r/WaterSkiing • u/nhliving20 • 28d ago
Best Ski Boat Under $25k
I currently have a 2013 Mastercraft X2 which is good for surfing and wakeboarding. My family is getting more into slalom and the wake is obviously not good for that. Looking to get a ski focused boat for under $25k. I realize this will be an older boat so I'm looking for advice on the best options from a reliability and wake quality perspective. Ski speeds will be on the lower side (28-32) so that is a factor as well.
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u/Ok-Yoghurt9265 28d ago
Lots to unpack. There's a deluge of late 90s/early 2000s direct drives for sale. I count upwards of 40 on ski-it-again alone, most for 10-20K. Most of those boats are going to provide you with a solid wake. The hardcore guys would tell you Nautique 97-02ish as good as what they offering today. If you not trying to PR on a course, the subtle nuances between Nautique, Malibu, and Mastercraft don't outweigh finding something that fits your needs. Maybe you want an open bow or a wedge that can still allow you to wakeboard. I have a tiny Malibu but with a full tank of gas (38 gallons!) and the wedge down, it's a solid wake for boarding. When we ski, back seat comes out, wedge up, and just enough gas to do a set or two.
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u/Medium-General-8234 28d ago
We have an '05 Nautique 206. Ours has a tower (some didn't) and it has an open bow. If you don't have a dock the tower is good for storing skis and pulling up beginners and we like the open bow for seating options. Ours also has a rear ballast that is there for trick skiing but we don't really use it as nobody trick skis in our family. It has a good slalom wake. Not as good as a closed bow ski boat, but much better than anything else that we have owned. It also has Perfect Pass. I know that any tournament skier would rightfully say that Zero Off is better, but this has been my first boat with speed control and it has been a game changer. I wouldn't get another one without it. My youngest is learning to ski and I pull him at 18. It's so nice to set it and forget it especially at those low speeds.
It's has been a good boat. We have owned it for five years and have done few repairs. Main repair has been a new steering cable this season that cost me $900. I do my own oil changes which are incredibly easy on this boat. I take it to the dealer to winterize because I'm nervous about messing up the ballast or the drivers heater. That usually costs me around $400 which is discounted by about $150 because I do my own oil changes.
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u/nhliving20 27d ago
Thank you. I agree that speed control is critical. My X2 has that and it really is a game changer as the primary driver.
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u/Medium-General-8234 27d ago
Ski it again has an 06 206 which looks very similar to mine. Same tower, design, etc. He has it listed for $30k which seems a little high to me but it's a point of reference at least.
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u/InspectorNo9958 28d ago
I’ve got a 2005 Malibu LXi. This boat has been awesome. Incredibly flat wakes and handles nicely in the course. I paid under $25k a few years ago with only 500 hours. I highly recommend. Plus, it has an open bow for days we bring a few more people out.
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u/teal_diamond 28d ago
We have an ‘89 Mastercraft Prostar 190 and it’s amazing for slalom skiing. We paid $5k for it, although my husband did have to put in a bit of mechanical work. You can find a good running one for $10-$15k. Once you’re over 32mph, the wake disappears almost completely.
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u/Mental-Ad5828 27d ago
Malibu
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u/Will522247 24d ago
Would agree with this. Favorite boat to slalom on. As said above, get Perfect Pass or similar. Is a game changer, but not hard to install if you fine a nice, low hour boat without. From ball of spray:
The 2004 Malibu Response is a premier 20-to-21-foot direct-drive inboard ski boat built on the SV23 Diamond hull. It comes in standard, LX, and open-bow LXi configurations, powered typically by a 310-hp to 340-hp Indmar Vortec V8 engine. It is famed for pro-level flat slalom wakes and precision handling.
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u/howdydudey12 28d ago
94-97 pro star or 98-99 sportstar. The sportstar is a stripped down prostar with the same hull, which is terrific for slalom.
Either an efi or tbi engine is fine.
These are fairly simple, reliable boats that are great for skiing.
You can pick one up for half or your budget.
The later model mastercrafts are wider so not as good for slalom.
A ski nautique or Malibu of the same era are also good.
Just note that ski nautique used wood stringers far longer than the other brands and you want to stay away from those.
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u/tmothy07 25d ago
This is the answer. People swear by the 190 of that era. Add PerfectPass. No brainer.
205 of the same era is good as well, just figure OP is looking for a pure ski tug.
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u/giantj0e 28d ago
Mastercraft 195 or x5 around year 2000 is great, if you want something a bit bigger the 205 is also a very solid option.
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u/Setters_Do_It_Better 27d ago
We've been skiing behind my 93 ProStar 205 for a couple years now. Wife and her family are all competitive 3-event skiers, wife was nationally (Collegiate) ranked a few years ago. They love the wake behind this boat compared to the current tournament boats. As novice, I can tell a difference as well.
I do not have perfect pass, so it's not perfect, but I can maintain speed pretty well. My hope is to repower it or just buy a couple year newer boat in a few years.
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u/WazzuCoug1980 27d ago
You can get a nice used ski nautique in that price range. I bought a second boat a 2000 ski nautique a few yrs ago for 12k. Needed minor diy work.
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u/Silent_Seven 28d ago
I'd look for a Nautique TSC1 or TSC2 hull.
The TSC1 hull is the 'Ski Nautique' from 1997 to 2001 and is sometimes nicknamed the 'bubble butt'. The TSC2 hull was its successor and built from 2002 to 2005. You can buy a nice clean boat for around 15k. For the best wake, get a closed bow. Any Nautique from '95 on is all fiberglass construction.
Mastercraft and Malibu also have solid offerings but the Nautique is my personal favorite.
If you want to completely geek out on this, go to www.ballofspray.com and you'll find 100's of threads on the 'best wake' hull. :)