Looking at a '08 wakesetter tomorrow... need advice

[richyrich]

Hey guys hows it going? I am brand new to this site and Ive just come across a 2008 Malibu Wakesetter through a friend of a friend, in a distress sale. Now I have have wanted a boat for a long time but i really have no knowledge about wake boats so I need some help here.

Okay so the only info I have so far on this boat is that it is an '08 wakesetter with less than 20 hours on it. The girl bought it new and has now lost her job and is looking for someone to take over payments. I do not even know which model the boat is or which engine. I have asked some questions through my friend but I get the idea that this young girl doesnt even know much about this boat she purchased. So when I go view this boat tomorrow I need to know some key areas to look at so I can find out what model this boat is and it's features. I will ask to see the owners manual but in case this girl (or it may be her parents showing it) cant give me answers can you guys please give me some advice on what to look for so i know exactly what this boat has to offer.

Like I said I am new to boats so I apologize for my ignorance and I will learn in time but I just dont want to miss out on this deal, as she apparently already has other people interested.

So if you could please list some things to ask and key things to look for so I can return with sufficient info to post and we can go from there...

Thank you kindly in advance...

Brad

Edited May 28, 2009 by richyrich

[thethrillofspeed]

I'm thinking the biggest question will be what is owed on the boat and how does that relate to the market value of the boat. So many of these boats were financed 100% including sales tax over long periods, so people get very upside down in them.

[Chia]

do a google search for a 2008 malibu wakesetter for sale to find out what they are worth before you go to look this one.

her bill of sale should list all of the options she got.

I have a .pdf of the 2008 brochure but am not sure if it is too big to email (3.9kb). if you want me to try, send me a pm with your e address.

[chuckc983]

I saw a 2008 23LSV with the 383HH show up on ebay today for 47k opening bid - and no reserve shown. Boat looked loaded too + only 20 hours- by far the best deal I have seen so far. The things to look for that add lots of $ option wise are the engine (hammerhead or 8.1), stereo (#amps #speakers) Tower speakers, bimini, spinner racks, power wedge.

[Sandbagger]

If it is a wakesetter it will most likely have most options such as full ballasts which would be two in the rear, one in the middele and one in the bow. It probably has a wedge either floating or power. It may have presets for different riders. See what stereo system it has, tower speakers would be an upgrade. It may have cabin heating and it may have a hot water shower. It may have docking lights and cleats. See what type of tower, probably the Ilusionx. See what motor, either the 320, monsoon or hammerhead (Monsoon or Hammerhead would be good) and it might have CATS for the exhaust that could be beneficial if you will be surfing (if its a California boat it will have the CATS). It could be a wake hull or diamond hull, that might be important depending on how you will be using the boat, if you are just wakeboarding or surfing it would be better if it is a wake hull. It would be best if its a dual axle trailer with surge brakes. Most likely has a fiberglass swim step. Should have a bemini top and boat cover. Make sure there is a table and fiberglass wind shield for bow pass through.

At 20 hours it should be in pristine condition. Make sure they did the proper breakin and it is due for a 20 hour service. See if they have an extended transferrable warranty. Find out what she owes and and that she is not upside down. Not sure but I think the bank would call the loan on transfer, might want to look into that.

Make sure the boat runs like new.

Thats about all I can think of for now.

[MalibuTime]

do a google search for a 2008 malibu wakesetter for sale to find out what they are worth before you go to look this one.

her bill of sale should list all of the options she got.

I have a .pdf of the 2008 brochure but am not sure if it is too big to email (3.9kb). if you want me to try, send me a pm with your e address.

Cervelo, of all people to mix up kilo I would have thought it wouldn't be anyone on the metric system. A 3.9 kilobyte document will have no problem, but a 3.9 mb (brochure) might get wrapped up in some peoples email. But, we knew what you meant.

Edited May 28, 2009 by TheBlackPearl

[MalibuTime]

richyrich - have her give you the hull id# off the back drivers side. Then call your local dealer and explain what you are doing and see if they can pull up from the ID all of the factory options on the boat and specs, if that does not work call Merced (Malibu HQ) and ask the same questions.

[Helinut]

Just saw a brand new 08 sold at the local boat show for $49,990. It had the basic options. I would have bought it in a heart beat if I didn't have the boat I have now.

[srab]

I'm thinking the biggest question will be what is owed on the boat and how does that relate to the market value of the boat. So many of these boats were financed 100% including sales tax over long periods, so people get very upside down in them.

+1

Taking over payments is not a bargain if she paid more for the boat when she bought it than

what you could buy a new, or comparably used, boat for now.

Look to see if it is an LSV (=23 foot boat) or a VLX (=21.5 foot boat). The LSV is a great

boat if you plan to regularly have a large crew. Not a good slalom format, but great

for wakeboarding. The VLX is a little smaller, a little lighter, a little more maneuverable,

a little easier to trailer, but still a great wakeboarding machine (but very marginal for

slalom skiing).

Look under the engine cover to determine what engine it has (it'll have a stamped

plate on the intake plenum). If it's an LSV, it'll have a "Monsoon" (base engine, 340 HP),

a "Hammerhead" (upgraded engine, 400 HP), or the 8.1L Vortec (highest upgrade, 425 HP).

If it's a VLX, it'll have an "LCR" (base engine, 320 HP, and not real popular

for a VLX), a "Monsoon" (upgrade), or a "Hammerhead" (highest upgrade).

Take a close look at the transom to see if it has a wake hull or diamond hull. It makes

a difference (photos to let you determine the difference are available on this site)!

Power Wedge (it'll say it right on the wedge plate) is a great upgrade over the manual

wedge.

Extreme trailer is an upgrade [from Boatmate or other]. Adds to overall value,

but not a necessity.

Docking lights and tower lights are a plus, if the boat has them. "Spinner" board racks

are an upgrade over fixed.

Relax! There's never been a better time to buy a boat. There are many bargains out

there, so take a deep breath and decide if this is really a deal that you can't walk away

from.

[richyrich]

Hey boys thanks for the quick responses. I forgot to add that the girl only owes approx 25k on the boat(according to my friend). Kinda seems too good to be true but I will soon find out I guess. Also, is there a way I can run a lien check on this boat or something, like you can with vehicles? I just thought of that...

I think my best bet is to get the hull id# and try the dealer (thanks for that tip BlackPearl). And im also going to take my camera with me and get some shots for you guys, as I may not know be able to identify certain features, including hull type.

I just moved to the Okanagan and really want a boat for boarding, surfing and cruising so I am hoping this deal turns out to be legit, but im not getting my hopes up just yet. I will be back in a day or two with an update and hopefully some photos.

Any last minute advice would be helpful, thanks again guys.

Brad

Edited May 29, 2009 by richyrich

[k_b_stephens]

Just saw a brand new 08 sold at the local boat show for $49,990. It had the basic options. I would have bought it in a heart beat if I didn't have the boat I have now.

Basically what most leftovers are going for, good time to buy new

[wakeup]

Just saw a brand new 08 sold at the local boat show for $49,990. It had the basic options. I would have bought it in a heart beat if I didn't have the boat I have now.

Let's just say mine was loaded and much less than that figure brand new in Dec. Of course back then many dealers got caught with a glut of old inventory in a crashing economy and crashing temperatures. Now is a little different.

As far as taking over the payments.. avoid! I would just buy it outright for market value.

[Chia]

do a google search for a 2008 malibu wakesetter for sale to find out what they are worth before you go to look this one.

her bill of sale should list all of the options she got.

I have a .pdf of the 2008 brochure but am not sure if it is too big to email (3.9kb). if you want me to try, send me a pm with your e address.

Cervelo, of all people to mix up kilo I would have thought it wouldn't be anyone on the metric system. A 3.9 kilobyte document will have no problem, but a 3.9 mb (brochure) might get wrapped up in some peoples email. But, we knew what you meant.

oops