Shopping a new boat. Need help maximizing 35K budget
 

Hey everyone. I could use some expertise with my used boat search. I've been somewhat content in my 98 Prostar for the last 4 years, but I'm itching to upgrade into as nice a v-drive as I can. I'm allowing myself to spend $35K on this.

I'm not really stuck on any certain brand. I'd like to find something as new as possible, low hours, with as many creature comforts as I can, perfect pass, auto ballast etc. Reliability is very important. Looks are important too, as I don't want something that looks particularly dated. As for usage, 70% wake boarding, 10% surfing, 20% run around. 21 ft is fine.

So, what do you guys think?

Thanks in advance for all the suggestions!

I forgot to mention, most time will be spent on the rivers in Pittsburgh and large lakes. A boat that can handle and sit above a decent bit of chop would be nice. Any ideas?

At that price your getting very close to a '03-'04 Xstar

Thanks Nick. Yeah, that's the dilemma, go for an older big 3 boat (MC, Bu, CC), or a newer Moomba, Centurion, MB, etc?? Whats the most bang for the buck? :confused:

bang for the buck ... sanger v215, 05+ malibu vlx.

Do yourself a favor get the biggest boat that you can find in your price range. I wish I had!

^^lmaof ya get the biggest boat ever , like a big ole maristar that you have to put 5 k of ballast and burn hella gas and turns like ****! Sanger my friend Sanger!

06'07 x2

Tige 22V
Tige 24V
Sanger V215(kind of low freeboard compared to boats today but will ride good in rough water)
Centurion Avalanche
Centurion Enzo 230(might be hard to find but you never know)
2000-2004 Malibu VLX
2005-2008 Vride
2005-2008 VLX(will be tough to find bu might find a 2005 for 35ish
2004-2007 LSV(might be able to find a 2004)
Mastercraft X30-Pretty decent all around boat but not great at anything. Big though.
SAN-small but great wakeboard wake which appears to be important to you.
Mastercraft 205V hull-same as SAN
2006-current Moomba Mobius LSV
2004-current Moomba XLV
2005-current Supra 21V


I probably forgot soem but those should be the boats I would consider. Honestly the Tige 22 or 24v might have the best combinaiton of size, wakeboard wake, surf wake and rough water ride of all those boats listed. For a newer boat the Moomba LSV and XLV would be appealing.

Great list, thanks guys. I have a possible buyer for my Prostar, so it looks like this might all go down sooner than later. If anybody sees or hears of any deals in the 30-35K range, please don't hesitate to hit me up. I don't mind a long roadtrip for the right boat! Thanks again!

That was my price range this year also. I ended up getting a 2006 Tige 24V in great condition and average hours. The biggest problem I ran into during my search was the different options that were included on some boats and not on others (ex: stock ballasts, stereo upgrades, etc).

These can add or take away a few thousand dollars. Good luck!

James

I'm talking to a guy with an 05 Malibu VLX. 200 hours, great shape and well maintained, pretty much loaded up with all the goodies. 4 Ballast system, upgraded Monsoon Engine, 9 speaker sound system, perfect pass, wedge, bimini. Any suggestions on what a fair offer is??

not sure where you are located but here are a couple from my neck of the woods
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bod/3033634678.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/boa/3003358348.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bod/3034380278.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/bod/3020785440.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/boa/3033812244.html

Really like that v215 for $30 that harold posted up.

For the VLX $35k or under would generally be considered a good deal assuming that the boat is in good shape.

Yeah if your going for a VLX get an 04+ with the redesigned hull. Even then you will have a tough time finding one for $35k, maybe during the winter months you'd find one for that price in good nick, but not now.

sanger v215

I was between a sanger v210, 06 v-ride, 05 launch 21v and a centurion typhoon. I went with the supra and couldnt be happier.

Good stuff guys, thanks. So that Malibu VLX I was talking about? SCAM!
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/20...ter-Vlx-332327

Now before someone says price is too good to be true and that I'm an idiot, in retrospect, yeah it probably is and I probably am. But it's priced right at NADA low retail.

So beware of this one. I might start a new thread so people are aware of this particular scam, which is a new one and quite complicated.

So, back to square one with my search. Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm located in Pittsburgh, so I'd like to do find something 500 miles give or take

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/boa/3005776278.html

What do you guys think of this Supreme? Price?

http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/boa/3022968267.html

Thoughts? Price?

Thanks in advance everybody

A 2004 21' with 400 plus hours would be better priced around $30,000.00. But there are very few good boats in your price range and the seller probaly knows that if he has done his research. With todays used boat market he has it priced right, but the question is are you willing to pay a couple thousand more becuse of the current supply and demand?