Another "Which Boat?" Thread. (Kind of)

Esco · Newbie Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 25 City: LaPorte

Here's my issue:

This spring I'm in the market for a new boat. It is the first boat that I will own, but not the first boat that I'll have experience with. The skill set of myself as well as almost anyone who will be riding behind it is not that great. I do however want the potential to progress further.

The boat will be used for all sorts of towing, mostly wakeboarding. My wife and I really like the V-drive setup because of the storage/sundeck/etc. Our lake is a fairly small inland lake, but we want to keep the option of taking the boat out on Lake Michigan on the weekends when our's is crowded. This means a boat with a fairly deep freeboard for peace-of-mind.

We are looking at a price range of up to $25,000. The two boats that have really caught my interest are the Supra Santera, and the Malibu VLX, both from around 1999-2000 model years, simply because in the pictures I've seen, they appear to have the freeboard that I'm looking for. But I'm open to any reviews and suggestions as my experience with inboard tow boats is somewhat limited.

After all of that, I guess what I am looking for are thoughts/ideas about the sea-worthiness of different V-drive boats on a large (almost ocean-like at times) lake like Lake Michigan. Oh yeah, I'm trying to stay at or around 21'. 23' would be okay, but pushing it because of price and storage considerations.

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

I don't really think any inboards, direct or V-drive, are really going to be pleasant on a

NAW · Posted: Feb 22, 2006 12:52 pm Post subject:

Esco, What's up man, I thought for sure I'd see you at the boat show again this year.

You know about lake Michigan, depending on which way the wind is blowing can mean the difference between a fun day and a very, very bad day. Unless you're in a 23' and up boat, anything but a south wind is inadvisable. The problem with the big lake is it can be a south wind when you launch and turn on you very quickly.

That being said, I'd up your budget a little bit and look into a Mobius XLV. 23' long, deep freeboard, wide beam and it still handles like a much smaller boat.

With the drop keel design and the hydraulic wakeplate, you can adjust the ride based on the lake conditions.

Let me know if I can help.

Take it easy man

Esco · Newbie Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 25 City: LaPorte

Thanks for the comments so far guys. Most of our time will be spent on our small lake, the times we hith Lake Michigan will mostly be for cruising (mostly floating and listening to music) and relaxation. I think the deeper freeboard is more for my perceived safety factor of it than anything. I know exactly how that lake gets, and you're right about all but the most perfect south-winded days.

NAW,

I was planning on attending this year, but I've got hip surgery on the very near horizon, and just found out yesterday that I should actually be able to board this summer. I didn't want to get my hopes up by seeing all the new toys for sale. Plus the wife wasn't too keen on springing for a brand new boat. We'll see what the future brings though, and I'm going to keep my eyes open and look around some more. Let me know if you get a line on any real good deals yet this spring.
We're heavily leaning toward Moomba/Supra however.

pilot_ryder · Posted: Feb 22, 2006 9:31 pm Post subject:

id look at the old 205 which were the old x-stars, really good boats (wake wise) im not to sure of any other aspects of the boat

ttuclint · Addict Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 984 City: Lubbock, TX

I have a 96 VLX (see profile pic), similar to the VLX's you are looking at and we love it. Great boat for the money.

NAW · Posted: Feb 23, 2006 7:37 am Post subject:

Esco, No problem man, I'll keep a look out and PM you if I see something come through.

I have a '00 Malibu Sunsetter that's a great deal and very clean with 250 hrs, but it is a direct drive.

Hope your hip surgery works out...best of luck.

Feel free to email or pm me when you want to ride over here. I'd be glad to take you and your wife out.

tball · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 3953

Didn't the Edmund Fitzgerald go down in Lake Michigan? Being in a huge lake like that would scare the begeebees out of me. Do you guys use marine VHFs up there? The big Malibus and the Tige 24V have very deep freeboards. The new MC CSX in the 'concept boat' thread might meet your needs functionally but isn't for sale yet and will be out of the price range you're looking for.

EDIT: The Fitzgerald actually went down in Lake Superior, you guys probably already knew that. 711' long and 13,000 tons, wow.

from www.boatnerd.com

EDMUND FITZGERALD steel bulk freighter (U.S. 277437) built in 1958 at River Rouge, Michigan by the Great Lakes Engineering Works (Hull #301)for the Northwestern Mutual Insurance Co., Milwaukee, WI. and chartered by Columbia Transportation Division, Oglebay Norton Co. for 25 years: 711.2' x 75.1' x 33.4'; 13,632 GRT. She was the largest bulk carrier on the Lakes when launched. Bow thruster added in 1969 and converted to oil fuel and fitted with automated boiler controls Winter of 1971-72. Foundered in heavy weather with all 29 hands on November 10,1975 in Lake Superior; 47 North Latitude, 85 7' West Longitude, 17 1/2 miles from Whitefish Point.

She is shown here unloading at Great Lakes Steel on Zug Island - in a photograph which has been documented as the last photograph ever taken of "The Fitz" before her untimely loss on Lake Superior.

-Last known photo taken at Great Lakes Steel, Detroit River October 26, 1975

From the 1993 Calendar featuring photographs by Paul C. LaMarre, Jr.

Esco · Newbie Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 25 City: LaPorte

There's been times when I've almost felt like the Edmund Fitzgerald out there fishing. Like NAW stated a couple of posts above, it can be totally calm when you launch, but if that wind switches and the conditions are right, you can be rolling up and down on 6' waves.

We don't usually stray too far from shore or the harbor. I'm thinking maybe of just getting what will work for the smaller lake, and just play it by ear and listen to the lake report before heading out to the big lake.

Thanks for the recommendations on the freeboard heights. The more I think about it with the V-6 silverado that I'll be towing with, I'm trying to stay away from anything larger than 21-22 feet. I'd like to avoid having to upgrade vehicles since my truck is payed for by my employer.

I guess my last question is this:
Would you guys/girls that have 21' boats feel comfortable on your boats for a ten minute, moderate speed drive through some chop (2'3' rollers) back to the launch ramp if the lake got that rough?

pncrowell · Newbie Joined: 19 Feb 2006 Posts: 35 City: Indianapolis

to answer your question,

maybe, but probably not in an inboard.

silvtongdvl · Outlaw Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 187 City: Crosby,TX

I think you have too many "issues"

You need a larger boat if you want to go out on Mich, but you don't have enough truck to pull it and it doesn't fit well on your small lake.

Normally you ride on a small lake - truck, boat size and budget fit.

I don't know of a boat that will fit your needs other than a pontoon. Not sure your truck will pull that either. Best guess

Buy the Santera or BU stay on your little lake, ride in the mornings & evenings when everybody else is gone - Float and party during the busy part of the day.
Or - find a friend that has a big boat to go out on Mich during the weekend take him out during the week on your small lake.