New to the forum, need boat help

My wife and I are looking at buying our first boat. We have talked to several people, all of which their opinions are different, and I need some help deciding.

We are looking at the Four Winns SL222 or SL242 as well as a true ski boat.

The most important things to us are:
1) Safety & # of people we can bring
2) Wake boarding (fresh water)
3) Wake surfing (fresh water)
4) Tubing (fresh water)

The number one concern with the Four Winns is that it's an I/O, other than that it looks like a fantastic boat and would give us everything we need.

What are your thoughts? Are we crazy to consider the Four Winns, if so why? We are assured by the dealer that there is no way someone could get caught up in the prop on the Four Winns SL line.


Thanks!

Re: New to the forum, need boat help

Sounds like you need dedicated tournament style ski boat w/bow seating. They can't be beat for water sports.

Re: New to the forum, need boat help

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Re: New to the forum, need boat help

I/O's make for good access to the stern, yet have the ability to go closer to shore for anchoring/beaching versus an inboard ski boat.

Either one will probably suit your needs well. I/O's can also be adjusted for differing load conditions and water/wave conditions, whereas an inboard propeller is at a fixed (downward) angle.

Since it is a first boat, also consider resell, and an I/O may be more broadly appealing on a reselling market. Ski boats are more of a niche market.

So, you are not crazy to consider the Four Winns or an I/O in general. Either way, I think you will be OK.

Re: New to the forum, need boat help

Eliminate the propeller. For what you want to do, you owe it to yourself to investigate Sea Doo. http://www.sea-doo.com/Archive/archives_2012/en-US/SB/resources/pdf/WAKE230.pdf

Re: New to the forum, need boat help

I deleted my first post because I don't claim to be an authority on the subject and did not want to appear that way. However the conventional wisdom is that stern drives are not safe for wake surfing. I understand that with massive swim platforms that it can seem like an extremely remote possibility to fall into the prop but I would be nervouse to take a dealers word for something that critical. I would like that to be confirmed from the manufacturer if I were in your shoes.

Re: New to the forum, need boat help

"there is no way someone could get caught up in the prop"

Don't believe that for a moment. Always kill the engine when anyone is in the water near the boat. I'd hate to kill someone because the a salesman said it wouldn't happen.....

Re: New to the forum, need boat help

Fl_Richard said:

"there is no way someone could get caught up in the prop"

Don't believe that for a moment. Always kill the engine when anyone is in the water near the boat. I'd hate to kill someone because the a salesman said it wouldn't happen.....

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Let me clarify that point. He said that in referring to wakeboarding and surfing. Due to the fact that there is the surf deck and the prop is further under the water.

Re: New to the forum, need boat help

I have used both. My friend has a Moomba and it is great for watersports. We use an I/O. I like them both and would like to have both if I could but we choose the I/O for the ease of "ALL" around use (watersports, parking on a beach or sandbar, cruising in shallow areas and fishing). If watersports is your main choice then go for the inboard.

Re: New to the forum, need boat help

Is there anything 'safe' about "Wake Surfing" ???

Re: New to the forum, need boat help

tpenfield said:

Is there anything 'safe' about "Wake Surfing" ???

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I believe that you are thinking about "teak surfing" which was a fad for a while and people were breathing in exhaust in the case of inboards and in the case of I/O's getting chewed up by the prop. Nothing is safe about teak surfing.

Wakesurfing is safe (assuming you don't overballast your boat and swamp it). Personally it ruins the water for anyone trying to ski or wakeboard in the area so I'm not a huge fan but I'm sure the skier and fisherman say the same about wakeboarders so it is really a matter of perspective.

Re: New to the forum, need boat help

gddavid said:

I believe that you are thinking about "teak surfing" which was a fad for a while and people were breathing in exhaust in the case of inboards and in the case of I/O's getting chewed up by the prop. Nothing is safe about teak surfing.

Wakesurfing is safe (assuming you don't overballast your boat and swamp it). Personally it ruins the water for anyone trying to ski or wakeboard in the area so I'm not a huge fan but I'm sure the skier and fisherman say the same about wakeboarders so it is really a matter of perspective.

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No, wake surfing . . . not that it is totally dangerous like 'teak surfing' . . . but there is not much that looks "safe" about it.

for someone buying their first boat, I would think that 'wake surfing' would be way (way) down on the list of considerations.