What's the best wakeboard boat for someone on a very tight budget?

Question

I'm interested in buying a boat to be used for wakeboarding, pulling tubes, and just generally having fun in, although I'm on a pretty strict budget. Both in terms of price of the boat, as well as the cost I'll need to pay in fuel. I'd be looking for an older boat, perhaps like a 1990. I'd hopefully want to spend 8K or less (much less if possible)

Is there any type of boat that you can commonly find used for a good price, that performs well while still being somewhat gas efficient?

And with that boat, about how many gallons would the average person probably go through in say a 5 hour day of part riding, part relaxing?

Thanks.

Answer 1

consider this my friend, an older boat usually means a whole lot of repairs, and repairs cost money.  not only that, but wakeboarding is a relatively new sport, and a boat that old probably won't have what you're looking for in a wakeboard boat.  Tower?  Ballast system?  Sound system? Perfect pass?  all things to consider when looking for your tow boat.  think about this, 8K for a boat, about 1500 for a decent tower or more if you have to buy wakeboard racks too, plus the necessary repairs (has the engine been rebuilt? electrical? good batteries? bilge pumps? do all the instruments on the dash work? new propeller? rudder? steering cable? is the upholstry falling apart? and what about a trailer?  if the boat doesn't come with one, there's potentially another 1500 or more), 1500 or more for a sound system, and good luck with a ballast system.  better off finding a newer used wakeboard boat for around 25k that's actually designed for throwing up a decent rideable wake.

Answer 2

My family bought a four winns boat about 3 years ago that is a 1998 for only $7,800. It is an outboard but we have had no problems with it. We broke the prop on a rock while docking and replaced with a much higher quality one for only $200.

It performs great for skiing, kneeboarding, and tubing, and we have not yet bought a wakeboard. It has a 130 hp evinrude motor and can go about 50 miles an hour.

The most gas we have gone through is about 10 gallons in 5 hours. Typically in a full day at the lake we will only go through about four gallons. Make sure you buy "clear" gas without any ethanol in it, as it can ruin your carburetor and will cause fiberglass tanks to begin rotting.