Looking for first boat, wakeboarding / wakesurfing needed

[elliotovla]

I have never owned a boat before. I have done some research though my budget is 0-25k. I was looking for a used boat that would be great for wakeboarding and wakesurfing. I have done some looking around, but since im new at this I dont want to jump on the first boat that I see due to my inexperience. I do know that I want something under 600 hours. When I go to look at the boats, I am going to insist that they take me out on the water to test it. I will have a mechanic with me as well to do the necessary tests. In a perfect world I would want a Vdrive boat. The only thing I really found around North TX (Dallas area) where I am from is a 2000 mastercraft prostar 205. It is a direct drive not the 205V vdrive model. http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2000-Mastercraft-205-Prostar-102291713

Also there is a 2001 tige
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2001-Tiga-21i-102077418

These are just options, but dont know if they are the best ones for me.

Im hoping I can get some wakeboarder.com community input on what types of boats I should be looking for, as well as your thoughts on the boats above. Also im trying to avoid private sellers. I am going to do financing. Remember I am totally new to boating so bare with me for I am a newbie

Thanks for your time.

[vette74]

That tige is not a V-drive either. If you have a 25k budget I would hold out for a v-drive personally it is not a bad boat but most people gravitate toward a v-drive you might as well get one right off the bat.

http://houston.craigslist.org/boa/4536854412.html
http://houston.craigslist.org/boa/4512130628.html
http://houston.craigslist.org/bod/4531633805.html

[elliotovla]

Im trying to avoid private sellers. Im going to be financing the boat.

[flixmaster]

If you are going to surf I would look at a V-drive also. not sure if what you can find in your price range but a v-drive will be easier to setup for surfing.

[elliotovla]

What are some vdrive boats I should be looking at.

[FlyZone CR]

Look for Nautique 210 Super Sport and Super Air, '95 and on. Some might ague it's not the best surf wave in the world (and they're right, though it's totally surfable) but it's probably the best built boat in the world with the best wake.
Mastercraft 205V/X-Star, and Malibu VLX (and maybe LSV if you're lucky).

With 25K and some patience you can find all these in nice shape.

Good luck and post what you find!

[elliotovla]

Im not finding anything decent within 200 miles of dallas

[FlyZone CR]

You're kidding, there's sh!tloads of boats in that area.
Where are you searching, which sites?

[FlyZone CR]

A 10 sec search on CL gave me these already:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bod/4497531196.html

http://killeen.craigslist.org/boa/4435654205.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/boa/4484977346.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/boa/4516189698.html

[jtryon]

you should easily be able to find a good boat for 25k. mastercraft 205v/x-star or nautique super sport/super air would be my first choices. keep an open mind about driving for the right boat/deal...take an extra couple days off work and you might be happier with what you get in the long run!

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/4549628204.html
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/boa/4549068319.html
http://spokane.craigslist.org/boa/4563285832.html
http://meadville.craigslist.org/boa/4510510491.html

if i were in the market i'd be all over that first one in sacramento, even driving from the east coast. new tranny, prop and great price.