Looking for first "wakeboard" boat ~$25k budget

Stazi · Newbie Joined: 01 Feb 2010 Posts: 39 City: Livonia

I'm in the process of selling my 27ft cruiser in the South East MI (Lake St Clair) area in order to get a dedicated wakeboard boat.
Up till 2 years ago I never took watersports seriously until I went back home to Perth Western Australia and went wakeboarding for the first time behind my BIL's Camero Legend - and after the 3rd pull I got up and since them I am hooked.

I have wakeboarded behind my Wellcraft Excel 26SE but as you can imagine it's not ideal - sure the wake is huge, but the wife and I have decided to sell it and get a wakeboard boat instead and use the smaller lakes around the Commerce Twp area.

I am gearhead, Mechanical Engineer, and I have been boating for close to 7 years now, so I know about boats and engines and what's good and what's a POS.

With that being said, I am HOPING to sell my boat soon...and I have been reading a lot of posts on here and in other forums on the web and "think" I know what I want.

My wants are:
Trailer
Tower
Bow-rider
21-23ft
V-drive preferably
Lower hours
Not an antique (Preferably 1999 or newer)
Fresh Water use only
Good wake without the need for 2000lbs of ballast, although I am not against ballast - I just want a hull that doesn't NEED ballast to make a decent wake.

I have been scouring the local Craiglists, Boat Trader and Boats.com websites, and admittedly a lot of boats have been sold lately and we are nearing the end of the season, but I am hoping some of you guys around here my know of some good deals still out there.

I would NOT be against driving a bit to get a good deal, but I am not going to go to TX to get it....just yet.

I am leaning towards either a Malibu LSV, Moomba Outback, SAN, or a Supra Launch SSV and I have read good things about all of these boats.

So if you have any lines on some good boats, please let me know.

Thanks in advance!

pennsforest04 · Posted: Aug 03, 2011 11:45 am Post subject:

With a $25k budget, the Moomba Outback would probably be your best bet for a newer boat. You can get a mid 2000s model for around that price. You might have to go a lil higher for a V Drive, and it's a crossover boat, meaning you might have to compromise a little on the wake. That being said, I have never seen an Outback's wake. Have you ever considered looking for a Mobius LSV? You might find an 03, 04, or 05 around $25k.

The LSV will probably be a tougher find. Most of the LSVs, even the early 2000s Wakesetters are still above $30K. I might look at 02-04 VLXs or mid 2000s V Rides/I rides.

As for Nautiques, you can probably find a 210 within $25k in the 00-04 year models. Here is one for example - http://corvallis.craigslist.org/boa/2499477346.html

And for Supras, try looking on craigslist for SSVs or 21Vs. I wouldn't be surprised if you found a good priced SSV or 21V on there.

Finally, I would look at some early 2000s X-Stars, they're nice boats with a good hull. The hull was still used on Mastercraft's X-1. By the way, have you ever considered UShip if you found a boat that was pretty far away. It might help if you don't feel like driving.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

Moomba pre-2004 is out. Their quality was bad bad before skiers choice bought them.

Check out the early flagship wakeboats from the big 3: Early 2000s X-star, Super Air Nautique, Malibu VLX.

You can find a little newer Supra 22 or 21SSV, or may even be able to go newer if you find like a Sanger V215.

For that price range I would be looking for a v-drive if you're planning on wakeboarding/surfing. Post some options and people can give opinions.

anw7405 · Outlaw Joined: 10 Sep 2010 Posts: 188 City: edmond

http://tricities.craigslist.org/boa/2523054399.html

Just a suggestion.

Stazi · Newbie Joined: 01 Feb 2010 Posts: 39 City: Livonia

bishab · Newbie Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 38 City: jacksonville

Just to help you out I paid 25K for a 2003 supra launch ssv 4 years ago and it was near perfect. The 2001 you are looking at it almost identical to mine. I have no problems with the build quality. Its not a nautique but for the money you save it it well worth it.

Stazi · Newbie Joined: 01 Feb 2010 Posts: 39 City: Livonia

Thanks for the feedback.

The 2001 I looked at needed to have all the vinyl redone - could I leave it as is? Sure, but it would bother the hell out of me with all the busted seems and crappy patch attempts that are there now.

PimpinD2 · Posted: Aug 04, 2011 9:45 am Post subject:

I picked up a 2006 X1 with the MCX, perfect pass, tower, racs, pro ballast etc.. for $25k

Down side was 800 hours, but that didn't scare me.

You can find good deals out there just keep searching

onlyinboards.com
boats.com
boattrader.com

and google dealers around you and search their used inventory ...

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

Split seams would indicate some sort of neglect in my mind. I think I would steer clear.

Stazi · Newbie Joined: 01 Feb 2010 Posts: 39 City: Livonia

Just looked at a 2001 Malibu Wakesetter VLX at lunch. It's in very good condition, trailer, 320hrs, tower, board racks, heater, removable teak swim platform, spare 13x13 SS prop, some ancient tower speakers and a ski locker ballast bag.

He said he'd accept $23k for it,which seems OK.

SilverMustang35 · Posted: Aug 04, 2011 10:29 am Post subject:

Ive seen that Supra in the tri cities craigslist on the lake before. It looks like its in good shape from a distance when we pass it. Didnt know he was selling it.

Indyxc · Newbie Joined: 14 Jun 2010 Posts: 10

Stazi · Newbie Joined: 01 Feb 2010 Posts: 39 City: Livonia

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. I thought if I could get him down to $22k, that would be OK, but there are some other boats I am looking at too. and I really need to sell my cruiser first.

'06-185Sport · Newbie Joined: 28 Jul 2010 Posts: 1 City: Rapid City

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

I'm not sure exactly, I remember hearing that from around that timeframe. Maybe it took SC a few years to integrate production. I'll have to search back to that era on these forums. The date was fairly well documented.

STANG KILLA SS · Posted: Aug 12, 2011 8:00 am Post subject:

i remember hearing the same thing.
i had a 03 LSV i rode HARD (3 times a week, 4-6 hours each day, never shutting off the motor, all riding) and never had a single issue with anything ever.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

Stazi, the Supras are good boats, the Launch and the 21V. The Malibu, I'm not familiar with the LX. I'd check it out and see if the wake was good, if it's in good shape and has the features you're looking for. Being a Malibu, the build quality should be good.

Stazi · Newbie Joined: 01 Feb 2010 Posts: 39 City: Livonia

Well.............. I am pretty sure my boat is sold. Had to eat $1k more than I had planned, but c'est la vie...

Supposed to get a deposit on it tomorrow and the balance next week. As soon as I see the cash in my account I will be hard on the hunt.

I'm looking at a 05 Mobius LSV, the 06 Supra 20SSV and a 07 Sanger V215 locally. The 00 Wakesetter I am pretty sure sold and I REALLY don't want to get another boat as old as the one I just sold (1996) like the Sunsetter VLX. There is a guy real close to me with a 03 SANTE 210, but he wants $30k which I think is high.

There are a few on eBay right now, but with all things eBay you don't know what they're gonna go for until the last 5 minutes of the auction and I always assume that buyers have shill bidders on hand to drive the prices up.

So my budget is still $25k and I think with the season almost done up here in the Mid-West, I should have a good position to buy.

I guess what I need to know at this point is what NOT to buy - i.e. are there boats/models to avoid?

Cheers fellas! Cool

Stazi · Newbie Joined: 01 Feb 2010 Posts: 39 City: Livonia

Well.............. I am pretty sure my boat is sold. Had to eat $1k more than I had planned, but c'est la vie...

Supposed to get a deposit on it tomorrow and the balance next week. As soon as I see the cash in my account I will be hard on the hunt.

I'm looking at a 05 Mobius LSV, the 06 Supra 20SSV and a 07 Sanger V215 locally. The 00 Wakesetter I am pretty sure sold and I REALLY don't want to get another boat as old as the one I just sold (1996) like the Sunsetter VLX. There is a guy real close to me with a 03 SANTE 210, but he wants $30k which I think is high.

There are a few on eBay right now, but with all things eBay you don't know what they're gonna go for until the last 5 minutes of the auction and I always assume that buyers have shill bidders on hand to drive the prices up.

So my budget is still $25k and I think with the season almost done up here in the Mid-West, I should have a good position to buy.

I guess what I need to know at this point is what NOT to buy - i.e. are there boats/models to avoid?

Cheers fellas! Cool

Indyxc · Newbie Joined: 14 Jun 2010 Posts: 10

Good luck man! Let us know how it turns out!

rmaytee · Criminal Joined: 30 Aug 2010 Posts: 54

My good friend just bought a 2005 Supra Launch 21V. The boat is killer. I never had any idea Supra made such great boat. I figured they rode along side Centurions, but they are MUCH nicer. The wake is incredible! At first I was scared, because one side of the wake kept porpoising, but once I adjusted the wake plate, it was the perfect wake. And having all the features you want in a wakeboard boat, like perfect pass and push-button ballast makes it the perfect boat.

There are more boats like his out there, but a 2004 and newer with everything you want, most likely you will be looking at closer to $30k. There are similar Mobius LSVs out there frequently though (at least in my region). Good luck.

PimpinD2 · Posted: Aug 18, 2011 4:20 am Post subject:

did you just say 1 side of the wake kept porpoising? I don't think that is possible, either the whole boat porpoises or not...

ridininmd · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 1231

boats porpoise, not wakes. I'm thinking he means that one side was washing out.

Stazi · Newbie Joined: 01 Feb 2010 Posts: 39 City: Livonia

Mini rant!
So I contact a guy on onlyinboards about his Moomba. First via the email feature then a few days later via phone, saying, hey I emailed you, is he boat available, if so can you send pics?
He does, they look great so I email him back again and ask to set up a viewing of the boat for this weekend. He doesn't respond and whenever I call his phone it's either off or goes to voicemail, so I leave him a couple of messages and also email him saying essential " HEY! Respond to me!". All I get is crickets. I mean, if the friggen thing is sold, text me, call me, something.

Seriously WTF is wrong with people? Rolling Eyes

Broccoli B · Posted: Aug 19, 2011 7:27 am Post subject:

I might be interested in selling my 2004 Mobius LSV, price would be right around 25K I have one Pic in my profile and am located on a lake in West Michigan.

Stazi · Newbie Joined: 01 Feb 2010 Posts: 39 City: Livonia

Stazi · Newbie Joined: 01 Feb 2010 Posts: 39 City: Livonia

Bought a 2004 Moomba Mobius LS yesterday with 98 hrs on it for $21750. I'm stoked!

anw7405 · Outlaw Joined: 10 Sep 2010 Posts: 188 City: edmond

Pics?

Stazi · Newbie Joined: 01 Feb 2010 Posts: 39 City: Livonia

Stazi · Newbie Joined: 01 Feb 2010 Posts: 39 City: Livonia

Heres some from when I did the sea trial and then one from yesterday when I took the family out an my wifes best friend. IT was a little choppy yesterday but Saturday was awesome.

This is with the back ballast full and about 300lb in the ski locker. My son and the wifes friend atre in the back and my wife is hiding up in the observer seat.

It makes a sweet wake, with a little ballast even though it's a DD.

I am totally stoked with the boat.