boat advice please

1986 Stingray 198 SVB Super Sport I was looking at this boat yesterday and was wondering if anyone had any experience with it or could tell me if it could throw a descent wake.

Its only got a 190 HP 4 cylinder in it, not really sure how much power one needs. I can get it reasonable priced.

Could be a descent first boat. But it'll be pretty underpowered, especially if your planning on weighting it down at all.
I'd assume a "descent price" is only a couple grand. If thats what you can afford, then I'd rather be on the water in it than not at all. But do your homework on it & don't buy someone else's problems.

There is no such thing as a stock 190 HP 4 cylinder...it's either a 130-135 HP 4 banger, or if it's really 190 HP, it's a V6. The V6 will make you much happier when you start adding weight to the boat.

Ya 2500 is the asking price, I can afford more but I'm new to the sport and really dont want to drop 10k plus on a boat and then hate the sport and be stuck with a boat that i might be able to sale or might not.
Thanks for the reply

I would look at early 90's inboards direct drives for a first boat. They can be bought for fairly cheap, under 10K & you'd be MUCH happier with it than an underpowered I/O. Even if you don't like the sport, still a fun boat to cruise around on.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/boa/824431095.html

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/820065138.html

I agree with Kevin above. Get an older inboard. Use it for a couple of years and sell it for about what you have into it.

Most likely you will love the sport,I've probably taught 20 to 25 people and none of themdidn't like it.I'd say 90% or more loved it.Plus there's also tubing, waterskiing,and wakesurfing(with an inboard or a v-drive boat only,NO O/I OR OUTBOARD BOATS for wakesurfing) if you don't like wakeboarding.also like Kevin said ,nothing like hanging out on the water on a hot summer day!

In the 1980's Mercruiser made 4 cylinder sterndrives using there own 3 liter block. Now they're 130-135 hp but mine is a Merc 470 which has 170 hp. I think they had a 190 hp for a short time. On mine the boat was better with a vensura 4 blade than with a High-5 prop. You would need to put a hyfrofoil on the leg. Assuming it's a 19 foot boat by the name it will still be slow out of the water when you add weight. If it's a Mercruiser 4 cylinder engine you'll need a 17" pitch prop if you plan to weight it.
I'd guess it's pretty cheap but you have to get the prop and foil. What ever gets you out is good.
Don't worry about a tower on it.

The 190 HP 3.7 was a 1985 model only...but I suppose it is possible that the builder used a "old" motor in a 86 hull.

Either way, I would not recommend a 470 drive for a first time buyer..they are problematic and can be difficult to find parts for.

My family had a 1987 Reinell with the volvo v6... It was great on Gas...I had fun with it, but wakeboarding behind it isn't like wakeboarding behind an inboard with a tower. But like mentioned before, if it's in your price range go for it.. Gota start somewhere... Check the boat in and out for damage.. That boats got over 20 years on it.

Ok i think I'll pass and keep looking, the problem i have is that I dont know what im looking for.

To me a boats a boats and I don't know anyone around here that I can trust. Would a old mastercraft star and stripe work as a wakeboard boat, its a ski boat and from what I have read ski boats dont throw much of a wake.

I see the main opinion is that a jet boat like a seadoo X20 or Yamaha are not very good, even thou they say there for wakeboarding. Cause they look real good

That's a good point meathead, It's almost impossible to find even a rebuilt starter for them.

A ski boat will be better than a I/O. You'll want to get an all fiberglass boat. 91,92+ Malibu, not sure about other manufacturers. The older boats have wood floors & wood stringers (what the motor mounts to) If they were not taken care of the wood can rot. I've got a 93 Sunsetter, sure it's not a "wake" boat, but with a little weight & a few people it's a decent wake. I'm no pro (FAR from it) but the wake is plenty for me & the family & friends to have fun. If you decide you want to upgrade to a wake boat later on, you won't have a problem selling an inboard. I bought mine 2 summers ago & I'm sure I could sell it right now for what I paid for it.

(Message edited by pri3st on September 03, 2008)

Check out the '87 Supra thread....these guys make me wish I went a little older and done some handy work myself

Dorian, are you close to the NW at all. I think there is someone here selling a 1990 or so Supra sunsport with trailer for 6500. I would look for a supra Sunsport or 1882-1989 Nautique 2001 if I were you.

Im in Kentucky, on the east side close to West Virginia, I have found a lot of good deals on the west coast. Isn't that the way it goes. I have been staying on Craigs list and ebay, but nothing yet.
Ebay is a lost cause, people have just gone nuts on there I think.