Wakeboarding / ski boat?

Question

I about to buy my first boat to do some weekend watersports and I have a couple of questions....

#1 What is the minimum horsepower you would recommend for 20' boat?

#2 Would you recommend a used $25K boat, or a new $25k boat?

#3 How many "hours" do people typically use there boat in a boating season?

#4 What boat maker do you think is best and why? I was originally looking at used Nautiques and Malabu's, but then a dealer had me look at new Tahoe's and I like them too...

please help me

Confused.

Answer 1

Ther can be several personal things in here.

1- I`d go for 125 hp at least for a 20' boat depending on the weight of the boat also, A sportboat can be lighter that an 20' cuddy. An Inboard can be more fuel efficient and better for watersports like the Ski boats, An outboard with the same Hp likes more fuell.

2- Depends on what boat, I like the older more classic boats but this is personal.

A new boat can be less trouble, an older boat can be more complete and more boat for the buck,

3- I run my boat some 20-40 hours a season depending on a lot of things. As I do not live near the lake, I use it less.  

4- I prefer Glastron boats but also this is personal.

In anny way get yourselve some good information on the numerous boats listed for sale and keep in mind that you can only spend it once (or not). $25K can be a lot of money to some, so spend it wise.

just my 0.2 cts.

Frank

Answer 2

I am *not* a Tahoe-basher, they are perfectly fine "starter boats".  But there is a very real difference between Tahoe and, say Nautique or even Rinker or Sea Ray or Ranger or Skeeter (sorry, don't think those last two make wakeboard boats).  Like, whether the hardware is though-bolted or just screwed into the gelcoat.  Or whether fastneners are coated to prevent water instrusion (and delamination and rot) into wood decking/flooring.  Or whether they're spraying chopped glass into a mold or actually laying up fiberglass.  Or whether the hardware is as robust as it needs to be.  Also, tracker and nitro (tahoe is the skiboat line for tracker) are notorious for being underpowered, unless you upgrade the powerplant.

I wouldn't want less than 200 horses on a 20' fiberglass boat.

I'd rather have a boat with 60 hours a year for 10 years, than a boat with 6 hours a year for 10 years.  Sitting around idle takes its toll.

Answer 3

OK, you have laid out some good criteria, let me see if I can help with the info provided.

Pre #1 - I am getting the idea you are looking inboard, so I will address my comments that way.

# 1 - HP, kinda irrelevant, but I would like to see a V-8 under the doghouse. You ski and wakeboard, you want the power and the hole shot.

#2 - New boats are very expensive, depreciate quickly and with this being your first boat out of the barn I would recommend used. This has personal preference written all over it, so take with a grain of salt. You are going to get a lot more boat for the money going used. Quality used.

#3 - Typical is a subjective word. Buying used I would like to see less than 50 hours per year (ideal), or 75 hours per year. Realizing that as you approach 1500 hrs. rebuild is on the near horizon. Now, that doesn't mean walk away, but take into account the cost of rebuilding a V-8.

#4 - Inboard boats I would like you to look at first: Nautique, MasterCraft, and Malibu, you have two of those three already. Next, look at the other inboards, from what you have told us Tahoe doesn't address your needs. There are some good ones out there. Begin by looking quality builds, engine hours, maintenance records, and solid floorboards.

There is so much in buying a boat, do you have somebody you trust that is not a broker/dealer? Please take them with you, and pick their brain.

Good luck and have a great summer.

Answer 4

Much of this advice is good, especially from jtexas.

I'll just mention the two boat manufacturers to widely avoid at all costs:

Bayliner

Maxium

These two churn out mass produced chopped glass c**p.