Looking for a new boat. I have kind of settled on Mastercraft but not completely sold. I am looking for a good looking boat to handle a couple of families. Young kids just learning to wake board. I have been leaning towards the X30 or X-star because of the size. Any recommendations?

Are you looking at new? What dealers are in your area? Is the lake you are going to be on large and rough? How do you plan on using the boat? wakeboarding, surfing, skiing, tubing, cruising? What are some of the things that are important to you and your family?

Not new. Not sure of the dealers. I have been on boattrader and onlyinboards. A medium sized lake, but can get pretty rough. Lake Tenkiller in Oklahoma if you are familiar. Probably a little of all the activities. I want to be able to do it all and have plenty of room. I'm coming from a 1830 chaparral.

I would recommend riding in a few different boats. See what you really like, why Mastercraft, why not? <BR> <BR>Do you like the tower, does it squeek, does the boat have enough storage, etc. Can you move around in it ok? Is the drivers seat comfortable, can you see without standing? <BR> <BR>Boats are a big expense - make sure you're happy <BR>BEFORE you drop the cash. <BR> <BR>Several people also advised me, find a dealer <BR>you like/trust - if you don't like your dealer (even for used) - you won't like your boat. <BR> <BR>Good luck -

Jay, do you have a general budget you are trying to stick within?

Around 30k to 35k.

Well here are some I would look at. <BR> <BR>Mastercraft <BR>2001-2002 Xstar/2003-2005 X2-Great wake, quality boat, Kind of cramped if you get more than 5 or 6 people. <BR>2001-2004 X10/X30, bigger, ok all around family boat. <BR> <BR>Nautique <BR>2000-2005 SAN 210-Awesome wake, kind of cramped like the Xstar/X2 <BR>2004-2007 211, great all around boat, kind of cramped. May be tough to find one for 35ish. <BR> <BR>Malibu <BR>2001-2004 Wakesetter VLX/2005-2008 Vride-Great wake, great all around boat, quality, a little bigger than the Xstar or SAN 210. <BR>2001-2003 Wakesetter LSV-Similar to MAstercraft X30. <BR>2004-2005 Wakesetter LSV-This would be one of the best choices if you can find one. There have been a few around the west coast for 35k. <BR> <BR>Supra <BR>2005-2007 Supra 21v-lots of storage, freeboard, great wake, easily upgradeable ballast. <BR> <BR>Moomba <BR>2006-2008 Mobius LSV-Great boat, not very much bling, will be able to get a newer one than other boats. <BR>2004-2008 XLV-Great boat, large, great wake. <BR> <BR>Centurion <BR>Avalanche-deep V, great rough water ride, more suited towards wakeboarding, surfing and cruising than skiing. <BR> <BR>Calabria <BR>Cal Air ProV-Low freeboard but huge inside and great ballast system <BR> <BR>Sanger <BR>V215-great all around boat. This would be what I would look for if I had your budget. I believe there is a sanger deaelr in Houston. <BR>V230-Good all around family boat <BR> <BR>MB <BR>B52 V3-good, big boat, hard to find for your price but I know of one in Idaho for 30k. <BR> <BR>Tige-22v or 24v-good all around boat, taps is nice to adjust wake. <BR> <BR>As you can see there are so many choices you are probably going to have to drive and look at a bunch to see what works for you family.

Jay: for our family some deciding factors I found out while boat shopping is I loved wide boats for interior room and with kids snap-out carpet so I can clean and shake out was a must. <BR> <BR>I've been on a Centurion Falcon which is super wide@ 102", 20ft to fit in the garage, snap-out carpet, and can be had new leftover for your pricerange. Does all sports well. Just as big as my 22ft boat on the inside. <BR> <BR>You gotta test drive and dealer is important. Brett has a great writeup. Some of the smaller companies may still have warranty to help out.

jay, you might want to check boattrader. there are quit a few boats within 200 miles of tenkiller. however i don't think you are going to find a x30 in the price range. dick lanes of grand lake has a 07 x15 (brand new) that i bet he would like to make a deal on. they are a great dealership to work with. <BR> <BR>that being said, i have had my old 05 supra ssv 22 and my now 07 mc x2 on tenkiller a few times and never had any problems with taking waves over the top.

This guy has a few of the boats that Brett mentioned in your price range. <BR> <BR>2007 Sanger V215: $29K <BR>2004 Sanger v230: $24K <BR>006 MB Sports B52: $30K <BR>2007 Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV: $40K <BR>2004 Correct Craft Super Air Nautique 210: $30K <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.olingermarine.com/pre_owned_list.asp" target="_blank">http://www.olingermarine.com/pre_owned_list.asp</a> <BR> <BR>He does not have an Avy, but I am sure you could find one in your price range. I love mine, but it is not a good ski boat (surf/wakeboard are amazing). A few guys on Centurion Crew have found new Falcon V for $30-$35K.

holy crap that MB is cheap!!!

<a href="http://www.gonnasonboats.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=0889187X11K5K2009J12I41 I24JPMQ5679R0&amp;veh=19895&amp;pov=1448755" target="_blank">http://www.gonnasonboats.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=0889187X11K5K2009J12I41 I24JPMQ5679R0&amp;veh=19895&amp;pov=1448755</a> <BR> <BR>$29999 with 580 hours, BRAND NEW INTERIOR...

Let me confirm the above comment on the CC 211. <BR> <BR>A couple of families of large-framed bodies ??? prolly not comfortable. You ought to put off your buy until after a winter boat show when you can at least sit in half or more of that list above. You'll have a better idea what you want in the way of size of passenger compartment.

Had a long day at the office. Thanks for all the input. I'll do some research on some of these other boats. Thanks again.

What's the story on the Wakesetter LSV? Looks like a nice boat, but not familiar with Malibu.

Malibu makes a really nice boat. I am surprised you haven't heard of Malibu. They are one of the "big 3". How many people do you think will be on the boat most of the time? If it is 6 or more you definitely want something 22' or bigger.

I usually have any from 8 to 10. Half of them kids and the chaparral is why to small. I would like to have more though. I've heard of Malibu, just don't know anything about them. I just want an all around nice looking boat with a lot of room.

That is a lot of people. I think you are going to want something 23' or bigger. Although a newer 22' vdrive will feel a lot bigger than your i/o. The 04-present malibu LSV has a ton of room in the cockpit and has nice and deep feeling. There are some great deals on the West Coast but you may have to be willing to make a decision without seeing the boat in person. <BR> <BR>To widdle down the list I made before I would consider these: <BR> <BR>2000-2004 Mastercraft X30 <BR>2000-2003 Malibu LSV <BR>2004-present Malibu LSV <BR>Any year Calabria ProV <BR>2005-present Supra 24SSv or Sunsport 24V(Same boat just one is fully decked for wakeboarding) <BR>2003-present Tige 24v <BR>2004-present Moomba XLV <BR>2004-Present Centurion Enzo SV230 <BR>Not sure waht year it came out but the MB B52 V3 <BR>Any year Sanger V230

Whats the third? Mastercraft, Malibu and ?

^^^nautique?

Here are some examples that may be somewhat close to you. <BR> <BR><a href="http://austin.craigslist.org/boa/1433299602.html" target="_blank">http://austin.craigslist.org/boa/1433299602.html</a> <BR> <BR><a href="http://austin.craigslist.org/boa/1434034160.html" target="_blank">http://austin.craigslist.org/boa/1434034160.html</a> <BR> <BR>This one is more than you want to spend but is a really nice boat <BR><a href="http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/boa/1443328611.html" target="_blank">http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/boa/1443328611.html</a> <BR> <BR><a href="http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/boa/1441375928.html" target="_blank">http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/boa/1441375928.html</a> <BR> <BR>Very nice boat for the price <BR><a href="http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/boa/1425735693.html" target="_blank">http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/boa/1425735693.html</a> <BR> <BR>I didn't mention this one in previous post but would fit your needs <BR><a href="http://houston.craigslist.org/boa/1442916127.html" target="_blank">http://houston.craigslist.org/boa/1442916127.html</a> <BR> <BR><a href="http://houston.craigslist.org/boa/1443361951.html" target="_blank">http://houston.craigslist.org/boa/1443361951.html</a> <BR> <BR>Best deal I have listed so far <BR><a href="http://houston.craigslist.org/boa/1443086357.html" target="_blank">http://houston.craigslist.org/boa/1443086357.html</a> <BR> <BR><a href="http://cosprings.craigslist.org/boa/1434760622.html" target="_blank">http://cosprings.craigslist.org/boa/1434760622.html</a>

Why wasn't Nautique on your widdled down list?

They don't make one that is in or close to your budget that is 23' or bigger. They do make a 226 but it might be the ugliest wake boat ever made and there aren't that many of them out there. Nautique makes the 230/236 but I think they first started that model in 2006 and are ll 45k+. <BR> <BR>There is one other that would be nice. The Epic. Tuneman from this site is selling his in the classifieds for under 40k but they are a little more core wakeboarding than family style.

yeah, someone sent me an email about epic. Man you are fast. I appreciate all you help.

Your original post you mentioned a dealer. i do have a friend that has a dealership and they mainly focus on Mastercraft and Moomba. They do all my service. They just don't have much of a used inventory right now. Hence, why i was focusing more on the mastercraft side.

See if he can let you check out a Moomba XLV. Check it out and see if you like it. You should be able to find a 2004-2007 XLV with most the good options for the same price as a 2002-2004 X30. If you do like the X30 and can have your friend show you one their is a really nice one that has been for sale in California for 30k. <BR> <BR><a href="http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/boa/1449888909.html" target="_blank">http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/boa/1449888909.html</a> <BR> <BR>Unless you can get a really good deal on either boat I would rather have the newer XLV than the older X30. Just my personal opinion of coarse.

thanks

Hey Brett, do most of these have callapsible towers so they will fit in a garage?

How tall is your garage door opening? Some get fairly low, some don't. Also the bigger boats generally have higher freeboard so that may affect it some.

jay, are you referring to "your" dealer as ski and sports in rogers arkansas. they have a really nice deal on a moomba xlv right now. <BR> <BR>as far as used does not look like they have much

Nope, Oklahoma City. <BR> <BR>Typical car garage door. I think a typical is around 7'

Jay, we had 12 full sized adults and 2 babies in our 23 LSV and I'm not kidding we probably could have sqeezed in 2-3 more. There was plenty of leg room and space to spread out. When I say full sized adults I mean that there were 7 of us that are 6'3" 220 or bigger and the rest where 5'8"-5'10" or so. It's amazing how many people we were able to handle. <BR> <BR>Everyone makes a good product, each boat has pros and cons. I did basically years of research throughout college and figured that this boat was best suited for us. Take your time and make sure you check out all the options. Fun choice to have..

Check Out Blakely Marine!!! <BR> <BR>Oklahoma's first and only full service mobile marine!! <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.BlakelyMarine.com" target="_blank">www.BlakelyMarine.com</a> <BR><a href="mailto:Info@BlakelyMarine.com">Info@BlakelyM arine.com</a> <BR> <BR>Blakely Marine is a boat service company specializing in on site inboard boat service and sales. This includes all competition ski boats, along with all other true inboard powerboats, including cabin cruisers, house boats etc. At Blakely Marine we understand you cant always find the time to bring your boat in for service, thats why we bring our professional services to you. We service mainly central Oklahoma, including, but not limited to, the three major lakes, Grande, Eufaula, and Tenkiller. <BR>At Blakely Marine our number one goal is to get you on (or in some cases, off) the water as soon as possible. We know how valuable your time is at the lake; we know because we’d rather be there too... <BR> <BR>Please feel free to call or e-mail for a free quote today!!!