Good starter ski boat?

[kehatch]

I know very little about boats. Hoping to buy one for this summer season. I live in Canada, and am looking to spend around 20k (around 15k US). I was looking at the Bayliner 175 or 185. I am hoping for a 17' to 18' with enough HP to pull a skiier. I might get into wake boarding.

My questions:

1) Are the mentioned boats good starter boats?
2) Are there any comparable boats in the same price catagory (looking new)?
3) Are the ski bars (metal tower above boat) worth the extra cost?
4) Do I need the 190 HP, or will the 135 HP suffice? I may get into wakeboarding, and I would like to be able to pull two skiiers.
5) Is new the way to go, or should I look at a used boat instead?

Thanks for your help.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Good starter ski boat?

this is going to be the boat to beat in the 2008 line, will be out really soon.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=198208

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Good starter ski boat?

Welcome to iboats!

It all depends on the entire BUDGET.....

Boat Budget (including maintenance)
Tow Vehicle
Boat Storage (mooring or dock space)
Party Budget (how many people will be with you)

Yes the entry level Bayliner with a 135 will pull a skier but only plan on 3-4 people max at a time per boating trip.

IMO a v-6 is the best bang for the buck.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Good starter ski boat?

whatever you get. get it with the largest engine package ya can afford. you won't regret it........

 

[kehatch]

Re: Good starter ski boat?

I have been looking a bit more into it. I am am between:

1) 2002 Campion 545, 190 HP, with 45 hours
2) 2003 Campion 535, 190 HP, with 38 hours
3) 2000 Sea-Doo Speedster, 240 HP, low hours
4) 2006 Sea-Doo Sportster, 210 HP, with 10 hours
5) 2007 Bayliner 185, 190 HP, new.

They are all relatively the same price.

Again, I am using it primarily for a ski boat. Any suggestions? Thanks for the help so far.

 

[wakedv]

Re: Good starter ski boat?

I have a 2004 Campion 535 with the 190HP V6, this is a terrific boat, great quality, easy on fuel. We have a tower on it and a hi5 prop, it also has seating for 9 people, would highly recomend it for a family boat

 

[DaveM]

Re: Good starter ski boat?

Again, I am using it primarily for a ski boat. Any suggestions? Thanks for the help so far.

The boats you listed appear to be more of the general purpose runabout types. If skiing is your primary purpose for a boat, you might want to look at an inboard tournament ski boat. While it is true that you can ski behind pretty much anything, a tournament ski boat will have a small wake and plenty of power. Everything else pales in comparison after skiing behind one of these babies.

There is no one boat that can do everything. I would recommend that you get the boat that most closely matches your specific needs.

 

[tommays]

Re: Good starter ski boat?

My BIL has a Correct Craft inboard ski boat and I have a 3.0 19' cuddy


The Correct Craft is a great ski boat but bad for running around on anything but a perfect flat day

The 3.0 cuddy is bad ski boat and great for running around right up to pretty bad weather



Tommays

 

[Liquid_force]

Re: Good starter ski boat?

I have been looking a bit more into it. I am am between:

1) 2002 Campion 545, 190 HP, with 45 hours
2) 2003 Campion 535, 190 HP, with 38 hours
3) 2000 Sea-Doo Speedster, 240 HP, low hours
4) 2006 Sea-Doo Sportster, 210 HP, with 10 hours
5) 2007 Bayliner 185, 190 HP, new.

They are all relatively the same price.

Again, I am using it primarily for a ski boat. Any suggestions? Thanks for the help so far.

When it comes right down to it - size matters.
If you see wakeboarding in your future I'd try to avoid anything under 18'. One - the wake won't amount to much, and two - once you load up with all the gear req'd you'll have no room left in the boat.
IMO 19-20' is a good size and does a lot of things well. Generally fairly roomy, not usually too heavy in tow, and doesn't need 400hp to get a skier out of the water.
Wakeboard towers are nice for board storage as much as anything. Having been wakeboarding for about 10 years the elevated tow point is great for a little extra air, and the ability to accessorize them makes them cool too. But for someone looking for a 1st boat a tower shouldn't be that high on your list of priorities IMO.

I also agree that a good v6 is the best of both worlds as far as power vs economy. A 190hp v6 on a 3000lb boat should have no problem pulling all but the heaviest of slalom skiers out of the water. Two-ski and wakeboards don't require much power at all.
Two people on slalom skis would be the one scenario where a big v8 would pay off.

Tournament boats are for hard-core and/or tournament skiers/boarders - or just those people fortunate enough to be able to spend 40k on a 20' boat (IMO).
I am a serious wakeboarder, and I LOVE the wakes the tournament wakeboarding boats put out, plus the wakeboard specific storage -- basically everything about them. But there's no way I could ever justify the cost.

 

[Tredeb]

Re: Good starter ski boat?

My big knock against inboards is the inability to lift your prop out of the water. I like to go to remote beaches and spent the day staging skiers from there. An I/O or out board allows you more flexibility in beaching your boat. It is something you may wast to consider.