used 196 or outback

[baedriver]

Just wondering what you think I am partial to nautique but do not like being used i would be in the market for a 2002-03 196 or a brand new outback with the MPI. Please help. I know with quality the nautique is the way to go

[SNMike]

RE: used 196 or outback

Not to mention resale value. :grin: Mike

[Blue Ski]

RE: used 196 or outback

After you put 100 hours on either boat, they will both be used. The difference, the Nautique will probably be in better shape. That is just a guess, I have no Moomba experience.

[laddski]

RE: used 196 or outback

We tend to be a bit biased on this site and for good reason. You would be hard pressed to find the same number of "old" boats still on lakes of any other manufacturer. These are great boats that last a long time and retain their value. I bought my 93 Sport back in 97 for $16,500 with 225 hours on it. (Obviously a screaming deal at the time). I can still get $15k plus out of it today and I have not put a dime into it except a prop and maintenance. Still looks as good as the day I bought it and very close to new. MC's are obviously a close second but none others are in the same game. Maybe in 5-10 years Malibu will be able to make similar claims but their old boats are not well built. Just my .02. Buy the 196.

[DRAGON88]

RE: used 196 or outback

I'd get the 196 based on the fact of depreciation alone. CC's hold their value better then any other tournament boat manufacturer. Furthermore the fit and finish on the Nautique is much nicer then Moombas...

Demo both boats and decide for yourself.

[Freddo11]

I had the same decision to make a couple months ago. I've owned boats, mostly Sea Ray, for the last 20 years. My divorce a couple of years ago forced me to sell my boat and after a short break, I couldn't wait any longer and started shopping around. I've always liked the look of ski boats (inboard) and I found a 99 Moomba Outback for $11,000 and a 94 Ski Nautique for $14,000. The Moomba was junk, the SN looks like its been sitting on the showroom floor for ten years. Both had about 600 hours, but the gelcoat, vinyl, carpeting, and everything else on the SN was like new. Runs like a new Corvette. Again, the Moomba was junk, not because it wasn't taken care of, but because the quality just isn't the same. Consider me an unbiased opinion, I though Sea Ray built top quality boats, but they aren't even close to CC. All the hype is true...buy the 196.

[brodie]

This should be a no-brainer. In 5 years the 196 will be worth a lot more $$ than the outback, plus it skis, drives, looks, and holds up better than moomba.

[M3Fan]

If I can play devils advocate here for a moment- the Outback does have a full walkthrough open bow and rear storage locker, etc. Lots of room if that is important to the buyer. I would of course go with the SN.

[83sn2001]

I've never seen an old Moomba in good shape.

[Mikeski]

Taking off the Nautique goggles...

My opinion is that skiers choice (Supra/Moomba) builds one of the best bargains on the market. The Supra brand tends to hold it's resale a bit better than the Moomba but Moomba is still relatively young in the market and making more progress every year. I had the opportunity to spend a little time around a Moomba Outback at ClubMed in April, one of my buddies also has an outback. The layout of the boat is pretty good, the fit and finish is pretty good as well. Some of the finishing touches on the Moomba even feel like a Nautique, how they round most edges where MC and Malibu would leave them unfinished or sharp. The quality of the interior is less than what the big 3 are producing, stitching and stapling is not as crisp, the material also feels a bit substandard but no worse than the average runabout. From a skiing standpoint the Moomba throws a nice wake, for boarding I found the wake to be washed out making it difficult to get any air at all. This is an unloaded boat with two passengers, things may be different when loaded. The Moomba uses quality drivetrain components.

It really comes down to your comfort level buying new vs. used. If you typically buy new cars and value the new warranty then you should probably buy a new Moomba. If you prefer to let somebody else take the initial depreciation and buy used than I would suggest you buy the Nautique.

Either choice is not a mistake, my $0.02.