First boat, will a direct drive dissapoint?

[usmcpi9504]

So like the title says, this will be my first boat. Looking to get into wakeboarding. Although boat won't be 100% wakeboarding, I'll also use it for just fun with friends, partying, etc. So a nice audio system and all is desired. I'd like to stick under $21k, but can go up to $25k ish if needed. I can obviously get the direct drives a little cheaper, such as a 2000 Launch or 01 Launch SS both for $18k. Seems like a good optioned Vdrive will cost me $23-25k. If i saved some money and got the direct drives, would I be disappointed by next year and wish i got a Vdrive originally?

Here's some links of a few boats I was looking at:
00 Supra Launch: http://savannah.craigslist.org/boa/2980344997.html
01 Launch SS: http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2001-Supra-22-Launch-Ss-99932516
00 Super Air: http://greenville.craigslist.org/boa/3005928042.html (435 HP 502 engine)
03 Mobius LSV: http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2003-Moomba-Mobius-Lsv-314141

[mgs917]

I do not have personal experience with any of the boats you listed, but they should all put out a pretty good wake. I do not think you will be disappointed in any of those wakes but you may wish you had gotten a vdrive due to the better layout with more room.

[CornRickey]

Storage and room is what sells vdrive. Sounds lime you don't have kids so I'd go with a dd. You should be able to find a newer one than what you listed for that money. Don't under estimate the costs of the tower, speakers and other stuff. I have a 86 SN 2001 that I have used for the past 12 summers. These are small boats and the only reason I went to a newer boat was due to my growing family of 5 total. My SN max is 6 people. My Supra is 11 .

[CornRickey]

Storage and room is what sells vdrive. Sounds lime you don't have kids so I'd go with a dd. You should be able to find a newer one than what you listed for that money. Don't under estimate the costs of the tower, speakers and other stuff. I have a 86 SN 2001 that I have used for the past 12 summers. These are small boats and the only reason I went to a newer boat was due to my growing family of 5 total. My SN max is 6 people. My Supra is 11 .

[mgs917]

The SAN you listed has a reputation as one of the best classic wakes. It also has the vdrive layout which will provide a great wake with plenty of room to move around. You can also hide the ballast a lot easier in a vdrive where the DD will have ballast bags laying all over the floor.

[usmcpi9504]

You're right, i don't have kids, so that isn't a concern. However, I'd just like to enjoy the summer on the lake with my friends, to include wake boarding. I mean i do enjoy the fact that V-drives don't have a large object in the center and the seating arrangement is definitely better. But if it came down to that being the only benefit for $6k worth, I'd rather have the DD. For this summer, I'm sure either style boat will satisfy my wake requirements as a beginner wake boarder this summer, but how bout next year, or the year after? I just don't want the regret of buying a DD if I'm going to have to sell it for a V-drive next year.

All those boats listed have towers. The first 2 links are DD Supras, the last couple links are V-drives. Seems the Super Airs seem to be a forum favorite. That SAN doesn't have the wakeplate option though. Owner says it doesn't need it with the weight and power of the 435HP 502 engine though. He also said he just keeps the front factory ballast full and has never had the need to fill the rear ballasts to make a killer wake.

I guess what im trying to say, is that I don't want buyer's remorse and wishing I had got a different style drive, brand, model, etc after buying.

[mgs917]

I havent ridden the boats you listed but I bet they will all give you a wake that you can ride for your entire career as a new to intermediate rider. If you really progress and throw some of the really advanced tricks you could possibly outgrow those wakes but I doubt you will.

I would look at the SAN. I have been in vdrives and dd and the vdrives just have so much more space and there isnt gear all over the place.

Take a look at this. I dont know if it fits what you are looking for or if its still for sale but its cheaper and it looks decent.

http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/showthread.php?22564-1997-Super-Sport-Nautique

[usmcpi9504]

So if a 1997 Nautique w/ base 5.0 300hp engine at $19,500 is a good deal, than a 2000 w/ the upgraded 8.1L 435hp engine (and 8 tower speakers and 2 10" subs) should also be a great deal? He said a couple stitchings are coming apart, but no tears. So that's fine with me as it shouldn't be much to have someone sew them up at the end of this season since the fabric itself doesn't need replaced. (PS, that 97 Nautique isnt an option considering he lives on the West coast and im pretty much East Coast)

How's maint/repair on the vdrive compare to a direct drive? I usually do all my own maint/repairs, but it seems as if it would be harder working on an engine in a hole compared to a fully exposed engine.

The extra seating and room and no bags all over the place sounds awesome too, especially with a bunch of drunk idiots on board.

Super Air owner also said gas costs of the 435HP 8.1L is about the same as a 300HP 5.7L engine because it doesn't have to work as hard to get to and maintain speed, especially while pulling. True or not?

[mgs917]

I honestly do not have the answers to those questions, but maybe other can chime in. If you go to that website I linked though you may be able to find answers there.

I would venture to guess the upgraded engine would burn more gas than the smaller engine but that is just a guess based on cars with smaller engines getting better gas milage than cars with larger engines. Again, just a guess maybe others will chiime in and answer.

[chawk610]

I always have DD's, I am not ever disappointed... actually, most people love to sit on the doghouse. My boat has had 11 people on it with no issues at all. But of course... my wife loves to ski!

[retoxtony]

You wont be disappointed with a Direct Drive but if you can afford to get a Vdrive i would go that way. Last year i bought my first real decent boat. Bought a low hour 1999 Prostar 205DD. With a little weight in the boat it can put out a great wake for wakeboarding and with ALOT of weight it makes a decent surf wave. My only problem is storage, and the engine hump takes up alot of room. I love the boat but i'm already planning on upgrading to a Vdrive in the next couple years. The added room for people, ballast or gear would definitely be worth it.

[usmcpi9504]

Alright well I guess I do want a Vdrive, just trying to talk myself out of it or justify the extra $5kish for the V over its counterpart.

How important is a wake plate?

[usmcpi9504]

Well i was ready to jump on the big block Nautique but someone else had first dibs and bought it Are there any other boats I should look into with larger engines?

[STANG KILLA SS]

i owned a 03 LSV. great boat, awesome wake, never a single issue. very easy to setup the wake and one of the cleanest wakes even at low speeds of just about any boat out there. i paid exactly 20k for my 03 LSV. also got 20k for it when i traded it in.
i had a '82 nautique SN2001 DD before that.

the wake plate is pretty important to me. you can change the shape of the wake instantly. both for different riders prefering peaky or rampy wakes, or people walking around the boat. also really helpful when crossing the lake in smooth or rough conditions no matter where people are sitting, you can always get a perfect ride and iliminate porposing.

[882001]

launch is a great wake and a huge boat, with very high freeboard. the san is still one of the best wakes out there (but not a dd). there is nothing wrong with dd. storage is the only difference in boats like the 205/ 205v

[usmcpi9504]

stangkilla, was that 03 LSV in awesome condition w/ no interior flaws? Loaded out w/ stereo, lights or anything?

I guess its really the seating arrangement and extra storage of the V-drive that i love. Would the same brand/model boat direct drive and vdrive make the same wake?

[retoxtony]

The Vdrive version should put out a bigger wake due to the heavy engine being in the back. If you could have both versions of a boat have the same amount of weight distributed in exactly the same way through the boat, hypothetically the wake should be the same.