piper_chuck
Petty Officer 3rd Class
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2007
- Messages
- 83
I'm stuck in the research phase and could use some input.
Background:
I've been boating for 40+ years. Spent all my summers on Lake Winnipesaukee from about 6 until part way through college. Was cleared to use the family boat whenever I wanted at about 12.
I'm now older and am temporarily boatless. We have bought a lot on a lake in Columbia, SC and will begin building soon. The lake is private and large enough for skiing, tubing, wake boarding, fishing, etc. It has light boat traffic and little to no chop.
The boat will stay on the lake most of the year. Primary uses will be teaching my wife and daughters to ski, pulling ride on toys, and perhaps a bit of fishing. Since the lake is small, most activities will be based from the dock so there isn't a need to store lots of stuff while carrying large numbers of people for hours on end. There will be no need to beach the boat.
I've always had either an outboard or I/O, but when younger I did have friends with inboard ski boats (fond memories of 6 AM ski runs behind a friend's Ski Tique). I'm comfortable doing most mechanical work myself, I've rebuilt a couple auto engines on my own, but I detest having to work on things like torn vinyl...
Based on my needs and budget, preferably less than $10K, I am leaning toward a 90's open bow ski boat. Mastercraft seems to be rising to the top of my list in terms of quality, features, and styling, but I am open to other brands as long as they will be reliable, run well, and have a reasonable chance of resale if I subsequently decide to get something different.
Given my criteria, does my choice seem reasonable?
Are there any overwhelming reasons to go with an I/O instead of an inboard?
Other than Mastercraft or Nautique, should I consider some of the other brands such as Tige, Moomba, etc?
Thanks in advance for the input...
Background:
I've been boating for 40+ years. Spent all my summers on Lake Winnipesaukee from about 6 until part way through college. Was cleared to use the family boat whenever I wanted at about 12.
I'm now older and am temporarily boatless. We have bought a lot on a lake in Columbia, SC and will begin building soon. The lake is private and large enough for skiing, tubing, wake boarding, fishing, etc. It has light boat traffic and little to no chop.
The boat will stay on the lake most of the year. Primary uses will be teaching my wife and daughters to ski, pulling ride on toys, and perhaps a bit of fishing. Since the lake is small, most activities will be based from the dock so there isn't a need to store lots of stuff while carrying large numbers of people for hours on end. There will be no need to beach the boat.
I've always had either an outboard or I/O, but when younger I did have friends with inboard ski boats (fond memories of 6 AM ski runs behind a friend's Ski Tique). I'm comfortable doing most mechanical work myself, I've rebuilt a couple auto engines on my own, but I detest having to work on things like torn vinyl...
Based on my needs and budget, preferably less than $10K, I am leaning toward a 90's open bow ski boat. Mastercraft seems to be rising to the top of my list in terms of quality, features, and styling, but I am open to other brands as long as they will be reliable, run well, and have a reasonable chance of resale if I subsequently decide to get something different.
Given my criteria, does my choice seem reasonable?
Are there any overwhelming reasons to go with an I/O instead of an inboard?
Other than Mastercraft or Nautique, should I consider some of the other brands such as Tige, Moomba, etc?
Thanks in advance for the input...