Tweet
Hello all,
I was looking for any advice for a first time buyer. For a little background, I grew up in a family that spent summers on the water and behind a boat. I used to mostly slalom, but also dabbled in knee and wake boarding, and occasionally tubing. We never had the means to afford a ski boat, so all of my experience was behind our family bow rider. I have experience in and behind various Nautiques over the years, and have always wanted to buy a Nautique. I am now in the position to be able to buy a boat, and have a young family of my own (not quite old enough for skiing just yet) that I look forward to introducing to water sports. My wife has very little boating experience, so I had started looking at mid to late 90's SNOBs and sport nautiques around $10-15K that I could comfortably pay cash for, and she was ok with. I was leaning towards the sport rather than SNOB with the thought that while it would not have as great of a slalom wake, it would be a better family boat. And let's face it, I've been out of the sport for quite some time (and was always more of a recreational rather than competitive slalom skier), and know that I would be happy with any of the Nautique wakes. My brother has been a 2 time Ski Nautique owner (a 196 and then 206 limited), and he recommended going with a little bigger boat, because he had wished that had gone a little bigger with a sport rather than the 206 limited SNOB. As my wife has warmed up to the idea and spending a little more, I think that we would be comfortable with a little higher at ~$25k give or take a little. During my searches, I came across a nearby listing for a 2003 Air Nautique 216 Limited that fits this budget.
https://vermont.craigslist.org/boa/d...933065345.html
It looks like a really nice boat, and I think that this would fit our budget and our needs, and be a great boat that we would plan on using for years to come. I have arranged to go view and test drive the boat this weekend. Thoughts on the listing? Advice on key items to check when viewing (ie, make or break the deal?)? Advice on how to ensure a safe, smooth transaction when purchasing form private seller vs dealer? Thanks in advance!
Scott
I was looking for any advice for a first time buyer. For a little background, I grew up in a family that spent summers on the water and behind a boat. I used to mostly slalom, but also dabbled in knee and wake boarding, and occasionally tubing. We never had the means to afford a ski boat, so all of my experience was behind our family bow rider. I have experience in and behind various Nautiques over the years, and have always wanted to buy a Nautique. I am now in the position to be able to buy a boat, and have a young family of my own (not quite old enough for skiing just yet) that I look forward to introducing to water sports. My wife has very little boating experience, so I had started looking at mid to late 90's SNOBs and sport nautiques around $10-15K that I could comfortably pay cash for, and she was ok with. I was leaning towards the sport rather than SNOB with the thought that while it would not have as great of a slalom wake, it would be a better family boat. And let's face it, I've been out of the sport for quite some time (and was always more of a recreational rather than competitive slalom skier), and know that I would be happy with any of the Nautique wakes. My brother has been a 2 time Ski Nautique owner (a 196 and then 206 limited), and he recommended going with a little bigger boat, because he had wished that had gone a little bigger with a sport rather than the 206 limited SNOB. As my wife has warmed up to the idea and spending a little more, I think that we would be comfortable with a little higher at ~$25k give or take a little. During my searches, I came across a nearby listing for a 2003 Air Nautique 216 Limited that fits this budget.
https://vermont.craigslist.org/boa/d...933065345.html
It looks like a really nice boat, and I think that this would fit our budget and our needs, and be a great boat that we would plan on using for years to come. I have arranged to go view and test drive the boat this weekend. Thoughts on the listing? Advice on key items to check when viewing (ie, make or break the deal?)? Advice on how to ensure a safe, smooth transaction when purchasing form private seller vs dealer? Thanks in advance!
Scott
Comment