Need your opinion on a first boat purchase!!

[BadbluSi]

Hey guys, I'm finally in the market for my first boat!! Ive been doing some rearch and obvious trolling of multiple web sites, and came across a good possible option. I'm really looking for a good all around boat, skiing, wakeboarding, and summer cruising. The boat doesnt have a tower but looks to be in great shape, has 326 hours, and a good maintenance history from what the dealer told me. Price dropped to 15k and includes a trailer, was hoping to hear some feedback from you guys on your thoughts and opinions!! Thanks for the help on my first post!!

http://www.billsmarineservice.com/Page.aspx/diid/2413623/list/InventoryList/pageId/27917/view/Details/1996-Malibu-SUNSETTER-SUNSETTER-VLX.aspx

Chris

[Lakenut]

The Sunsetter VLX eventually became the Wakesetter VLX. Not sure how much change happened between 1996 and that happening.

Looks like it would be a great all round boat. 326 hours isn't very many for a 14 year old boat. If I remember correctly, 96 should have been wood free construction. Should ski very good (for a vdrive) and wakeboarding should be good too. Towers can easily be added. Not sure about adding a wedge to that year.

[sprdave]

Looks like a lot of fun. I'd say it's at least half as much fun as a $30000 boat.

Edited June 3, 2010 by sprdave

[edo]

looks good and get some compression #s , have a grate summer

[Luciano Chedrese]

looks good and get some compression #s , have a grate summer

I thinks that boat looks in great shape. for 15k i think you will have a lot of fun. Just purchase a pair of fat sacs and go to ride. For me that boat is new. My 2010 vlx is now with 270 hours on the engine. we recieved our boat the 22 of december.

[msuwaterski]

Based on the little information provided I would pass on that boat. Price seems a bit high especially considering the lack of options. Do you know if it is an old carb engine or an EFI?

I know you say you want a good all around boat, but more than likely once you get a boat you will start to like one discipline more than another. If it is slalom you end up liking, than a V-drive may not be the best choice. If you go the wakeboard and surfing route, you'll definitely end up wanting a wedge and a tower and ballast. While yes those all can be added easily, it'll cost you $1500 to $4k.

Anyway, I think that if you are patient and are willing to drive a little you can get more boat for your $15k - $17k. Some examples are below.

Boat

other boat 2

other boat 3

[TheKiwi]

Clean boat, hours are low but the price is quite high for that year considering it has no tower, ballast or wedge.

You can definitely pick up a newer boat with more options for that price though.

http://kalamazoo.craigslist.org/boa/1773031065.html - Tower, low hours (a bit too low really ahah)

Edited June 4, 2010 by TheKiwi

[birsling79]

I would also keep looking, unless you fell in love with that boat. Take a look at a few others, and see what's out there.

Examples:

http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=819741

http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=819393

Good luck in your search

[BadbluSi]

You guys think the price is still a little high? What should one go for with those hours and age? And I will probably lean more towards boarding than skiing or surfing, could always add a tower later!

[birsling79]

You guys think the price is still a little high? What should one go for with those hours and age? And I will probably lean more towards boarding than skiing or surfing, could always add a tower later!

I think the price is definitely a little high, especially if you want to mainly board. You'll want a tower and ballast (possibly a wedge), which will cost you additional money with this boat. I would tell you to buy a boat that somebody already paid to set up for the purpose you wish to use it. That way somebody else spent the money, and you reap the reward.

It is exciting to buy a boat, especially your first, but you will be happier if you get exactly what you want! Take a look at the examples everyone has posted. You can negotiate on anything. Good luck

[jk13]

Looks pretty good to me, especially if it's local. V-drive for 15k in that nice of condition and not having to travel to get it? Looks like a trap door on the platform, it may already have the wedge on it?

Price does not seem out of line to me. Especially at a local dealer, if you trust them.

What is the motor, BTW?

[footnlongline]

You guys think the price is still a little high? What should one go for with those hours and age? And I will probably lean more towards boarding than skiing or surfing, could always add a tower later!

The center portion if the windsheild is missing on that boat. The price is a little high but not unreasonable if it is indeed in near perfect shape, has a good tandem trailer, MPI etc. That year is a good year for build quality

[Ndawg12]

I was about to say that it didn't sound like a bad deal to me but I punched it into nadaguides.com and you really have to load up the options to get the value up to $15k, even after adding $2k for the value of a trailer. It doesn't appear that this boat has many options. Take that with a grain of salt but it could be used as a bargaining tool if you're really interested in that boat.

Edited June 4, 2010 by Ndawg12

[Bobby Light]

Hey guys, I'm finally in the market for my first boat!! Ive been doing some rearch and obvious trolling of multiple web sites, and came across a good possible option. I'm really looking for a good all around boat, skiing, wakeboarding, and summer cruising. The boat doesnt have a tower but looks to be in great shape, has 326 hours, and a good maintenance history from what the dealer told me. Price dropped to 15k and includes a trailer, was hoping to hear some feedback from you guys on your thoughts and opinions!! Thanks for the help on my first post!!

http://www.billsmarineservice.com/Page.aspx/diid/2413623/list/InventoryList/pageId/27917/view/Details/1996-Malibu-SUNSETTER-SUNSETTER-VLX.aspx

Chris

Looks like a really clean boat. I'd offer them $12K though and use the savings for ballast, you don't need a wedge and it's probably a good idea it doesn't have one on a boat from those years. You can get loaded up VLX's several years newer than that boat around me with similar hours on them for a little more money, they pop up from time to time.

[Woodski]

Based on above comments about price, you do have some leverage you could use. It appears a boat dealer is the seller, they probably have a pro shop full of equipment you are going to need (vests/ropes/ski/board), thus you might be able to negotiate a coupon for those items from their pro shop. That stuff can add up very fast and that could make it a win-win for both.

[BadbluSi]

OK guys i went to the dealership last weekend and saw the boat in person, unfortunately I got there as they were closing up but did get a "hands on" look at it. Looked to be in great shape, I definitely want to take it out and the trailer was in great shae as well, had Malibu cut outs on the side steps. i talked a bit with another one of the sales guys and he said it does have a center ballast but no wedge. i know i'd add a tower so what are your opinions as to what I should offer? It does have a full cover and 2 seperate covers, cockpit and bow, also what are the options to add the wrap around seating at some point in the future? just asking

I must say this is one of the better forums Ive been a member of, keep up the great work and I hope to have myself a Bu sooner than later!!

Chris

[BadbluSi]

Bump! Anyone???

[WakingMeHappy]

I have a 99 Sunsetter and it's a great boat. It has provided many hours of family fun. Take a closer look at the trailer though. The one in the pics doesn't have any wheels.

[BadbluSi]

HAHAHAHA good point! I did see the one it comes with and I can verify it does have wheels, and tires! Just rying to figure out a price to throw at them to see if they'll bite!

[WakingMeHappy]

HAHAHAHA good point! I did see the one it comes with and I can verify it does have wheels, and tires! Just rying to figure out a price to throw at them to see if they'll bite!

Price? Shoot low. The worst that can happen is they'll say no. Know beforehand what you're really willing to give and be ready to walk out the door...and not turn around.

[birsling79]

Is this a local dealer to you? How long have they had it? Like WMH said, shoot them a low ball offer. WHat's the worst that happens? Keep in mind, with adding a tower, more ballast, and possibly a stereo, you'll add no less than $3k to whatever you pay. Good luck

[areamike]

I was about to say that it didn't sound like a bad deal to me but I punched it into nadaguides.com and you really have to load up the options to get the value up to $15k, even after adding $2k for the value of a trailer. It doesn't appear that this boat has many options. Take that with a grain of salt but it could be used as a bargaining tool if you're really interested in that boat.

I was thinking the same thing. I think it is pretty darn pricey for what you get.

nadaguides.com>>Boats

OK guys i went to the dealership last weekend and saw the boat in person, unfortunately I got there as they were closing up but did get a "hands on" look at it. Looked to be in great shape, I definitely want to take it out and the trailer was in great shae as well, had Malibu cut outs on the side steps. i talked a bit with another one of the sales guys and he said it does have a center ballast but no wedge. i know i'd add a tower so what are your opinions as to what I should offer? It does have a full cover and 2 seperate covers, cockpit and bow, also what are the options to add the wrap around seating at some point in the future? just asking

I must say this is one of the better forums Ive been a member of, keep up the great work and I hope to have myself a Bu sooner than later!!

Chris

hmm..why all the covers.

Anyway. You definitely have some bargaining room if you really like the boat after driving it. Finding a used wedge will be no problem probably. Does it at least have the bracket for the wedge? Has it ever been in brackish or salt water?

[BadbluSi]

It's never seen salt or brackish water. also yes the dealer is local to me, located about 30 minutes from me.

[birsling79]

It's never seen salt or brackish water. also yes the dealer is local to me, located about 30 minutes from me.

Call them to set up an appointment to test drive. You'll never know until you try her!