Non hard-core wakeboard boat for less than $15k

[Timxxl]

Hey all. I know there's probably some newb like me asking this question, but please give me some advice on buying a used boat. I have a wife and 2 kids, so it will mainly be us. Mostly it will be for tubing, and I must learn to wakeboard! Will also be used for fishing from time to time, but we're far from bigtime fishermen.

I'd like to spend less than $15k. From the research I've done, it seems like a '05 or '05 Tahoe Q4 with a 4.3L would suit me best.

I'd welcome any advice on this or other boats below $15K!!

Also - where's a good place to buy? boattrader? Bass Pro?

Thanks in advanced!

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Non hard-core wakeboard boat for less than $15k

Honestly, wakeboarding is pretty easy on a boat. It's quick to get out of the water, so doesn't create much drag (like a slalom skiier) and you usually wakeboard around 20 mph, so if you have problems with your holeshot you can compensate with a prop without worrying about top speed.

I've been wakeboarding for the last 7 years on my buddy's 97 Sea Ray 175 with a 125 Merc outboard. It works well, although it doesn't produce the biggest wake you've ever seen. My performance, even after those aforementioned years, is still not exceeding the boat.

So, basically any type of bowrider will probably do just fine for you. The 4.3 is probably a preferable setup, but for wakeboarding I doubt the 3.0 would have any issue (despite popular opinion).

I've heard nothing but terrible things about Tahoe boats, so I'd probably recommend you stay away from them. But for $15k I'd think a nice glastron or even a brand new bayliner would be within your grasp.

I actually pick up my 18 ft Monterey tomorrow...I paid $18.5 for a new leftover 2008.

It's a buyer's market. I'd look online a lot...craigslist, boattrader, iboats, etc...

 

[Timxxl]

Re: Non hard-core wakeboard boat for less than $15k

What do I want in terms of length? Seems like at least 18'??

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Non hard-core wakeboard boat for less than $15k

Ha...well, that is the question, right?

I went 18 ft, because my tow vehicle could pull it, I could afford it, and I wanted something that was easy to store, easy to get in/out of the water, and would still fit 6 people for an occasional full house trip.

When I look at 21ish footer bowriders, though, they sure look sweet. They usually have wrap around couch style seating, big stretch out your legs bows, etc.

I guess it all just comes down to what you want. I'd suggest going someplace and looking at some and seeing what you think you'd be comfortable in. Usually 17.5 or 18 is the starting size for a nice family boat, but they can go up to 32 feet or so, if you've got the money for such a toy.

 

[Timxxl]

Re: Non hard-core wakeboard boat for less than $15k

Hmm. I have a Toyota Four Runner (V6). I had always assumed it would have no trouble pulling a boat. Maybe it would though...

What about this boat?
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/boa/1706238783.html

 

[cwhite6]

Re: Non hard-core wakeboard boat for less than $15k

Hmm. I have a Toyota Four Runner (V6). I had always assumed it would have no trouble pulling a boat. Maybe it would though...

What about this boat?
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/boa/1706238783.html

To answer your towing completely, you need to break out your owners manual. To really get the answer, load your vehicle up like you would to tow the boat and have it weighed. Take that number and subtract it from the GVWR of your vehicle. That will tell you what you can really tow. Just remember there is more to towing than just what the vehicle can pull. Brakes, hitch and set up are important too.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Non hard-core wakeboard boat for less than $15k

Well, for a 10 year old boat, that one looks really nice. I've never heard of that brand, but I never heard of Monterey before I bought one, either.

I would say that that would probably be pushing it on your tow capacity. Your car is probably rated for 3500 lbs, but you'd want to check that first and foremost.

The price on that, to me, seems awfully high for a 10 yr old boat, but a boat's value is really only up to the buyer and the seller.

My 18 ft, dry is 2400 lbs. The trailer is like 4 or 5 hundred (if memory serves), and so the empty weight is 3000ish. You add a tank of fuel, a cooler and some gear, I'm already pushing it with my 3500 lb tow capacity. I had the dealer order a trailer for me with brakes, just for added security.

Maybe this one would be a little more in line with what *I* would recommend:
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/boa/1706373013.html

 

[drrpm]

Re: Non hard-core wakeboard boat for less than $15k

A couple of thoughts:
1. A 20 ft. boat will be much roomier than an 18 ft. boat and that makes a big difference if you bring a couple of your kids friends or another family. Also, it will have more room for your toys. Tubes and floats frequently take up a lot of space unless you deflate them.

2. A Toyota Forerunner with a V6 should be able to tow a 20 ft. boat pretty easily. Check the manual, but its basically a Tacoma with a rear seat and my Tacoma is rated for 6,500 lb.

3. A 4.3l V6 should have adequate power especially if has fuel injection.

4. If you are in the Atlanta area you're not far from several lakes, I'd consider
looking at local marinas and boat dealers to get an better idea of how it feels to actually be on the boat. You can test drive a couple too to see how you like them.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Non hard-core wakeboard boat for less than $15k

Check the manual, but its basically a Tacoma with a rear seat and my Tacoma is rated for 6,500 lb.

A quick google search shows a tow capacity of ~5000 with a weight distributing hitch. Of course, the best way, like the good dr. said, is to check the owner's manual.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Non hard-core wakeboard boat for less than $15k

get a used 17' center console with an outboard. Best starter family boat you can get. Forget the sofa boats.

 

[Timxxl]

Re: Non hard-core wakeboard boat for less than $15k

I just looked at a 2003 Glastron 18'. Has a brand new 4.3L (previous owner winterized it wrong). The engine comes with 18 month warranty. Comes with trailer with brakes and Bimini top. In great condition as far as I can tell.

All for $14,500.

What do you guys think? Can I do better for that price?

 

[lucky7]

Re: Non hard-core wakeboard boat for less than $15k

thats a nice boat, but its really a buyers market.

 

[Timxxl]

Re: Non hard-core wakeboard boat for less than $15k

What about Rinker boats? Looked at a 175 rinker captiva 4.3L for $21k.

Are they good boats?

 

[ovrrdrive]

Re: Non hard-core wakeboard boat for less than $15k

It's impossible to guess the towing capacity without at least knowing the year of the 4runner. They have shipped with 3.0, 3.4, and 4.0 V6 motors that I know of and one would be great, one adequate, and one no way in hell. If you're a 3.4 or bigger you'll probably be fine with just about anything you're looking at.

Personally I don't like Glastron or Rinker. I looked aty them both before I bought my first boat and they all looked the same to me. The bayliners look better to my eyes than those do and they don't have that great of a rep either but build fine starter boats. If you are looking at bowrider/sport boats, I'd suggest Regal, Montery or if you can swing it a Searay. When you look over the rail in any one of those after looking at Glastron and Rinker you'll know why I say that.

And while that 2000 ski boat would be awesome for what you want to do, with that little use other problems could start popping up on you. The worst thing you can do to a boat is to let it sit. That one has had pre-e10 gas sit in it for a while and once you get stuck and have to put e10 in it you could have a big head ache. Or it could be fine. Its hard to tell.

It all comes down to finding something you like in your price range that's been reasonably well maintained. I've always bought a little less boat than I really wanted just so I could buy them new to avoid maintenance issues. I think by the time I'm ready to buy my next one though I might buy an older boat and repower it to get a bigger hull. It seems I've taken a liking to grouper fishing and I can't get out there far enough in my current boat.

That's just all my opinion though. Some may agree some may not. Take it with a grain of salt.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Non hard-core wakeboard boat for less than $15k

That aztec would be a hell of a ski/wakeboard boat. They only made boats a few years and then went out of business. The person who launched the brand has had a long boat building involvement with many of the top companies. It should be a heck of a performing boat -- maybe a little more than a beginner needs, but you would not outgrow it!

The driveline is made by mercruiser -- so no issue with a lack of part support on the motor, exhaust or tranny.

Low ball him and see if you can get it at your price.

 

[Timxxl]

Re: Non hard-core wakeboard boat for less than $15k

Ok. Looking now at an '05 Monterey 18' with 4.3L. It's immaculate. Comes with trailer and cover. Asking $13k.

Good deal ??

 

[superpop]

Re: Non hard-core wakeboard boat for less than $15k

I would go back to the Aztec. All the others you are looking at are 2 feet shorter. Unless you want a smaller boat, great, otherwise the bigger boat with the V-8 is the only way to go. You will not outgrow it as fast as you would with the smaller boats and for another few grand you can throw a tower and some fat sacks on the Aztec and have an awesome wakeboard and family boat. Year of the boat is not nearly as important as how it was cared for and maintained.

 

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

Re: Non hard-core wakeboard boat for less than $15k

Find the longest/biggest boat you can put into your budget if you want to throw a better wake. You should be able to find a decent boat for the price range you want, but you'll look at SEVERAL boats before finding one that was properly taken care of. I wasn't able to.

I looked at 15-20 used boats in the $12-16K range myself, but they all had a serious issue with them which was still going to run me a couple more grand + to fix, and who knew with that neglect what else would be wrong I wasn't able to visually see.

Instead of buying the brand new truck I was going to get, I bit the bullet and ordered a brand new Glastron GT 205 at my winter boat show with all the options I wanted at dealer cost on them since I didn't want what they had in stock. After tax it is just shy of $30k, and bought a used truck instead and stayed under my $45k budget.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Non hard-core wakeboard boat for less than $15k

Ok. Looking now at an '05 Monterey 18' with 4.3L. It's immaculate. Comes with trailer and cover. Asking $13k.

Good deal ??

Just brought my Monterey 18 w/ 4.3L home this AM for the first time. I can tell you so far that playing the radio and lounging on the sundeck while drinking beer is fun, but that's about all I've got right now.

My v6 Equinox pulled it pretty well, but you definitely knew it was back there!

 

[Timxxl]

Re: Non hard-core wakeboard boat for less than $15k

Awesome Subliminal! I saw pics of your boat in another thread. Did u buy it used? $$ ?