Help with choosing a Boat

Hey everyone,

First of all great site, I have been reading some of the posts around and are VERY helpful.

I am about to purchase my first boat. I am a very novice rider and I do not have THAT much money to spend. I am buying this boat with my mother and a friend so it won't be 100% wakeboarding what they will do (I will :P). Anyway we have been running around different boats, and there are so many and so much info that is really hard to digest specially by having such little knowledge / experience on the industry.

I have been pushing really hard to have something wake board friendly, but my biggest worry is to get something that will not do good on salt water or with mild tide.

Our budged is around $15,000.00

First we were looking at a Sea Doo Utopia, after further research we have discarded it.

Now we are looking at 2 boats:
Malibu Skier ($7500)
1994
20'
2350 lbs
Mercury Cruiser 5.7 TKS
260 HP
455 hours

and a

Gekko Bazooka ($12,500)
2001
21'
2600 lbs
Mercury 350
360 HP
450/50 hrs (new engine)

Now, I have been reading reviews of these two boats, but if anyone has any comments / suggestions on these boats or recommends a different kind of boat it will be appreciated.

We have been looking at Tahoe boats, but the sport models are fairly new and they might be slightly out of our budget.

We live on an apartment complex that has a dock right outside, and already have a lift for the boat to lift it out of the water. (the boat will sit on the lift).

Any input is appreciated.

4 words - GET AN OPEN BOW. You'll be happy you did.

Not sure if the Gekko is, don't know much about them.

My first wake boat was a Centurion Wave. I heard the mold was later sold to Gekko and I believe they named it the "Bazooka". It was a fun boat!

Very large swim step and the long left side bench seat was innovative at the time. I liked it because it had a V-drive style interior on a direct drive boat. I heard it was the first boat with built-in ballast tanks, although they didn’t hold much weight.

The wake was ok, but it was hard to even out (left to right) due to the seating arrangement. I learned a few inverts behind it, but eventually wanted a better wake.

The Bazooka should have an open bow. Without more information, I would suggest saving the 5K and buy the Malibu. The Bu should hold its resale better when its time to upgrade. The Bu will probably throw a better wake if loaded with sacks (not sure though). I would also be worried about why the Gekko needed a new engine at only 450 hrs.

I think you are on the right track. If wake is important, stay away from the jet (Sea-doo) and I/O (Tahoe?) boats. You cant go wrong with a old Malibu, Mastercraft or Nautique. Maybe even look for an older Moomba or Centurion.

Thanks for your help, here are some pics.

I was almost decided for the malibu, but it does not have an open bow, so I don't know now...

I am still looking so any suggestion for other boats is appreciated.

Malibu
http://i.ebayimg.com/15/!BUn(JZ!BWk~$(KGrHgoH-D!EjlLl0oH(BKOYB1Qmvg~~_1.JPG

Gekko
http://i.ebayimg.com/17/!BUnfj6QCGk~$(KGrHgoH-C0EjlLlu15ZBKOYwVPzUQ~~_3.JPG

http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=598187

http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=695310

http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=817058

Yikes....those are 2 hideous looking boats. Shop around. There are boats to be had in that price range. $7500-12500.

http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=817058 don't like the trailer, no prop guard

http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=598187

http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=695310

http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/8/706401.html?1245028842

http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/8/705063.html?1245792678 same as first one

http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/8/703612.html?1245365440 SICK boat

Just to give you an idea of whats out there. I know it's hard to do especially now that it's summer but DON'T impulse buy. There are deals to be had, you just gotta find em.

lol...Jeff beat me to it.

Thanks for the support guys... I am dropping the deal with the malibu..... so I am looking again....

I did go through EVERY BOAT on onlyinboards.com that is on my price range, and those 3 I actually have them marked :d. I guess I will have to continue shopping.....

The 1998 AIR / Sport Nautique looks great, how will its performance be affected by using it in salt water?

^ I've seen that boat in person, its in great shape.... Every bit of it looked perfect.... the salt had no visible signs of damage.