Can anyone help me decide which boat?

I am looking for a 21 ft wakeboard boat but I am getting many conflicting stories. We also dive and I am told my WB boat can't go out into the ocean unless larger than 22.5ft. Also, I like Malibu but they are all the way in Merced, 7 hours from me. I don't like the flashiness of the natiques or the pricetag (at the risk of offending some people). Does anyone have thoughts on Centurion or others???

We have a 21 foot Malibu, and we think it could be taken out into the ocean (and the dealer said it would be fine), although we haven't tried it yet. We did get a bow cover so that water won't splash up into the bow. The Malibu has a deeper V hull than some other boats, so should be able to handle some rougher water (not that you'd want to board in that!).

Centurion - search the archives. Lots of (negative) feedback there!

Sanger offers the best rough water V-hull in the business. Haven't taken my v-drive out in the ocean, but I took my direct drive out of Marina Del Rey a few times and it handled the ocean no problem. Good luck.

I used to take my old ski nautique (19.5 feet) in the ocean - I never anchored it to dive, but it did pretty well in swells up to 2/3 feet if I kept moving. Why not get whatever wakeboard boat you like and then get a used boston whaler for diving? just a thought

Who is Sanger? Do they make boats that still throw a good wake?? To you guys that own Mailbus, are you close to the dealer and if not, have you found it to be a hassle? I'm just a girl so I am trying to think about taking in the boat for ALL maintenance and repairs....

Yes the wake is awesome, the craftamanship is awesome.

www.sangerboats.com

I think Riverside, or somewhere around there is the closest dealer to you for Malibu. Sangers are great boats. My friend had one a few years ago, and it was really ice in rough water. Size will all matter on how much you want to spend. I would say the 23 foot Malibu would be better for you then a 21, but it all depends on what you want to spend. Have you checked out local dealers in your area?

I'm with Neelley on this. Sanger is a great rough water boat.

Not dissing any others, but I've had great experiences in a Sanger.

I would love to go up to 23ft and I am sure that will help with my abilities in open ocean but then I am concerned with towability. I have a lot to research but I am thinking the weight would increase a lot...I want to spend 30k new or 20 to 25k used (maybe 2 yrs old). What is the average number of hours per year a WB boat should have?

I'm suprised you guys are recommending Sanger for the ocean. Just about every Sanger I have seen (with the exception of some of their new V-drives)sits very low in the water compared to other ski boats. If I was out in the ocean I would be more concerned with a roller coming over the side of my boat.

I love the sanger and agree with all they said but i would be afraid of anchoring any wakeboard boat in the ocean. I would look at a cobalt or something like that...

I have a 21"8' centurion hurricane I have taken it around the harbour and a little out to sea there is a lot of chop in sydney and the boat handles it well. It Really is a solid boat. Ofcourse you dont take it miles offshore, i use a searay sundancer 40 for that

$37-38K gets you a brand new V drive 21' V210 Sanger fully loaded (tower,ballast, bimini, racks, stereo, cleats etc) The interest rate on new as opposed to used will probabaly give you the same payment. If you are riding in the ocean you will also want fresh water flush. I would also recommend galvanized trailer w/flushable brakes unless your slinging it in.

Check the dead rise on the Sanger and Malibu. Sanger has it beat. It sits lower because the V displaces more water.

Whats up with the ocean? who cares if your wakeboat will handle ocean swells or not? Who wants to board in those conditions anyway? As far as the malibu rough water ability goes I would say it's definetly up to the level of any out there, I got caught two weeks ago out on mead when it started blowing and we ended up running back into 25-30 mph wind and 2 foot wind waves and no water taken over the bow other than the spray hitting us. Ugly.

I'm with Alan. Why in the hell do you want to take a wakebaord boat into the ocean? Who cares what kind it is and how deep the v is. It's not made for going in the ocean, it's made for wakeborading!

she cares dufus cause she wants it for diving as well

any boat can go out in the ocean it really comes down to how well it will handle the conditions once its out there. what ever boat you go for if its a wakeboard boat chances are that it is not going to be as good as a fishing or dive boat. you just need to make sure that you have the right saftey equipment and check the weather and swell forcasts.
next once you've narrowed your choices down to a couple test em out in rough water if you can to see how they handle.
in theory a deeper chine would be better though to help you cut through bigger swells head on.

Think outside the wake!

I'd look at a Shamrock or similar boat. I bet these would be a great dive/wakeboard combo.

These are direct-drive inboard center-consoles. They share the same drive train as all the wakeboard boats, but they have self-bailing all fiberglass hulls and are designed to go offshore. Used prices are pretty reasonable, probably because they live in salt.

Do a search on Shamrock 19' to 22':

www.boattraderonline.com

I see a lot of people wakeboarding on salt water around Clearwater Beach, and the center consoles appear to throw a pretty good stock wake.

(Message edited by ofwc on June 04, 2003)

Dufus? No one boat can do everything well...Fact.

sorry dude that was a bit of work frustration creeping in ....totally agree with no one boat can do everything well.
should really some more questions though
Lani
Do you have your heart set on a wakeboard boat
Do you know anyone with either a wakeboard boat of a dive/fishing boat.
would you consider options btween the two
I can completely understand having your heart set on a wakeboard boat though

Lani,
I have a centurion avalanche and I have not had one problem with it. There has been a lot of negative thoughts about the company but overall I am very happy with mine. My dealer said I could take the boat into the ocean but to make sure I flushed it out very well once I was done. Just my two cents. If I was you I would test drive as many boats as you can and then make your decision.

Hey ive got a thought....how about an I/O !!!! Ive got this layout http://www.montereyboats.com/products.asp?boat=46 in this size http://www.montereyboats.com/products.asp?boat=49 with a tower and all the fixens Its been out in the gulf with waves not 2' rollers....2' around here isnt a wave its a roller, try 4-5' rollers

Wow- Thanks you guys. Now I have to get learn what some of the technical things you mentioned mean...I definately have my heart set on a wakeboard boat...no question but wanted to use it to dive a fish if possible. I loved the idea to test drive as many boats as possible to see which I like.

Try looking at the X-10 or X-30. They have one of the deepest V's of all the wakeboard boats. I would also look at the new Tige 22v, I'm not sure how the bow sits in the water on these boats however the gunnel to floor is higher than any new boat I've seen. They are a little heavier than most boats so they may be able to take more of a beating in the rougher water. Compared to something like a Supra I would think the gunnel would be 8 or so inches higher.