Hi, I've been lurking on this forum for about a month, thanks for all of your insight!
I'm about to buy a used inboard. This will be my second boat, first inboard. I'm fairly handy, and have a stepson corvette mechanic, so engine work comes somewhat cheap for me. I intend to use the boat for intermediate wakeboarding, wakesurfing, and tubing for the little kid. I was leaning towards the '05 wakesetter as its the newer hull/tower style so would probably hold value/look newer the longest. But the rental aspect scares me a little obviously, Im sure it has been beat on, but it doesn't look like it. Also the Wakesetter has had a bunch of parts replaced in the last few years, so there's a lot of newer components. The 2003 Nautique looks practically new, but the saltwater comment scares me there. I surf goofy footed, so i read the nautique would be good for that, prop rotation.
I'm trying to avoid wood in the boat. I had to have someone replace the wood in my first boat (stringers and floor) i'd hate to have to do it again, i read the Tige would still have wood. My goal is to get 10 years out of the boat and then possibly retire to a cabin cruiser lol....
I've been searching for a month or longer. If you were me, what would you choose? The boats are all in the same price range... The other option would be to wait till spring and see what comes up then, though I thought i'd get a better deal now.
2003 Air Nautique 226 LE
150 Hours of use
Excellent cosmetic condition
Wake Tower/Stereo
Ballast
Perfect Pass
V-drive Walkthrough Transom
New bottom paint
"Minor Salt/Brackish water use"
Out of state Dealer (I have to pay sales tax twice then claim one back on my taxes)
2005 Malibu Wakesetter VLX 22'
4 Ballast tanks (including optional bow tank)
Perfect Pass needs repair
Illusion X Wake Tower/Stereo
Bimini
Near Excellent cosmetic condition
1700 hours on hull, Engine replaced 2 years ago 500 hr on current engine
Used as rental for last 6 years, rental company second owner
Vdrive full transom/pad
Out of state Dealer (I have to pay sales tax twice then claim one back on my taxes)
2004 Malibu Wakesetter VLX 22'
3 Ballast tanks
Perfect Pass
Wet Sounds Stereo
Hull has 600 hours, 2nd engine has 60 hours
Very good cosmetic condition
Vdrive full transom/pad
Private seller so sales tax is easier
2003 Tige 22V Riders Edition
TAPS
Wake Tower / Stereo
BImini
Perfect Pass
Very good cosmetic condition
Vdrive full transom/pad