Boat Suggestions/Am I'm going down the right path?

[bobcat]

I think I'm looking for a 2000-2003 Super Air ( I think) but would be interested in opinions.

Me-50 year old, average at everything I've ever do..ski (looking to give up) wakesurf (just took up last year but really enjoy). We think this might be the new "family thing to do" and we also do the usual with the kids....kneeboard, tube, wake board etc. Kids are 12, 14 & 17. We usually have some newbies down s well. I spend 80% of my time as the captain.

We have a house on a small 5,500 acre lake and go just about every week. We just sold a 1995 Super Sport and love the GT 40. I'd like to have something reliable, as economical as possible and with decent resale in 4-5 years.

As a side note I have a neighbor with a mint 2001 Mastercraft X-10 I'm considering.

Let's here it..........thanks!

[TxJole]

Tell u like my dealer told me at the boat show when I told him I might trade my Nautique for a new Tigé. "see you back in a few years". It was a joke on my part but not on his.

[Nautiquehunter]

Do you surf goofy foot? My suggestion is to stretch the budget a little and go with a 2007 or newer 210 it will give you the space you need and a great port side surf wake. I would not even consider the MC

[Miljack]

You just sold the boat you're thinking about upgrading to! That old SS might have more seating than a newer one (not sure when they changed from the "u" seating configuration in the SS), and if you go past '02, you won't get a GT40. Depending on your budget, think about a '05-'07 211, or if you want a bigger wakeboard wake, '08 and up 210. These newer designs will give you much more room and storage than the old "legacy" 210 boats will.
This is a CC site, so you won't get much love on the X10, ask anybody who's lived with an Indmar engine for more than a few years how they liked their boat...

[bobcat]

Yeah I know, I have a little seller's remorse but I needed a tower and ballast and my super sport was unmolested, in pristine shape and I didn't feel like I should start "messing" with it. I also got a pretty decent buck for it. I don't know if I did the right thing or not put it's done.

2 of of surf goofy foot and 3 don't.

I know the cc site won't show much love (I'm a car guy so I can relate) for the Mastercraft but really for an average Joe like me what is the biggest trade off?

[bobcat]

Can't afford a 211, just built a lakehouse and have a rising college student. Budget is $23-26k.

[shag]

The M/C will have a lower resale. Most likely. IMO

[HS]

http://onlyinboards.com/BoatMarketpl...00&MakerName=1

Did you check only inboards? What Region is nearby to search? New ads will start to appear as the sring time gets close.

[Nautiquehunter]

You said it yourself you got a pretty good buck out of your SS .You can get a nice Supra / Malibu that will do what you need . They are nice boats but they wont compare with what you had and wont bring the same resale.

[ccs]

Having grown up around and been in virtually every brand and make of "ski" boat out there - - I will reiterate what others have already said ... Nautique = Quality and Reliability - if you are looking based on budget alone (mistake) then look at other brands...but it sounds like you are some what particular (like Id guess most of us on here are about our boats) - so go take a good long somewhat aggressive ride in a 5 year old Nautique versus the ride in a 5 year old MC or Malibu or Supra --- you will find there is literally no comparison (IMO) - spend the few extra thousand now and it will come back to you in reliability and resale.

[hondaprlud]

A few years ago I traded my 96 Sport (GT40) for an 04 SANTE with the Excalibur engine. I also looked at an 03 X-10. The engine is fine for both, I liked the GT40, I like the Ex. The 04 has the same hull as the years you are looking at. My 3 kids kneeboard, wakeboard, tube. I wakeboard (less), surf (more) and captain (most). I'm really happy with the boat.

I didn't notice at the time, but my boat does not have the rear pylon, so we have to attach the rope for everything (ski, tube etc.) to the tower. Not a big problem for us but might be for you since you ski. I'm not sure if that was an option or only available for certain years.

The x-10 was wider, seemed to have more space, but I didn't demo it because I felt the SANTE was a better value. It was actually cheaper than the 03 X-10 with similar hours

[bobcat]

Thanks for input guys..........hondaprlud......sounds exactly like what I do! Was the GT 40 easier on fuel?

[crobi2]

@hondaprlud - That's fascinating about the pylon. My buddy just bought an '04 SANTE and I had to go look at the pictures to make sure it has a pylon - it does. It must have been an option that was not chosen for your boat. I presume there is no hole in the deck for the pylon?

[Laptom]

I had several nautiques, but liked the gt40 best for torque and fuel. Also owned a mc x1-x2-xstar but always hated the fuel consumption. Good wake, bad engine. Go for a02 210 with gt40

[hondaprlud]

Thanks for input guys..........hondaprlud......sounds exactly like what I do! Was the GT 40 easier on fuel?

I don't pay attention to fuel economy on purpose (this sport is supposed to be relaxing). So I did a little searching. My 96 was listed @ 2700 lbs and had a fuel capacity of 26 gal. Typically we could get out 3 times on a tank. My 04 is listed @ 3200 lbs and has fuel capacity of 39 gal. We can typically get out 4 times with this boat. We also run more often with the ballast full and at higher rpms than when the kids were little. So my thought would be that the GT40 was better but not a lot. Sorry I'm not more helpful.