Thinking about getting a boat

[BigA972]

Just a little back ground on me, as I am new to this site. I have been around boats quite a bit growing up so I know some of the basics about boating. I have two jet skis right now that I enjoy taking out to the lake most weekends in the summer. I have been thinking about getting a boat and selling the skis. I do like the skis but it seems like I have been getting more in to skiing and just hanging out at the lake with friends and family. I have been looking at the Tahoe line of boats (dealer close to the house). But do know where I would be able to pick up a wake board boat for a good price 04 supra clean well taken care of (so I am told) a little below book value. I guess my question is this what would be a better buy. I like the idea of buying a new boat vs used (but if used is a good deal then I would be ok with used). What would be the biggest difference in the two types of boats I have been looking at. I would end up with a tower on the Tahoe style if that is the way I go. Any thoughts would be greatly app.

 

[WaveJumpingMaxum]

Re: Thinking about getting a boat

Welcome to Iboats Big A. First off Tahoe makes alot of boats Nitro, Mako, Tracker, Sun Tracker and Tahoe themselves. Starting at around 18000?? ( give or take) for there basic 4cyl starter bowrider. think its what 18ft? Think of it as a honda. Then you have the supra. Ive never seen a supra with under a 5.7L v8 in it. Genrally a more expensive more luxerious boat. Think the smallest they come in is 20ft. But v8s genrally mean, more power not much more gas for only a couple more mphs. If you buy a tahoe and plan on skiing with it upgrade to the 4.3v6 190hp. little lighter then a v8 and will still easily crack at 50+mph. If you want more of a luxery boat go with the supra. But any more info on it would help ie: size of boat, engine size, cost of used supra vs cost of new tracker. Newer isnt always better if its the cheapest thing on the market.

 

[BigA972]

Re: Thinking about getting a boat

What I have looked at I would probably have to try and order, I was going to deck out the tahoe Q5 or the Q7 with the v-6 and wake tower was going to run 27k to 35k. The supra I will look at would be 22 ft 200hrs I might be able to get it around 30k I am told it has the bells and whistles but I have not seen it yet.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Thinking about getting a boat

Sell one ski and buy a boat. Just my opinion. Best of both worlds. We go to the islands of lake erie on the boat while someone follows on the Ski. Once we get to the beach we anchor the boat, drink beer on the beach, and take turns on the ski. Very fun. As if beach life wasn't fun enough... add a toy!

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Thinking about getting a boat

keep in mind the style of drive you want. You can pick outboard, I/O, inboard-V drive, or inboard straight shaft. Also could have a jet boat. Feel free to do your own research, but the only thing i'll mention since supra was brought up is the inboards.

Inboards are great for dedicated ski/wake boats, but do have drawbacks, ESPECIALLY when it comes to beaching and shallow water. (and with that same thought in mind, every single boat/drive system is a compromise, there is no single 'best' for every situation.

 

[smclear]

Re: Thinking about getting a boat

Inboards are great for dedicated ski/wake boats, but do have drawbacks, ESPECIALLY when it comes to beaching and shallow water. (and with that same thought in mind, every single boat/drive system is a compromise, there is no single 'best' for every situation.

It's been my experience that the inboards (straight inboard) I've owned did far better than the I/O's I've owned regarding shallow water. I've nicked at least 100 props on the I/O's while I've never had any issues with the inboards. Same lake. Now it could also be that a bronze propeller handles soft bottoms better. Not really sure, I can only speak to my experience.

There are some I/O's that have a greater draft than inboards. Check the draft on any boat you purchase and compare to the average depth of the waters you'll mostly use. Don't just assume all inboards have draft issues that I/O's don't.

Know your boat, know your water.

And.. I like the idea of trying to keep one of the ski's (if that's economically feasible). More toys generally equal more fun.

 

[WaveJumpingMaxum]

Re: Thinking about getting a boat

i think the only things tahoe makes with outboards are the bass boats and pontoons. and the only draw back to keeping one of the skis is if you dont have a family member that can tow or launch it for you. gotta consider how many trips to the boat launch and back ya wanna make.

 

[BigA972]

Re: Thinking about getting a boat

keep in mind the style of drive you want. You can pick outboard, I/O, inboard-V drive, or inboard straight shaft. Also could have a jet boat. Feel free to do your own research, but the only thing i'll mention since supra was brought up is the inboards.

Inboards are great for dedicated ski/wake boats, but do have drawbacks, ESPECIALLY when it comes to beaching and shallow water. (and with that same thought in mind, every single boat/drive system is a compromise, there is no single 'best' for every situation.

The shallow water has me thinking twice about the supra.