Which boat for all around recreation.

[81nautique]

I have a 2012 200V with 55 hrs. It really is a versitale boat. Coming from a direct drive, it does have good skiing wakes, but there is a bump at 15 off. intermediate wake board wakes, but I have tried fat sacs in the rear compartments and up front and it makes the wake much bigger. Planning to plumb the rear bags in on top of the tanks. Normally surf on the driver side - its the way we learned behind a 210. Really a great boat. Add the Z5 cargo bimini in addition to the racks, and you can carry a ton of gear. Boat feels much bigger than 20 ft, due to the width.

Same here with 77 hours, I just hard plumbed in 400 lbs sacks on each side of the motor and it really improved the wake board wake. I have a bow sack that we haven't tried yet but I'm assuming a few hundred pounds up front to get the bow down and we'll have decent ride for boarders. I am happy with the ski wake but I think to really enjoy it you have to get to 28' off, there is more than a bump at 15 and 22. Overall we have no regrets and have already doubled the hours we usually put on a boat in a complete summer. We have the Z5 also, we typically go out with a slalom ski, trick ski, 2 wakeboards, a surf board, 4 vests and 2 ropes, all of that gear goes on the racks or the Z5 and there is room for 4 more boards.. There is nothing on the floor to trip over, it really is a very large 20' boat.

[migs]

G23 baby!!!!! Cmon - is there honestly any other boat anyone is thinking about these days except for this bad boy!?!?!

[Weberpal78]

Hey guys thanks for the replies. I should clarify I'm looking for a used boat in the $15-$20,000 range. Usually would have around 8ppl In the boat at most.

[Weberpal78]

Is this a good deal?

http://northernwi.craigslist.org/bod/3167222727.html

[SkiTower]

Hey guys thanks for the replies. I should clarify I'm looking for a used boat in the $15-$20,000 range. Usually would have around 8ppl In the boat at most.

hmm. Contradicting requirements. You're not going to find any of the suggestions here for that price. Your best bet would be something from the mid-90's but those won't consistently take a posse of 8

[SkiTower]

Is this a good deal?

http://northernwi.craigslist.org/bod/3167222727.html

12K for something from 1989 is reasonable but it will be a direct drive and I believe closed bow. Therefore a party of 5 and three won't have a seat if skiing off the pylon.

[Chexi]

For that price range, I would say a mid 90's sport or air nautique direct drive (99 is best due to better bow layout). If you can find a deal or stretch to about 22k, you should be able to get into a 95-99 super sport or 99-00 super air nautique (v-drives) that will throw better surf wakes (but worse ski wakes). The v-drives are much better for 8 people as far as comfort goes.

[HS]

Is this a good deal?

http://northernwi.craigslist.org/bod/3167222727.html

For that price range, I would say a mid 90's sport or air nautique direct drive (99 is best due to better bow layout). If you can find a deal or stretch to about 22k, you should be able to get into a 95-99 super sport or 99-00 super air nautique (v-drives) that will throw better surf wakes (but worse ski wakes). The v-drives are much better for 8 people as far as comfort goes.

Curious if wood stringers pertain to any of those years / models as an FYI to the OP?

[azeus17]

Wood stringers up to 92. 93 was the year CC converted to composite for all boats. The 89 sport listed is a nice boat. I had one for a few years before I upgraded and loved it. I don't think some of these guys even look at the link as it is obviously open bow. 8 people would be the max for that boat though, even if some are kids. As mentioned above, you will be down three seats when skiing also, so about 5 is max then.

Things I liked about my 89 Sport
- capacity (much better than closed bow obviously)
- handled like a dream
- lots of power with the right prop
- easy to work on the 351W if needed

Things I didn't like so much
- constant worry about wood stringers
- molded platform (not really a big deal, but you are not able to take it off to fit in a garage, etc)

Thats about it...I think for your price range, you could easily find a 93+ Sport that you would not have to worry about the stringers in. Even an Air as mentioned above. Don't be afraid to look far and wide...they are out there.

[HS]

one place took look:
http://onlyinboards.com/
Also, end of "season" and off season is just around the corner and is a prime time to buy.

[Weberpal78]

Thanks for the info, I'll look for a 93 or newer because I don't want to even worry about the stringers. We would be hauling 8 people max just for cruising obviously less when pulling.