Low Cost Boat

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B*A*S*S*

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Aug 18, 2009
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So there my be no actual such thing as a low cost wakeboard or ski boat:D, but i was just wondering if anyone had a opinion. I have no idea about actual ski or wakeboard boats other than none a that cheap:eek:. I have looked at used but would prefer a new or newer boat. Options not such a big deal other than a tower and would like it to be a v drive or direct drive. I am a skier and wakeboard a little when i can. Skiing in do behind our pontoon right now. Wakeboarding i do with friends that have powerful boats. Like i said i would prefer it be a direct drive or v drive not a I/O or outboard. Just want to know a good entry level that i could ski and board behind. Thanx for your imput
 
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B*A*S*S*

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Aug 18, 2009
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Re: Low Cost Boat

Thanks for your reply. I had never heard of those boats. I will check them out. I know i said didn't want a used but i was reading a post in the skiing forum heree and a guy picked up a mastercraft stars and stripes for around $2000. That sounds like a tempting deal. I am looking more into a used boat now also.
 
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system-f

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Dec 3, 2008
Messages
667
Re: Low Cost Boat

I know in my area any direct drive boat worth a darn, yes even the old stars and stripes, are going to run 4k or more. MOST v-drives are newer and well above 15k used. I would love to have a direct drive boat, but realized how much a good one is going to cost and bought the poor man's ski boat until I have the bank to buy a nicer ski boat.
 
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sebber83

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 27, 2009
Messages
156
Re: Low Cost Boat

he's expecting a 2000$ boat... personnaly i'd kick the 2000$ as a down payment in a 15 000 loan to the bank, but that's me!
 
lowkee

lowkee

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Dec 13, 2008
Messages
1,890
Re: Low Cost Boat

I think the moral here is there really is no such thing as a low cost boat. For $2,000 you either need to buy junk and completely redo it or add $3,000 or more to your current budget. Boating is a luxury and the prices reflect that. You can compare most boats to buying a used Mercedes.. If it's affordable, you don't want it.
 
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B*A*S*S*

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Re: Low Cost Boat

haha i agree. That was well put. Price range i am not expecting a 2K boat, but if there was a deal that came along....who wouldn't take that. Price range idk id probly go up to the 10K to 12K range as a max
 
skibrain

skibrain

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Jun 17, 2004
Messages
766
Re: Low Cost Boat

I'm a fan of outboards. More performance for their size, and less weight for a better slalom wake.

My first boat was a 15' open bow with an 85 hp outboard. $2,800. it was a 14 yr old boat and motor when I bought it. I wanted something that had a small wake for slalom, was fast enough to barefoot behind, tow with a minivan and fit in my garage....and I could turn around and sell it for what I had into it, or walk away and absorb the loss.

Sold it three years later for $3,000. Mission accomplished

Bought a 16 1/2/ boat with a 120 outboard for $5,500. Better ski boat, about 7 years newer, and had it for 9 years before selling for $3,000. Quick sale to a neighbor/friend with invitation to use it any time I want. Sweet deal again.

I slalom ski 3 times a week with a group of friends that all have newer direct drive ski boats 2000-2005s. They are great if you are skiing fast at shorter line lengths. Awesome at 28 or 32 off at 34 mph. At long line and under 30 mph my 16 1/2' Glastron had a nicer slalom wake. Really it did.

Since you sound like you aren't really sure what you want, I'd start out with something modest and plan to upgrade in a couple years once you decide how and where you most like to use it. (boat load of people v. minimal crew, wake board v. ski, big water v. small quiet lakes, etc). Life-changes (job, family, income, proximity to lakes) also come into play at some point.
 
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smitty1258

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 5, 2008
Messages
155
Re: Low Cost Boat

B*A*S*S* said:
haha i agree. That was well put. Price range i am not expecting a 2K boat, but if there was a deal that came along....who wouldn't take that. Price range idk id probly go up to the 10K to 12K range as a max
Click to expand...



well that 10-12k range is easy to find boats.

boattrader.com is your friend if you know what type of boat you want.
 
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