Which Budget Boat?

I have been looking at buying a budget boat for quite some time noe so I know that the 2001's seem to be the best bang for the buck. I have recently found a 92 Malibu Euro F3 Sunsetter that is listed for 8K. I have heard that the wake is decent behind this boat. My question is do you think that I should try and find a 2001 for that money or does the Euro throw a comperable wake? Thanks

For boarding? I think you will find the 2001 wake better by quite a bit.
Some other boats I'd check out include the MC 205 & the Hydrodyne Grand Sport. The 205 is a great crossover boat & can be found for $11k - $14k for the early 90s boats. The Hydrodyne was a ski boat that kind of missed it's mark due to being heavy (and well constructed), sorta like the 2001. Prices should be way under $15k for one.
Stick a pylon or tower on either one, add a few buddies & you will be set.

I've seen the wake behind the 2001 and the Hydrodyne and was very impressed with both, especially the Hydrodyne. They may have been weighted differently I can't remember.

My dealer rebuilds older 80's early 90's boats. Puts in new floors, new interior, runs new electric and rebuilds the motor. If you consider Ohio as a nearby state, drop me an email and I can send his info. He does alot of Nautiques and currently has some deep V one he's just starting on. Usually about 5-9k and can put a tower on if you like.

Thanks for the heads up guys...

Joe what is the website for your dealer?

I'm sorry for the seemingly blatant plug but I would like to direct you to this:

http://www.wakeboardreport.com/archives/2006/06/budget_wake_boat_breakdown_gra.html

It is nearly 2 years old and in need of updating but I stand behind this chart, the prices mentioned, the upper limits, and have reasoned many times why these are the boats that one needs to consider. Yes the 2001 is a great boat - phenomenal actually. But as the guy that runs The2001.com I can tell you that there are potentially better options out there for you - and with people paying 11-13k for their 2001's (please stop doing that by the way) I can assure you that that kind of money is better applied toward a 205, Sport Nautique or several others seen in the chart (also consider Maristars, Nautique Excels which need to be on the chart). In the 10-15k region I say Sport Nautique or Prostar 205 - direct drives for both. In that 10-15k mark I start to sway on the 2001. I don't think people should be spending that kind of money on a 2001, even if people are selling them for this kind of money - and I have taken so much heat on this issue (and I don't care, because I am kind of consumer advocacy oriented).

For the people that have seen the chart 10,000 times - sorry. For the OP, I hope it is useful because I know it has been for others and people have used it to base their buying decision a lot more than I ever could have imagined.

Thanks,
Erik

(Message edited by juniorhawk on January 17, 2008)

Hey Erik I know that you have heard about alot of what people had done with there 2001's I love the way they are built like a brick and them being so narrow to get a good wake and it seems like i use 1/2 the gas as my friends boats. That said we lack the room with sacks and i don't really want to take out the back seats. My boat stays on the water most of the time so i don't really have to trailer it. Do you think that i could about 1200 lbs in lead in the boat without really sacrificing any space?

Thats a great chart. And I'd have to agree with the author on the Supras. They made big boats with high gunnels that can support a ton of weight safely.

I only had about 800 lbs of lead & water weight in my 205 & the rub rails were 8" or 10" off the waterline, closer with a few friends in the boat. We really had to be careful to keep from being swamped as other boats cruised by slowly. I'd be really concerned with 1200 lbs in a 2001, and nervous as hell with 2000 lbs.

Check out some of the older Supras, specifically the Sunsport. It's a bow rider, tons of room for sacks, lead, coolers & friends & was still being used for the Launch till a few years ago.

Bill K I agree with that author too - about what he said about the Supras and basically everything else on that fantastic Web site

Originally we had 2 1986 2001's. I sold one of them to offset the SAN. With the one we still have, we run a 600lb bag in the back, a 350lb side sack/fat buddy on either side of the engine and 150lbs of lead up front.

With 5 people in there in addition to that much weight, I get uncomfortable but the wake is just gargantuan. With that much weight and just 2 people - the wake is magnificent and the boat is safe.

The 2001 owners that have 600lbs sacks in the back and full size sacks on either side of the engine cover plus something crazy up under the bow - well I have always felt they were looking for trouble.

(Message edited by juniorhawk on January 17, 2008)

Thanks Erik!

nautiques

read eriks post on budget and entry boats!

oops already saw he posted it! haha

I have an Excel for sale and it has a sick wake. 12,500.

SON! Get some o' that lip!

My boat is going to be for sale as of right now for $7000 if you are interested. 1986 Ameerican Skier - See profile

The wake is the same as the SN 2001. I think its pretty much the same hull. Iv'e never had fat sacks in it unless you consider all of my buddies played who were O-linmen and played college ball.

1. New tailer tires
2. CD player, Pioneer marine 6.5s
3. PCM 350 with new Holley 600CFM
4. Fly High Pole, Red Bimini Top, Red canvas boat cover

I see that you live pretty far away, but maybe arrangemts can be made.

hydrodyne for sure if you can find one, we had one, closed bow dd, added like 1500 lbs and the wake was amazing, we just sold it, tower, ballast audio for 8k... they're out there
here was the wake from the hydrodyne

mid 90's prostar. i sold mine for 10,500. it had perfect pass, tower and automatic ballast. damn fine wake too

You guys need to toss some of those good deals to wakeworld lol.

there a couple prostars up right now.

89 sunsetter throw a good wake for the price, with 1k ballast and people its fine, and gets out of the hole as well. Have not ridden a 2001, so I dont know about that. Have had 1 great summer in the sunsetter, we only have an extended pylon. Great boat for the money...