Older Open Bow Direct Drive & 10k = ??

[Carso]

Hi
I am wanting to get an older direct drive ski boat with an open bow - something big enough to seat 9-10 adults/kids. I'd like to spend around $10,000. I've seen a few different models out there but I don't know enough about what I should be looking for both in terms of options/features and mechanics to know what would be a good choice. I heard fuel injection is nice but I don't know if it would be in my price range. Also read that you need to watch for rotten stringers in older boats - how would I look for this? How many hours would be too many, even on a boat that was "taken care of"? Any advice/opinions would be greatly appreciated. Also - do boat makes / models have much difference in how much water depth they can operate in? - Something that I could pull up to a beach/shore would be nice.
Thanks for your time.

 

[QC]

Re: Older Open Bow Direct Drive & 10k = ??

Where are you? Can make a difference on price. $10K will get a decent tournament boat here . . .

 

[Carso]

Re: Older Open Bow Direct Drive & 10k = ??

I'm in Alberta - Boats seem cheaper in the states - Idaho, Washington, and Montana are close enough to pick up a good deal.

 

[oops!]

Re: Older Open Bow Direct Drive & 10k = ??

kelowna is a good market.

the mid engine tournament boats are less in demand and are going cheap.

 

[Carso]

Re: Older Open Bow Direct Drive & 10k = ??

What should I be looking for though in a mid engine tournament boat? I also want something I could put a tower on and a sack or two in the back to make a wake.
Thanks for your time.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Older Open Bow Direct Drive & 10k = ??

mid engine boats are cheap, but you will be VERY hard pressed to get that much seating in one. They are designed as tournament water ski boats, you get seating for 3, anything else is optional.

 

[SeanT]

Re: Older Open Bow Direct Drive & 10k = ??

Heya Carso!

For that price range you are looking at either a mid-90s closed bow, or a late 80s early 90s open bow direct drive. You can get a mid-late 90s closed bow direct drive boat sometimes for that range as well depending on condition.

I've never seen anything as low as three seaters as indicated above, but most closed bow are rated at 5 or so (driver, 2 in the spotter, and usually three aft).

An open bow (like mine) will be rated for 8, with a higher weight capacity. Anything larger or with more freeboard than mine will get you into the 10 - 13 seaters, but I don't think anything like that will be in your price range.

Here's a few examples of something I found in Calgary that appear to be in the ballpark:

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...orboats-1993-Ski-Centurion-W0QQAdIdZ219256357

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...motorboats-Gran-Prix-Skier-W0QQAdIdZ219602382

That seems about right, of course the biggest thing to affect price will be condition. Like anything else, get it thoroughly checked and go for a spin in it before you hand over a check.

Here's a example of someone who wants WAY too much for his. Which means he doesn't really want to sell it. Maybe his wife is making him list it. Closed bow reduces the value. The buy thinks it's mint or maybe the tandem trailer is worth something.

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...rboats-1989-Ski-Challenger-W0QQAdIdZ217883584

For the bigger boats, tandem trailers ARE a little nicer, but I wouldn't make it a deciding factor. I don't have a tandem axle trailer, and I've pulled my boat back and forth a bunch of times to Saskatchewan with no trouble.

I think overalll you'll love the quality of a competition ski boat. There doesn't appear to be any bargain brands. They hold their value as well, which you'll appreciate when you go to sell. As far as wood content, I'm not sure. Everything in my boat is fibreglass, and it's a 1998. You'll have to do some research.

 

[Carso]

Re: Older Open Bow Direct Drive & 10k = ??

Thanks much for the thoughts - I did see the Centurian in Calgary on the web. It seems to be just about what I am looking for. Lots of people talk up one brand/model versus another. When it comes to my price point is there any real diff that would be important to consider? I'm in no rush to buy - I sort of like knowing exactly what I am looking for.
Thanks again.

 

[SeanT]

Re: Older Open Bow Direct Drive & 10k = ??

Honestly at your price point I don't think there's much difference. Just really look for the boats that have been looked after, that's the biggest thing, and the most important advice you'll get here.

It's absolutely true that if you cross the border to buy it'll be cheaper. But that's really only worth it if you have the means to ensure a good purchase, or just buy on pictures which everyone will agree is a poor idea.

There have been a couple of Ski Brendella units on Kijiji once in a while that I _really_ liked, and I'd be chasing if I didn't already have a ski boat. I can't pull up the ads though so maybe they sold or expired.

I mentioned earlier that there tends not to be bargain ski boats. That's mostly true, except technically (for example) Moombas are bargain brand Supras. The difference is in features though, not in core contruction. So Supra and Moomba hulls will be identical. Just an example.

Also, I'm biased against Malibus, but that's only because everyone around here seems to own one.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Older Open Bow Direct Drive & 10k = ??

Heya Carso!

For that price range you are looking at either a mid-90s closed bow, or a late 80s early 90s open bow direct drive. You can get a mid-late 90s closed bow direct drive boat sometimes for that range as well depending on condition.

I've never seen anything as low as three seaters as indicated above, but most closed bow are rated at 5 or so (driver, 2 in the spotter, and usually three aft).

I wasn't thinking capacity on the sticker, but more actual seating space without having to sit on the lap of the person under you. Center engine ski boats are tough to fit any decent number of people in comfortably, especially when you consider the baggage 9-10 people will bring with. (at least 2 coolers, cameras, cell phones, life jackets, etc...)

 

[Carso]

Re: Older Open Bow Direct Drive & 10k = ??

Thanks much for the info.
Is there much difference in the draft of direct drive boats? - I read someplace that one of the older Master Crafts did better in shallow water compared to others. Can I beach a direct drive?
Thanks again

 

[SeanT]

Re: Older Open Bow Direct Drive & 10k = ??

I wasn't thinking capacity on the sticker, but more actual seating space without having to sit on the lap of the person under you. Center engine ski boats are tough to fit any decent number of people in comfortably, especially when you consider the baggage 9-10 people will bring with. (at least 2 coolers, cameras, cell phones, life jackets, etc...)

At least two coolers would take up a ton of room in any boat. My 20' direct drive ski boat has as much storage as my old 18' open bow IO.

In fact, the direct drive has a pretty decent space for the coolers right behind the drivers seat beside the engine. That's where I throw everything including deflated tubes and kneeboards. My IO there would be no good place to put them.

So, I disagree. I've had both, and I prefer the direct drive. Mine is rated for 8, so I could get cited for trying to carry more. You do need to adhere to the rules. I wouldn't try for 9 or 10 without a boat rated for such.

Can I beach a direct drive?

Depends on the lake. I've seen lots of pictures of them beached. I've never beached mine which is partly because of the lakes I go to, and partly because I prefer not to. When I spend time at my parent's lake I moor offshore about 50' in 3 feet of water using a moore that I build out of cement blocks.

 

[Carso]

Re: Older Open Bow Direct Drive & 10k = ??

Thanks for the opinions - nice to hear from someone who has had both.
Have a good rest of the summer

 

[SeanT]

Re: Older Open Bow Direct Drive & 10k = ??

One thing I forgot to mention is that most (all?) direct drives won't have a floor locker. I do in fact miss this from my IO bowrider.

Maybe some bigger DD boats have a locker forward from the engine, but I can't imagine that's likely.