Need tips on first boat purchase

[Pike]

Well after reading these last few posts, I'm a little worried about spending 35-40k on my first boat. I mean its not like I have never operated a boat before but now Im alittle worried.

What sort of "learning experiances" are you talking about?

Thanks

[gt9118]

ahhhhhhh You have to buy on impulse and worry about the consequences later. Driving a boat is not rocket science. I say spend the 40K!!!!

[qb12]

Well after reading these last few posts, I'm a little worried about spending 35-40k on my first boat. I mean its not like I have never operated a boat before but now Im alittle worried.

What sort of "learning experiances" are you talking about?

Thanks

Pike, I hope you don't take your "possible" moomba brothers trying to talk you out of a inboard boat. By all means they are the best boats that are out on the market, along with holding their resale value way above i/o's and outboards.

i think what they are trying to say is getting a inboard boat is different that all the others. (to the plus)

Is the dealer you are working with, willing to do some on water teaching. If so then go for it. The main difference is these boats don't turn "at all" moving in reverse. But with some teaching you will learn to move these bad boys on a dime.

I grew up skiing behind a mc as a youth (supra and moomba's were not made that long ago) and drove it some. When i purchased my 1st boat it was a used outback. I really learned a lot and also taught my gf and son to handle it. Now I have a awesome vdrive...

If you have any questions, feel free to pm me.

Doug

[zabooda]

I still say go for the boat you want. There are two issues that were new to me when I went to a direct drive and other people may have more but one issue is the backing up and the other issue is the inability to raise the prop out of the water.

The backing up process seems to be more critical leaving the dock. Taking the boat out during times when there is little boat activity at the docks (like this time of year) helps to learn the characteristics of the boat in reverse. If you feel uncomfortable when the launch is busy then you can find other ways to get the boat out such as walking it to the end of the dock or nosing the boat around or let people know your new at boating and they will help as we all have gone through the same learning curve. Just take it easy getting out and if you get near something you can push off from there and not bang into things.

The stationary location of the prop was a big concern of mine when I bought my first DD. I did mess up a prop or two with my I/O but I learned the surroundings and I haven't dinged my DD prop ....yet. If I'm in unfamiliar areas I try to be cautious and stay in the deep part, follow other boats or idle through areas first and check the depth.

DDs are a blast and I wouldn't go back to I/Os for what I do.

[Nafplio]

Boats are luxury items. They cost a lot and not only when you buy. I'd get something you can afford and really like (in that order). You can find great value in a good used boat, just have to look. I started with a jet ski, then had an I/O, and now a v-drive. My experience is that you will outgrow the first two very quickly. And learning to drive an inboard is not rocket science; plenty of info around.
I've been very happy with my LSV. Also, impressed by the new LSV. Good luck with your search. Post some pics when you get yours.

[Ian Brantford]

So I finally got the "OK" from the wife to buy my first boat. I'm going to the boat show in April to get it.

Great. If you cannot test drive there, I recommend that you find what dealers will be at the show and visit them for a drive beforehand. I took my test drive in December in Ontario -- in a snowstorm! Whee!

I echo the advice given by others about seeing if you gear fits, bringing others to spot issues, etc. I would caution them about showing emotion though. You don't want the sales staff to see you as over-eager. I shopped with a male buddy, not with my girlfriend!

What I need are all the "ins and outs" of buying a boat. Especially what are the Must Haves as far as options. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

See my verbose thread here: https://forum.moomba.com/viewtopic.php?t=1831

Also from reading some of the posts the Outback V seems to be a good "starter boat". Is it really necessary to have a starter boat? Would it be a mistake to go with a bigger boat as my first one? Also If I go with the V, will I down the road wish I had gone with a bigger boat?

My experience is much like Buttafewcoe's -- I had an already-used I/O runabout for quite a while before stepping up to an inboard wakeboarding boat. This was good preparation for the feel of a multi-thousand-pound floating item, and the responsibility of being in charge of everyone's safety, without panicking about property value. You mentioned elsewhere in the thread that you have driven a boat before. However, it's not clear whether you refer to something like an 18+' fibreglas boat (good), a cartopper fishing boat, a deck boat, oceanliner, etc. Unless it was something of a similar configuration, you have quite a learning experience ahead of you.

If it was a runabout that you drive, the balky reverse and the increased underwater collision risk are your main negatives in an inboard, and you'll adapt. In normal operation (especially while towing), inboards are better for steering, tracking and accurate speed control. Plus, you don't have to keep warning swimmers, boarding at the stern, to be careful of the sharp propeller... every frickin' time.

You also mentioned elsewhere that you main interests were wakeboarding, tubing, and just hanging out. All of Moomba's direct drive models will be very good for these things. I guess that your worries about buying too little boat should be driven by how hard-core of a wakeboarder you are, and how popular you are going to be! If you want complete doubt removal about having a big wake, or if you want comfort for more than about 7 people, go with the XLV like I did. Otherwise, the Outback or LSV will be a bit cheaper, and easier to wrangle off the water.

Oh, and about towing a tube: 1. gleefully ignore complaints from others about how unfashionable it is to tow a tube with a wakeboard boat; 2. Believe the speedometer, not your intuition, because you are going 5MPH faster than you think, and the rider is having a hard time hanging on.

[drhodes5]

Well now I feel bad for being Mr. Negative. I did not intend to talk you out of buying a Moomba, I was just trying to be honest. As for the "mistakes" I will just list a few of my own. Watched a friend drive my new boat on shore, scratched hull and destroyed prop. Trailer not in water straight, very large deep scratch down hull. Did not get water out of heater coil in winter, replaced coil. Thats just a few of my mistakes and luckely they were on lesser boats. I guess when it comes down to it, its just a boat and shit happens.

[JoeTechie]

I just purchased my 07 GG this weekend. From what I'm reading I think I got an ok deal.

I paid $49791 out the door for:

07 XLV GG
Bimini
Docking Lights
Cast Pop-up cleats
am/fm cd
Wakeplate
Gravity III Ballast
Wakeboard Rack
Guidepole Covers
Logo Cover
Detachable tower feet

um....

So much for a "starter boat"

"Go big or go home" usually spoken around your house ??? Or did you just get upsold 5 times!!! (outback -> "V" -> LSV -> XLV -> XLV GG ed.)

I hope you get loads of enjoyment from it... all that stuff we said about driving - this thing is massive - please take some time to get used to it at slow speeds, and get lots of fenders.

-Joe

[Pike]

um....

So much for a "starter boat"

"Go big or go home" usually spoken around your house ??? Or did you just get upsold 5 times!!! (outback -> "V" -> LSV -> XLV -> XLV GG ed.)

I hope you get loads of enjoyment from it... all that stuff we said about driving - this thing is massive - please take some time to get used to it at slow speeds, and get lots of fenders.

-Joe

Yes Yes I know......crazy pike got in over his head. However the phrase "go big or go home" never entered my mind when I signed the dotted line.

Actually after we test drove the Outback V I was extremely impressed with how it handled and the boat in general. Although my wife called it a "fishing boat". Because of how small it was.

Hopefully I wont regret going so big. Thanks again for all the advice.