Buying My First Boat

[shaggylemur]

So i just made the move from the city to a house on the lake and am looking to buy a boat, specifically a wakeboard boat. The only problem is that i dont have too much of a budget to work with. I have just shy of 10k to spend. In my area there are a couple Nautique 2001s in this price range as well as an old Mastercraft Prostar 190 and a couple 80s Supras. Also keep in mind that i have a dock with a lift so i will have to modify the lift as it is currently set up for a pontoon. I really would love to start wake surfing as well.

Thanks for your imput

Bobby

 

[water_skier_n_wakerr]

Re: Buying My First Boat

First of all, you have the most awesome name anyone can have ;D (my name is also Bobby). and for the boats, if you want specifically a wake boat, I do not recommend the Prostar because it is a ski boat. With a budget of $10,000 your best bet is probably the Supras. Decent boats with a gorgeous wake, and not a bad price.

Hope this helps!

 

[shaggylemur]

Re: Buying My First Boat

Ok another problem is that I live on lake Lanier and during the summer the waves can get up to 3-4 feet.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Buying My First Boat

First of all, you have the most awesome name anyone can have ;D (my name is also Bobby). and for the boats, if you want specifically a wake boat, I do not recommend the Prostar because it is a ski boat. With a budget of $10,000 your best bet is probably the Supras. Decent boats with a gorgeous wake, and not a bad price.

Hope this helps!

80's supras are ski boats

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Buying My First Boat

Ok another problem is that I live on lake Lanier and during the summer the waves can get up to 3-4 feet.

Then you definitely do not want an inboard ski boat like a prostar. They sit super low to the water and are very easy to swamp.

For 10K I'd be looking for a decent I/O with a tower - 10K would get you the Bayliner I'm selling and not a lot more than that. Finding a real V-drive wakeboard boat for that budget is going to be tough and you would likely be spending some money on it right away.

Finding something you can wake surf behind for 10K will be near impossible since for that you would need a real V-drive and a ton of ballast that a 10K boat is not going to have.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Buying My First Boat

Why not get yourself an I/O? It would keep the bow up better for those 2-3' waves.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Buying My First Boat

Might be able to use something like this 22ft inboard, but I'm not sure how high they sit out of the water. Looks a lot shorter in height than my Malibu.
Mastercraft Tristar open bow ballast, tower, stereo

 

[Lake Lizzard]

Re: Buying My First Boat

3-4' waves are going to require a v-hull boat for sure. That really puts you into an I/O type of boat. Keep in mind that you cannot surf behind a bout with an I/O because of the risk of falling into the propeller.

You 'll be able to find something good for 10K though. Cash talks. Your money will go farther in the winter though. Now is closer to the prime time for buying boats and the prices may be creeping up higher.

 

[salister]

Re: Buying My First Boat

you can surf and wake-board behind Inboards. Not as good as a v-drive but you cannot surf behind and I/O due to safety reasons. The Supras have a higher free-board so you might wanna look into them. Maybe go with a closed bow direct drive supra. Should be in budget and have the high free-board you'll need.

And from what I've heard, the supras with the squared windshields have wooden stringers whereas the supras with the rounded windshields have fiberglass stringers.

 

[salister]

Re: Buying My First Boat

you can surf and wake-board behind Inboards. Not as good as a v-drive but you cannot surf behind and I/O due to safety reasons. The Supras have a higher free-board so you might wanna look into them. Maybe go with a closed bow direct drive supra. Should be in budget and have the high free-board you'll need.

And from what I've heard, the supras with the squared windshields have wooden stringers whereas the supras with the rounded windshields have fiberglass stringers.

Sorry I was referring to Direct drive Inboards.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Buying My First Boat

The Nautique 2001 has an exceptional reputation for its wake. With any inboard in that price range you want to check the boat over well for rot or structure problems but there are boats out there for $10k that are nice.
When the water is rough you are better keeping the boats you have listed at the dock or on a buoy. There are a few inboards with deeper V hulls and they are usually good for surfing but not necessarily for skiing or wake boarding. Older Sanger DX or DX IIs can be found that have a deeper V and a few old Centurions also do and can be found in your price range. They handle chop better than the common ski boats. The longer the boat is, the better it will handle rough water, usually.
Good luck. I'd never go back to an I/O after owning an inboard. Mine, however, was bought for rough water and cost over your budget amount.

 

[water_skier_n_wakerr]

Re: Buying My First Boat

Oh...