Worst time to buy summer is here!
 

So yea worst time to be looking at finding any kind of deal on a ski boat. But wanting to see what you all think/ get other people's opinions.

Budget 10-15k (could go 1k more if its x times better)
Primary use: I would like to say wakeboarding, with a little slalom but not much ( been years since i have done either)
Location: Within 300-400 miles of Chattanooga, Tn. if at all possible.
Any other info needed?

So i am just trying to see what i should expect around this time of year. I know its usually better to wait till end of season but i kinda got the bug. Then again sometimes deals do pop up because people are hurting for money.

Thanks For any input!


Goob

There are some mid 1990s sport nautiques in driving distance of you for 10-15. They don't feel overpriced. There is a 97 in GA for 12...

Sorry what i meant by worst time, is merely the fact that winter months you have a better chance of snagging a good deal..thats all i meant by that. Thanks!

I was think the same thing as delta just without a specific brand. Late 90's direct drive is what that kind of money is going to buy. We bought a nearly mint 1997 Pro Am skier direct drive a couple seasons back for $9500 and it served us well for 2 seasons till we moved up to a Vdrive over the winter.

I grew up skiing behind DD, but when i was skiing wakeboards where not around at the time..heck we use to stand up on kneeboards thinking wish we had some way to strap our feet in haha. Anyways thanks for the info! i wasnt sure if i would be able to get into a V drive for around 15, looks like im about 4 shy of getting into that market atm. Thanks for the feedback!

The general consensus is there are deals out there if you really look. A DECENT big 3 V-drive is going to be hard to come by for 15 without being a big project... If you want an all sport boat for 15, its going to have to be a direct drive.

I'm still not really sure what you are talking about. I've been tracking prices... they haven't really gone up, boats are just selling faster now that it is summer. There are still deals. There may be more negotiation in the fall/winter.

The last time you skied wakeboards weren't around? Were you 10?

Well when i went from skiing 3-4 times a week to working on school i was probably around 13 or 14. My bad tho i guess they were around, but no one around here had anything like that. My age could be off on that too. I am a bad judge of dates/time. hah. Thanks again for the input! looks like i will have to keep my eyes peeled and cash on hand lol.

I got a 2001 Tige 20i that would fit your budget for sale... a little less than 500 hours.... been rock solid reliable the last four years I have owned and the owner before me.... has a good wakeboard wake for a DD.... also has a pretty decent surf wave... and its just as good as a slalom boat even tho we don't do that much

only reason I am selling is to upgrade to a bigger boat

email me at petrey10@hotmail.com if you are interested

At that budget range, you might as well not even try looking for a V-drive.

Yes, you can (on rare occassion) find an early V-drive boat for 15k that isn't a total wreck, but they are very few and far between, probably won't be near you, are grabbed up quickly, and something you can't count on finding.

what about this?

http://nashville.craigslist.org/boa/3829147920.html

Correct Craft Sport and Air Nautique
Mastercraft 205 Direct Drive
Malibu Sunsetter/Wakesetter/Response Direct Drive

Whatever you buy, make sure it already has the necessary options (perfect pass and tower, mainly) or that you have leftover cash to add them on.

You might find some MC maristar 210's with a v-drive for 15k...

good price, low freeboard, probably not the best wakeboard wake - although I've seen pics of them slammed out and they look alright

youd be shocked what these run for!

Decent but not great deal. Looks alil ragged
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...-VRS-101914747

This guy needs to sell asap too. I know its a hike but could prob work something out with shipping and still get a great deal. Boat looks clean and thats a good hull'

http://www.mastercraft.com/teamtalk/...ad.php?t=53120

just had a 2000 Wakesetter Vdrive slip through my fingers... 16k. brand new vinyl and the engine had a new top end on it 50 hours ago. 950 total hours.

How about this 1996 Super Sport V-drive?
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...port-102050385

Spencer, I realize its not in TN, but if you're open to trip I just checked our local website www.ksl.com and put in your price range. Within the first three pages there were 3-4 DD's that would be very nice to own. Besides that, Utah is beautiful this time of year! :)

Prices can be a little higher and a good deal may be tougher to find in the summer. But the positive is there is WAY more inventory. Up here in the winter its tough to find used boats outside a dealer, where right now there are tons of used on craigslist and other places. With the north central US having a late winter and averaging 12 degrees below average since March, there are plenty of used boat sellers here in MN that are getting itchy to move on. When the weather finally warms up that will change.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...port-102050385


or this DD http://louisiana.findanyboat.com/boa...-nautique.html

http://louisiana.findanyboat.com/boa...-nautique.html

Thats what im talking about...Its a little further then I wanted to drive, but if i could find someone locally to check it out before renting a truck. With that price i could add a tower and ballast and still be ahead of some of the closer boats i have looked at.

Buy, save more $,sell then buy again!

I already checked it out but have not sold my boat yet. It was hard to walk away. PM me for more info.

ballast+tower+speakers+amp= time & money. I would think that would put you in the range of some nicer boats. Also not sure how I feel about someone putting up one picture, not taking the time to even wipe down the boat, nor even putting up the bimini for some better shots/angles. Little things tell alot

wow no love for the Tige 20i? Why would you want an older boat when you could get a 2001 Tige 20i with everything you want except perfect pass which I would gladly lower the price to account for

also im located in Central IL... would be willing to drive some of the way

I would personally not consider this boat. My family has a 21i, more freeboard, it is not a wake machine or meant for being out in anything but smooth water. Sorry, you are desperately soliciting this post trying to sell your boat... what are you asking? If it's anything over 13.5, I'd say you're nuts:)

Older boats such as mid 90s sports have better power plants like the GT40 engine, more power, better vinyl and are more salable...

Agree with delta, wouldn't look at a tige until at least 07 model years or preferably 09 with PCMs

I have a 95 hydrodyne grandsport with perfect pass that i am looking to upgrade from. Its a pretty great boat ... GT40 engine. You wont find a more well bit boat in this time frame for the price.

What are you asking?

Wow, someone will swoop on that deal fast!

13k

i think the deals are out there for vdrives.. i'm starting to see more and more in the mid Teens. i just found one at lake of the brozarks 2000 vlx for 16k. brand new vinyl. wedge.

.

Since i'm not in a crunch to sell i'm looking for 13k

Not a bad deal if its in good condition. Good starter boat. That said, my comments above remain

Wow..market must be different where you are at. I passed on one of those for $9000 last year with less than 200 hours. Cool boat, not many around.

guy has an 94 with no tower or PP in illinois asking 12400. boat throws a wake as good as any of the other hull everyone talks about. i'd put it up against the sport nautique or 205 wake any day.

that said yes its a great starter boat. its served me well for a year

it is indeed... would again go down some because of no PP

For 13k 20i over hydrodyne all day...

Shoot me an email jeffjgoldblum@gmail.com lets talk. PM's arnt working for some reason

Buddy of mine has a tige 21i, and for being a DD, that thing kicks out a great surf wave. The TAPS is pretty great on those boats.

If you try to sink it, it is surfable... need to be careful about sucking water in the fuel tank vent though...:eek:

btw jeff email was sent to you...