Ski and Wakeboard boats for sale

Ski boats and wake boats (often called surf boats) are vessels designed specifically for watersports, with specialized wake-shaping technology and tow towers for pulling skiers or riders. Wake boats are generally v-drive boats with systems to enhance the shape of wakes making them larger and more ideal for wakesurfing, wakeboarding and jumps and aerial tricks. These systems are comprised of hydraulic metal plates, wedges or even hydrofoils that can be adjusted by the driver at the helm. Comparatively, ski boats have evolved from three main water skiing competition categories: slalom, trick and jump, and are almost always direct-drive inboard powered vessels that create smaller flatter wakes ideal for water skiers.

How are Ski Boats and Wake Boats built?

Wake boat and surf boat hulls are specifically designed and molded to displace as much water as possible with ballast. These specialized ballast systems can adjust the weight of the boat, thus creating smaller and bigger wakes as needed, and are typically comprised of water tanks with pumps, integrated within the hull.

What Types of Engines Power Wake Boats and Ski Boats?

Most wake boats are powered by v-drive systems while most ski boats are powered by direct-drive propulsion. Typically these boats do not have outboard engines since they would get in the way of tow ropes and prevent easy loading and unloading of riders. Due to rudder propellers and drive shafts along the bottom of the hull, these boats typically have about a 3 foot minimum draft, thus are not ideal for very shallow water - nor do they tend to make good fishing boats. Some wake boats are jet boats, such as the Yamaha 242X, and thus may be suitable for shallower water.

What Optional Equipment is Available for Wake Boats and Ski Boats?

Optional equipment on ski boats and wake boats includes advanced touchscreen controls (especially for controlling the hydraulic wake-shaping plates), custom stereo systems and sound bars, LED and underwater lights, large swim platforms, loungers and rear facing "observer" seats, surf rope and premium towing accessories, surfboard mounting systems, powered wakeboard tow towers and more.

Expert Ski and Wakeboard Reviews

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Find your perfect ski and wakeboard boats

Ski and Wakeboard boats are medium-sized, trailerable vessels frequently used for time-honored pursuits such as watersports and day cruising. They have a rich legacy as vessels that are sought-after due to their medium-depth draft and average beam, features that make these vessels exceptionally appropriate for watersports and day cruising. The average number of people that can be accommodated onboard ski and wakeboard boats listed is 13 passengers, with a maximum capacity of 19 guests and crew. Models with more power can accommodate motors up to 939 horsepower, while more compact models may have as low as 68 horsepower engines on them (although the average power size is 376 HP).

Of the 1,208 ski and wakeboard boats for sale on YachtWorld currently, there are 690 new vessels and 518 used and custom yachts listed by professional yacht brokers and boat dealerships mainly in the following countries: United States, United Kingdom, France, Spain and Canada. Over the past 30 days, there have been 141 ski and wakeboard boats listed for sale on YachtWorld. The average length of these vessels is 23 feet, while they differ in size from 14 feet long for the shortest, to 37 feet for the longest listed vessel. They are assembled by a wide variety of yacht makers and their hull types include modified vee, deep vee, planing, monohull and other designs.

The best ski and wakeboard boats

Some of the most iconic, masterful builders of ski and wakeboard boats right now include: Mastercraft, Nautique, Chaparral, Beneteau and Sea Ray. These builders produce ski and wakeboard boats with inboard, inboard/outboard, outboard-4S, outboard and V-drive propulsion systems, available in gas, diesel, electric and other fuel systems. Last month alone, the top 5 brands with the most views for ski and wakeboard boats on YachtWorld were Cigarette, Malibu, Mastercraft, Moomba and Nautique.

Ski and Wakeboard boats pricing

Ski and Wakeboard boats for sale on YachtWorld are available for a variety of prices from $11,718 on the more reasonably-priced side all the way up to $420,000 for the most expensive yachts. Keep in mind the cost of ownership when considering your budget and the listing price of a yacht for sale.