Looking for 1st boat...any suggestions/regrets/things you'd do differently?

Hey guys....

I am searching for my first boat after growing up on boats as a kid.

My parents have had a 1996 Malibu Sunsetter LX since new and for the past several years I've been able to use it as I like as they don't get out on it. They are ready to part with it and I'm ready to step up and get something of my own......but I want a V-drive boat.

I'm looking to stay under $40k and would like something as new as possible.

That brings up to Moomba's....seems I can get a 14 OBV for around that or less and wanted to hear from owners what their thoughts/concerns/regrets may be if any and what you guys would do differently if anything.

I'm also looking for used boats because of my budget so I think I can get into a 3-5 year old Axis/Tige, or a 5-8 year old Malibu/Mastercraft/Nautique as well. I understand there is probably a big difference in some of these boats but I'm coming from a 1996 so I'm hoping ANYTHING will be an upgrade, lol.

My typical crew is 3-4 adults and 1-2 kids.....which works on our 20ft boat, any concerns about this being comfortable on an OBV?

Ready, Set, Go! What would you do? WWYD?

Thanks,
Matt

Welcome to the Moomba Forum, I am sure you'll get a lot of feedback and thoughts from other members. What are your plans when on the water? Surfing, skiing, Wakeboarding etc... All of those will play into the best boat for you. When comparing boat brands you'll notice some have all electronic controls and some will be all manual toggle type switches, that impacts the price. Our first boat was a 19 foot Stingray Stern Drive, actually worked really well for us but left me wanting the ability to do more on the water, got a great deal on my LSV and have loved it. The OBV is a great boat and could be a great starter for you and your family, also look at the LSV as it is a little bit bigger and you won't grow out of it very quickly. Mot sure your location, but here are a few for sale right now to give you an idea of pricing.

http://www.onlyinboards.com/2009-Moo...oma-45712.aspx
http://www.onlyinboards.com/2011-Moo...ina-44844.aspx
http://www.onlyinboards.com/2011-Moo...oma-41620.aspx
http://www.onlyinboards.com/2011-Moo...hio-47214.aspx
http://www.onlyinboards.com/2014-Moo...nia-43100.aspx

Hope these help in regards to pricing of the LSV and the OBV. You'll find a number of members on this forum that started with an Outback and upgraded to a LSV, XLV or even a Mojo.

Thanks for the links! I've been scouring O/I for quite some time, lol. I have no problem travelling or having a boat shipped if I need to.

I updated my profile with my location but don't see how I can add a signature....help?

We plan to use it for most watersports to be honest. I still slalom occasionally, my daughter skis, we all wakeboard, kneeboard and tube. We are interested in learning to surf and trying something new.

I have heard/read quite a bit about buying a bigger boat first so you don't outgrow it as quick and have kept that in mind. I'm certainly not stuck on one boat/brand yet but we do have a 22' limit on our lake AND my garage is only 21' deep so if I want to continue my current storage situation I can't go much bigger. Obviously I can rent storage somewhere else but will not store a boat outdoors.

I definitely would like some large and spacious but have to consider at what cost it comes with, and keep in mind I've been happy with a 1996 Malibu SSLX for 18 years! So unless an OBV/similar sized boat is much different/smaller I can't see us needing much more.

A friend has a Malibu 247 and that is a HUGE beast. For the amount of people we usually go with and everything it would be overkill.

To add a signature go to My Profile on top of the page and then click About Me.

We thought the size of the LSV was overkill, but it is so nice to have storage space and those times when you do have 8 people with you you're not all sitting on gear. Another option is the Mondo. I grew up with MC and a buddy in town has a X9 DD, big time skier, he's skied behind my LSV and likes it, it's nothing like his DD but for a V-drive the LSV in my opinion is a versatile option.

Are you a Buckeye? We own a house in Blacklick and are OSU Alum. What lake do you plan on going to most?

We've had our '13 OBV for a couple of seasons now and just love it. For your crew size you would have plenty of room in the OBV. IMO, it allows for ALL the fun activities (i.e. skiing, surfing, wakeboarding, tubing, etc. etc.) the best of any boat in the Moomba line, but it's certainly not the best at any one of those things. I guess you could say that it's the "jack of all trades". But if you see yourself going more in the wakeboarding and/or surfing direction exclusively in the future some of the bigger models may be the better choice. If so and you are willing to spend a bit more $$$$, the Mondo and LSV may be better options due to their larger size and slightly better surf wake.

Good luck with the search and you really can't go wrong with any boat in the Moomba line!!

Pm sent to you

having had a 20ft supra ssv(bro to the obv), I'd say go lsv if it'll fit the lake/garage requirements.
obv is a great boat but the extra size/freeboard of a tad bigger boat means you might not "grow out of it" as quick. had I started with lsv, probably still have it.

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Originally Posted by sivs1

Welcome to the Moomba Forum, I am sure you'll get a lot of feedback and thoughts from other members. What are your plans when on the water? Surfing, skiing, Wakeboarding etc... All of those will play into the best boat for you. When comparing boat brands you'll notice some have all electronic controls and some will be all manual toggle type switches, that impacts the price. Our first boat was a 19 foot Stingray Stern Drive, actually worked really well for us but left me wanting the ability to do more on the water, got a great deal on my LSV and have loved it. The OBV is a great boat and could be a great starter for you and your family, also look at the LSV as it is a little bit bigger and you won't grow out of it very quickly. Mot sure your location, but here are a few for sale right now to give you an idea of pricing.

http://www.onlyinboards.com/2009-Moo...oma-45712.aspx
http://www.onlyinboards.com/2011-Moo...ina-44844.aspx
http://www.onlyinboards.com/2011-Moo...oma-41620.aspx
http://www.onlyinboards.com/2011-Moo...hio-47214.aspx
http://www.onlyinboards.com/2014-Moo...nia-43100.aspx

Hope these help in regards to pricing of the LSV and the OBV. You'll find a number of members on this forum that started with an Outback and upgraded to a LSV, XLV or even a Mojo.

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The first one you got listed is mine sorry going to pick it up January 12th
The second one the guy said he'll take 38,500

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Originally Posted by That Guy

I updated my profile with my location but don't see how I can add a signature....help?

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No sig allowed until you have a few more posts under your belt.

Nice screen name BTW. These guys will be more than happy to help you spend every penny you have and then some...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by That Guy

Hey guys....

I am searching for my first boat after growing up on boats as a kid.

My parents have had a 1996 Malibu Sunsetter LX since new and for the past several years I've been able to use it as I like as they don't get out on it. They are ready to part with it and I'm ready to step up and get something of my own......but I want a V-drive boat.

I'm looking to stay under $40k and would like something as new as possible.

That brings up to Moomba's....seems I can get a 14 OBV for around that or less and wanted to hear from owners what their thoughts/concerns/regrets may be if any and what you guys would do differently if anything.

I'm also looking for used boats because of my budget so I think I can get into a 3-5 year old Axis/Tige, or a 5-8 year old Malibu/Mastercraft/Nautique as well. I understand there is probably a big difference in some of these boats but I'm coming from a 1996 so I'm hoping ANYTHING will be an upgrade, lol.

My typical crew is 3-4 adults and 1-2 kids.....which works on our 20ft boat, any concerns about this being comfortable on an OBV?

Ready, Set, Go! What would you do? WWYD?

Thanks,
Matt

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Matt, I you want to check out our Mondo its at my office in Grove City. We boat on Griggs, Deer Creek, and Buckeye when boats in Ohio. Most hours come from being at Norris Lake, TN. There should be plenty of LSV model in your range along with a few Mojo now that they are out. Our Mondo is the shortest boat we have owned in the past 12 years, but feels larger than the 06 LSV we had due to depth of the cockpit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sivs1

To add a signature go to My Profile on top of the page and then click About Me.

We thought the size of the LSV was overkill, but it is so nice to have storage space and those times when you do have 8 people with you you're not all sitting on gear. Another option is the Mondo. I grew up with MC and a buddy in town has a X9 DD, big time skier, he's skied behind my LSV and likes it, it's nothing like his DD but for a V-drive the LSV in my opinion is a versatile option.

Are you a Buckeye? We own a house in Blacklick and are OSU Alum. What lake do you plan on going to most?

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Thanks for info...but I can't find it....upon reading below it appears I can't make one until I'm established here. We are Buckeyes, nice to know some others are as well! We live in Bexley so not far from you either. We are Scioto Boat Club members so go there quite a bit and then Alum Creek as well. Once a year we do a houseboat trip down at Lake Cumberland for a week or two.

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Originally Posted by mikenehrkorn

We've had our '13 OBV for a couple of seasons now and just love it. For your crew size you would have plenty of room in the OBV. IMO, it allows for ALL the fun activities (i.e. skiing, surfing, wakeboarding, tubing, etc. etc.) the best of any boat in the Moomba line, but it's certainly not the best at any one of those things. I guess you could say that it's the "jack of all trades". But if you see yourself going more in the wakeboarding and/or surfing direction exclusively in the future some of the bigger models may be the better choice. If so and you are willing to spend a bit more $$$$, the Mondo and LSV may be better options due to their larger size and slightly better surf wake.

Good luck with the search and you really can't go wrong with any boat in the Moomba line!!

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Thanks for the real input, I hear ya on bigger is better. It's a fine line I'm trying to figure what we want.

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Originally Posted by sandm

having had a 20ft supra ssv(bro to the obv), I'd say go lsv if it'll fit the lake/garage requirements.
obv is a great boat but the extra size/freeboard of a tad bigger boat means you might not "grow out of it" as quick. had I started with lsv, probably still have it.

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Good to know!

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Originally Posted by bergermaister

No sig allowed until you have a few more posts under your belt.

Nice screen name BTW. These guys will be more than happy to help you spend every penny you have and then some...

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Haha thanks, anytime I meet someone from a forum and they ask what my name is it's nice and easy, don't even have to explain it. ;) And thanks for pointing that out...I figured it was just me being an idiot! haha. And I can already see that happening, trust me I need little motivation to spend anything and everything on boating gear.

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Originally Posted by patrick232

Matt, I you want to check out our Mondo its at my office in Grove City. We boat on Griggs, Deer Creek, and Buckeye when boats in Ohio. Most hours come from being at Norris Lake, TN. There should be plenty of LSV model in your range along with a few Mojo now that they are out. Our Mondo is the shortest boat we have owned in the past 12 years, but feels larger than the 06 LSV we had due to depth of the cockpit.

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I'd love to check out the Mondo and Grove City is pretty close. We go to Griggs and Alum mostly. Haven't been to Norris but heard good things. We've been going to Lake Cumberland for 25 years and I love it. Would love to check out Norris Lake sometime as well. I'll PM you my # and you let me know what works for you.

My wife and I are planning on going to either the Cleveland or Cincinnati Boat shows next month, probably get a hotel and make a weekend out of it. Has anyone bought a boat from a show? Can you get a good deal? Do you take the boat with you right then and there? We probably won't pull the trigger that day, but I'm just curious as if the numbers work I could probably be convinced and don't want to look like a deer in headlights, lol.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

I grew up in Westerville and my wife grew up in Dublin. Met at Miami University and now call the suburbs of Atlanta home. I'm a crazed lunatics most Saturdays during the college football season. So, O - H - . . .

Best deals of the year are at the boat show. I'd recommend Cincy over Cleveland. I'm not even sure that there will be a Skiers Choice dealer at the Cleveland show. Check the SC website blog to be sure.

Put a deposit on a boat at the show. It should be 100% refundable. It locks in the incentives and pricing. Take some time to review the boat, options and colors you want. Check to see what spray dates your dealer has locked in and get your deal done before that date. Some dealers make better deals on inventory boats, but they may not be equipped exactly as you want.

Matt they will work on numbers at the show and plan a day at the dealership to work on the colors and final options. Jeff at Sea Ray of Cincinnati was who we bought ours from, along with help from Drew at Premier in Knoxville. It came down to my wife deciding that if it needed service it was easier to drop off in Cincy than Knoxville. I seen your pm and will call you Sunday

Going to meet up with Jeff tomorrow to crunch some numbers and look at the boats in person. So far just from looking at moomba's website and building a couple different boats we're coming up with a ~$10k price difference between the OBV and Mondo...is it worth it? Can anyone PM me what kind of discounts or percentage off they received so I know if I'm getting a good deal?

Welp....met with Jeff at Sea Ray Cincinnati....great guy! He spent a couple hours with us answering MANY questions that we had and built the boat a couple different ways until we got everything we wanted, nearly $10k in options and pushing our 'comfortable' budget a bit. Not his fault at all, he was very helpful and genuine. Definitely looking forward to a Mondo, just wondering if anyone 'held off' on some of the options and added them later or if that would be more work/money than it's worth and to just suck it up and not skimp out from the get-go?

We checked out the OBV but WOW it's a huge difference. We think the Mondo is for us.

This is what we selected - First new boat so I'm torn as to if I get EVERYTHING I want or just get in the boat then figure out.

Accent color option
Deck color option
Bow filler cushion - do people use these enough? Do you just leave it in or does it get tossed aside?
Sundeck walk across
Pop-up cleats
(2) swivel racks
Full cover
Bimini
Surf Package (flow, bow bag, 650 rear bags) - Do I want autoflow? Its $1k more....
2 tower speakers/wiring/amp
2 bow speakers w/ amp
Speaker box logo light
Depth finder
Dual battery setup
Tandem trailer
Spare tire/bracket
Swing-away tongue
Guide Pole Covers
Transom straps

So yeah, wow that's a lot of options, do I want all of them or do I want a boat for $10k less. Decisions, decisions....

Sorry, but I think you're going to want all of those, plus a heater would be nice. Autoflow should be a free boat show show option as well as some of June others you selected there. Search the forum/website for a list of what's available this season.

You could likely save a few $ (and perhaps get something better) by ordering your transom straps separate (I got Boat Buckle for cheaper than the Moomba supplied ones). Also, I ordered some generic pole covers and added a spare on my own later. I don't have the filler cushion in my Mojo... although I've never had one to know what I'm "missing."

These are all small items in the big scheme of things and you certainly can't put a price on memories! You might be able to work out some deals on dealer prep pricing and work in some service items (winterize, 25hr server, etc.) and accessories to help sweeten the deal. Maybe even a tank of gas :P

Good luck!

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Originally Posted by wolfeman131

Sorry, but I think you're going to want all of those, plus a heater would be nice. Autoflow should be a free boat show show option as well as some of June others you selected there. Search the forum/website for a list of what's available this season.

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Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too. No need for the heater, haven't had one for the past 20 years don't see a point to start now. Autoflow is free or it's just $2k in options/$2k off price, so we have factored that in there I just am not sure if I want autoflow or manual flow. From what the dealer is telling me you have more control of the wave and can make it longer w/ the manual via different settings vs what the autoflow will allow you. I will search to see if there are any other incentives.

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Originally Posted by uniwarking

You could likely save a few $ (and perhaps get something better) by ordering your transom straps separate (I got Boat Buckle for cheaper than the Moomba supplied ones). Also, I ordered some generic pole covers and added a spare on my own later. I don't have the filler cushion in my Mojo... although I've never had one to know what I'm "missing."

These are all small items in the big scheme of things and you certainly can't put a price on memories! You might be able to work out some deals on dealer prep pricing and work in some service items (winterize, 25hr server, etc.) and accessories to help sweeten the deal. Maybe even a tank of gas :P

Good luck!

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Thanks! I did feel the spare wheel/tire/mount was overpriced but when adding up the cost of each separately, and that they wouldn't match and my time it just wasn't worth not getting it.

I will look into the Boat Buckle....thanks for the info. And I was thinking about not getting the pole covers but didn't know if I could do any better for $50. Will check into.

The bow filler cushion I'm on the fence about, we've never had a boat with one but have a young kid and think it would make it more enjoyable for her to be able to sit/lay/crawl around up there with no issue. At the end of the day very minimal cost on a $70k boat, lol.

I will look into seeing what items the dealer specific can throw in/offer, and a full tank isn't always included like a car? LOL I didn't even know.

Another question I thought about was has anyone had luck with touring the factory and/or picking up their boat once ready down there? I think it would make for a cool trip and could potentially save me a couple thousand at the same time. The freight charge is $1750 and the shipping wrap is $280. That's $2030 for them to ship it 275 miles from the factory to my dealer. I think I'd spend less on a weekend trip down there with gas/hotel/food and would have the memories from it as well. Anyone have input?

Depends on if you can (or know someone local that can help) do your own audio system. Alot of the times you can do the same system or have the dealer do it for less than factory option. I personally would look at autoflow and possibly heater and do the stereo aftermarket and buy what you want!
Bow filler cushion is a small item so flip a coin. You can always add it later if you want but small cost so adding it now won't effect much. I personally like it but I have kids that spend alot of time in bow.
I don't like the sundeck walk over option but we use our sundeck alot. Wife loves to lay on the back and sun. Just have a "no shoes" policy and problem solved.

If you take small kids, you will love the heater. Perfect pass or equivalent as well if you want to ride behind the boat. Get them. I have found the swing tongue very handy.

SD2

prefect pass is a must, then heater, you can add the other options later.. :)

I'm adding heated seats this winter..

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Originally Posted by parrothd

I'm adding heated seats this winter..

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That's on my to do list as well! Have you bought your kit yet?
I might pm you the one I'm looking at.

I have an extra doorman kit that I bought for my mom's mini that I'm going to use. Has a dial with 5 settings and elements for 2 seats. I thinking one in the driver seat and one on the seat near the glove box..

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NHJ...&robot_redir=1

I tried to PM you so as not to hijack this thread but your inbox is full!
Here is the seat heater I'm looking at. You can cut them to length if need be:

http://www.aptuned.com/250-1870

Same kit.. Cheaper on amazon..:o