Recommendations if you were buying a wakeboard capable boat today?

[455olds]

Okay.... so I think I'm finally ready to ditch the old boat and buy a new one. Something that'll fit in my garage (under 24' tip to tip with trailer), but that has room to party on the water and still capably pull a boarder or a slalom.

While I've always loved the X-family of Mastercraft boats, I'm too cheap to actually go there... even used they exceed my $30k max. I'd perfer to go better quality used versus lower quality new, somewhere in the $20-30k range.

So, I'm really looking at something like the Monetery 220EX or 214FS... or something from Cobalt or Crownline. Not wakeboarding machines, but nice all-around boats. I want as close to the look and feel of a true boarding boat (i.e. the X family), but with a lower tag and more creature comforts for the wife. Any opinions?

The only real musts are good hole shot, respectable speed, the ability to mount a tower that looks like it's supposed to be there, and a porta-potti. The first two because I'll be stepping down from a 70mph+ ride, the tower for obvious reasons, and the latter, because the current boat doesn't have a rest room, and the little lady says this one has to... because we do plenty of haning out in the evenings or at events where "swimming" just isn't an option...

 

[kyle f]

Re: Recommendations if you were buying a wakeboard capable boat today?

Well, you can forget a potti in a wake boat at your price range and class sizing.

With that being out, and wanting an I/O... anything from Sea Ray, Regal, Maxum, Four Winns with a 350mag should work. However, you may be wanting to look at one with a 496Mag if you want speed and great Hole Shot. You will need a big block so you can still run a prop in the 23"P range for speed but still have grunt for that 23"P to get a hole shot.

I think you are asking for a bit of everything a boat can do, and at a really low budget number. You may think your request are simple... but they are really mutually exclusive.

You want speed, but also great hole shot. As I mentioned above this will require a large engine with a higher pitch prop.

You want a smaller boat, 24' is not that large when sitting on a trailer, but want one with a potti... thats not too common. You will be looking at 21 - 22' boats. They are out there, but usually the 24+' boats are the ones with them. Though, I have seen 21'ers with them!

Good luck in your search, I would start on boat trader and work with V* Bow riders in sub 22' class and see what you turn up.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Recommendations if you were buying a wakeboard capable boat today?

Under 24ft including trailer with an I/O is going to put you into a 19 -21 foot boat.

Might want to take a look at some deckboats. I know that the glastrons had a potty on it and would have enough power to pull wakeboarders and skiiers.

Here's a 21 ft with a potty and would be awfull close to 24 ft OAL
http://glastron.com/us/models/deckboats/deckboats-gls-gt/gls-215-deckboat/

Or a 21 ft with less draft
http://glastron.com/us/models/deckboats/deckboats-gls-gt/gt-215-deckboat/

Tower on either boat would have to be aftermarket.

 

[dbkerley]

Re: Recommendations if you were buying a wakeboard capable boat today?

This will sound ridiculous. But, check out the old Aristocraft 19s. Mine is a tank and the straight six (165) with the 21p prop has the torque to pull most anything. They also have a payload capacity that allows you to set a good wake along with the hardtop that gives enough room for a camp style porta pot.

Several pics right there on page one: http://s763.photobucket.com/albums/xx271/dbkerley/Projects/

 

[455olds]

Re: Recommendations if you were buying a wakeboard capable boat today?

kyle f....
I agree on all points, and understand the give and take. In reality, I understand that all "wishes" will not be feasible, but my goal is to get as close as I can. As for speed, I'm not seeking to stay in the 70mph class or anything, so I hope I didn't insinuate that, but I also know that anything can run 45-48... so I was hoping for at least an honest 50-52 min, which puts me a nudge above the average runabout... kind of splitting hairs, but I've got an ego to satisfy. And I want the power out of the hole to pull my @ss out of the water on a slalom without a struggle...

The below picture is similar to the Monterey 220EX I looked at locally, except that boat was blue. They're technically deck boats, and definitely have that look from above and onboard, but from the side, they lose the rounded nose appearance that (in my opinion) makes most deck boats look more like a pontoon than a runabout. Not stuck on this model or manufacturer, but it kind of helps clarify what I'm looking at...

 

[tgell001]

Re: Recommendations if you were buying a wakeboard capable boat today?

"because the current boat doesn't have a rest room, and the little lady says this one has to... because we do plenty of haning out in the evenings or at events where "swimming" just isn't an option..."

I'm confused when is pissing in the water not an option? We have some classy folks on this thread.....

 

[kyle f]

Re: Recommendations if you were buying a wakeboard capable boat today?

Sea Ray makes a full line of boats like that Monteray. The 220 Sundeck feels like a deck boat, but doesn't look like it. I am not sure on the potti situation with them, but they can be found with the 350Mag in it.

I still think to get an honest 50+mph and still have a strong holeshot you are going to need a 350Mag Engine... or maybe you Idea of a strong hole shot and mine are a bit off.

No, not everything can run 48mph. I had a Sea Ray 195 Sport with a 220hp 4.3 (Fuel Injected) with a 19P on an Alpha 1 out drive. Easily got 50mph out of that boat alone, but weight got to it very quickly and it was hard to keep on plane at wakeboard speeds with any kind of weight in the boat.

That is what you will end up fighting. Planning speed may be 16-18mph, but that doesnt account for weight distribution and a rider pulling in the back of the boat (I didn't have a tower).

Overall, I went with a V-Drive now... hole shot you wouldn't believe... 2-speed Tranny... but my top speed is only 43mph. I can get there empty or with 10 Adults on board. Though, I got enough stereo, graphics, and lights to more than make up for a few mph on top end