Mission Bay Aquatic Center used boats - good idea?

[Werstlna]

Hi everyone, first post after long time lurking/reading. Does anyone have experience/advice on buying a 2 year old boat used by a ski school in San Diego? The negatives I see are high use/hours, salt water, and potential difficulty in resale because of those two factors. The obvious pro is getting into a newer model for less upfront cost.

They have a Ski 200 OB with 650 hours and a 210 with 1,250 hours. Both are coastal editions and supposedly well maintained. Nautique offers an extended warranty (extra cost) because the deal goes through them as the dealer and they have a history with this ski school over the years.

Thanks in advance.

[markj]

If the gel is decent and the upholstery has no tears, I think the 210 would be about $50-55K. Any more and you're wasting your time. Keep this in mind: no one that's ever been in that boat has owned it. You're buying the village bicycle.

[swc5150]

I'm sure you know already, but Mission Bay boats don't come with trailers. I'm no 210 pricing guru, but looking at the 200 they have, I wouldn't pay $44k for it (then another $4,500 for a trailer). You can already see salt haze on the engine shroud on it in the pics. No surprise, as salt gets everywhere. And like markj stated, your basically buying a rental car.

[Outdoorjp]

They are also base base models. Would need a complete sound system or at least amps and speekers, pluss trailer.

Are coastal boat is washed inside and out every day we use it . Is their boat left in water for long periods with no fresh water cleaning??

[Werstlna]

Good points everyone. The boats are pulled out and freshwater rinsed after each use. Detailed cleaning, waxing, etc is done monthly according to former employee who ended up buying a '07 211 from them himself several years ago and still has it. He also said their maintenance routine was a major factor in him deciding to buy one (plus seeing how they were used/maintained first hand).

Yes, the needed extras are trailer, cover, and bimini. They have the base level stock stereo/speakers but only prewired for tower speakers (not important to me).

[jjackkrash]

I have friends with Nautiques that are salt boats used exclusively in Puget Sound. If they have the coastal package these boats will run for years in salt, but salt use is undeniably harder on the boat than strict fresh-water use, even with the coastal package. Salt does take its toll on the boat cosmetically, especially trim pieces and what not, and can also do funny things to the wiring and electronics. All that said, if the price is right, and you intend to keep using the boat in the salt, one of these boats might work for you. If you intend to use the boat only in fresh, I would personally think about sticking with a fresh-water only boat.

[Werstlna]

I'll be in fresh water only. I agree that salt is a concern and a solid pre-purchase inspection should help identify problems to avoid the boat entirely and failing that, an extended warranty as safety net.

What's a reasonable price if it checks out?

[swatguy]

I normally say stay away from ski school boats. In this case ski school and saltwater , no way I would even considered it especially with those hours. IIRC those boats at Mission are ordered bare bones . Warranty is a nice price of mind for sure , but the warranties are limited. It's not gonna cover items abused from salt use classified as "normal wear" . School boats are rarely maintained in tip top shape. Everyone uses em , but nobody wants the responsibility to meticulously maintain them.

Just my oponion.

[Outdoorjp]

I went over and talked to my neighbor for you. He bought the blue one from them.
He said it's had nothing but troubles. Been in shop twice already. And was not maintained as well as he thought.
75k in it allready. He was disappointed. Only has 17 hrs use since he purchased it.

Mabey his is a fluke but just giving feefback.

[Werstlna]

Wow, that's an eye opener Outdoorjp. Seems like there's a lot of risk involved and not worth the initial discounted price.