Looking for a boat.

This is my first post but ive read the forums for a while.

Im looking to purchase an older direct drive ski boat thinking mid to late 80s. And im trying to find one for 4k or less so that i have some money left over to get sacks and anything else i need to fix it up. And i dont mind a project as long as the stringers are solid.

Just thought id ask and see if anybody on here had a boat they were trying to sell or knew of one. Im located in Central Texas but dont mind traveling a little.

I don't have a boat but thought I would give you some different models to look at. If you want the best built boat that has pretty much all fiberglass construction look at late 1983 and on Mastercrafts. They are better ski boats then wakeboarding boats but are basically bullet proof. Obviously the 2001 model nautiques from 82-89 are awesome but need to have the stringers and floor checked. You may really have to find a project boat but the older Supra sunsport and Maurader(I think this is the sunsport hull in a closed bow version) are very nice because of lots of freeboard and wakemaking ability.

Yeah, ive been mostly looking at the 2001s, and mastercraft skier/prostars. Also a little at the supra ts6m but they have a low freeboard and ive heard dont make much wake..

Stay away from the supra sunsport it sucks to drive sacked best to stick with a mastercraft or netter yet a nautique. If you find a Canadian one it's probably never been stored on the water and probably will have solid stringers

Drew, I don't think I have ever heard that before. I am sure it doesn't handle as good as a prostar or 2001 but then again absolutely none of the newer boats do either. I am also not sure handling matters all that much when you are driving 22mph.

I am also pretty sure that buying a 4k boat in canada is out of the question. That is a hell of a long trip to buy a 4k boat.

There are a lot of satisfied owners of older Supra SunSports. It's a nice looking boat. It looks roomier too, more like a modern boat.

I have a buddy with an Supra SS, its a darn nice boat with tons of room for an older boat. You'd be best to look in the 8-10K range if you can find a way to put that kind of cash together. You'll be able to get a nice usable boat that doesn't require tons of work. I think my buddy paid 9k for his with a tower, stereo, new vinyl and even integrated ballast. His was likely a rare find but they're out there.

I had a '98 Malibu Sportster for 5 fun years. I am not sure what years Malibu produced these boats and what they are going for now. Here is a couple pics of the wake with the wedge and about 500 lbs of ballast.

My budget is set because im a college student. It wont be going up any time soon. I saw a bunch of early to mid and a few late 80s direct drives in the price range before i had the money i was just hopin someone on here knew of any.

Good luck with your search. If you see any in the Albuquerque area let me know and I can take a look for you.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/boa/2149574430.html Scary with the redone engine.

http://austin.craigslist.org/boa/2136094704.html

http://austin.craigslist.org/boa/2135270890.html May or may not have wood stringers.

Whatever you do, don't get a 2001.

wake77, I can't believe you just said that.

add mastercraft tristars to your list. I had a 79 stars and stripes that was ok... my 89 tristar now blows the old mc out of the water. twice the wake, twice the room, and same price. i paid 2500 for mine. needed new carpet and a some work on the engine tho. now its being turned into the show boat for out pro shop. but all on a college kids budget. Im eatin peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to save money for the boat.

Does anybody know anything about the mid 80s malibu skiers?

Like what kind of wake they can put out or any issues they have?