Advice for inboard boat

[cisasteelersfan]

Hi, my boat was recently totaled (hit and run) and I am looking for a new used boat. I'd like an inboard motor, open bow, under $10,000. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Advice for inboard boat

Welcome to iboats -- that budget should be very doable for a used boat of that type (assuming by "inboard" you mean Inboard/Outboard...)

Because it's used, though, every one will need to be judged on their individual merits and shortcomings. There will "better" boats that have not been taken care of or there may be cheaper boats that have been maintained to a T. This levels the playing field in the used market with respect to premium and not so premium brands - and makes it more difficult to make generalizations about them.

This is a great place for advice but we'll need to start somewhere. And that somewhere probably starts with you posting some specifc used boats you've found with as much info as possible. People here will then offer suggestions of specific things to check or give advice learned from experience on parts availability, etc. on specific rigs.

Good luck and post those pics!

 

[cisasteelersfan]

Re: Advice for inboard boat

Thanks. I actually ment true a true inboard. I was looking at a Malibu Echelon and that looked pretty nice. What does everyone else think?

 

[salty87]

Re: Advice for inboard boat

still need more info. personally, i think echelon's sit a little low and are better as a ski boat.

how do you plan to use a boat? what size/how many people? what kind of waters?....

 

[cisasteelersfan]

Re: Advice for inboard boat

We already have a pontoon boat for cruises, but I slalom ski and 2 other people in my family do too. We would still like to use the boat for tubing also. We're a family of 5 and I'd like to be able to fit 6 or 8 people on board. We will be boating on just a normal lake. Thanks

 

[smclear]

Re: Advice for inboard boat

You can NOT go wrong with a Malibu in my opinion. Powerboat magazine has awarded them "ski boat of the year" every year for the last 10-12 years. They are amazing boats and will suit your needs very well.

 

[electricjohn]

Re: Advice for inboard boat

If you can afford the extra coin, look into an EFI engine, be it TBI or MPI. When Malibu used Mercruiser engines there were a few TBI engines used. They also used Merc and Indmar MPI engines. The EFI engines are less troublesome and easier to troubleshoot. There are some great deals out there now. Chech out 'themalibucrew.com' go to the "for sale" threads.

 

[QC]

Re: Advice for inboard boat

Agree ^^^^^

Since you have kids (future wakeboarders) and you want some room in the boat you might consider a V-drive. Obviously not as good for the Slalom skiers, but worth discussing.

With that said, you can find some AMAZING deals on direct drive tournament boats. $10K should get you a very nice ride!!!

 

[cisasteelersfan]

Re: Advice for inboard boat

Thanks for the input! QC, if you have any websites you can recommend, i'm all ears. The boat doesn't have to be a Malibu, i was looking at some Nautiques too. Does anyone know any particularly good models, such as Euro f3 or Echelon? What are some good Nautiques?

Thanks so much!

 

[salty87]

Re: Advice for inboard boat

onlyinboards.com has some good listings. wakeworld.com also has a classifieds section for boats.

if you're not too hooked on brand or model, i'd fish around for someone who's taken advantage of recent deals to buy a new boat. shop around for the best previous owner you can find in your price range and you'll find a great boat.

i'm partial to supra's but i've also used this site to rebuild my stringers and deck. that said, stay away from pre-92 supras, and pre-90 nautiques...they have wood stringers.

i don't know when malibu went to composite stringers. i think their owners site is malibufan.com. i'm sure you can find it searching the net if that doesn't work.

if i was looking, i'd look for a 94 or so supra sunsport. 21' boat good for skiing and you can get a great wake out of it for wakeboarding too. it sits higher than the pure ski boats do so it can handle slightly larger chop too.