Potential SAN buyer need some info

[samnapper]

I have been shopping for a boat for a while now and I have narrowed my choices down to ’03, ’04 SANTE or a ’06 X1 or v-ride. The things I really want from a boat are
1. Reliability
2. Resale
3. Wake
4. Room

I have not found any SANs in my area (Atlanta) for sale so I have never been in one. How do they compare in interior space to the X1 or v-ride. Is a used SAN going to be as reliable as new X1 or v-ride? I have read that ’03 seems to the best year for SANs, Is there much of a difference between ’03 and ’04. I have seen a few SANs for sale with the Python. Is it worth the extra money to get this engine. Any info would be great.

[noahd]

RE: Potential SAN buyer need some info

demo all 3
1. Reliability "all 3 are good, but I would pick based on quality dealer in case there is a problem"
2. Resale "X1 and Sante should be your top resales" V-ride probably depends on purchase price"
3. Wake "demo, depends on your preference"
4. Sante is very small, but I would make your decision on what the purpose of the boat will be.....large groups/small groups, hanging out on the lake all day/get your sets in and then get off...catch my drift"

Just really depends on what you like, IMO nothing is better than a Sante

[Hlymons]

RE: Potential SAN buyer need some info

I agree with noahd

[surroundsound64]

RE: Potential SAN buyer need some info

1 - All CCs have a history of being very reliable
2 - To the best of my knowledge, and what I have seen, CCs have the best resale.
3 - I suppose this has a lot to do with personal preference... but CCs also have an incredible history when it comes to a choice wake... and nothing has slowed them down in recent years.
4 - How much room do you need?

Hope that helps.

[samnapper]

noahd,
How does the SAN compare in interior size to the X1. I was set on the X1 until I sat in a '06 X2. The quality between the two was dramatic. I was really disappointed in how stripped down the X1 is. I like the interior of the v-ride but I am not sure about buying a new boat and taking that huge depreciation hit. The CC, MC, BU dealers in my area are all good so that is not a factor in my purchase.

[Erik]

I would not call the interior of the SAN small. Ever been in a Ski Nautique, Malibu Skier, or Supra Sunsetter? I dont know when we started going around saying that but it is not something I agree with. Plenty of room for me and the crew of 5 or so that I ride with.

The X1/V205 has more room vertically, if that makes sense. It is very similarly laid out. but the rear lockers have more vertical room and the boat has higher freeboard and that translates as a few extra inches vertically. The belly locker is difficult to work with and is more narrow than the belly locker on the SAN. I love the X1. But I own a 210.

[samnapper]

I know this will make more since when I actually find a SAN to sit in. But when you say that the SAN has a lower freeboard than the X1, does that translate into the feeling of sitting high in the boat with low seatbacks. I have been in an sv211 and I did not like how low the backrests were.

[Nautiqueman]

Why don't you come over here to Birmingham and we will got to Smith Lake (50 mi N) and we can ride a '99 SAN, 2004 SANTE, and there is a Mastercraft something that you can see as well...

I have not owned another brand but CC since 18 boats ago in 1987... so I am a little biased...

[ag4ever]

In '02 CC lowered the floor increasing the space inside, so if you ride in a pre-'02 keep that in mind.

The SAN interior is not large, but it is not small. I have a buddy that has a DD Wakesetter, and their boat is the same size, but my SAN feels bigger since the engine is in the rear.

[OKWAKEBDR]

I owned a 2001 X-Star (predecessor to the current X-1), before my '05 SANTE. Granted...all I really have to compare is an '01 model, so...I'm sure some things have changed since then. I can't comment on the V-Ride.

#1 - Reliability is the reason I got rid of my X-Star. My CC has not yet been in the shop except for routine maintenance. On the X-Star, I had problem with spidercracks, ballast pumps, ignition, throttle, and a poor dealer. I could give some pretty incredible stories, but I won't...except for the time (2nd time to take the boat out), that the ignition failed, and I was within minutes of the boat drifting into the dam before I was able to get a tow. Let me emphasize, however, that this is my experience with the MasterCraft (I'm sure there are lots of people that have had great experiences with theirs), and also...the biggest problem was the dealer. My CC dealer is unbelievable. Their service is 100x more than I would even expect. (They won the CC Award in 2005 for Customer satisfaction).

#2 - Resale on the X-Star was great. I paid $42k for it new and sold it 3 years later for $35k. Don't know about the CC because I haven't sold it (nor do I plan to anytime soon), but I'm sure the resale is great.

#3 - Without a doubt, my favorite wake is the SANTE. The X-Star (X-1) made a great wake, but you had to add 1000lbs+ to get it. The SANTE is great right out of the box, and only gets better when weight is added. This is personal preference, though...you really should demo. The SANTE wake is like no other wake in the industry. Very steep...like hitting a brick wall. I love it because it just bucks me in the air so high.

#4 - Room. My CC feels a little tighter. Definitely less storage in the SANTE. However, I still feel the SANTE is comfortable for 6-8 people.

[noahd]

biggest key is to demo each boat to figure out what you want and the x1 and v-ride will be strip down versions of the original x2 and vlx series...the 210 team should be fully loaded

My 06 210 seems small to me compared to the 05 VLX that I use to have.......no where neer the compartment space...........but I bought the 210 for the wake,,,,, every ones opinion is different in their purchasing decision