Wake/Ski Boat experiences

[Rotax_Kid]

As a family (3 siblings) we are looking for a new boat for the lake. We have a cabin, so it sits there from May long until the 2nd-3rd week of September. Current boat has over 1500 hours on it and to be honest, we've done nothing to the engine (Johnson 130 OB - still has compression within 10 psi of new) We are pretty lucky - our lake is small, boat is only used for skiing, wakeboarding, surfing, tubing, general putzing around. We never spent a day on it, take off from in front of the cabin, drop off in front of the cabin. Boat will be in the family for a long time, and we have a number of little people who are between 3-6 years old skiing/tubing, etc already.

This time around I want to get into a ski/wakeboard board. New is out of the question. I can't justify $80K+ for 3 months of the year. Likely looking for something in the 2005-2011 model year, 22' max, as our lake isn't large. Potential boats I want to look for:

Master Craft X1/X2
Nautique 211
Malibu VLX
Sanger 215

I'm not looking for a boat through this post - but am curious, who has experience with what brand? What has held up, what hasn't? Obviously Mastercraft, Malibu, and Nautique have good resale, and seem to be made of better materials than some of the less expensive brands.

Experiences please?

 

[niner]

My sister has a Mastercraft X2. Throws a nice wake for surf. Been a great boat for them. (My surfing is not good I know)
https://youtu.be/BeNDo4LgUcQ

 

[deaner]

I had an older sanger and was extremely happy with it. From what I found out when I was researching them, they are a smaller company so not as well known, but extremely well built.

 

[catalac]

I'd recommend getting a boat surf ready such as 2013+ vlx as it will have surf gates, or a 210 nautique will nss. I think either of those you should be able to get for a decent price and not have a big depreciation.

 

[Rotax_Kid]

My sister has a Mastercraft X2. Throws a nice wake for surf. Been a great boat for them. (My surfing is not good I know)
https://youtu.be/BeNDo4LgUcQ

They are very nice boats. Martin seems to have the market covered with the Mastercrafts but compared to what others are asking privately, their prices seem generally very high. Something to be said for buying a used boat, having issues, and possibly have some recourse if things don't go well. How is that boat to ski? I used to ski course when I was younger and still do a slalom run back to back with every wakeboard run.

I had an older sanger and was extremely happy with it. From what I found out when I was researching them, they are a smaller company so not as well known, but extremely well built.

Sangers are nice boats. Definitely more traditionally styled compared to the rest and simplier than the rest but from everything I've read solid boats with a very proven hull design.

 

[niner]

They are very nice boats. Martin seems to have the market covered with the Mastercrafts but compared to what others are asking privately, their prices seem generally very high. Something to be said for buying a used boat, having issues, and possibly have some recourse if things don't go well. How is that boat to ski? I used to ski course when I was younger and still do a slalom run back to back with every wakeboard run.

It throws a pretty big wake without ballast. So not a great ski boat. Not saying it can't be done.

 

[armascott]

I had a 05 Mastercraft X2, was a pretty good all around boat. The ski wake decent at 32-34mph, as long as it's only the driver and spotter in the boat. Keep in mind the 05 is the old 205 vull design with the V nose not the pickle fork nose.

 

[OVERKILL 19]

2013 vlx Malibu 195h
Been great so far. Id guess they are still in the high $60s at least.
Wizard told us the would give us what we paid for it on trade on new ski nautique

 

[tko sled ed]

Same on the vlx we picked up a 2013 vlx 21 it has been an awesome boat it is definitely a multi discipline boat I found one with the diamond hull in the the front so it skis extremely well for a large v drive boat

 

[Rotax_Kid]

Same on the vlx we picked up a 2013 vlx 21 it has been an awesome boat it is definitely a multi discipline boat I found one with the diamond hull in the the front so it skis extremely well for a large v drive boat
//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170802/9a4d57bfd6101f896ec94718c4e1444d.jpg

Love the metal flake!

 

[Rotax_Kid]

I had a 05 Mastercraft X2, was a pretty good all around boat. The ski wake decent at 32-34mph, as long as it's only the driver and spotter in the boat. Keep in mind the 05 is the old 205 vull design with the V nose not the pickle fork nose.

I'd easily go for the older 205v...hull seems to be able to do everything. We rarely have more than 4 in a boat so apace is fine

 

[sledneck__11]

I have a 13 moomba mobius and it has been a awesome boat all around and the surf wave is great i paid 55 for is 3 summers ago and the boat hasnt missed a beat just over 160 hours on it now makes just a nice of wave if not nicer then the big name boats

 

[OVERKILL 19]

2013 vlx Malibu 195h
Been great so far. Id guess they are still in the high $60s at least.
Wizard told us the would give us what we paid for it on trade on new ski nautique

This is the only pic I had... after we took all the barrels off after the flood!

 

[gotboost]

I have a Axis A22 its been an awesome boat 60hrs on it now no problems with it and throws a huge wave for surfing

 

[Cableguy]

If you want to ski seriously, like 22' off or more, don't buy a Vdrive u can put a lot of weight into a good ski boat and surf the **** outta it but u can't get a good wake for skiing with those large boats
I have a 99 nautique with factory ballasts and it is a true everything boat 1200 hours and haven't spent $400 on repairs in 16 years still runs like a top prob could find a low hour 98-2002 for under 20gs

 

[Rotax_Kid]

Geeze you guys have some nice boats!

 

[OVERKILL 19]

If you want to ski seriously, like 22' off or more, don't buy a Vdrive u can put a lot of weight into a good ski boat and surf the **** outta it but u can't get a good wake for skiing with those large boats
I have a 99 nautique with factory ballasts and it is a true everything boat 1200 hours and haven't spent $400 on repairs in 16 years still runs like a top prob could find a low hour 98-2002 for under 20gs

Ur batteries lasted 18 years?? Thats some magical lead!
Just spent $400 today on 2 new batts after 5 years.

 

[Cableguy]

stored in heated shop since I've owned it $220 last year was the first set of batts
I've done couple impellers and lots of gas

 

[woody_tobius_jr]

I have an '04 SV211. Great crossover boat, surfing behind it was a challenge, I had to sack the hell out of it and then it was a moderate wake, I bought a wakeshaper for a hundred and some bucks, and now surfs like a dream with just the factory tanks full. It's adequate to slalom behind, the wake flattens right out at 35 mph. Wake boarding, it has a steeper wake than a mastercraft X Star, the x star's wake is taller and more gradual.
I really like the walk through at the back on the port side. Keeps people from traipsing on the Upholstry. It will seat 8 comfortably, but it is crowded.

 

[OVERKILL 19]

stored in heated shop since I've owned it $220 last year was the first set of batts
I've done couple impellers and lots of gas

???
Ive always said "BOAT"= Break Out Another Thousand!