Ski Boat Advice
 

I am starting to look into ski boats for when I get back home. I am wondering if anyone has any advice or own any of these particular brands/models.

Crownline 180 BR
Sea-Doo 180 Challenger SE
Tahoe Q7 Sport

I am looking for something in the 20' foot 200hp range. Don't really need anything bigger for the smaller lakes that we have in IA. Thanks in advance for the help.

I have a 20' mastercraft X-10 it is a wonderful boat and the extra HP (375) is really handy if you have a bigger skier on the back (I am 6'1" 260) the nice thing is the V drive system gives you that nice flat inboard wake but you dont have the engine sitting in the middle of the boat if you don't have anyone that wakeboards look at the maristar and prostar V drives or Inboards...thier Cruise control/Perfect Pass system is great as well keeps consistant boat speed throught an entire run they are a blast to drive plus as far as reliability and resale value it is very hard to beat a mastercraft

your best bet is to figure out what lakes you are going to be going to the most and find a dealership at a marina that stocks parts for your boat...since most of the lakes in IA are river fed you have pretty good odds of breaking something since there is a lot of trees and crap that run downstream in the early part of the season.

I was actually looking at the X-2 as well, but trying to keep it in the $25k price range for now.

the X-2 is a smooth water boat you will hate it if there is any traffic on the lake there are a few on the lake I keep my boat at and by mid day on the weekends they have already gone in because it is too rough

You on Saylorville or Rathbun?

Panorama its a private lake about 45 minutes west of DM

Crownline will give you the comfort with ski ability. See-doo will make for a long day unless your just going out and back with no lounging.
Q7, no clue.

Moomba.
(Mobius, etc...)
Bit pricey, but one hell of a boat.

We just sold our Centurion last year - it was also a V-drive and a great wakeboard boat. However, you need to weigh out the amount of time you will be skiing and the amount of time you will be cruising, because ski boats can beat you to death on rough water.

My bro-in-law had a 21ft Chapparal that would pull us great on a wakeboard and it was an excellent lake cruiser too - we would have bought it from him if they had not dumped it before we got rid of the ski boat.

Most v-bottom boats in the 20ft range will pull just fine if you have a decent engine, and give you a nice ride too for cruising around. I think 200hp is ok for a 18 to 19ft hull with a light load of passengers, but on a 20ft hull, it will probbly struggle to pull a skier when loaded up with a gear. With engines, bigger is usually better (i.e. V-8 at least). I have a Four Winns 200 Horizon with a 275hp V-8 I/O and it rides and pulls great even with 5 people on board. If you do a lot of skiing, then maybe go with a v-drive tournament style ski boat for the best wake characteristcs. But you will sacrafice some room and ride quality. Jet boats like the Sea-Doos are fine for shallow water, but IMO, are gas guzzlers (usually need 2 engines on a 20ft hull), and don't pull as well as prop. driven boats.