Outback V Questions

[samvq1]

I'm starting my boat shopping for next year. I'm taking a really hard look at the Outback V but I need some suggestions. Right now I own an 18' I/O. My typical passenger load is four but if the kids bring friends we could have up to seven. Our typical outing is after work load up and go tubing, skiing, and kneeboarding. We won't be setting any world records in watersports but we like it and want something that will accomodate the things we like to do reasonably well. We will be picking up a wakeboard in the next week or so. I'm looking at the OBV because by looking at pictures it appears to be the only model with a ski locker in the floor. Is that true? It also appears to have plenty of storage for other assorted things that go with us. I saw the Mobius at the boat show last year and I liked it but there didn't appear to be a place for the skis that wouldn't interfere with the ballast system. Any suggestions or things I need to pay attention to would be appreciated.

Scot

[E4NASH]

You can always get a rack for your skis that goes on the tower. The LSV has a ski locker but usually there is a ballast bag there. I thought the same about the Outback V too. You could take it out or maybe even order it without the ballast but I'm willing to bet once you all start wakeboarding and then discover surfing you will wish you had it. So I say go LSV and order some Roswell Ski racks for those skis you want to put in the ski locker.

[KSmith]

The Outback V does have a ski locker, but it is also part of the ballast system, there is a ballast bag in the locker. The LSV and Mojo each have lockers too and they also share with the ballast systems. Perhaps a better means of water ski storage once the boat is launched is a set of water ski racks from Monster Tower that can be mounted on the boats tower. http://shop.monstertower.com/p-32-monster-water-ski-rack.aspx

[ehoglund]

I have a 2012 OBV and we ski, board, & surf. We use the ski locker for skis now as we don't use the center ballast much. If we are surfing & want to fill the center, I just pull the ski or skis.
I have just ordered a ski rack to put on my tower though. Generally speaking, there is plenty of storage if you are smart about it. I may pull the cooler out as well, as we never use it (probably the only "extra" I truly dislike).
Great all around boat. We upgraded to it from a 19' I/O and have loved it.


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[wolfeman131]

If you're skiing, then my guess is that ballast will be empty and you can normally fit skis in the rear locker of the Mojo, LSV or Outback V and run them up under the seats. This will let you order a boat with the ballast system, which I recommend.

For 2013/2014 the only boat that will have a traditional, "ski locker" in the center floor will be the OBV. The OBV is a great all-around boat. There is a new model, the Mondo, that you might also want to consider.

[jester]

I have an 08 OBV and it is a great boat. You have storage in the back and the Center locker if you do not fill the system. The center ski locker will fit a ski on top of the bag and the left compartment will also fit a ski on top of the empty bag. There is good space in the boat. It gets a little busy with more then 8 people in the boat but is manageable. I just hate clutter. You can speed up and get a good ski wake( or little wake) but also a good wake for beginning to wakeboard. The boat has the power to tow two tubes without an issue. I now have 300 hours on mine without any issues.

[tarheelskier]

After we ordered our 2012 OBV, I found out that Roswell has a ski rack that matched the factory wakeboard rack for the OZ tower. Had the dealer switch it out for me when the boat was delivered. That said, there is lots of space in the OBV, can still store skis in the rear corner areas, as it is open through to the seats, so skis will fit there too. See pics of the ski rack attached. Me and my wife ski, kids ski and wakeboard, tubes, you name it this boat does it well enough to make everyone happy.

http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w405/jeffwilliams11/Moomba/003.jpg
http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w405/jeffwilliams11/Moomba/005.jpg (http://s1074.photobucket.com/user/jeffwilliams11/media/Moomba/005.jpg.html)http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w405/jeffwilliams11/Moomba/gaston1.jpg (http://s1074.photobucket.com/user/jeffwilliams11/media/Moomba/gaston1.jpg.html)

[tarheelskier]

If you want a pic of the rack without the skis in it, just let me know. Gonna be spending lots of time with the boat starting this Saturday. :cool: By the way, we also upgraded from an 18 foot I/O and would never look back now. You will not regret it!

[kaneboats]

I expect you'll see a bunch of OBV's only a couple years old coming up in the next year as people who trade or bump up a couple years go to the new Mondo. Gonna be a big seller.

[moombadaze]

plenty of room under the passenget seat base or in the cubby for skis on the lsv too.

[Sharpshooter]

You better not ask about buying a boat on here, the peer pressure will kill you, with that being said Ill be picking up my new LSV tomorrow

[ian ashton]

I love the storage in my OBV! I ordered it without ballast, with wakeplate and am very happy. Ballast is an easy add-on too, so if you ever decide you want it you can plumb it in. The ski locker is huge too - I have a double boot 65" Radar ski, plus 2 batteries, and its not even close to full.

[jstenger]

I have 3 adult skis and 2 junior skis in mine. I removed the center sac and installed a bow sac instead. I love the change.

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[Wax]

plenty of room under the passenget seat base or in the cubby for skis on the lsv too.

+1, my slalom ski lives in the cubby behind spotter seat/under p-side bow seats, plenty of room.

[mparker2997]

I also went from 18 ft I/O and almost bought OBV but decided on LSV for a little more room to grow. There is so much more storage for us now that we have nothing on the floor or on the seats. Everything gets tucked away somewhere....and we keep the slalom ski in the locker as we rarely fill the center ballast.

When do you pick it up? Probably can be on the water tomorrow if you beat sharpshooter to the dealership.

[samvq1]

It would be a great thing to pick it up tomorrow, unfortunately I will have to wait until January. Even if I could get it tomorrow the ramp we usually use is under water. Water levels are so high that only the tops of the channel markers are above water. Literally the pointed tops of the buoys are all that can be seen.

I appreciate all of the suggestions I have received. I will definitely start checking out the LSV too. I've been reading the teasers for the new Mondo that is coming out as well.

I will be getting my first taste of inboard boating this weekend. My brother in law has invited my family to go camping and he is bringing his new wakesetter he bought about a month ago.

[kaneboats]

That'll get you hooked. Just keep in mind that the stock surf setup on one of those isn't great and needs some serious work to be any good. Not sure if you guys will be surfing.

[samvq1]

I'm already hooked. I decided some time ago what type of boat I was going to upgrade to. Only had to decide new/used, features and cost. I really want the wife to get behind it. Once she does my budget will definately go through the roof.
We probably will do some surfing so I will keep that in mind.

[sandm]

unless it's the diamond cut hull, betting the ski wake will be less than stellar as well. obv and lsv should slalom a lot better than that boat so don't base a ski decision on it either..

[tarheelskier]

Pic of the Roswell ski rack that matches the stock board rack.

http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w405/jeffwilliams11/4952246F-4553-40CD-B4DD-3D3679975462-10080-000008A14243E820.jpg

[samvq1]

Thank for the picture Jeff, Being able to see what it looks like is very helpful in the decision making process.
Sandm, you were right about the ski wake on the Malibu. If I were to ski that thing I think it would launch me to the moon coming across that wake. Water was to rough to ski though (Weather).
Kaneboats, We did do some surfing. I don't have anything to compare the wave to as it was my first time ever surfing. All I can say is I loved it.

Scot

[kaneboats]

Maybe he had it set up right. That can be a very good thing. Glad you enjoyed it!