Buying a used boat on a budget

boardman74 08-04-2004, 9:50 AM

I'm looking to purchase a new to me boat in the next few months. I'm on a budget as I have a few kids and am building a new house. I am an intermediate rider and have not ridden in 2 years due to an injury. I am hoping to find a boat in the $10,000 range. I have found the following boats in my area and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with them. 1993 Ski Supreme TS closed bow for $10,500. 1991 Ski Nautique closed bow for $12,000. 1987 Supra Comp closed bow for $8995. 1989 MC Tristar open bow for $11000. 1989 Supra Conbrio open bow for $10995. I am looking for something to use for approximentally 3 years till money will be right to handle the payment that goes with new. (2 kids out of daycare age and wife back at work). If anyone has comments on wakes and how the prices sound or other input please let me know. Thanks

leggester 08-04-2004, 9:55 AM

'91 nauti - great ski boat. Don't know about the wake for boarding though.

Same with the Supra - great ski boat.

(tjhooker) · (tjhooker) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 08-04-2004, 10:07 AM

Look for an older Supra Sunsport. It is the same hull design as the Supra Launch. You should be able to find one in your price range from the early nineties.

(kstateskier) · (kstateskier) **Join Date: May 2002** 08-04-2004, 11:58 AM

I don't think the Nautique will weight too well. I don't really have any experience with the others, though I think the Tristars are really ugly.

(Message edited by kstateskier on August 04, 2004)

boardman74 08-04-2004, 11:21 PM

Thanks for the advice so far. These are the only boats I found on boattrader within 350 miles of my house for now. I hate to drive much futher than that. Nick I agree about the tristars, I only thought to post it because of the open bow. The rear seems realy low too. Swamping hazard with the wife driving and weight. Mike how far back are the sunsports the same. I found a few, but some listed 19 feet for length. If I'm correct isn't the launch 21? I know those are great wake hulls.

(big_ed_x2) · (big_ed_x2) **Join Date: Jul 2004** 08-18-2004, 3:45 PM

Ihave a ski centurion 84 completely restored other than the gel coat.closed bow also.with weight great wb boat.tower,bimini with about 40hrs on rebuilt 351 windser.

(big_ed_x2) · (big_ed_x2) **Join Date: Jul 2004** 08-18-2004, 3:46 PM

ohh the price$8000.00

(puckinshat) · (puckinshat) **Join Date: Sep 2003** 08-18-2004, 5:17 PM

When I was looking at boats last spring, I found a lot of late 80s malibu sunsetters. My budget was the same. Anyone ride behind one? I ended up getting a killer deal on a 94 mc ps 205 (mostly because its purple and had 1000 hours on it) I would stick with an older boat with less hours then a newer one with more tho. Hind sight is alway 20/20

(jasonj) · (jasonj) **Join Date: Aug 2004** 08-18-2004, 9:29 PM

Todd,
I was looking for a boat not too long ago in the same price range roughly and did some searches on here. I found a post which is probably the BEST POST EVER MADE on any wakeboard site regarding older boats fit for wakeboarding. A guy named Erik Englerth (Callaway) posted this thing and based on his recommendation I bought the '97 Malibu Sunsetter VLX which has the same hull as the new Wakesetters. This is the sweetest boat I could have gotten for this price, I think. I paid $24k out the door with new Skylon Tower, V-drive w/ 350 Indmar rebuilt engine. I pasted the link below, definitely check this thing out. Callaway if you see this, you are the MAN!!!

http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/3183/77457.html#POST260085

Jason

(yooper) · (yooper) **Join Date: Jun 2002** 08-19-2004, 6:09 AM

Todd,
I'll sell you mine and I'll deliver it. My Brother-in-law lives in Blaine.
'87 Tristar, auto ballast, tower, open bow, 100% new upholstery. 10,500. Let me know if you want more details. I've been upgrading everything on it since I got it at the beginning of last summer. There is nothing left to do, so its time to sell on start upgrading my next boat!

(acurtis_ttu) · (acurtis_ttu) **Join Date: May 2004** 08-19-2004, 6:21 AM

If you have kids & family get an open bow. you'll feel very cramped w/ everyone + gear.

(supra) · (supra) **Join Date: Aug 2002** 08-19-2004, 5:32 PM

we have a 88 SUpra Bravara 165 total hours , tandem,cd cover, blue and tan, clean. 9999.00. 1996 Mb 200 169 hours, heat,shower,cd tandem 15,999,1994 Supra Comp cover,cd,heat,shower,15,999,2003 Supra Gravity Games, 39,000 LOADED
CAll ME or visit our website. It's a nice drive to Seattle!!! www.gonnasonboats.com

(Message edited by supra on August 19, 2004)

(srh00z) · (srh00z) **Join Date: Jun 2003** 08-20-2004, 5:30 AM

I bought a 1986 Malibu Sunsetter for 4900 with trailer (new tires). It is in good shape mechanically, but I will have to have some work done on the interior and a new floor this off season, I should still be well under 10,000 even with tower and floor work (I know somebody who does it).

(rem_pss308) · (rem_pss308) **Join Date: Mar 2004** 08-20-2004, 1:20 PM

Here is one tha is in MN. I dont know if it is close to you . But it sounds good. I would drive one before buying. To my understanding the 2001 ( which is not the year 2001) older Nautiques throw a huge wake when weighted. You cant go wrong with them. I have a 1993 Mastercraft prostar 205. I would have bought a nautique, but I wanted an open bow. and could not get into the price range for a correct craft open bow at the time.

http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/6/2/74975162.htm

Duluth, MN
(218) 729-8599

(puckinshat) · (puckinshat) **Join Date: Sep 2003** 08-20-2004, 3:31 PM

I wish I had 10K, that boat would be sold

wakebrdgod1 08-23-2004, 10:44 PM

I don't like the tristar wake, it gets washy. I would look for an older prostar if it were me. Also, any SN 2001 weights awesome and has a great wake, just screwed on the bow room.

thrall 08-24-2004, 10:50 AM

IMO, look for a late 80's or early 90's MC or Nautique. Others are good boats as well, but the parts and info availability of these two when it comes time for repairs is readily available. Also, these appear to hold there value the best, if you find a good deal to start with, because they are the benchmarks for inboard boats.

(acurtis_ttu) · (acurtis_ttu) **Join Date: May 2004** 08-24-2004, 12:24 PM

check this out

http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/8/177869.html?1093352615