Good Starter Boat?

My friend and I are, again, starting to look into purchasing a boat this year, heres one we came across.... GIMME THE FACTS!

http://stcloud.craigslist.org/boa/1572136882.html

Here's a nice one in your area. :-)

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/boa/1573068620.html

That supra has some cool stuff on it and is a good price but if wakeboarding is your main goal I wouldn't even think about it.

Personally I would rather have the Malibu if the stringers and floor are both solid. You could get by with an extended pylon and then put on a monster or similar tower. I don't know if the Sunsetter of that vintage are good wakeboarding boat but they surely have to be better than the Supra comp. It also has more room with the open bow.

That Malibu has pretty sick late 80's early 90's colors as well.

(Message edited by polarbill on February 18, 2010)

More options

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/boa/1570783227.html

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/boa/1580747265.html

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/boa/1593371955.html

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/boa/1572612013.htmlhttp://

What's going to make the Malibu wake better than the Supra? They're similar slalom hulls. All it takes is weight...

The Supra is mine. With 1,000lbs of bags on the floor, it throws a pretty decent wake. Plenty of room for more bags too. We've even surfed behind it. It was rare we even ran ballast though since we're foilers- we only ran ballast when a boarder was out with us that wanted more wake, or if we surfed.

The Malibu looks like a nice boat, but, it's purple, wood, carburated, and 9 years older. Plus, you'd still have to add a tower, speakers, Perfect Pass, etc, etc, etc.

I think I would be all over that ski challenger assuming it's in good shape. Definately nice to have the v drive to get more room out of the boat. Just my 2 centavos.

I like how every additional suggestion is nearly double the price of the boat given as an example......

IMO, that Malibu is SICK! but is better going to someone who will mainly look at it in a garage.. Get a Nauty 2001

A-dub ever heard the saying give someone an inch and they will take a mile. I can't comment on other cultures but that fits Americans perfectly. Over do everything. If you want a fine example to displayed on this forum, post anything about towing. The response you will get from nearly 50% will be twice the vehicle needed.

Kiley personally I love Wakeworld, but to many people are members on here for a question like yours. If I were you I would go to Malibu's forum and ask those guys about that year model of boat. Also, remember to post your price range because many my will have or know of boats that have been taken care of and in your budget that is up for sale. I don't know if this will be your first boat or not, but if it is your first boat it will set a big impression on your experience and wether you continue to want to boat. Needless to say you want your first boat to be a good one, any well maintained indboard is a great place to start. Also here is a good chart if you are looking for boats that make great wakeboats without having to eat ramen noodles the rest of the decade:

http://forums.wakeboarder.com/viewtopic.php?t=59748

Keep your eyes out for a MC Tristar 190...they're were a few on craigslist earlier this season in the twin cities. I love mine.

Kiley I just looked at a sister boat, year 1988. This one was blue, very blue, blue everywhere blue. That aside the stringers were rotten. As in Roooottttttennnnnn from the square end to the pointy end. My wife would arrange death by 9mm lead poisoning if I brought home yet another project boat that meant a full deck-off restore. I like those boats. Go in with an offer a little lower ( SN 2001's are around all over for 8-10K) so I wouldn't pay over 6.5-7K for this boat and check it out carefully. Summer is coming brother.
Good luck.

(Message edited by baitkiller on February 18, 2010)

What are you looking to spend?

MC XStar/205v ('99-2002), SN 2001 have sick wakes. what's your price limit? i'm considering selling mine, but from the looks of your original post, it might be out of your price range. i'm in Minneapolis, by the way.

(Message edited by ironj32 on February 18, 2010)

I had an 86 Sunsetter and the boat is a very capable wake machine for an older ski boat. The wake has a nice shape and gets bigger with weight and it is pretty roomy for the era. The wake shape is more rampy and mellow and has a decent transition. They are full of wood however, and when I sold mine, it was going to need floors and stringers. Have somebody who knows boats check that boat out.
I have been around 2001's and you can't beat that wake and the Nautique build quality, but you need to look at your crew size.

Im thinking of downsizing this spring and my tige is in that range.

Thanks for all the feedback guys, Considering that my friend and I are 20, were abviosuly not strapped for cash, so I would say my MAXIMUM price limit is probably around 12k, we are basically just keeping our eyes open at this time, because we really would like to purchase our own boat. I post on here because theres honest feedback and I appreciate it, good or bad. Thanks guys!

dhtige, what year/model tige? just curious.

mid-late 80's MC Prostar 190, CC 2001, or the Malibu you posted. An open bow for under $10K is darn good.. I'd go with checking/prioritizing the flooring/stringers, engine mechanics and condition over a better wake, audio options etc. You want to be on the water, not knowing you have a slightly better wake but the boat doesn't run half the time.

Just my opinion, but I'd stay away from old boats with wood in them. If they aren't rotten now, they likely will be down the road. You can probably find a good deal on a 1998-2002 Moomba. I didn't want to spend a fortune when I bought my boat 6 years ago and I loved the room in the Moomba vs the other stuff in the same price range. I have been extremely happy with my 2000 Mobius. Unless you are already an experienced rider, the Moombas make a great first boat. They will get you on the water without breaking the bank. Is my wake as big as Malibu v-drive? No, but I can make it pretty big with weight. With four or five adults in the boat, I can surf with out filling a sack.

1999 22i check my profile for a picture.

I bought a 89 sunsetter 2 years ago with new interior, stereo, rebuilt engine, and new floors for $7,500 I then proceeded to add PP, tower boardracks, and mirror. The boat is pretty roomy I've had 8 people in her and it was a bit cramped but can be done, 4 or 5 people and there is space to lounge. I haven't really had a chance to maximize the wake. I've heard from people that if you remove the rear seat and ad one of those fat sofas it gets real nice and a bit more vert. Obviously since it's a direct drive you would need to add more weight in the rear.


(Message edited by ldr on February 20, 2010)

Buy your second boat first!