Wakeboard boat or runabout for the sea?

[j3r3m7]

So I've now started my search for a new boat to replace my old lake boat.

I'm now located on the marina at Portishead, right on the Bristol Channel. This waters aren't ideal for riding but I'm looking at being able to scoot up and down the coast, maybe ride on the Wye or near Weston if possible

Here's my initial requirements in rough order of importance:

• Good salt/rough water performance and safety
• Good wake for wakeboarding, wakeskating and the odd wakesurf
• Quality build
• Stylish design
• Good usability, e.g. plenty of stowage, removeable carpets
• Powerfull engine
• Reasonable value
• Good reputation and cred
• Good resale value after 3 years

Budget wise I'm fairly flexible but certainly won't be looking at an 06 X-Star for example ;-)

Any suggestions from the saltwater crew out there? I have a few ideas which I'll post later.

[j3r3m7]

Ok, first decision is whether I want a pure wakeboard boat that works on the sea or a runabout that has a decent wake. I need to get out on the sea in both to see what the difference is so here's my first guesses from both categories. I'll get a couple of water tests sorted and then take it from there.

Wakeboard Boats
Mastercraft - X1 (aka old X2, old X-Star)
Correct Craft - Super Air Nautique
Centurion - Avalanche
Malibu - Wakesetter VLX

Runabouts
Crownline
Maxum
Sea Ray

Related Links
Wakeboard UK Dealer Links (UK dealers only)
Wakeworld Boats Section - User boat reviews
Wakesiderides - User boats
Rough water topic on Wakeboarder.com


Any more brands and boats I should consider?

[saltwater_cowboy]

The centurion has by far the better hull for sea use followed by the nautique and then the mastercraft.

A runabout with the right goodies (tower, ballast and PP) will do very well on the sea and be a good wakeboard machine.

You need to way up how much time you intend to spend cruising and how much boarding.

Oh and I now of a nice centurian enzo for 35k if your interested.

[fiver]

I'm with the cowboy on this centurion have got a decent hull shape for the sea and if it was high on my list of boats to look at.

The runabouts are pretty good in general now, I had a tow behind a sea ray with a tower and just a driver and spotter and it wasn't bad. Wake wasn't totally clean but would only get better with some extra weight in the boat. I found in my research that these boats don't lend themselves well to taking ballast in the way that wake boats do but I reckon it should be possible.

Mick at Tige was really helpful and I was pretty happy that the boats have a good vee in them. I'll let you know after the weekend how she rides as hope to have our shake down play this weekend. Bought a 22v FYI.

Not to step on the Cowboy's toes either but Azura (UK Centurion dealer) has an 04 avalanche which I looked at and it was in great condition and less than £30k. Have a bit more info but don't want to post it on general chat board if you are interested I think you have my email on the system.

Nick.

[j3r3m7]

Cheers for the replies... yeah, working out what I'll actually end up doing in practice is tough. Ideally you picture yourself cruising out of the marina, getting into your bindings and just riding.

In reality I think it will probably be more travelling up and down the coast trying to find flat water followed by a reasonable trip back up the coast to get in the lock before the tide gets too low...

So I'm guessing that I will definately need a boat that will be good at handling the rough and fast water of the channel and not be bad at cruising, just for getting to and from the ride area.

Thinking about it the ability to add and remove ballast quickly and easily will be important as I won't want to drive far with ballast in the back, costing me a bomb.

Those Centurions look nice. I popped to see a couple in Poole last year, impressed with the build quality and spaciousness inside. I'm probably back in Bournemouth next week so shall book in a visit to the Centurion dealer and also the new Mastercraft dealer in Poole... have you guys seen that red/white X-Star on their website?

[j3r3m7]

Here are some more links to dealers and other websites of boats I'm considering:

Ski Boat Zone South - Poole based Mastercraft dealer
Gotta love that red and white X-Star on their stock page... way out of my price range however.
I wouldn't mind an X1, will report back with the inc Vat total with all the goodies you really need.

Azura Marine - Poole based Centurion dealer
These guys have a rather nice couple of boats, the red 2004 Avalanche is reasonably priced and I think I actually checked this one out last year so it's been sitting in the dealership for a while... e.g. may be movable on price

Shock Wave - Preston Mastercraft Dealer
Like the look of their X2 or X1 in stock. The new X1 has all the goodies but might be a bit pricey for me. Anyone know any history on that yellow X2?