Need Advice

[jeffrey262]

Hello,

Looking for some input on purchasing a wake board boat. I have been a long time power boater. I have a Formula 370 Super Sport. I have just moved to North Carolina and now live on a lake. I see a lot of ski boats -- Mastercraft, Correct Craft, Malibu, Tige, etc..... If money was no object, which boat would you purchase? I have never wake boarded. I water skied when I was a kid. I now have a 10 year old who I have introduced to wake boarding at a local camp. I want the best of the best. So who's boat and model should I purchase?

Thank you all for your input. It will help me make a decision.

[obski]

Well of course we're going to be biased towards Malibu here at the Bu Crew. If you are looking for a boat that is specific for wakeboarding, then the boat to look at is the Wakesetter VLX. If you have a large crew, then you could also take a look at the 23' boat or the 247.

If money was not an issue, I would still go with the VLX, but would deck it out with the Hammerhead, power wedge, Maliview, swivel board racks, and then of course a bad a** audio system.

If you are looking for a boat that can be used for skiing as well, then the VTX is the one I would look at.

In any case, you and your son should get out and demo some boats, both in the Malibu line as well as the offerings from Mastercraft, Correct Craft, and Supra.

[srab]

With the caveats that 1) you want a wake board boat, and 2) money is no object, you should probably

ask around locally (quality of the local dealership with respect to service and warranty issues should be

a big factor) about Correct Craft, Mastercraft, and Malibu.

No offense to Tige, Supra, Centurion, or other manufacturers, but if money is not a concern, why settle?

I'm not that familiar with Correct Craft's Nautique lineup, but I'm guessing that the Super Air Nautique 210

is their premier wake board boat. Mastercraft's is probably still the X-Star. Malibu's would be the VLX.

They each offer larger boats if you need/want the extra space.

Check out the nearest dealerships for each. Demo/test drive each of the boats. Get a feel for which

boats and which dealerships will provide the most enjoyment with the least amount of hassle. I don't

think that you can go wrong with any of them.

[lake-nazi]

I think the best well rounded boat for all occasions is the Response LXI. With the wedge it is acceptable for 90% of the wakeboarders I see, it is a world class SKI boat, holds many family and friends. It will allow you to take advantage of all the watersports except surfing.

I would never lay my money on a one trick pony even if I had Bill Gates money.

[WakingMeHappy]

Go to the dealers and take test drives in the lake. You may find the perfect boat with all the options only to find out you don’t like the way it feels on the water.

And welcome to the crew.

[jeffrey262]

Thank you for all your advice. How fast will the 247 go with the largest engine available. I coming from a 37' Formula twin 525's exceeding 65+. I'd like to have speed on the days I go out joy riding.

[chuckc983]

From the posts I have seen - depending on the prop - maybe 50mph. That would be with the 8.1. If you really want speed - there is the Corvette malibu - you can get it with the 505HP ZR6. It can be used for wakeboarding and skiing - new it list for over 100k - but I have seen them on Ebay in the 60's.

[areamike]

Thank you for all your advice. How fast will the 247 go with the largest engine available. I coming from a 37' Formula twin 525's exceeding 65+. I'd like to have speed on the days I go out joy riding.

Due to the weight of a beast like the 247 and then going with an 8.1liter engine(even more added weight), you'd probably be looking at around 50-52mph top end with a full crew...someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

NO inboard boat is going to get you 60+mph.

Edited October 14, 2009 by areamike

[85 Barefoot]

I should add to previous posters comment that even at 50, if a 247 with the 8.1 would do that (which I doubt), it's still a faster top end boat than its rivals from MC and CC.

Top end speed and wakeboard boat are kind of like opposites, even though they have plenty of power, the propping is such that they pull more than scream if you know what I mean.

a new response with the new corvette ls3 will apparently do 54 But it won't have much of a wakeboard wake.

[wakeup]

What part of NC and what lake? Malibu VLX and LSV are my #1 for wakeboarding wakes and interior style/comfort. It's built with wakeboarding as its main focus.

Mastercraft XStar and Nautique 210 will also give you pro wakes and all these boats pull many pro wakeboarding tournaments. 210 though in the last few years has not had the rave reviews as in years past. Little too much peak in the wake for me.

Speed is not really an option on a wakeboard boat as the hull is not designed for speed or really rough water. You'll notice a lot of difference in your current boat if comparing only those two things.

I'd demo demo demo and then make sure you like the dealer whichever boat you decide.

[Ndawg12]

What part of NC and what lake? Malibu VLX and LSV are my #1 for wakeboarding wakes and interior style/comfort. It's built with wakeboarding as its main focus.

Mastercraft XStar and Nautique 210 will also give you pro wakes and all these boats pull many pro wakeboarding tournaments. 210 though in the last few years has not had the rave reviews as in years past. Little too much peak in the wake for me.

Speed is not really an option on a wakeboard boat as the hull is not designed for speed or really rough water. You'll notice a lot of difference in your current boat if comparing only those two things.

I'd demo demo demo and then make sure you like the dealer whichever boat you decide.

If it's Lake Norman, thank you for getting rid of the gfbl boat and getting a wake boat

[RedOwl]

Hello,

Looking for some input on purchasing a wake board boat. I have been a long time power boater. I have a Formula 370 Super Sport. I have just moved to North Carolina and now live on a lake. I see a lot of ski boats -- Mastercraft, Correct Craft, Malibu, Tige, etc..... If money was no object, which boat would you purchase? I have never wake boarded. I water skied when I was a kid. I now have a 10 year old who I have introduced to wake boarding at a local camp. I want the best of the best. So who's boat and model should I purchase?

Thank you all for your input. It will help me make a decision.

Is wakeboarding going to be your priority, or just something you want the boat to be capable of from time to time? Are you mostly interested in cruising, watersports, space for friends, etc?

If there's one thing I've learned, Malibu has a boat to fit just about any need. It just comes down to what your primary use of the boat will be.

For what it's worth, if you want a little bit of everything and money is no object, IMHO a 247 would be hard to beat.