If you are looking for an inexpensive, durable, and reliable boat, consider the Four Winns Horizon 170 or 180.
They are built very well, in your price range, and are very adaptable to wakeboarding. The only drawback is maintaining speed. However, I believe you can even add Perfect Pass to the I/O version.
I had a Horizon 170 outboard. Here's the wake:
(Message edited by ofwc on August 17, 2003)