Boat Purchase Advice

[pdhj1990]

I'm a former 06 Tige 24V owner - great boat - great experience. Now, I'm looking for a replacement boat without breaking the bank. We wakesurf, wakeboard, ski and tube - in that order. We need a boat at least in 23 ft length.

This week I took a 2015 Moomba Mojo with the flow surf package for a spin. This boat has outstanding power and a smooth ride. The surf wake was good. However, I think 1,100 pounds in each rear locker would help. Overall a very nice boat especially for the money - less than $64,000.

I also took the 2015 Centurion Enzo SV233 for a spin. RAM fill, CATS and extra bags in the rear lockers. Great boat - great wake - costly - high $80,000s.

With an eye towards economy, I took a gently used 09 Tige 24VE out for spin yesterday. Reminded me of my 06, however it had factory ballast and upgrades as a more current model. Nice boat - great price - would need added ballast - low $40,000s.

My goal is too keep the purchase under $65,000. I'm also considering an MB 23 and an Axis A24. However, I haven't looked at these boats yet.

My questions include:

1) Anyone negotiate a 14/15 Tige under $65,000 - RZ2, Z3 or RZ4?
2) Any comments on the other boats/mfg?
3) Any knowledge of a gently used Z3 or RZ4 under $65,000?
4) Any other advice?

Thanks!

[JLG]

A 15 model z3 would be hard to find under the 85 mark if fully loaded. A 14 Z3 will most likely be in the 75-80 range new or used and if lucky might find one in the low 70s. With that 65K top you will most likely be looking at a 12 model Z3 and will have to talk a person down even at that. Plenty of 12-13 models out there with low hours. There are some carryover 14 boats out there just have to do some looking but the ones I've seen posted on here are still in the 80K range. Depends on the area you are looking also as TX seems to carry a little higher prices as it stay warmer down there. Might look in some cooler states as there are many 12-13 model Z3s out there on boattrader etc.

If surfing is your first priority then the z3 is the boat you will want. Don't know a lot about the other models you mentioned as Tige is my first choice, and something to keep in mind is how a Tige will hold its resale value if not go up in value over a couple year period or at least the previous boats I've owned did.

[boardman74]

Like JLG said above your just not going to get there for that money. The dealer I used to use has 4-5 used 2014 Z3's with super low hows and the cheapest one is 69K and that is a give away price. But that $69K turns into $75K OTD. They were selling used 13's last year for more money than you are talking.

I am looking hard at the same segment as you are. If you are looking to stay at 65K OTD door and you are there with the Mojo, that is your ONLY option in the 23 foot segment, IMO. Now if you are looking at 65K before T,T,L then you should be able to squeeze Moomba, Axis(maybe), MB, and possible Supreme in there. There just aren't many 23 footers that you can get in that range even with a great deal.

[pdhj1990]

Clarification - the 15 Mojo that I tested was $67,893 out the door - T,T,L.

[boardman74]

Depending on Options that is still a tough number to get another 23 foot class boat too. We don't have an MB dealer in the area, but I know my local Axis dealer wouldn't get a T23 or A24 to that number. The Mojo is a great boat. We are looking at it hard and it will likely be our next boat.

Was that with the flow system or with the new auto flow? We are being told it makes a big difference. There is also about $1500 in price difference.

[pdhj1990]

Moomba offers the auto flow surf package and a 5 year warranty at no extra charge if a customer orders the boat at or within one week of a boat show. I went to the DFW boat show last week. The dealer and I specked out a boat that included many options in addition to the auto flow surf package.

As noted in my initial post, I found a gently used 09 Tige 24VE with 280 hours. This boat could be purchased around $43,000. Although the Mojo's $67,893 price tag is within our means, reducing the cost of a replacement wakeboard boat by $24,000 is very attractive.

I expect we'd need extra ballast to compliment the stock 09 24VE ballast. Anyone have experience with the 09 Tige 24VE? Once again, wake surfing is the key with our family. Our 06 24V was a reliable boat - never had any issues, so I'm comfortable with the brand and model.

Any additional insight would be most appreciated. Thanks.

[IDBoating]

Do a search on this site for my writeup of my 24Ve ultra ballast project. That will definitely give you some "experience" with a 24Ve! I'll be happy to answer specific questions once you've read that thread.

[lee]

With a savings of $24,000 you could install a nice ballast and still be under budget.

[begone]

I'm thinking if selling my 2014 Z3...makes me sad, but Lake Ray Hubbard is too low and I'm not a trailer it to a lake kind of guy. Hit me up.

[SBM1234]

I can't speak to the wakesurf side of things as we primarily wakeboard. What I can say is that the Mojo is not going to have the lip you have on your current boat. For that reason, and a few others, I would go with the MB over the Mojo. The MB wake is very similar to a Tige wake and it's hard to beat the fast fill system they have. The interior of the MB is just beautiful. The vinyl is the heavy gauge material and is super tough like they use in Epic boats. The exterior colors are excellent and I love their metal flake enhancements. The MBs also have a big boat feel to them. If I didn't have a Tige, I would have and MB.

So, hopefully you can find a Z3, but $43K on an '09 24Ve is hard to beat. I think it has the Alpha Z tower which is a huge improvement over the E-Series tower. Like others have said, take the money you save and drop it on a custom ballast system.

[SBM1234]

Eagle Marine has a 2013 Z3 listed at $70K. They are close to you in Fort Worth. You might see if you can talk them down.

[pdhj1990]

Thanks - I noticed the boat. However, the color scheme is not right for me - yellow, black & white.

[SBM1234]

You can call Johnny Schilling at Texas Tige in Conroe and see what they have in their used inventory. They are a great group of guys.

[pdhj1990]

2015 Mojo Auto Surf Videos

Here are two short videos of the Moomba auto surf on a 2015 Mojo. Although the stock ballast surf wake looks good, added weight in the rear lockers will help. Watch the videos in HD mode.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6VBmTaqARU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyxmhcm2NgM

[Ewok]

I think a MB B-52 is close on that price. I saw one at the LA Boat show and they put a blunt nose on the front for a more ASR G23 ish look and now has tons of room in the bow. It's a big boat and has a new surf system too, I'd scan onlyinboards and find any nearby dealers and see if you can go look at and ride behind one.