http://www.usedboats.com/used-boat-401043.htm#

Like the above , That’s a good pick. Volvo makes a good engine stainless or duo prop are the best performing setups, but that type of engine eats up your deck space in the stern on smaller boats.

Its a bit narrow use boat, it would be hard to ski ( sure it has a swim step ) , fish with . It May burn 12 gallons an hour at 25- 30 mph

About 3500 lbs empty + 1000 lb trailer
r

I'm not overly familliar w/ Larson, but $32 w/ the features you listed sounds pretty good for a 21' w/ 280hp. There is a huge mark-up in the new-boat market (at least at the Lake of the Ozarks [where I live]). Around here the general rule that I've heard is 40% mark-up over dealer pricing. I'm going to a local marina tomorrow to talk to a friend who I think sells Larson and I'll ask her about the price. 280hp on a 21' should get you up in the mid 50's.

Yes, the depreciation in boats is even huger (nice word huh) than the mark-up from the dealer. They say a car loses 10% as soon as you drive it off the lot. For a boat it is roughly 25% in the first year, then it levels out. I'd say disregard the options as far as the used price goes to account for haggling, etc. At this point in the season boat prices tend to only get cheaper so the dealers can free up space for the 06's. Whatever the result you'll love owning a boat! Have fun and be safe; drinking and boats don't mix!

That would be great if you can talk to your friend. This is the 280hp with fuel injection and SS prop. I guess there is a Carb'ed 280 that can come with an alumimum prop. This boat also has snap on covers (front and rear) a sun shade, and has the optional bench style seats for all but the driver. I just cant get over a supposed $10k reduction in price....that to me seems odd that there is more than 25% profit on a boat....now, I need to get a car to tow it...I am thinking X5 would do well.

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What if the Hokey Pokey is what it is all about?

Oh, and this is a NEW 2004 boat...with a small block V8 (not the underpowered 4 or 6 cyl that are available in this same boat). I would also be putting a wake board mast ($2000.00 option as quoted for free)...I guess there is just one fuel injector like the old days of EFI cars.

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What if the Hokey Pokey is what it is all about?

The deal could be that not only is it a 2004 but also that they are tired of paying taxes on the boat. I got a great deal on my Tahoe as well as my boat by going at the end of the month. Both dealerships were honest and told me that at the begiining of each month, they must pay taxes on all leftover vehicles.

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"These aren't Love Handles, I just have Big Kidneys!"

I have had several boats, each bigger than the last.

Boat owner cliche's:

"The happiest day of a boat owner's life is when he gets his new boat. The second happiest day of his life is the day he sells it."

"A boat is a hole in the water lined with fiberglass (wood, steel, etc.) into which one pours money."

Both are true. I sold my last boat for less than a third of what I paid for it after 8 years.

My old man and a couple of his friends all retired at the same time in their mid 50s and together bought a Janneau 37 foot sailboat.

My dad says sailing is a lot like standing under a cold shower tearing up $50 bills. Wet and expensive.

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"A society is defined not only by what it creates, but by what it refuses to destroy."
John Sawhill

I checked w/ Kelly and she said that it sounds like you have a good deal going but she also prefaced it by saying that the boat market at our lake isn't comparable anywhere else. She said you could shave a couple of grand off your offer and see how the dealer reacts. She said "the worst that will happen is they say no and then you raise your offer a bit. It's all part of the game".

If you're thinking of an x5 to tow your 21' I'd say buy a beater pick-up to tow with and spend the extra $50k and get a lot more boat! Good luck w/ your purchase. Post pics when you get it!

My dad has had a 23ft larson for about 15 years, nice boat no problems, but he has mercruiser engine. Buy used, boats are overpriced and they depreciate very quickly. My mom has a pontoon boat, now thats cool, a party barge! I have a sailboat, but not fun unless you race it. Good luck!

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SUPPORT OPERATION REBOUND:
http://www.operationreboundcalifornia.kintera.org/ejs3

Kestrel Syndicate
Macca Fan Club

What do you want to use it for? If it is wakeboarding & skiing, you need to think long term: wakeboarding is fun when you are learning behind pretty much any boat, but if you want to get better/do tricks, you'll want a boat that throws a pretty good wake--which means adding a bladder system/weight to the stern. 280hp is fine for cruising around & general skiing, but wakeboard + bladders + 280 HP = slow pickup.

Unless you need to use it for the remaining 6 weeks of the summer in the midwest, I'd wait & start shopping at end of season. You can get great deals on used, which is what I'd recommend 100%--your Larson will be worth about $22k in one year--I'd let someone else take the hit.

The other option is to get a bigger boat. I've got a 27' Hallett, and it naturally throws a monster wake as it weighs about 6k lbs, but it also has 500+ hp. In the midwest I'd look at Cobalts (used to have a 28' Cobalt & it was a very, very nice boat) or Chaparells (sp?). A 3-4 year old Cobalt should be available in the same price-range (actually there is a nice 2003 22' Cobalt with a 350 on ebay now that looks pretty clean). Good boats are like BMW/Mercedes/Porsche: the ride is 1000x better & they hold their value much, much better than Fords/GMs/Chevys.

One thing when looking at manufacturers & models: I'd recommend going with someone who makes the same model year after year as it leads to consistency & quality--when the manf is changing styles/hulls/sizes year after year, they are chasing market share rather than satisfying an existing customer base who know exactly what they want.

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"There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs." John Rogers

What are your going to use it for would be my first question?

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I'll be what I am
A solitary man

Same thing as everone else who owns a powerboat of course. Posing.



;-)

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"A society is defined not only by what it creates, but by what it refuses to destroy."
John Sawhill

I mean is it for putzing around, fishing, water skiing, wakeboarding, partying or posing around?

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I'll be what I am
A solitary man

check out boattrader.com and look at the value of your boat on the open market. Each state has a different market for boats, down here, used boats have held there value and have actually increased in value due to the ridiculous price of new boats. But having said that the price of fuel at the dock, currently over 4 bucks a gallon will drive down the prices somewhat. One of the best times to buy is in the fall or wintertime when people want to unload their boats. Also check out certain internet boat auctions in your area, you can sometimes find a great steal.

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I have horrible back problems but I have zero problems staying in an aero position for 180k. Why? Because I ride steep and because I train regularly in that position. Simple as that.....Gerard

I agree with that. The price of new ones has increased so much that the resale market is pretty strong. Dealers can't keep the new stuff in stock. Home equity loans....

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I'll be what I am
A solitary man

We have a number of boats. Boats just sort of show up here. People actually give us boats they don't want any more.

I want a Zodiac CZ-7 but don't have the spare $135,000. If I had one I would shave my head and play Navy SEAL with it on the river. It would be cool.

Our current coolest boat is this 18' speed boat thingy we bought for $2000. It is in perfect shape for a boat: rough. If your boat is too new then you won't have fun with it and you'll always be worried about it.

This past weekend we went out to a lighthouse on Lake Erie and went fishing and swimming off the boat. Mike Aderhold is our captain and has been around boats all his life. We also have another 18' boat that is from the early 70's and is in surprisingly good shape. We got it for $200 and bought it mostly becasue it had a nice depth finder for our first boat, then we discovered it actually runs and looks quite nice, sort of retro. It is aqua green.

Boats are good.

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Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com

"Boats are good."

A ski boat was the best purchase I ever made when my kids were younger. We are on our third. It kept my family together almost every weekend and 2-3 times nid-week during the summer. It was our passion. The reason I was quizing CHip about what he intends to do with it it because if he intends to be a skier, a 21' Larson will likley be unsatisfactory in terms of the wake. If he likes to wakeboard/tube/fish/party it is probably good.

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I'll be what I am
A solitary man

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I'll be what I am
A solitary man

I grew up on the water and have/had many boats. The larson is your basic production boat and in my opinion not worth the money. For a few $k more you could order a real boat from Ultra Boats (www.ultraboats.com) and have it built just the way that you want.

You could also go nuts and blow $75 - $100k on a Howard or a Schiada. I have a Howard and it is a great boat but currently Ultra is building the best value boat on the market.

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Is that Lake Mead? Looks like it (though I've never been on Havasu).

If that is your boat congrats--best wakeboard boat on the water based on all reports. Worth the $$? How is it for skiing?

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"There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs." John Rogers

Lots of nice comments above. I have a 42ft Gibson Executive which I keep in central Illinois and I'm presently looking for a run-a-bout ... so, your questions are timely. Regarding wake and ski boats, keep in mind that riding an inboard onto the beach is not a good idea. An I/O or outboard would serve you better. If you intend to fish too, you might consider a fish and ski. If you plan to trailer the boat or run it on the chain of lakes often, you should look for a smaller size. Definitely look at the used boat market first. Bigger engines are fun. But, prop pitch makes a noticeable impact on the performance too. You need to decide if you want it to pop out of the hole quickly (pulling a skier) or reach a higher speed eventually.

I don't remember the details, but I believe that Illinois now charges sales tax on used boat sales - even between private parties.

Lastly, when do you plan on boating? I mean, shouldn't you be training on the weekends?

-jeff

We have that boat but not the one pictured. Let's just say it has a pylon but it is no ski boat.

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I'll be what I am
A solitary man

I didn't look at the pic very carefully. I take it that isn't a Mastercraft X30 wakeboard boat?

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"There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs." John Rogers

blasphemy!

Malibu Wakesetter 21xti

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I'll be what I am
A solitary man

Record,

I am a newbie boat owner. Moved into a home with a deeded boat slip and took the plunge. I had very little experience with boats. After about two months of researching we purchased a 1998 Four Winns 21 foot deck boat with the same Volvo engine in the Larson. We have been pleased with the Boat we primarily use it for spinning around the lake, pulling the kids in tubes and a little water skiing. The biggest drawback to our model boat was that windshield only covers the captains chair and does not block wind for the other passengers.

The best benefit of the boat has been the quality time I get with the kids. Its isolated one on one time, w/o all of lifes distractions. For that the boat is priceless.

The boat we purchased had extensive service records and was traded in on a new boat last fall. The boat dealer had the boat on its lot for a year, I offered a low ball price that he countered with, I stuck with my price and gave the sales rep my name and number. Two weeks later they agreed on my initial offer.

In summary, do research, I went to the Charlotte boat show and it was time well spent. We saw more boats in 5 hours then we thought possible. From the boat show you can determine the options you are interested in an help prevent having any buyers remorse.

Good Luck,

RF

Friggin graphics all look the same on these things. You like the Malibu? I'm going to buy a combo boat this fall for wakeboarding/skiing--ski boats suck for wakeboarding, and wakeboard boats + slalom skiers are high comedy. Combos seem like best of both worlds, I just wonder about the ease/durability of the variable ballast sacks.

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"There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs." John Rogers

I haven't read all the replies yet......but DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!

Yikes, your life will be over.

I'm up the Land of 10,000 lakes and had a boat for a few years. Great fun, love the water, enjoy entertaining, etc.

However...I didn't care for:

The maintenance

cost of ownership

shitty weathered weekends

Lake traffic

DNR police

Friends ditching early leaving me with clean-up

The lists goes on....



Sounds like your mind is made up, but I'd rather invest in a cabin and head for the beach vacation each year instead.....

That Malibu model is a combo boat, but I will have to tell you it is weighted toward the wakeboard user. If you are an avid skier you will be disappointed with the wake (no matter what the dealer tells you).

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I'll be what I am
A solitary man

We've got the 1100 jetski for skiing, so its not a huge deal on the ski side. Besides, after you've wakeboarded, who wants to go back to skiing?

How quick is the fillup on the ballast bags?

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"There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs." John Rogers

Hey, you are talking to an old school skier here so the wake is important. Unfortunately, my kids who wakeboard have more clout.

Maybe 3 minutes on the bags.

It also has "the wedge." Between the 2 of them, you can make tsunami sized waves.

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I'll be what I am
A solitary man

I have three boats- two whitewater kayaks and sea kayak. Boats with motors are for slugs.;-)

I like a boat that's fun, relatively cheap and gives me a workout.

It looks like I side with your kids. Thanks for the info--I'll look into one for BB.

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"There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs." John Rogers