looking for a boat for wakeboarding/skiing/cruising/etc

scheister · Criminal Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 92 City: Indianapolis

Hey guys..this will be my first boat. I've been around boats all my life, and have been wakeboarding/skiing for the last 10 years. I'm looking for something used, not looking to spend a whole lot since it will be my first boat. I don't necessarily have to get a boat that is designed with oinly wakeboarding in mind. I figured I would ask you guys first and get your opinions. Basically, I'm looking for suggestions on what brands to look for, sizes of motors recommended, in/outboard, etc. I've been doing research for a month or so now, but jsut looking for more suggestions. I don't have to get a boat with a tower already attached, but would probably have one installed if it didn't come with one. I've been looking at various brands such as malibu, moomba, mastercraft, and also general boats like larson, etc. I don't mind getting something a few years old, just want to avoid mechanical issues with owning an older boat.

Just kinda looking for some direction here, so if you have some suggestions, I'd like to hear em. thanks

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

I think you should buy my 2003 direct drive wakesetter with a titan tower and factory ballast already installed. 250 hours on it. Very good condition, engine very well maintained and gently used.

scheister · Criminal Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 92 City: Indianapolis

hehe..nice. Looking to spend around 10-15k. just want something that is reliable, nice wake, and can fit 7 people or so

97Response · Outlaw Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 104

I was in the same situation you are about 2 years ago. I ski a lot more, but I do board too, so I at least know the wakes.

Malibu - I'd look for a Sportster or Open Bow Response (96-99 range for both). When weighted correctly, you can have a good boarding wake. With 1200 lbs. and a wedge + friends, you should be happy.

MC - Probably look at an older MC Prostar 205 (93-96ish). These boats have proven to be good wakeboard boats, so they are fetching a little higher value than you may find in blue book value. Your best bet would be find someone who is trying to unload one who didn't wakeboard.

Nautiques - the CC 2001 (mid to late 80's) has proven a great wakeboard boat. The major downside is these boats are nearly 20 years old, so they hard to come by. Ski wake should be good and weighted down, you'll have one of the best wakes available (especially in it's price range). The major downside is these boats were selling for like 17 grand brand new, and now they go for like 10-12.

malibu36 · Newbie Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 43 City: Crown Point

im just north of you in crown point. check it out
http://www.boattraderonline.com/caddetail.html?/ad-cache/6/5/5/82604955.htm
its been a great boat for us and it sounds like its everything you're looking for

scheister · Criminal Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 92 City: Indianapolis

cool, thanks. I don't mind getting a used one, just don't want one with alot of problems. What is an average # of hours to expect of use for a boat per year? I see varying amounts of hours on boats, and don't really know whats alot and whats not. This boat will do alot of wakeboarding, but also skiing, tubing, and cruising. What is a recommended hp to make sure the boat has? over 250hp? I don't want it to bog down and be hard to pull people if I have the boat full with passengers. I think what I'm gonna probably have to do is get a boat that is general use/ski, then buy a tower to install on it for better wakeboarding experience. Thanks for your input so far, keep it coming!

97Response · Outlaw Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 104

Hours - Anywhere from 75-100 hours a year will be your average wakeboard/ski boat. Again, hours can be VERY deceptive. As long as the person has cared for the engine, it should be OK. If you find a 1995 Something or another with only 100 hours on it, that means it was only used 10 hours a season. You should really ask yourself why? If you find a 1995 with 1000 hours on it, and the owner can provide all service records, I'd feel better buying the second boat.

A LOT of hours would probably be considered anything over 2000 hours.

Any inboard with over 250 hp will be plenty of power. Wakeboarders don't start with much throttle, and 250 hp will easily pull a skier out (no ballast to slow it down). You won't find many inboards with something less than 250.

Remember, it's easier to make a ski boat into a wakeboard boat than a wakeboard boat into a ski boat. Fat sacs, lead, and sand are your friends if you like to ski/wakeboard.

97Response · Outlaw Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 104

Here's a good list for buying a used boat. Even though its on a Malibu site, it applies to every boat.

http://www.themalibucrew.com/forums/index.php?autocom=custom&page=usedtips

scheister · Criminal Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 92 City: Indianapolis

thanks 97response for the tips...from what people are telling me, it seems the prostar 205 is the way to go. Then just add a tower and the necessary ballast/weighting to it for wakeboarding. Does this seem like th right direction? I'm looking at the mid-90's models mostly to fit my budget for my first boat...

Chad

malibu36 · Newbie Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 43 City: Crown Point

scheister- if you would like to take a look at my malibu you are more than welcome. it sounds like it has everything thing you are looking for and we have footed, boarded and skiied behind it.

http://www.boattraderonline.com/caddetail.html?/ad-cache/6/5/5/82604955.htm

scheister · Criminal Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 92 City: Indianapolis

thanks malibu36 for the ad. I think thats a little more than I wanted to spend for my first boat. I've heard good things about Malibu...also looking at the Response as well. Any insight as to a comparison between this and the Prostar 205?

bmartin · Addict Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 794

Here are some general things you might want to think about.

I/Os are generally better for cruising. They handle chop better, have higher top end and cruising speeds, and are easier to learn to drive for the novice owner. You can also get a lot of used I/O boat for $15k and will have plenty of inventory to choose from. The trade-off is that they can't take a lot of weight and do not track as straight an inboard and the wakes are variable - some are great and some do not get firm enough for wakeboarding.

If you want an inboard, V-drives and open bows have more functional layouts and I would try to avoid d-drives for that reason alone though d-drives will cost you less everything else being equal.

A MC205 is a great wakeboat. You could also find some decent Malibus and Centurions in that price range and I'm sure a SN2001 is worth considering but a cruiser that is not.

Good Luck!

malibu36 · Newbie Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 43 City: Crown Point

scheister- the differences between the malibu and the prostar are minimal in terms of performance. the only real difference is the interiors. malibu blows mastercraft away on interiors. i sold both malibu and mastercraft and had both in the showroom next to each other. the seat padding was the deal breaker usually.

h2obug · Soul Rider Joined: 10 Aug 2003 Posts: 450 City: Muncie, IN

Scheister - You can get a pretty new Moomba Outback in that price range. No wood, 5.7 Vortec, very wide 95 inch beam. Rated best bang for the buck for many years. Last year the Indy Moomba dealer had about 3 trades 97-99 Outbacks sold between 14-20K. Stop by the Champion Pavilion at the Indy show ask for Chris Im sure we will get some more. 765-744-6310 call and I get you some tickets to the show.

scheister · Criminal Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 92 City: Indianapolis

thanks for the help guys. I'm gonna check out the Moomba's. They seem like a pretty good deal, but just wonder about the performance and quality comparison to the Malibu's and Mastercraft's. Btw, when is the boat show here in Indy?

97Response · Outlaw Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 104

Scheister - There will of course be a quality difference between a Moomba and Malibu & Mastercraft. As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for.

With that said, Moomba's have received good reviews in the past, but those are when they are brand new, so they probably are worth looking at. It seems like you're taking the boat buying process in the right manner. The key when buying used to is to be patient. I suggest you drive, ski, and board the Moomba, MC, and Bu.

When I was buying and I knew I was in the price range you were, I had settled on buying one of the big three (but I'm a tournament slalom skier so these boats fit more into my interests). While I initially was looking at mainly Mastercraft, I found a Malibu that I could not be happier with.

Keep asking the questions, you'll get answers

scheister · Criminal Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 92 City: Indianapolis

In my research yesterday, I discovered that my bank does not offer financing on boat models older than 1999. So, that may limit my selection. I think I am going to have to set my budget cap at 20k now that I know what I'm looking at. I know I could get financing through a dealer for an older boat, but I don't want to get raped that way, especially on my first boat. I'd like to keep my options open, as far as buying from an individual seller or business. so I'm looking at 99 and up, and 20k to spend. thanks for the suggestions, guys...keep em coming.

h2obug · Soul Rider Joined: 10 Aug 2003 Posts: 450 City: Muncie, IN

I would hold out for fuel injection for sure. I know if you can pull under 11 in that Saleen you prob know more about carbs than I. But when you are in the water May 1 and the temp is only 65, oh and your not driving your in the water, you will hate the carb or hate the person driving your boat. Dont assume it will have EFI. Most dealer ordered boats 5 years ago were EFI but at an option price of $1200-$1500 so there can still be quite a few old carbs out there because of special orders or price leaders for the showroom. By the way the Indy show starts Fri 2/17. Let me know if you want tickets

97Response · Outlaw Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 104

I would look for financing in other places than just "your" bank.

I financed my 97 in 04 for a 6 year term. I know Key Bank is known for financing boats.

h20bug - why will you hate the person driving a carb or even yourself early in the season? My Response is carbuerated and I haven't had a problem starting the boat cold. After starting mine last year after sitting all winter it turned right over. And, you can't tell a difference between a pull of a carb engine and a FI. It's just a method of how the gas gets into the engine.

Now, OP, I would certainly recommend perfect pass. And since you're looking at skiing too. I would try to find the digital Pro version. It's both RPM and MPH based. Wakeboard version is just MPH.

97Response · Outlaw Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 104

Here's some I found that may give you an idea.
http://www.flipsell.com/Phase3/home/DispVehicle.asp?VehicleID=8687
http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?topic=Search&postid=SIA02375

h2obug · Soul Rider Joined: 10 Aug 2003 Posts: 450 City: Muncie, IN

Ill agree with 97Response about shopping around for financing. When I got my 04 Supra promo, I called a bunch of banks. Turns out the Credit Union at Ball State University where my son goes to school smoked all the banks - he was my in and it only cost me $20 deposit to join. Ive seen some good posts here about rate shopping.

About the carb, 97Response, most of us who grew up with carbs dont have a prob, my old 83 bigblock inboard carb was a true powerhouse and one of the best I ever had. BUT put it in the hands of a 16 year old kid that did not have the experience with the carbs and grew up in the digital age, you are at risk of not getting out of 50F water. Im picking on my son again because I remember. My daughter just truned 16 this month and in March when the ice melts and she wants to give me a pull of the dock I have no worries-NONE

Also agree on the perfect pass. It is by far the best option ever invented. There are different versions of perfect pass. The first versions were for the 3 event (Slalom trick and jump) and were RPM based only. Because of wakeboarders adding extra ballast to produce a larger wake rpm was very incosistant to actual MPH, so a paddlewheel was added the the wakeboard version. So to kindly dissagree slightly here my Wakeboard Pro will do both RPM or MPH. Regular Perfect Pass will not work as well for wakeboarding.

97Response · Outlaw Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 104

h20bug - just looked at perfect pass website. I stand corrected, I think PP just added RPM to wakeboard pro? I myself have only ever used digital pro because of skiing the course. I know digital pro does have a wakeboard mode.

scheister · Criminal Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 92 City: Indianapolis

Welp, I think I found the boat.

'00 Moomba Mobius V (22')
330hp F.I. 5.7l motor
v-drive
internal ballast
tower & board racks
alpine stereo system w/tower spkrs
heater
depth sounder
bimini top & cover

I think I'm forgetting some of the options, it had just about everything on it. He has service records for it too. Looks in perfect condition. Only 350 hours too I think I went a little over budget tho Laughing

the guy is asking $25,000. I was gonna offer him 23,500. What do you guys think?

h2obug · Soul Rider Joined: 10 Aug 2003 Posts: 450 City: Muncie, IN

I spent about 20 or 30 hours riding behind my friend, Scott's MobV. He sold it last year to get his promo X2 cause he went to work at MaterCraft. We run the wakeboard events in the Indy area. He had the pro size bags as ballast and it has a damn good wakeboard wake. It will do fine for recreational skiing but your not gonna be running the slalom course with it. The 330 HP is a double upgrade for the Moomba over the carb and throtlebodyFI and is the best motor offered. The heater you will love. What color is it?

scheister · Criminal Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 92 City: Indianapolis

cool..its green/white. I'm not a pro or anything at wakeboarding, just wanted something decent to get better behind. Since it's my first boat and all, didn't really need the x-80 or anything that nice. If I can occassionally pull a skier or tube, that will be fine for me. Yeah, I like the heater hehe what do you guys think about the price?

lowdrag · Outlaw Joined: 28 Aug 2003 Posts: 188

I noticed that you're from Indy. I'm about an hour and a half away and have an '03 Mobius LS with about 60 hours on it in the same price range as what you're looking at. Also has an extended powertrain warranty. Just thought I'd throw it out there for you to consider. E-mail me at rbenoit@uiuc.edu if you've got any questions.

scheister · Criminal Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 92 City: Indianapolis

thanks man...email sent

Sbt3 · Soul Rider Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 279 City: Okauchee

scheister,I see you may look to buy the 00 mob v. Does it have the wake plate? This is a very useful feature on the mob v. I ride behind one in the summer and we run around 2000+ lbs in it and use the wake plate to keep the wake consistant. We run it down just a little bit and it help keep the boat from porpuising. Overall I think that is a good boat for the money. He hasn't had any major problems with it yet.

scheister · Criminal Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 92 City: Indianapolis

thats one thing it doesn't have, the wakeplate. From what I understand, thats something I might be able to add later on? I would probably want to do that at some point.

Sbt3 · Soul Rider Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 279 City: Okauchee

I would guess you could add it later with no problem. It is basically a trim tab but in the center. In fact I think a couple companys market them aftermarket. Maybe someone who has put on one can comment

lowdrag · Outlaw Joined: 28 Aug 2003 Posts: 188

I'm not sure about the '00 models, but I imagine they also have the fixed plate on the back. Look and see if it has a black metal plate that is mounted to the bottom of the hull just under the exhaust. From my understanding the Bennett X-22 is what is used from the factory and should mount where the fixed plate is without too much work. Overton's has them for $459. You'd obviously have to drill some holes through the hull to run the lines and add the pistons. Other than that you'll have to wire up the power and run the wires for the controller up to the front of the boat. Here's a link to their install instructions page http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/install.htm

scheister · Criminal Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 92 City: Indianapolis

thanks alot for your help guys. This is the boat I ended up getting.

http://photos.wakeboarder.com/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=15454

Hopefully the factory ballast system will be enough to get a decent sized wake. If not, guess I'll be adding fat sacs up front and larger ones in the back sometime. If there's anyone from Indy reading this, I'm looking for people to go riding with early weekday mornings and afternoons/evenings. Most likely at Geist.

Chad

Darin · Guest

This is a great thread. Just read the whole thing. It' funny how you started out looking for an older "whatever" boat for 10 to 15k and ended up getting boarding specific boat. It's beautiful.

scheister · Criminal Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 92 City: Indianapolis

lol..yeah. I went just a "little" over budget. oops. I think this will still be good for occaassionally skiing and tubing as well as just cruising Smile

altho, I think I'll be out just about every day boarding if time allows Cool