What would you pay for this boat?

[Agonzales1981]

Got him to 10k gonna look at the boat tomorrow and if it looks as nice as in the pics going to have someone check it out mechanically.

[Fire_medic]

10K thats good just go through everything leave no stone un-turned so there will be no suprises. Once you get it post some more pics and any mods you want to do this is the place to learn about them everyone here is super helpful and there is no better way to get to know your boat and how it works then doing the work on it your self and you'll learn quick its easy!

[Agonzales1981]

I appreciate it I like doing my own work on my toys when possible I'm sure I'll have lots of questions. Are there any common problems I should look for with this particular boat while looking it over?

[embo]

Just wondering have you looked at V-drives at all? Any reason you are going for the D-drive besides price?

[Fire_medic]

I appreciate it I like doing my own work on my toys when possible I'm sure I'll have lots of questions. Are there any common problems I should look for with this particular boat while looking it over?

I went from a malibu direct drive to me first Tige (great desicion) I think just getting it out there on the water and listen to the engine how it operates is good look at the floor make sure its not spongy anywhere ask if its salt water or fresh water used. The advice about looking around the tower was good for sure for cracks. make sure the steering isnt tight.

[TigeTrojan]

Check for cracks in the fiberglass around the area where the swim step is attached, the track fins, and prop shaft. Small surface cracks aren't a deal breaker, but if there's anything excessive, could be a sign of hitting the bottom or other crashes. If you could take it out for a quick sea trial, that would be ideal. Hopefully it starts and runs well, and everything seems to work.

[Ruger761]

Dont be surprised if the bezels on the guages crack and fall off if they havent already, pretty common those years. Pretty easy fix if it needs them.Personally around our area that is a great price pending a test drive and everything else is in order.If that boat was here it could pull $14-16K pretty easy. Id agree that tower speakers need to be re-mounted for looks. With our style of boats watch the nose, its very easy to take a wave over it when going slow or picking up downed rider. Just give throttle bump if coming up on one at an idle. And dont put too much weight up there. And trust me it will happen more than once if you buy it, just make sure bilge pump works

[EAHinsch]

I would say check the oils (engine and transmission) while the boat is on the trailer, then check them again after it has been run on the lake for awhile. Check all the seals for leaks. The shaft seal should drip a little for lubrication, but nothing excessive. I think the book say 3 to 5 drips a minute. I would pull the fresh water impeller and see if it is rigid and cracked. These boats like to be run and not sitting. Any boat can be great for thirty years if maintained properly, but any boat can be a complete disaster if neglected. I would ask for all maintenance records. I just went through this twice in the last six months. I bought a pretty lemon that ran well and was buried with problems. If the owner doesn't have the maintenance records, I would be leery. The 2007 I just bought has every stitch of documentation that the bought ever saw and I still continue to talk to the previous owner. Good luck!

[Agonzales1981]

I really appreciate it guys. I will take pics of potential problems and post them. I asked about saltwater use and he said it has always been fresh until last summer when he ran it at clear creek which is brackish but more fresh. How will this boat handle chop?

[NICKYPOO]

10k would be a steal if everything is in order. That tower needs to go though. Even if it is in good condition, that is a horrible tower. I had one on mine and replacing it was one of the best things I ever did. You can put an Aerial brand tower on it for around $1500-$2000 depending on how you accessorize it. There kinda cheap but, way, way better than that Metcraft POS.

750 hours is perfect. There are a few things that will need to be replaced soon if they haven't been already. Steering cable, fuel pump, ignition sensor. The steering cable only needs to be changed if it is hard to stear on the water. The fuel pump is a biggie ($600). It is an updated design but easily done yourself. The ignition sensor is cheap and easy but also an updated design.

Lots of good info from the other members so far. As said before, drive it. You wouldn't buy a car without driving it, would you? Good luck.

[WakerideN]

Check for cracks in the fiberglass around the area where the swim step is attached, the track fins, and prop shaft. Small surface cracks aren't a deal breaker, but if there's anything excessive, could be a sign of hitting the bottom or other crashes. If you could take it out for a quick sea trial, that would be ideal. Hopefully it starts and runs well, and everything seems to work.

x2 on this. alot of people over look what has happened under the boat. i tend think from watching people hard\bad trailering are most reason for under side gel cracks.

[TigeTrojan]

How will this boat handle chop?

It depends on how big it is. You'll take a wave over the bow eventually, chances are it will be one you made. These boats are not designed to take on major swells, but you'll be able to get through the main channel on a busy day without too many problems.

[Zac93218]

How will this boat handle chop?

I own a 98 Pre2002 and let me tell you....the aggressive slope of the nose on these boats makes it sit EXTREMELY low to the water. When i lean over the front on my belly to hook my ancor to the front hook it is sitting about a foot above the water...

Last year i was pulling up to a house boat with rolling waves coming at me. I had 2 girls sitting in the front. the first wave sucked the bow down and the second came crashing over. Had to power up to speed quickly before while the boat still started submarining for about 10 feet before leveling out...had calf high water throughout the whole boat...when pulling people and turning around to pick up a fallen rider you have to be very careful...a lot of ppl like to power through the turn getting back to the rider which causes more huge waves around the boat and the rider and can easily come over the boat.

You will learn how to master your driving by owning one of these boats though. Every one of my friends tell me im the best boat driver/puller they know and i tell them its because of my boat and learning how to keep the waves at bay and water out of my boat!!

Dont let any of this scare you away from these style tige's though. They are great boats. I love mine. I was about to sell it to upgrade to a newer V-drive but recently have decided to keep it and fix it up to the max and get it all cherry. I have even had older guys offer their newer wakeboards boats to trade for mine plus some cash on my end just cause they love the look of these boats and what they have to offer.

I think the price is a steal for this boat. Here in central California that same boat would easily go for 13-14k all day long in that condition.

Plan on replacing that tower. they are the worst towers made for these boats. My boat had one. Started to crack along the welds and i just scrapped it and went to an extended skylon poll for now untill this winter when i will purchase a new tower for it.

Hope this helps, Good luck with the buy!