Boat buying suggestions

[qstufflebeam]

Ok, here's the deal. My sister is in the market for a wakeboard/waterski boat. I am a diehard waterskier and have little knowledge of wakeboard boats. I personally believe the boats should be used as floating docks so that I can ski off of them. :grin: I am turning to the experts for advise. Any comments would be appreciated.

Keep in mind they have no experience with inboards. They currenlty own two seadoos. They want something a little more family friendly. They have been to the MC :evil: dealer and looked at an X-30(seems to be overkill for their needs).

Here are some of the things they want the boat to be able to do.
Wakeboard, wakesurf, and rec waterski.
Have 10-12 passengers including adults and small children.
Have a wake that they can learn on. None of them can wakeboard beyond a beginner level.
Not look like total walleys with a boat well beyond their abilities.

[smg211]

RE: Boat buying suggestions

I am no expert, so scary to be 1st to reply, but I did recently sample most of CC boats that fit your requirement list which was similar to mine.

The 10-12 passenger requirement is the big hurdle. It puts you into the larger boats like 226. If it is only 10 people then then the 216V is where I would start and compare from that as a base. If waterskiing is higher on the priority list (and above the people list) then the 211 has a better ski wake and the better all rounder. Smaller too = easier starter boat.

[HS]

RE: Boat buying suggestions

This comparison tool at Nautiques.com will show seating by model http://www.nautiques.com/boats/compare The 210, 211, 216 and 216V will seat 10 -12 per the chart. I can't comment on how the 210 wake would be to learn on, but if they want something that does everything, then look at the 211 (admittedly my bias is showing). I think others will agree the 216 direct drive would have a good ski wake, but I haven't done that test myself. We now WB more than we ski, but I enjoy having the options with my 211. Also, it makes a great surf wake. It has been a great platform for teaching our kids (7 and 9) to ski, WB and kneeboard.

I think the rule of thumb has become: V-drive layout offers nice space and storgage; direct drive has the better ski wake.

The advice I received here a few years back is that boat selection is a series of compromises in order to suit many needs.

[zapada]

RE: Boat buying suggestions

I think new or used is also an important question to ask. The 216V is very impressive. I think a family can do it all in that boat; however, it's not cheap. 211's are more affordable and are definitely marked as the all-around boat. I've spent a fair amount of time over the last month or so in the 2008,09 210's and I must say that I really like the design and layout of that boat. None of the V-drives are going to ski like a direct drive, but if they are only recreational (get the kids up on skis, maybe take a few turns) then that should be less important than the other functionality factors (seating, comfort, etc.). Good job getting them into a shaft-drive boat though...they are so much safer, agile and functional.

I think it would be a good idea for them to buy for the future vs. buying the minimum for now. In other words, although they are perhaps "new" to this type of boat, they will ramp up quickly if they like boating. Obviously they are already familiar with the life through you and through jetskiing, etc. I would make sure they get whatever they will need for the next several years...not just the first few weekends.

Great news!!!

[Nautiquehunter]

RE: Boat buying suggestions

210 if they want a top end wake board and wake surf boat and still give a decent recreational ski wake in the stock configuration.
It will hold 10 to 12 peeps and grow as their ability progress.

[Mikeski]

RE: Boat buying suggestions

I can't imagine going back to a direct drive layout but I sure love the wake and handling of a direct drive. My wife recently made a comment about a friends direct drive "they still have the old-style boat with the motor in the middle". If I still focused on 3 event skiing I would own a direct drive and totally agree with stuffelbeam.

So they want a wakeboard boat. In the M/C line, the X-30 would probably be my last choice, I prefer the X1, X2, X-Star and X45 all much more than the X-30. In the Malibu line the VTX is my favorite and would probably meet their needs perfectly. In the CC line the 211, 210, or bigger would probably be fine. I have not experienced the 215V in person but do not fancy several of the design characteristics of that boat.

If they really want 10-12 people on a regular basis then they are going to end up with a tank. The X45 is one of the bests tanks for this kind of load. Two of my buddies have Malibu 23LSV's, I would not own that boat. In the CC line they are probably looking at the 230 if they want to be comfortable. I cannot imagine the insanity of having 10-12 on my boat regularly. The liability alone would be daunting.

[Chattwake]

RE: Boat buying suggestions

A 230 is the only wya to go. If she's interested, my local dealer has a new leftover '08 that htey would be willing to sell on the cheap. It's red and white with a tandem trailer. It's loaded.

[gotpwr]

RE: Boat buying suggestions

Chattwake - Do you have a link?

[Chattwake]

RE: Boat buying suggestions

www.trcyachts.com = ask for Brandon - tell him the guy from Chattwake (TOM) sent you over.

[Chattwake]

RE: Boat buying suggestions

Oh, it's a new boat, but it's a demo w/ 70 hours on it. My understanding is that this means it can be sold out of territory.

[innov8]

I would have her demo a 211 and 216V, sounds like the two best options from what you say they are looking for in a boat.

[SkiTundra]

In terms of ski wake for crossovers I think I'd rank it something like this:

211
X-7
216v / X-2 / 20v (Tige)
226 / VTX
LSV21

Gekko GTR22 and Tige 20i are both positioned as crossovers and while I think their ski wakes both top this list I don't think their wakeboard/surf capabilities would come up to crossover standards.

For us the 211 had good enough wakeboard/surf capabilities and the best slalom wake. My wife also likes the layout and storage (X-2 has better storage but I really didn't like the ski wake). Having skied behind it a bit and been able to better compare it to others I think we clearly made the right choice. I think the 216v provides a bit better wakeboard but at the cost of slalom softness. The X-7 may well be the equivalent of the 211 but maybe my bias put it below. :-)