On the market for a used boat

djezbrad · Newbie Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 11 City: Rochester

Whats up everyone I am new to this forum and very interested in getting more into wakeboarding. I currently have a 2001 seadoo speedster jetboat. Last week I went behind my buddies 1984 I/O capri(4 cyl). After wakeboarding behind that boat in comparison to my boat I fell in love with the sport. I was getting 3 - 4 ft air on my first time out behind that boat. I will say it now wakeboarding behind a jet boat SUCKS! Now I need to sell my current boat and hook up with a direct drive boat or possibly a I/O. After reading many posts I can see most of you are against I/O boats due to thier lack of quality. I need a boat that can do other things besides just wakeboard though. My wife/friends enjoy tubing and skiing as well. I am looking for suggestions for a used boat in the $12k - $14k range. I have a feeling I will be more satisfied with a direct drive or v-drive boat as opposed to a I/O boat. Also, do I need to buy a special hoist for a DD boat? Thanks in advance.

oshensurfer · Posted: Jul 20, 2005 6:30 am Post subject:

I/O's don't necessarily have poor quality. It's just that the wakes are generally not as good and the are not "designed" for the sport.

Suggest taking a look at boat trader to see what you can get. That price range will not buy you a "wake specific" boat. But you can buy a SN2001 or something similar that will put out a good wake. It just won't have all the bells and whistles.

Mikey27 · Posted: Jul 20, 2005 6:33 am Post subject:

djezbrad, i am currently looking for a boat in the same price range. I have asked alot of the same questions and here is what I was told.

92-up Mastercraft Prostar 205 or 93-up Sport Nautique, you may be able to find one somewhat close to your price range. These are also constructed of fiberglass so you wont have to worry about the structure of the boat rotting out.

82-89 Ski Nautique 2001, you could find one of these for a little less than your price range but could put some accessories on it and have a pretty decent wake boat for the money spent. The only drawback is the floor and stringers are constructed of wood. If it is not stored under a cover at all times then it could lead to wood rot, and from what I hear it is expensive and a pain in the butt to fix. I have looked at a few of these and every one had some signs of wood rot. Im not saying that there arent any out there in good shape, just the ones I looked at were in rough shape. Good luck. Sorry for the long post.

greygoose · Newbie Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 14 City: Athens

Definitely go with an inboard and make sure to drive the baot and have a mechanic ckeck out the boat before you purchase.

brttkrz · Newbie Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 6

I am also looking for a inboard boat. I am sick of adjusting the trim of an i/o to get a good looking wake. I have found some inboards that have a deep v but most have a relativly flat bottom on the back end. What do i want to look for in an inboard to have a good wake. I have been looking at mastercraft maristars and prostar 190 'sfrom 1988 to 1993 and also malibu sunseters and echelons in the same year range. Would these types of boats put out a good wake with added weight?

Mikey27 · Posted: Jul 21, 2005 4:11 am Post subject:

brttkrz, I am also curious about Maristars, I have seen a few of them around. As for Prostar 190's I have been told to stay away from them because they have a great ski wake but one of the worst wakeboarding wakes. I am not sure about the Malibus though.

supreme92 · Newbie Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 19 City: austin

I have a '92 ski supreme tournament CS model that I am getting ready to sale in about a week. It has a tower, board racks, and a fat seat. The wake on this boat is better than my buddy's '03 Mobius LSV. And if it wasn't for a growing family I wouldn't get rid of this boat. I am having the interior redone right now and it will be finished in a couple of days.