Boat Suggestions?

[jetter2]

Howdy!

22 year old texan reporting in, this looks like the go-to-place for boating information so I'll take a stab at it

Little background; I'm a 22 year old guy, I'm an Engineer by day and a college student by night. During the summers and weekends I try to enjoy these long Texas summers as much as I can of course being this age, the boating bug has resurfaced in my life and its something I want to pursue!

I grew up on our lakes, first boat I teethed on was our 5.2M NACRA cat, LOVED it. All the stuff happening is what got me into aviation as well, but when we got our ski boat I found it much more fun, and alot less work than the sailboat.

This past year I finally got my car that I have been hunting for over the past 24 months, and now I want to move onto my first ski boat. I have a F150 that I can tug the boat around with, and I feel like 18-22' would serve my needs well. A few people have suggested Motorcraft as a good used boat so here is my requirement list.

-It seats 6-8 people
-Has an open bow (the girl loves sitting up front)
-I can put a wake-rack on it, or comes with one (speakers and gear)
-$10k price range?

I'm very in my element on the water from both an operational and saftey standpoint. Like I said I grew up doing this and I'm looking for a boat that I don't have to pour a lot of work or extra money into up front (trying to avoid fixxer-uppers).

What should I look for, what should I avoid? How about maintnance records or engine time? I'm just a sponge trying to soak up as much info as I can before I'm boat-buying-mode this winter

Let me know what yall think!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Boat Suggestions?

If I were in your situation I'd get a used one of these

Maybe find one that is 3-5 years old or newer that is up for auction of just priced for quick sale. Here in Michigan there are plenty of similar boats at very good prices right now...in 6 months the prices will be even lower so it is a great time to buy.

Welcome to the forums and good luck finding a gem of a ski boat. By the way sounds like you are on the right track as far as making sure your special lady likes the boat as well...smart man.

 

[jetter2]

Re: Boat Suggestions?

If I were in your situation I'd get a used one of these

Maybe find one that is 3-5 years old or newer that is up for auction of just priced for quick sale. Here in Michigan there are plenty of similar boats at very good prices right now...in 6 months the prices will be even lower so it is a great time to buy.

Welcome to the forums and good luck finding a gem of a ski boat. By the way sounds like you are on the right track as far as making sure your special lady likes the boat as well...smart man.

VERY sexy =]

But about 5x my budget I'm willing to do on a first-boat =]

I figure I budget around $10k for my first boat, and if I am in love with everything about boating down here as I used to be, then I'll sell it in a few years and upgrade.

As far as the lady goes, shes a Southern girl and knows what she wants, I take pride in her in my car, I want to make sure I have the same feeling on whatever boat I put her on

 

[jakebrake]

Re: Boat Suggestions?

jetter; she didn't say cuddy? holy crap! (the head was required by my wife and daughter)

as far as which one, you will get a hundred different opinions. (usually, the opinion will be subject to what brand the opinion giver owns...which is why i'm saying sea ray)

i'd say, start looking at them in person, you'll see which one grabs your eye.

from there, make sure she's sound, and have a blast!

 

[jetter2]

Re: Boat Suggestions?

jetter; she didn't say cuddy? holy crap! (the head was required by my wife and daughter)

as far as which one, you will get a hundred different opinions. (usually, the opinion will be subject to what brand the opinion giver owns...which is why i'm saying sea ray)

i'd say, start looking at them in person, you'll see which one grabs your eye.

from there, make sure she's sound, and have a blast!

Naw, she knows better than to ask me for a bathroom on a boat, shes a southern chick

I see them out there, I just want to know common issues I should be aware of, things to look for, how many hours is too many, places to get a pre-buy inspection done etc.

Thanks!