Best family boat to get?

[ck1]

I am in the market to get a boat. I am 37 yrs old and we have 2 young boys (4 and 5 yrs old) and would like to get a boat to head out on the weekends and during the summer to Koocanusa, Inveremere and Kelowna. I can water ski quite well but have yet to try wake boarding or wake surfing. I'm very active in all sports and figure it shouldn't be too hard to learn. For some reason I have my mind set on getting a wake board boat as they seem quite nice and have all the bells and whistles. I love the idea of getting on the water, pumping the tunes, swimming/skiing etc... I have found some decent boats for sale out of the US. New MB Sports or Centurion's are going for around $45-50k in the US, whereas they are around $60-70k here. Used ones are in the $30-40k range.

Just looking for some feedback on what would be a good family boat to get considering the following:
- can make a decent wake for wake boarding and wake surfing
- has all the bells and whistles (stereo w subs/tower and speakers/cooler/heaters/seating for 10 or more for groups of friends)
- reliable motor
- decent warranty
- can be serviced in Calgary area
-stable in choppy waters
- 300hp or greater
- 20-24ft
- how many hrs is too many?

I've been in a nice Larson and Chapparall, they seem like good family boats, just not sure if the wake will be sufficient enough as I anticipate my family will be getting into the board sports. I've heard nightmare stories about wake boarding boats getting swamped in choppy waters, I don't know much about that topic at all.

Anyone have good feedback on what brand to consider for wake boarding boats? Pro's and con's? I'd like to stick in the $30-40k range if I could.

Brands that I think are affordable that I'm considering:
- MB Sports
- Centurion
- Ski Supreme
- Axis
- Malibu

I love the Mastercraft but to get a used one in the $30-40k range, you are looking at a 2004-2006, older than other brands for the same money.

Much appreciated.
Cheers.

[IGGYRULES]

I'd go with Centurion, Mastercraft, or Malibu. If you're going to be on bodies of water like lake Okanagan definitely go with the larger boat. You can find yourself in a "boatload" of trouble as conditions can change in the blink of an eye. If you're just going to slough hop the smaller boat will be fine.

Most of the time lake Okanagan sucks for any type of watersports. Too many boats in the water on the nice days which makes the lake very choppy. I'd recommend Kootenay lake over the Okanagan any day. Water temps are quite a bit colder as it's glacier fed but the traffic is much less and alot of the time the lake is like glass (between Balfour and Nelson).

Something else you may want to consider is renting a boat? I think there are grandeur intentions when boats are purchased but most people don't use them as much as they think they will. With that being said, you can find low hour (barely broken in) boats in great condition 2-5 years old which is the way to go instead of buying new.

[MacDaddy77]

I would suggest getting an inboard don't go with a chaparral or anything with a rear prop

[ck1]

ttt

[afc wimbledon]

a canoe and a fishing rod will keep a couple of boys happier than a motor boat

[Sliver]

^ The fun stops here.

[Flames89]

Nothing like getting outside with your stereo w/ subs.

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by Flames89

Nothing like getting outside with your stereo w/ subs.

almost asmuch fun as having a motorcycle with pipes you can hear for a 5 mile radius....

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by ck1

I love the Mastercraft but to get a used one in the $30-40k range, you are looking at a 2004-2006, older than other brands for the same money.

Much appreciated.
Cheers.

There's a good reason for that, they're probably still better boats.
What year the boat is isn't really a concern, look for the features you want and as long as the boat doesn't have too many hours you'll do just fine. For reference a family member just sold his 89 Master Craft, and it's still one of the best pure ski boats I've ever been behind.

If I was in the market, I'd be looking pretty much exclusively at Malibu, Master Craft, and Natique.

[Huntingwhale]

[#-3]

Malibu is a far better boat then the rest on that list. If you can get one at the right price it is the way to go. Depends on how hard you are skiing, but their response is a prue ski boat that has good enough wake for boarding.

If you wanted to go with more of a Hy-brid ski/wakeboard I would go with an older air nautique from around 2004, vary nice boat that you can still ski hard behind, since then the "wakeboard boats" have gotten a little to big.

[Notorious Honey Badger]

The only motor boating I'm interested in.

[Loob]

Mastercraft is the best boat on the market, followed by Malibu. Both are great boats. I have a Malibu ride and a Chaparral. All the fun stuff we do behind the Malibu and all the touring is done in the comforts of the chaparral.

You should have a real good look at the Malibu Axis a22. Great boat!!

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

a canoe and a fishing rod will keep a couple of boys happier than a motor boat

Yeah, if those two boys were named Opie and Goober and they lived in Mayberry.

[TopChed]