V-Drive vs DD

[kaneboats]

So I guess my next question would be which v-drive to upgrade to? What's the best year/model/hull for wakeboarding/surfing/lounging (in that order)?

I've seen some nice 2008 LSVs here in TX online for 35-38k. I probably wouldn't want to go over that and obviously would have to get this one sold first.

If I were in the market I would immediately contact mmandley and buy his boat. It has to be the best deal out there. Meticulously maintained, extremely well equipped and priced right. In TX, I'd go get it. From FL, I'd ship it.

[mfogt]

I grew up a slalom skier(behind an old Four Winns Deck Boat) and never new what I was missing with a DD ski boat. If you want to competively run a course, go with a DD. That being said, I have a '12 LSV(originally had an '04 LSV) and love it for everything it offers. In recent years I ski a lot less and wakeboard/pull tubers a lot more. I do still ski and run the course with it, but recognize I am not going to have a very good pass due to the bump in the middle. When I want to go hard at the course I go with my buddy who has a MC Prostar 197.

Keep in mind that if you plan to ski when out with other people in your boat, it will change the ski performance of a DD as well. So....If you plan to go out with only 2 friends each time and focus on skiing, go with the DD. Otherwise you will get more enjoyment out of a V-drive.

[skiyaker]

As a guy who owns both a DD and a V-Drive- I gotta say I love this topic!
After I became addicted to the course I went to trade my VDrive in for an Outback DD, but after looking at the depreciation and cost involved as well as other tradeoffs mentioned above I decided to use the $ instead to get a dedicated course boat (2001 closed bow Nautique) and keep my Moomba for the main lake. I agree with what has been said about the layout- I still love the layout and storage of the V drive, and I'll gladly ski behind it in open water.

Can someone describe how significant the difference is for a slalom skier with regards to the V-Drive vs. the Direct Drive?
I don't run a course, but I'd like to some day. But, I'd also much prefer the room that the V provides as we like to bring a decent group.

TIA

The DD has a few advantages over the V-Drive when it comes to the course. The first is the wake. Don't get me wrong the OBV is very skiable especially at faster speeds, but for learning the course the DD is much better. Since I bought the Nautique I've become quite a wake snob- I'm willing to complain about the wake behind some perfectly good tournament boats.
Secondly is tracking. With the DD the slalom pylon is located just in front of the engine toward the center of the boat, so it's much easier to drive through the course with a skier pulling on it. And this year I've come to appreciate how much a good boat path can affect the skier- if as the skier you pull the boat off course you feel an inconsistent line load and screws everything up when it comes to skiing the course- again not a big deal in open water.

[motosno963]

i wish this was up back in 09 when i was looking for a wakeboat

[kaneboats]

LOL! This topic is up here at least a couple of times every year.

[tgoody14]

If I were in the market I would immediately contact mmandley and buy his boat. It has to be the best deal out there. Meticulously maintained, extremely well equipped and priced right. In TX, I'd go get it. From FL, I'd ship it.

Yeaaaa, I scroll thru Mike's pics like twice a day trying to make it magically appear in my driveway!!!
Honestly tho, if he hasn't sold it by the time mine sells I might be taking a roadtrip his direction

[motosno963]

LOL! This topic is up here at least a couple of times every year.

ahhh ok haha..maybe i was just dumb and saw my 04 and was like..i want it haha

[skiyaker]

another plus for the DD that hasn't been mention in this treat yet (Deerfield will chime in soon) is the engine placement makes it easy to service- I'll gladly do oil and impeller changes on my DD, not quite as fun with the V-drive.

[chawk610]

We came dangerously close to getting a V-Drive this Summer but didn't, we are glad about it for a few reasons. 1st, our boat payment is less than our cell phone bill, 2nd, we all like sitting on the dog house, 3rd, the wife and her twin love to slalom.

That all being said, our next boat will be a v-drive.

[kaneboats]

That last comment says it all.