Im looking into getting a better boat for next season, and have been looking at older ski boats (mastercraft, supra, moomba etc) <BR> <BR>Is there any advice on boats or options in boats to stay away from? Any bad engines or recalls on different brands? <BR> <BR>I cant and dont want to buy a new WB boat right now, but our bowrider with outboard is just not cutting it anymore. <BR> <BR>any help appreciated.

What is your budget?

take a good look at sanger or nautique, built like tanks.

With the trade in of our current boat around $10,000 to 15,000. <BR> <BR>Its going to be older, around mid 90's or late 80's, bare bones and I will put a tower on after. I just want something with good torque (love the inboards after riding behind one recently) and something that will make a good wake when loaded.

Mc prostar 205 <BR>Correct Craft Sport Nautique <BR> <BR>You will get a little more room out of the MC, but the Nauty won't need as much weight to pump up the wake because it's a bit narrower. Either one is bomb proof and you will most likely get close to your money back if you decide to upgrade in a couple yrs. Especially puting a tower on it.

Good suggestions on both. The post-96 205 hull eventually became the original X-Star. It's still around as the X-1 and X-2 with only minor changes since then. A boat that recent is likely to be at the upper end of your price range, though. <BR> <BR>I feel like I got a very good deal on my 97 Prostar 205 for $15k. 500 hours with a Titan tower already on it.

I had an older Ski Sanger DXII and loved it! Threw a great wake. Definetly a well built boat. I see them all the time for around $10,000.00.

I got my 91 Supra Sunsport for $9,700 and I absolutely love it's very roomy and solid w/ tons of storage it does take a little bit of wake and some wakeplate adjusting to make a fat solid rampy wake but I love it

My buddy has a '90 Malibu Sunsetter with about 350 hours on it. He got it for $8000 and the wake is very good. Also the open bow is nice for more room.

Im selling my 1993 MC, pic in profile. <BR>Email if interested,<a href="mailto:ramhouse@sbcglobal.net">ramhouse@sbcg lobal.net</a>

anyone have to have an engine rebuild with higher hours on them? <BR> <BR>I dont mind buying from the US because we bought our Honda Aquatrax from the US and saved some money, but I am limited to my driving so around the buffalo area and michigan is the 2 places I would likely go to buy a boat. <BR> <BR>Whens the best time to buy? Late in the fall?

Matt check out this boat, the topic says 11000 but he said he will settle for 9k. Probably one of the best ski nautiques i have ever seen <BR> <BR><a href="http://the2001.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&amp;file=viewtopic&amp;t=8 35" target="_blank">http://the2001.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&amp;file=viewtopic&amp;t=8 35</a>

^^^WOW, that is a steal. put a tower on it and that would be amazing!

That is a nice 2001. Sounds like he knew what he was doing and took real good care of it, it will probably last a long time.

That 2001 is worth about $15k in my eyes. He put more detail into fixing the floor and stringers than CC did. The job he did would have cost about 10-15k if a shop did it...maybe more. The floor and stringers are all epoxy with many layers of glass. The boat is rock solid.

fwiw i sold my 1995 ps 190 with perfect pass and a tower and custom automatic ballast for 10,500. it was in great shape. deals are out there just be patient and be willing to travel.

mid 90's 205, you can use it a couple years and when ready to upgrade basically just sell it for what you paid for it.