We are due for a new boat . Just got some basic tricks.360 & 1 invert. Can't afford to get hurt progressing to more technical tricks but love this sport. Can I get by on say a Glastron(with tower) with added weight,new for 20G or should I just drop 35g on a wakeboard boat? Can you get enough wake off an outboard Glastron. Anyone riding behind a boat setup like this?

Invest more and get an inboard. It will help in the longrun both for your riding and your pocketbook. Resale value will be SO much better for an inboard.

Sure you could get by, but why not take the 20g and buy a nice, used V drive?

I had an '02 glastron gx 185 set up for wakeboarding for my first year (tower, 1000lbs ballast and 5-6 guys put out a sizeable wake) it was a good starter. I'm now at the same trick level as you but felt restricted for inverts so stepped up to a v-drive this winter. I only have a 5 min set behind the new rig in ice cold water but one toeside backroll ensured the added hang time is very nice and we won't be having to huck as we did with the i/o. <BR> <BR>Having 360's and an invert already you will quickly feel restricted by an i/o. Decide what you want to spend on a boat and shop for a used inboard.

As an I/O to V-Drive owner, I concur with Ian. Invest that $ in a nice used v-drive or save for one. I think you'd regret the I/O in the long run.

Go for a used v-drive in the 20k range. Something like this. There are a lot of good v-drives in the 20k range. <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/8/772277.html?1265770835" target="_blank">http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/8/772277.html?1265770835</a>

I'm by no means an expert at wakeboarding. I'm still at beginner level. However I agree with everyone about getting a used inboard over an I/O any day. I went from an 18ft. Chaparral with tower to a Malibu sunsetter. It was night and day. I progressed so much over the summer it was crazy. Until I tore my acl in august but that is another story. Go for the inboard, you want regret it.

i had the same issues. never had or even rode in a inboard, been around in/out boards. was unsure to get a in/out board or a inboard. purchased a inboard and LOVIN IT!!

We bought a new I/O 2 years ago and now we traded it and we are having our new Inboard built...once you get more into it, you will def. want the inboard...We made the mistake (granted we werent boarding when we bought the I/O) and I tried to hold out as long as possible, but in the end the inboard just succeeds over the I/O for the purposes used.

Spend the money on an inboard. If you shop around you can get a good one for 35K. I didn't pay much more than that for mine brand new last year.

Not only is the wake better on a v-drive, but there's tons of room people and gear. That was a big seller for me and this is the first boat I have ever owned.

I found a 2007 Moomba LSV with 88 hours for 28k a couple of weeks ago so just keep looking and be patient, something will pop up. I searched Craigs List and Oodle religously for the past 6 months until I found this deal.

If you have 20 grand to spend, as others have said, you can get a nice Vdrive for around that price. The added storage, quietness, effeciancy of a EFI V drive dominates a I/O. I made the switch last year and never looked back. I will say that we loved our I/O and it served its purpose for us at the time. We just grew out of it.

He said it was an OUTBOARD. <BR> <BR>DON'T BUY IT!

At least get a direct drive inboard if a Vdrive isn't your bag. There are some ddrives that throw great wakes

if you love wakeboarding and its your passion, then buy a wake specific boat. you wont be happy with a I/O

Do not factor in resale value. It is a depreciating asset. <BR> <BR>If he buys a crappy Glastron for 20k and sells it for 5k (in 10 years?), he lost 15k. If he buys a 35k Wakeboard boat (like he said in his post) and sells it 10 years from now for 15k, he lost 20k. He lost 5k more on the wakeboat. Get an inboard V-drive but don't buy it for resale.

thats a smoking good deal on the SAN. Low hours great shape dang

Thanks . Im going for. V drive. Maybe Mobious.

Where do you live? There are some great deals out there now.

Regardless of what your wake or skills are like.... just comparing how a nice inboard and an I/O or outboard DRIVE is night &amp; day. The crisp steering &amp; improved throttle response is worth it. <BR> <BR>Test drive some boats. Just entertain the thought &amp; see what a $20k v-drive drives like. Bring your board/foil &amp; a buddy &amp; ride behind it. You buddy won't be able to pry the grin off your face.

This was just posted and seems like a pretty good option. <BR> <BR><a href="http://onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=818984" target="_blank">http://onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=818984</a>

I ride behind an I/O currently and I think the wake is enough for me, I get good pop now, obviously not the same as an inboard with 1500lbs in it but still good. I would agree with Bill on the handling aspect though, inboards do seem to handle better especially tight turns after watching them on the water.

20K will buy you a great boat. That being said, I would spend a little more (25-30) and get a slightly newer model. I am now about $23-24K into my $17 boat I bought last summer (after re-propping, adding perfect pass, adding a sampson razor tower). I love my boat (98 Tige 2200V in great shape) but kinda wish I had spent 30K and gotten what I really wanted. How does the saying go? "Buy your second boat first"

I'm like Duffy buy a good V-drive for about the same money let some one else take the hit on a new boat. You would still be able to get your money out of it later. We bought a new boat last year, but would have been just as happy with a good used Super Air 210, for about half the money>>> just my thoughts.