Considering Moomba

[ICTVillain]

Hello Moomba Forum participants - My name is Nick and I am currently building a house on a ~70 acre ski/wake boarding lake in Wichita, Ks.

The lake allows for 21 foot boats (the swim platform can go beyond 21 feet if it is removable).

I have a young family (Two children under the age of 3) and I am trying to identify the best value boat that would accommodate surfing and wake boarding. Since this is for my home, items such as storage are not a huge consideration.

I began my search by looking for used Mastercraft 205V's, but I have not been able to find one that makes sense. Recently, I went to the local dealer (This dealer carries Moomba, Axis, Malibu, and Mastercraft). The only boat in stock that might work is an X2, but >$70k is beyond what my wife would consider... The only Moomba in stock was a Mojo. I really liked the look of it and found via further research that Moomba makes the Mondo and Outback which would work on my lake.

I would love to find a used Outback V, but if not a dealer in Oklahoma has new Mondo that seems priced well and might be worth making the two hour drive to test it out.

My questions:
1) Besides cosmetics - what are the most significant differences between the Mondo and Outback V?
2) With the Mondo - what are the must have options? I have trouble believing that anything stock will be desirable....
3) Would you make a different recommendation to a family purchasing their first boat (with little surf/wakeboarding experience)

Thanks in advance!

[kaneboats]

I would test drive the Mondo and the LSV as well as the Outback V. You will fall in love with one of them if not all three. Good luck and congratulations on your new home.

[sivs1]

I may be partial to the LSV, however there are some reasons why. Very versatile boat, can ski, tube, wakeboard/surf or just putz around. The other main thing we were looking for was free board depth. We have a young child and have friends with young kids. We wanted something we felt was deep enough in the cabin area where we didn't have to worry about kid over board, this took the OBV out of the equation for us. We got a great deal on our LSV and have loved it. When we Sold the Stingray I/O an upgrade to the Mondo didn't seem like we were gaining enough in extra space, the LSV is loaded with space but doesn't feel too big. I would love to get into a Mojo, but feel that may be too much boat for us.

Good luck, this is a great Forum and Moomba is a great brand to consider.

[KG's Supra24]

The LSV will still be too long for your restrictions.

The Mondo is the new generation of tug boats where the Outback V is the older style. Although that's somewhat cosmetic, its the core difference of the boats. Mondo will be deep, feel safer for the kids inside, have more storage room for gear or ballast. The Outback V will be leaner, ride lower in the water, and likely be a little better for skiing.

I would think, not certain, the Mondo will do just about everything better but ski. The difference in styling can be seen in pics ....






I'll let other fills in the must haves. For a young family that wants to do it all, I'd put the Mondo ahead of the Outback V by a good distance.

[kaneboats]

Yea, I guess the LSV is 21' 6" without platform. Probably can't fudge it. I'd test drive the other two though. Lots of guys who criticize the OBV have never ridden in one or rode on the older model. It is a fine boat worth a look, especially for a small family.

[KG's Supra24]

Yes, disclaimer ... I have never ridden in either.

My perspective comes from boat depth and comparisons with boats I've been in. A family with young kids, a deeper interior will win out 95% of the time, especially with mom involved. The right move is definitely to sit in or test drive both, though.

[ICTVillain]

It looks like I should at least test a Mondo. When it comes to test driving a new model - Is it as easy as test driving a new car? If I drive 2+ hours to test drive one, will the salesperson will be "expecting" a sale???

If I look at used Outback V's - are there any years to avoid. I assume the direct Outback models will not be good for surfing, but maybe I am incorrectly ruling them out.

[jmvotto]

Couple used 2009 and newer OBV on only inboards, both are good choices, the mondo will be pricier due to its new release in 2014.

http://www.onlyinboards.com/Advanced...ords=&State=-1

[sivs1]

[QUOTE=ICTVillain;250638]It looks like I should at least test a Mondo. When it comes to test driving a new model - Is it as easy as test driving a new car? If I drive 2+ hours to test drive one, will the salesperson will be "expecting" a sale???

If you drive 2+ hours to look and test drive I am sure you are a serious buyer. Put that back on the dealer to push for a good deal on a Mondo. Get to know the boat before you're on the water and then once your out you want to see how it handles, how it feels, do you feel comfortable driving it? Does the wife feel comfortable with it/driving it? Loading and unloading you'll learn over time.

[sandm]

ask yourself what you REALLY want out of a boat. waterski/board/surf/tube/swim. the outback will do all those good, but it's really a crossover boat. the mondo will run circles around the outback from a wake/surf perspective but is not a slalom boat(chalk that up to the outback). it also has a somewhat tall freeboard that might be a bit of a challenge for younger kids to get in/out from the swimdeck.
best advice is to go try each and you will fall in love with one..

my vote for a young family will be mondo every time as it will offer more wake potential as the family grows up, but it's my .02..