1999 Air

[rman56]

Iam thinking of upgrading boats this fall and came across a 99 Air. Overall not a bad boat needs a little tlc in the interior but not bad. I know the ballast tanks in those years are not the best so is there a easy fix on that and is 1000 hours alot? Also are there some other things I should look for. I have a 83 SN and would I notice a big difference in the room and the wake? We also are looking at v-drives in the early 2000 year range too, do they have more room in them?

[Miljack]

I had a '99 Pro Air and have ridden a '89 2001 with 2 x 400#'s sacks in it, and a '00 Air with stock tanks+300#. I liked my Pro Air wake the best of these (I had ~1600#'s of ballast plumbed in), and would say the regular Air wake was a little rampier than the 2001 with ballast.
As for the stock tanks, I removed them and used two bags in the trunk. To remove them and leave them intact, you will need to remove the fuel tank (which is a pain, but doable), the quick way is to sawzall them out!
If the $$$ is similar, and all you do is wakeboard, I would go for the Vdrive. You will pick up storage and seating space, wake will be steeper, but slalom skiing will not be much fun...

[rman56]

Thanks, were in the looking process and I had a guy offer me the 99 at a smoken deal (well I think anyway) but still not 100% sure. I hate to put my boat up for sale until we find another one for sure. Wakeboarding is all we do behind our 83, its fun but ready to upgrade and have a better wake. My wife leans a little towards the v-drive but budget is important too. Thanks

[Jasongano54]

I had a 2001 direct drive and also owned a 2001 v drive, i liked the v drive way more, it had more seating room, and with the direct drives you feel split up from all your friends. v drives are def the way to go if youre looking for a social atmosphere on the boat, but the wake that the direct drive puts out is perfect.

[Chexi]

Wakeboarding and wakesurfing wakes are better on the vdrive. I had a 99 air and now a 2000 san. The slalom wake is better on the air. Handling way better on he air. Seating and space, better on the san by far. Both great boats. 1000 hours is about right for boats that old.