1990 Malibu Mystere a good boat?

[teknikal2]

I want to buy a ski boat, primarily for wakeboarding and tubing. I've only been wakeboarding a few times and really don't know anything about which boats make better wakes, etc. I think I can find something decent for under $10,000. I'd like to be able to put a tower on it

Any thoughts on a 1990 Malibu 215lx Mystere Euro f ? I think I can get it for about $10k...

Pete

[JasonK]

I like mine. Have had it for 10 years. We do a little wakeboarding and surfing, but mostly skiing and barefooting. It's ok for intermediate wakeboarding and surfing.

The 1990 has wood in the construction. If you're serious about buying it, remove one bolt from the water-seperating fuel filter housing and re-install it. If it doesn't grab, the stringers are rotten. Also check the bolts under the floor that hold the ski pylon bracing. You have to reach for them. If they spin, the stringers are rotten.

I'd buy my boat again for $10 G right now, if it was in as nice a shape as when i got it.

[teknikal2]

I like mine. Have had it for 10 years. We do a little wakeboarding and surfing, but mostly skiing and barefooting. It's ok for intermediate wakeboarding and surfing.

The 1990 has wood in the construction. If you're serious about buying it, remove one bolt from the water-seperating fuel filter housing and re-install it. If it doesn't grab, the stringers are rotten. Also check the bolts under the floor that hold the ski pylon bracing. You have to reach for them. If they spin, the stringers are rotten.

I'd buy my boat again for $10 G right now, if it was in as nice a shape as when i got it.

Thanks for the tips to check for wood rot!

[martinarcher]

Agreed. Check for wood rot. Also check the floor good for soft spots. If it's 10k it should be in good shape (not needing any floor/interior/wood/engine work).

Oh yeah.....tubing causes wood rot so you won't want to do any of that.

[jk13]

I like that boat, but it better be in nice shape for that price. I paid far less than that for my Echelon (no wood), but I searched for months to find the right deal. Now, my boat needed some cosmetic work that I could handle myself. If I paid to have all of it done, it may have come up to close to $10k total.

That's another thing I like about "modern" older inboards. As long as they are maintained properly they should never get too far below $10k. That seems to be the basement price on boats in good shape. Unless it's a real oddball or a boat that didn't perform as it was designed to.

Bottom line: be patient. If that Mystere is not in good shape, don't hesitate to walk away. I know it's summer time, but a bad purchase may haunt you for years to come.

[RHINO 660]

We bought our 92 malibu euro f3 mystere 215lx 3 years ago for $8500 and we have had no problems with it. The boat was all original and in very good cond. The carpet was in good shape and the int. had only one little rip where people would step over the bow onto the seat.When we bought it did not have the speakers it has in the pics. WE love our boat and sure it is not as nice as some of those fancy new boats but we have just as much fun as everybody else.

[teknikal2]

I appreciate everybody's input! I ended up deciding to wait... maybe until the end of the season to hopefully get a better deal. What year did they stop using wood? Is there any specific years or models of malibu boats that were better? I'd like to stay under $10k, and the $8k range would be even better

thanks

[WakingMeHappy]

You have a set price range and you’re willing to wait. Those are two prime ingredients that tell me you’ll find the perfect boat. Good luck.

[rugger]

I bought an older boat, love it, but wouldn't have in this economy. It's all I could buy cash at the time because used boats were still expensive. Nothing wrong with the one you're looking at, they're all fun. But if you're waiting for the off season I'd look for a late 90s-00 for $12k. They're out there.