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-   Archive through June 28, 2009 (http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=711910)
-   -   Help with choosing a Boat (http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/showthread.php?t=710939)

ale23arg 06-27-2009 11:57 AM

Hey everyone, <BR> <BR>First of all great site, I have been reading some of the posts around and are VERY helpful. <BR> <BR>I am about to purchase my first boat. I am a very novice rider and I do not have THAT much money to spend. I am buying this boat with my mother and a friend so it won't be 100% wakeboarding what they will do (I will :P). Anyway we have been running around different boats, and there are so many and so much info that is really hard to digest specially by having such little knowledge / experience on the industry. <BR> <BR>I have been pushing really hard to have something wake board friendly, but my biggest worry is to get something that will not do good on salt water or with mild tide. <BR> <BR>Our budged is around $15,000.00 <BR> <BR>First we were looking at a Sea Doo Utopia, after further research we have discarded it. <BR> <BR>Now we are looking at 2 boats: <BR>Malibu Skier ($7500) <BR>1994 <BR>20' <BR>2350 lbs <BR>Mercury Cruiser 5.7 TKS <BR>260 HP <BR>455 hours <BR> <BR>and a <BR> <BR>Gekko Bazooka ($12,500) <BR>2001 <BR>21' <BR>2600 lbs <BR>Mercury 350 <BR>360 HP <BR>450/50 hrs (new engine) <BR> <BR>Now, I have been reading reviews of these two boats, but if anyone has any comments / suggestions on these boats or recommends a different kind of boat it will be appreciated. <BR> <BR>We have been looking at Tahoe boats, but the sport models are fairly new and they might be slightly out of our budget. <BR> <BR>We live on an apartment complex that has a dock right outside, and already have a lift for the boat to lift it out of the water. (the boat will sit on the lift). <BR> <BR>Any input is appreciated.

pri3st 06-27-2009 12:13 PM

4 words - GET AN OPEN BOW. You'll be happy you did. <BR> <BR>Not sure if the Gekko is, don't know much about them.

shooter_08 06-27-2009 1:45 PM

My first wake boat was a Centurion Wave. I heard the mold was later sold to Gekko and I believe they named it the "Bazooka". It was a fun boat! <BR> <BR>Very large swim step and the long left side bench seat was innovative at the time. I liked it because it had a V-drive style interior on a direct drive boat. I heard it was the first boat with built-in ballast tanks, although they didn’t hold much weight. <BR> <BR>The wake was ok, but it was hard to even out (left to right) due to the seating arrangement. I learned a few inverts behind it, but eventually wanted a better wake. <BR> <BR>The Bazooka should have an open bow. Without more information, I would suggest saving the 5K and buy the Malibu. The Bu should hold its resale better when its time to upgrade. The Bu will probably throw a better wake if loaded with sacks (not sure though). I would also be worried about why the Gekko needed a new engine at only 450 hrs.

shooter_08 06-27-2009 1:51 PM

I think you are on the right track. If wake is important, stay away from the jet (Sea-doo) and I/O (Tahoe?) boats. You cant go wrong with a old Malibu, Mastercraft or Nautique. Maybe even look for an older Moomba or Centurion.

ale23arg 06-27-2009 1:54 PM

Thanks for your help, here are some pics. <BR> <BR>I was almost decided for the malibu, but it does not have an open bow, so I don't know now... :p <BR> <BR>I am still looking so any suggestion for other boats is appreciated. <BR> <BR>Malibu <BR><a href="http://i.ebayimg.com/15/!BUn(JZ!BWk~$(KGrHgoH-D!EjlLl0oH(BKOYB1Qmvg~~_1.JPG" target="_blank">http://i.ebayimg.com/15/!BUn(JZ!BWk~$(KGrHgoH-D!EjlLl0oH(BKOYB1Qmvg~~_1.JPG</a> <BR> <BR>Gekko <BR><a href="http://i.ebayimg.com/17/!BUnfj6QCGk~$(KGrHgoH-C0EjlLlu15ZBKOYwVPzUQ~~_3.JPG" target="_blank">http://i.ebayimg.com/17/!BUnfj6QCGk~$(KGrHgoH-C0EjlLlu15ZBKOYwVPzUQ~~_3.JPG</a>

innov8 06-27-2009 2:43 PM

<a href="http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=598187" target="_blank">http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=598187</a> <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=695310" target="_blank">http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=695310</a> <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=817058" target="_blank">http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=817058</a>

pri3st 06-27-2009 2:52 PM

Yikes....those are 2 hideous looking boats. Shop around. There are boats to be had in that price range. $7500-12500. <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=817058" target="_blank">http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=817058</a> don't like the trailer, no prop guard <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=598187" target="_blank">http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=598187</a> <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=695310" target="_blank">http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=695310</a> <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/8/706401.html?1245028842" target="_blank">http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/8/706401.html?1245028842</a> <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/8/705063.html?1245792678" target="_blank">http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/8/705063.html?1245792678</a> same as first one <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/8/703612.html?1245365440" target="_blank">http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/8/703612.html?1245365440</a> SICK boat <BR> <BR>Just to give you an idea of whats out there. I know it's hard to do especially now that it's summer but DON'T impulse buy. There are deals to be had, you just gotta find em.

pri3st 06-27-2009 2:53 PM

lol...Jeff beat me to it.

ale23arg 06-27-2009 3:15 PM

Thanks for the support guys... I am dropping the deal with the malibu..... so I am looking again.... <BR> <BR>I did go through EVERY BOAT on onlyinboards.com that is on my price range, and those 3 I actually have them marked :d. I guess I will have to continue shopping..... <BR> <BR>The 1998 AIR / Sport Nautique looks great, how will its performance be affected by using it in salt water?

sidekicknicholas 06-27-2009 3:42 PM

^ I've seen that boat in person, its in great shape.... Every bit of it looked perfect.... the salt had no visible signs of damage.


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