Older Sunsetter owners, i got a ?

(chad_chinners) · (chad_chinners) **Join Date: Mar 2006** 01-03-2007, 8:21 PM

Looking at getting a late 80's to early 90's boat as my first inboard. I like the sunsetters b/c of the open bow and am wondering how the wake is on these boats compared to others. So anyone ridden behind em?

(atropine) · (atropine) **Join Date: Aug 2004** 01-03-2007, 9:00 PM

Hey Chad-
I had a 1991 Sunsetter. It was a great boat and threw a nice wake. Here is a link to a reply I made a while back to a similar question...

http://forums.wakeboarder.com/viewtopic.php?t=55733&highlight=

Also, here is a link to some pics of my boat (I sold it last May) for comparison.

http://forums.wakeboarder.com/viewtopic.php?t=57076&highlight=

Here is a similar link as well...

http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/226021.html?1115006940

(dizzyg) · (dizzyg) **Join Date: May 2005** 01-04-2007, 7:13 AM

I had a direct drive '95 sunsetter until a copule of years ago. The wake was good without the wedge and just using sacks. It wasn't great but it worked. The only problem was we didn't have any floor space left, sacks everywhere to get a good wake out of that boat. 2 x 500-600lbs next to the engine compartment. 1 350-400 in the walkway of the bow. That left room by the drivers' feet and room for the spotters feet. But, that was all.

(jnewton7) · (jnewton7) **Join Date: Jun 2005** 01-04-2007, 7:17 AM

I currently have a 98 sunsetter VLX for sale in the classifieds....there are some pics on there. You can check out our web site for pics and vids with the wake. www.blackwaterrydas.com

(mechmaster) · (mechmaster) **Join Date: May 2006** 01-04-2007, 8:16 AM

I had an 88 Sunsetter before my VLX.

Nice boat, and fairly large inside compared to other inboards of that era. The "Quad 4" hull creates a decent wake, better than most from back then.

Note that you won't be able to get/use a wedge on that boat. I used to run a 500 lb sack on both sides of the motor and 6 passengers.

Here's some shots:
http://www.wakesiderides.com/rides/files/f_boat_desc--524_647.jpg

http://www.wakesiderides.com/rides/files/f_boat_desc--524_33.jpg

http://www.wakesiderides.com/rides/files/f_boat_desc--524_338.jpg

(super_air) · (super_air) **Join Date: Jun 2005** 01-04-2007, 8:31 AM

Chad- I had a 89 Sunsetter as my first boat and ran it for about 750 hours before I upgraded. First let me just say that you are going to love this boat the more you use it. You will be able to load it to the hilt with sacs and people. I ran a sack in the bow and one on each side of the motor with about 8 people in it and it would throw a nice shaped rideable wake.

I think the only drawback you will notice is being sluggish out of the hole without the 4 blade prop,so if you have a 3 on there I would change it. Okay maybe one other drawback, it does not ride well in rough water, it is actually pretty rough.

(chad_chinners) · (chad_chinners) **Join Date: Mar 2006** 01-04-2007, 9:48 AM

Everyone thanks for the help. Yall have/had some really nice, clean looking bu's, and i'm glad to hear it can carry some weight. I've been riding behind an I/O so its def. gonna be a step up.

(srh00z) · (srh00z) **Join Date: Jun 2003** 01-04-2007, 12:27 PM

I have an 86 and I have really enjoyed it. For my current skill level the wake is great and gets better with weight. I redid my interior and put in hard ballast tanks so I run around 1000 lbs and 6-8 people. Some of the 90's Sunsetters have the same hull as the early Wakesetter VLX's. I don't know when Malibu switched to fiberglass floors, but mine is wood and needs repairing, so you may want to look for one with fiberglass floors. Mine is probably going to be for sale this spring and it is in Alabama, I don't know when you are wanting to buy. Good luck in your search.