$20,000 Question

cmplx 03-11-2006, 3:22 AM

Was rooting around the couch the other day and found a spare $20k in the cushions. Wanted to know what people would buy with $20k max to spend on a wakeboard boat. Any info you can provide as far as what to look for in a used boat would be most helpful. Much appreciated.

walt 03-11-2006, 6:15 AM

20k might get you a nice Sanger.

http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/8/305219.html?1141855449

I've been looking for a V-drive boat in the 20-27k range and it's been really tough to find something clean.

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 03-11-2006, 7:27 AM

not to push my own boat, but I'm betting my S22 is one of the cleanest V-drives under 27k in the country.
http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/8/281564.html?1139875932
I may have it sold, but nothing concrete yet....

(kybool) · (kybool) **Join Date: Aug 2004** 03-11-2006, 7:43 AM

If you could spare just a few more grand you can get a 95-97 SS/210. Best wakeboat available in the low 20s IMO. Sanger is definitely another good option.

(davey_boy) · (davey_boy) **Join Date: Dec 2005** 03-11-2006, 9:13 PM

I'd buy a 98-2001 inboard that was known for putting out a decent wakebaord wake. You could go for a vdrive, but then you'll probably have to get a 10-12 year old boat rather than a 5-7 year old boat. So, I'd get the inboard and just put a fat sack in the rear locker to make up for the lack of engine weight. As long as it's a good wakeboarding hull, you'll still get a great wake.

Some examples of inboards with good hulls for wakeboarding wakes include a Supra Launch, Malibu Wakesetter, and Tige 22i (my boat). There are others too, of course. Those are just ones I've ridden behind and would recommend. You should be able to buy a 98-2000 model year of one of the above boats for about 20k.

I'm in Austin, a bit far from St Louis, but I think my 2000 Tige 22i that I have listed in the classifieds for $19500 is a great boat for 20k. pm me if your interested in my boat or even if you just want to know more about Tige's in general.

(yosquire) · (yosquire) **Join Date: Jun 2005** 03-12-2006, 1:03 AM

Do you have a love seat or a recliner you want to sell?

(atropine) · (atropine) **Join Date: Aug 2004** 03-12-2006, 5:40 AM

I would check into this one; it looks to be in decent shape...

http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/5/8/82718458.htm

(byrd) · (byrd) **Join Date: Dec 2005** 03-12-2006, 5:29 PM

you could put that $20K down and fianace $7K-10K and get a newer v-drive. You can get 10 year financing on $10K for less than $200 per month. Or you could get a 5 yr old inboard. I could not find anything that gave me that "special" feeling in the $20K-25K range, so I opted for the financing the difference, and I will have it paid off in less than a year.

(krbaugh) · (krbaugh) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 03-12-2006, 8:21 PM

Finding a V drive for 20K might be tough!
Clarks has a couple of Centurions in the High 20's and LOw 30's
http://www.clarkboatmotor.com/detail.asp?product_id=FNEBused

http://www.clarkboatmotor.com/detail.asp?product_id=FNEC0926J304

walt 03-12-2006, 8:29 PM

The market is flooded with used Centurions here in Nor*Cal. There's lots of them and there going cheap !

On the other hand I can't find any Sanger V-210's.

(krbaugh) · (krbaugh) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 03-12-2006, 9:09 PM

Well I imagine that is true since Centurions are 1 or 2 in sales in CA and Sanger only makes 500 boats a year....it might be a litttle harder to fine one

walt 03-13-2006, 4:34 AM

I'd buy that Kevin except I'm really not seeing many MC, Malibu's or Nauti's either.

(krbaugh) · (krbaugh) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 03-13-2006, 7:24 AM

I will have to take your word for that but doing a quick search for all of those brands on boattrader there is no shortage of boats for sale.
Good luck in your quest

(bear) · (bear) **Join Date: Apr 2005** 03-13-2006, 7:47 PM

http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/8/278203.html?1140843026

Sick wake and in perfect shape.

walt 03-13-2006, 7:51 PM

Does the blonde come with it ?

(davey_boy) · (davey_boy) **Join Date: Dec 2005** 03-13-2006, 8:31 PM

Hey Craig Strait, that furniture salesman comment was completely unnecessary. Steve is looking for opinions on a 20k boat to buy, and I gave my honest opinion of what I would do. I also told him I have a boat for sale that (along with other boats) would meet the criteria he is looking for. I don't see what is wrong with that. Is it bad etiquette to even mention you are selling something outside of the forsale forum even when it is relevant to a poster's question? That seems a little extreme to me.

Steve, good luck in your boat search. I stand by my comment that you would be better off with a 5 year old inboard vs. a 10 year old v drive, but take a look at both and see what you like. Either way, I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever boat you decide on.

(shortman) · (shortman) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 03-13-2006, 8:59 PM

Steve, I just went thru your dilema. I ended up adding 5K to get a nice boat. I looked for about 4 months and couldn't find anything clean, decent hours, and in my area for 20K. It really depends on your preference and what compromises you are willing to accept(ie. high hours, worn interior...). Anything can be fixed/replaced, but who wants to have to after spending 20K? By the way I ended up with a Tige 21v. My 2.5 cents.

(jetskiprosx) · (jetskiprosx) **Join Date: Aug 2004** 03-13-2006, 10:34 PM

Steve, we were in your situation 2 years ago. My dad didn't want to spend more then 17k on a boat, but we found that we couldn't get anything close to what we wanted for that price. We ended up spending roughly 5k more then we wanted and we got a really great dd malibu SSLXi. Would we rather have gotten a V-drive? Yes! But for the price we couldn't find one and we love our DD...you just have to get over the fact that you have to step over the fat sacks

(billthom) · (billthom) **Join Date: Apr 2005** 03-13-2006, 11:08 PM

Hey David, relax a bit :-)

I think there was a joke in there somewhere. Steve said he found 20k in a couch...Craig wanted to know if he had any other money dispensing furniture he was looking to sell...

made me laugh anyway.

(ttuclint) · (ttuclint) **Join Date: Sep 2003** 03-14-2006, 12:54 AM

paid 15,900 for my 96 VLX. Deals can be found but you must be patient.

(kybool) · (kybool) **Join Date: Aug 2004** 03-14-2006, 9:51 AM

I completely disagree with the 5 year old dd vs. 10 year old v-drive statement. I'll take the older v-drive that is in the same condition with the same amount of hours, five years older and priced similarly and then not have to worry about stepping over sacs that are lying all over the inside of the boat.

00smizz 03-14-2006, 10:02 AM

forget the boat for now continue sitting on the couch in a while maybe you can find more money and get a sick boat. Besides with a couch like that Im sure you can find a new friend with a nice boat to ride on for now.

discolafinger 03-14-2006, 10:13 AM

downpayment on a SUPRA

(tracktor) · (tracktor) **Join Date: Sep 2005** 03-14-2006, 10:17 AM

I bought my '98 VLX, clean & fully loaded with 250hrs for 23k in Oct. It took alot of looking before I found the right boat. I found that people selling Sangers seemed to be a bit flaky?(Other than a guy on here, but I couldn't get the funds in time for it). There was a '95 SuperSport for sale for the same amount for around the same price, also loaded............

cmplx 03-14-2006, 6:42 PM

Thanks for the help, everyone...I have a couple people who may go in with me. After looking for a while, I think we will have to spend a little more to get something good. I'm looking into financing and figuring out what I can afford with the different terms.

(davey_boy) · (davey_boy) **Join Date: Dec 2005** 03-15-2006, 5:25 AM

Doh! I missed that joke on the couch...now I feel stupid. Sincere apologies Craig!

As someone who as shared a boat for the last 4 years I can say that going in with someone can be a good way to go, but just make sure it's someone you know well and you have a clear understanding up front how exactly you plan to share the boat (both use and responsiblities). It works best of course if you buy it with the people you plan to go out with most of the time, anyway. Good luck.

(c640947) · (c640947) **Join Date: Jan 2005** 03-15-2006, 5:49 AM

http://andrewdavis.tigerboatdocks.com

'95 prostar 190 with tower and perfect pass

Cheaper than 20k so you'll have money left over, cleaner than most boats that are only 2-3 years old and better shaped wake than most boats period. Ask anyone who has ridden behind one.

(yosquire) · (yosquire) **Join Date: Jun 2005** 03-16-2006, 1:38 PM

Yeah, David...relax..

I've run sub $3k boats for 8 years.. So I completely understand wanting to get into a nice ride for the 20k realm.. I respect people who can do something for $20k, while the rest of us spend $40-$60k to do (basically) the same thing.

As far as the boat partnership deal.. I recently bought a new Wakesetter with the intention of splitting it 50/50.. Things didn't work out as we planned and I had to recently terminate the arrangement (6 months into it). Unfortunately it probably has put an end to our friendship and left me sporting the bill on the Wakesetter--which I was doing anyway. Though it was titled and insured in my name..so I had the legal advantage to do as I pleased. I had delayed putting together a written agreement to see if my partner would pull together and meet some mutual expectations. You can imagine the results. (no big message here, just a word of caution - Perhaps prepare an escape route/agreement if things fail.)

river_todd 03-16-2006, 8:18 PM

Take your time I bought a 2001 Centurion Air Warrior V-Drive loaded with all the options swoop tower center ballast, perfect pass,etc. etc. etc. only 180 hours 3 months ago for 20500.00 the guy started out at 28000.00 but had some problems (you know had to get out of it) and CASH talks. Above all keep looking and be patient I just missed on a 2002 sanger v210 two weeks before the Centurion that sold for 22000.00 By the way I love my new boat! good luck

(yosquire) · (yosquire) **Join Date: Jun 2005** 03-17-2006, 6:13 AM

The 98 Air Warrior goes back to (at least) 1998. I test drove a 98.

Also..Believe it or not, Bayliner made an open-bow V-Drive in 96, 97 and 98. They branded it as the "Ski Challenger" The Hull on this boat is outstanding. The Wake, when loaded right (~1700 lbs) is compareable to a new Malibu. Something about this boat creates a MASSIVE wake. You may have to add a tower to this boat as it was not an option. They're pretty hard to find, but if you find one, consider it strongly. It NADA's in the 16-19k range.

My buddy has one and I love it.. Plus he has about 1200hrs on it and hasn't had many problems.

(krbaugh) · (krbaugh) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 03-17-2006, 7:24 AM

The big problem with all the older V drives is, not many where built and sold so it is much harder to find one