Considering a bowrider ski boat

I know there was a thread a few weeks back, but can't seem to locate it.

In any event, we put a whopping 5 hours on the I/O bow-rider this season, and a good 50 hours plus on the skier. Same thing last year.

Which begs the question...'honey, why do we have both of these boats...'

Now, while I'm the first to agree with toy-collections, I see her point.

However we do, on occasion, some family boating..tubing, etc...and as everyone one here knows, the 18 foot skier is not suited for that task.

So, with all that being said, what are some recommendations from the members here on a bow-rider ski boat. I'm not talking new here..prefer something of a classic...80's or 90's...etc....

I just know so little about these style of boats and what would be a good 'all-around' boat in the "event" I choose to sell the skier.

thanks folks...

Ultra--

My thought is that when I have my myself, my wife and a family of 3 more, I'm sorta running out of space in my CB skier. At least the little 18 footer like I have now.

I'm thinking maybe a SN?

With a family, I think open bow ski boats are great. Since I am a cash for toys person, my boats have always been old. I owned an '88 MC TriStar 190 for 6 years and now have a '91 Sport Nautique. Both are great, but different, boats.

The TriStar had a very good ski wake but only a marginal wakeboard wake and occasionally felt small inside (I didn't have a tower on it). The Sport has an OK ski wake (not as good as the TriStar) but a much better wakeboard wake and is noticably bigger inside. I have a tower on the Sport which helps with wakeboard, tube and rope management. The Sport also handles rough water better - the hull is not as flat as the TriStar's.

Similar engines in both (Indmar and PCM Fords) - easy to maintain. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Pete, we're difinately old school and in the minority, but I really don't understand why people think they need a bow rider, especially on a 3 event boat where the seating in the bow is not all that good anyway.

I believe Malibu invented the tourney bow rider in the early 80's. They took quite awhile to catch on, but when they did, the whole industry changed. Then came the V drives, but Century was making them all through the 60,s, 70's and 80's. If only someone had thought to put a tower on an Arabian, they might still be in business.

Mojo wrote: My recommendation is if your're going to get a CC OB, make it later than 03', because your going to get wet. It's hard to keep water out of the bow in choppy water. Prior to 03'= wood instead of composite. Water bad

I do believe you mean '93, sir.

Definetly go '93 or later then. I have the '89 Sport and it has been great! I do not have a problem with the floors, but I do not want to be the owner when it does. That involves splitting the deck from the hull to get under the open bow area. Does not sound fun.
I love the layout, though. A lot of people say they have a hard time keeping water from coming over either the front or back with the euro tail. I have never taken water over the back (unless I did it intentially to soak a few friends) and only once taken water over the bow in very rough water with two adults sitting up there. I love the space and am even finding myself wanting more (v-drive). That is the only bad part of the direct drive open bows. There always seems to be three conversations going on. One on the bench seat, driver/spotter, and in the bow, but I guess three conversations in not any worse than two in a CB.

I don't think you could go wrong with a SNOB or Sport.

If you have an OB you can do this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68AOltMu768&feature=related