Opinions on 1st Wakeboard boat

Joe,
I feel your pain, looking for boats in MN is brutal. There just isn't a huge supply out there. I live in St. Paul but the 93 excel is for sale in Shell Lake, WI not even 2 hrs from the Twin Cities. Word is that the ice just went out on the lake over the weekend, so it would be available for a test drive shortly too. V-drive and I feel like it has great wake for boarding.

Why are most SN2001's missing the big "2001" decals?

The best advice I can give is to decide what you want, find a nice one, & pay the guy a fair price for it. The bitterness of a bad purchase will last much longer than the sweetness of a low price.

I paid too much for my boat but am very happy I bought it.

PS - The money outflow doesn't stop with the handshake - it is only the beginning!

Some great advice here

One thing I'd add. I get the impression that Joe is wasting a lot of time and energy looking for a boat that is equipped in a certain way (ie tower, prop, bimini etc.)

I think the focus should be on getting a good condition, good running boat, that needs next to nothing or needs a few small repairs to get on the water.

Also, I woundn't worry soohhh much about the size of the wake. Unless you're already a highlty skilled boarder, it will take a long time to outgrow the potential (even unweighted) of the boats you've mentioned.

I will let others answer the technical questions- though Im sure you can find all you could ever want to know on most of those by doing a search right here. Lots of info at your fingertips!

jo-e90 wrote: I have made multiple offers on many boats already for $100 below asking and owner backs out or says not selling anymore or already sold or dont get back to me. I have many offers out there right now and continuously making reasonable offers on CC's. I am not a troll.

It sounds like you havent had much luck in trying to buy a boat. Here's some free advice- take it for what its worth!

-Some sellers are flakes. They like to list things on the internet for sale, but dont like to field emails. Theyre either afraid of spam or technologically incompetent. Im sure some are just testing the waters and dont respond to any inquiries. Others arent courteous and will not continue to field responses to their ad after they have one or 2 semi-serious lookers. If youre getting a response about half the time, that sounds about right. Frustrating as a buyer for sure, but thats how it goes!

-Low priced stuff sells fast. Lots of bargain hunters out there. If you see something that catches your eye and is a good deal, then move fast. Dont sit and wait- minutes and hours count. Use every mode of communication at your disposal. Email and then follow up with a phone call (or vice versa). Provide multiple contact methods yourself- include your email address in a voicemail, and your phone number in your email. Answer your phone when they call back, return calls and emails quickly. If youre not on top of things, someone else will be, and they'll beat you to the deal. If something is priced ridiculously low, be prepared to pay full asking price, rather than haggling.

-Low priced stuff sells easily. If a seller is getting a lot of interest in an item, they may not want to deal with the guy asking a lot of questions, asking for a lot of pictures, and lowballing them on price. They'll deal with the easier potential buyers first, or ignore you entirely. If youve got a line on a good deal, make it easy for the seller- get out there and see it for yourself, if possible, rather than relying on someone to do a lot of legwork for the sale.

-Sellers are suspicious of tire kickers, especially on the internet. The fact that you have "several offers" out there right now on multiple boats means that they cant all be serious... after all, youre not going to buy all of them, right? If sellers can sniff out that youre BS'ing them, they'll move on. You need to prove to them that youre serious. Do something to give them confidence that you'll close the deal... call them on the phone (this shows serious interest as opposed to a faceless email). If you come to terms, make sure to offer to send a deposit. Even better, show up in person, and bring CASH.

1) Nope I don't believe that; the wakes are different, the 2001 is a smaller boat with a narrow wake, both are going to blow your mind [:>]

2) Decide what you want, the Air will not suffer stringer issues has more space and will put out a monster wake. The one you have linked to has a few issues that have been discussed before. The 2001 has a special place in a lot of peoples hearts you either want one with the issues they have (stringers/smaller size) or you want a newer boat.

3) You need to know the size between the tower and get a bimini to fit, should not be a big issue getting one from any supplier.

4) There are lots of threads about this on here but you need to find them and research. Don't worry about this until you get a boat, because swapping a prop is not a big job.

Decide what you want and what is important to you, choose your budget and then get something. Don't blow everything you have on the purchase as there is always stuff that will be needed.

Get out there and look at the boats you are interested in, don't just get the pictures. A seller wants you to get into his boat and ask questions, you need to engage the seller, you want him to sell you his boat, Pick up the phone and speak to the seller rather than do everything over email, chase down everything you are interested in and keep chasing until you have one.

jo-e90 wrote: I just don't understand why the SN2001's asking $9K - &13K when you can get a 1998-99 Sport or Air for the same or a little more? I would like to get the SN2001 because of the SP Package and the hull but can never pull the trigger as I see 1998-99's going for the same or a little more. Why do people buy/pay these 23-26 year old boats for same $$ ?

Also these are asking prices but that would be on the very high end for a 2001. A super clean 2001 just sold by me for 6500. I would say thats more of an average price. Remember if there is on in the diaries for 10K and its been up for 2 years its because that guy is nuts or not really serious about selling.

On the same note not very 98-99 sports go for under 10K. So...not really the same price at all. In fact I would say 10K for a 93 sport would be a decent price.

My 93 pictured above rides 9. I'd been looking at an 89 2001 and decide on the 93 sport because of the extra space for people and storage plus no wood stringers.

in your first "comparison" the one advertized as a 98 is an 89 in the ad so...what was the question?

GlassSeeker wrote: Because of their well earned reputation. Have you been paying any attention to the advice you've been getting?

I'm really beginning to wonder if he's just some troll from the Mastercraft forums just here to f with all of us.

I just don't understand why the SN2001's asking $9K - &13K when you can get a 1998-99 Sport or Air for the same or a little more?
I would like to get the SN2001 because of the SP Package and the hull but can never pull the trigger as I see 1998-99's going for the same or a little more. Why do people buy/pay these 23-26 year old boats for same $$ ?

Hey Ross, welcome along..you have been looking for a long time.

jo-e90, I am sure you search wont take quite so long.

We all need to see pictures (I though I would get that in before anyone else) and I am bored today so need to see more pictures.

Steve, I have a 94 Excel for sale if interested. See link below as I have gotten a new one and need to let this one go.

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forsale/details.asp?ID=5562&sort=&pagenum=1

jo-e90 wrote: Its amazing how young people with $50k boats are looking for $80K boats, when I could buy 4-6 boats with their $50K boat equity, but cannot afford it and I am not getting any younger.

I doubt these young people afford these boats..... the old folks bought 'em and the the young folks drive 'em because the old guy's knees didn't hold up.........

Youth is wasted on the young!

jo-e90 wrote: ugh - monster towers are the ugliest towers made. They look like wide spaced tent poles after a hurricane ripped off the tent.

All towers completely ruin the way these boats look.

Towers are like baggy pants. It's a horrible fad that needs to go away.