Buying my first boat!!

[dr.fowler]

Hey all,

I haven't posted here in a long, time, mostly just lurking... however, I am buying my own boat in the next couple of weeks! I have just been using my dad's I/O w/an aftermarket tower, but now I'm going Inboard. I'm looking at two nice looking boats. Here's what I've found:

2002 Mobius Outback LSV 2001 Supra Launch 21
Has new starter, prop, shaft, impeller Indmar Assault engine
Tower with speakers 400lbs ballast
Bimini top Bimini top
iPod ready deck with remote alpine deck w/10" sub
Sub with two amps fuel injection
1100lb soft ballast 320 hours
Indmar motor, fuel injected 335 hp Dual axle trailer
Dual axle trailer with new tires good tires
Two wheel disc brakes Tower w/speakers
trim plate Winter cover
gel coat in great condition Always stored indoors
642 hrs
Second owner

They are both exactly the same price: $20,000. The main difference that I can see between them is that the Moomba is V-drive and the Supra is Direct Drive. They're both super clean boats, both excellent condition interiors, both professionally maintained... Are there any issues that I'm not aware of? Any other indicators that I need to look at? I haven't bought a boat before, but I'm a very capable mechanic and I know how to check for general mechanical stuff, but I'm totally ignorant as to boat-specific things, and I'd appreciate any input!

Also, I'd like to hear any opinions on brands, VD vs. DD, etc. I'm sort of leaning towards the Moomba because of the spacious interior and the big sun deck... but let me know what you think!

Thanks!

[retoxtony]

I'm not familiar with the wake on either of these boats but from the info you gave i would probably go with the moomba. I currently have a direct drive and wish i would have spent a little more cash to get something with a v-drive. The added room and storage would be great. The prices for both look pretty decent to me, but in here in Canada those boats would sell for ALOT more. Probably atleast 5k more for the moomba.

[3MileBayWaker]

IIRC....Moomba is notorious for poor quality gauges in their older models. V-drive is nice, but I think better quality would be in the Supra.

[dr.fowler]

Well, I think the Moomba is out of the running... I talked to the owner today and it's had some issues. It was stored outdoors and uncovered in Arizona by the first owner. The carpet is trashed, and the upholstery was redone by the current owner himself to save money. He says that it looks ok for the most part, but not professional. He says that the gelcoat is in ok condition, although it had some repairs to it at some point by the first owner. The current owner also hit some rocks last year and damaged the v-drive, shaft, prop, and prop strut, doing nearly $7000 in damage. I just don't think I can shell out $20large for a boat that has that kind of stories when the Supra is the same price and none of that stuff going on.

I have, however, discovered another boat for sale locally, which is a 2003 Malibu Wakesetter. About 800 hours, tower, speakers, etc... direct drive, wedge plate, ballast, fiberglass platform, extra prop, heater, 335 hp monsoon engine. This guy wants $19,900, and the pictures look very nice. Thoughts on that vs. the supra?

[anw7405]

what type of wakesetter? 23 21 DD or VD?

[dr.fowler]

21' direct drive... I have been trying to get ahold of the guy, but no response. It's looking like I'll go with the supra. Is there any huge advantage of the Malibu over the Supra?

[CincyVLX]

As a malibu owner, I'm biased, but I think you would like the wake of a malibu much better than supra.

I rode both before my purchase and supra wakes tend to be steep and not very easy to hit. My suggestion would be to take both boats out and ride behind them.

[dr.fowler]

Ok, thanks for the input. Like I said, I can't seem to get ahold of the guy selling the Malibu, but I'll be sure to give it a chance. Any feature differences of importance?

[anw7405]

I would second cincyvlx on the ride behind and see which one you like best. These are two wakes i do know pretty well. Both are good wakes but very different wakes. RIDE BEFORE YOU BUY!

[retoxtony]

I have to echo the comments of other guys here. Don't buy any of these boats till you can drive it and preferably even ride behind it.

[dr.fowler]

For sure, I'll be driving both and riding behind then for sure. I'm just having a hard time finding out what the features of each are. It's tough to find spec info in this age of boats.

[Wakebrad]

I'd be worried about Moomba pre-2003. Before Skiers choice took over the quality wasn't quite there.

If you are doing this for wakeboarding I would never buy a direct drive. 3 months or less into buying a DD you'll wish you had got the V-drive. The layout is so much better for sitting, for storage, for ballast. It's better to spend a few grand extra to get it rather than buy a boat and instantly want to upgrade. If you're going to be seriously skiing part of the time then iget the DD. Also V-drives are infinitely better for wakesurfing.

If I were you I would look for an early 2000s Super Air Nautique, 01 or similar era Mastercraft X-Star, Malibu VLX, Supra V-drive. You may have to bump up to $25k or so but you will be guaranteed a great wake, build quality, and reputation. Just gotta check for maintenance and

Look at something like this. Could probably talk them down a couple grand.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/boa/3059859032.html

[CincyVLX]

What specs are you looking for?

Both boats are fairly similar in boat layout inside. Is there something specific that you would like to compare?

[dr.fowler]

I'm just curious if there are any substantial differences in features... I know that the supra has some sort of hydraulic wake plate, and I've heard that Malibu has something similar, but haven't been able to find details on it...

I'd like to know if there are chronic issues with either that require frequent repair, etc... Just wondering if anyone can tell me "I have xxxx boat and it had xxx problems or xxx features" etc. What I'm finding is that they are pretty tough to differentiate other than personal opinion. It looks like they even have the same type of seating in the open bow on both, similar storage, and even the same motor...

[CincyVLX]

Yeah they are pretty similar in most aspects.

Malibu has the wedge, which is completely different than Supra's wakeplate. Both "shape" the wake, but the wedge also acts as a hydrofoil and lowers the back end of the boat into the water more.

Features are about the same. Perfect Pass, gauges, motor, transmission, seating, etc.

There are only two factors that are going to affect your decision. Personal appeal to the design of the two boats, and the wake it throws.

Like I said before, ride behind both and make your own decision. For me it was a Malibu hands down. You may or may not feel the same way as me. Just remember, it's YOUR boat. Get what YOU want. Not what your friends like better or what would make you look cooler on your lake.

[dr.fowler]

I dunno, looking cool is fun!

Thanks for the info, that's what I was looking for. I'll definitely be having a good look at both, I'm just trying to compare a little beforehand. I just know that there are some people on here that gave tons of boat knowledge, I'm just trying to set it free!

[Ski Supreme]

I would go with the Moomba. It has more room and you dont have the ski pole to run into. yes it hurts, but my daughter thought it was funny. LOL