean turn it over in the water, I mean buy & sell it)

If you buy a boat in the $20k or so - it's a boat that will go down in value, in one season

If you buy a boat in the $10k or so, it's a boat that won't go down in valve (percent) as much as a boat in the $20k

Heck, you might even buy a boat that goes up....?

Do a search in the classified's for bigmac (author) he's got a boat that's killer for the first time buyer (on even the 2nd, 3rd or..............? buyer)

weaesq · Newbie Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 10 City: Jacksonville

Here's a link to BigMac's boat -->http://www.the2001.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=16

As you can see, it's in outstanding shape and is ready to ride. You might also check out the classifieds on www.correctcraftfan.com. There are a lot of older nautiques in great shape for sale there.

And I couldn't agree more with chaz28o -- why take the depreciation hit if you can avoid it (and believe me, that won't be the only hit you take as you are going to do some damage to the boat while you learn what you're doing).