Conference vicki::boats

re   <<< Note 542.0 by ARCHER::SUTER "Gentlemen, start your *marine* engines!" >>>
>                        -< Centurian Boats & Dealers? >-

    
>    	Are there any Centurian dealers in New England other
>    than Baert Marine in Plaistow? How about the manufacturer,
>    California some where?

	Funny you should ask.... (-:
    
    
>    I guess I've been hanging around with Reg too much! Bloody-well
>   right!


	Hey, enough with the insults already - Ya_Wanna tire kickin' 
consultant's input or not ?


	I  "just happen to know"  about Performance Marine, which is 
in/on_the_edge_of Oxford and Webster, Rte #12.   Makes a nice ride 
when the weather is too Sh*****y for Gunballing  (-:

	You don't want me to list his complete stock from memory, do 
you ?,   prices too ?,  colors ?  (-:,  (-:

	R

    Centurion Boats is located in Merced, California on Grogan Ave. (Just
    up the street from Malibu Boats.) Plan on 65 mph + with the 200 horse
    Hah-mah-yah!  The Centurion is a real screamer! BTW, the guy at Beart
    Marine in Danvers told me they weren't dealing in Centurions anymore.
    The Sport Shak in Plaistow (subsidiary of Beart) still has some? Maybe
    '89 leftovers? Maybe only Danvers is no longer dealing in them?
    Makes you Wonder...
    Maybe only Grady Whites in Danvers and Centurions in Plaistow??
    Doug

RE: Note 539.0   
>> Is it time to trade my 1987?

and

Note 542.0 
>> Are there any Centurian dealers in New England other than Baert Marine?


Rick,
Does this make it official,  Corrective Action is on the trading block?!
Wow.  Oh well, I guess this makes you just an *average* guy, since the
average boater trades up every 3 years.  Two more years and I'll be ready
to do the same.

Rick W.

	Sport Shak and Marine is no longer a Ski Centurion dealer (haven't
	been for quite a while, as far as I know).  But, they can still get
	the boat for you if you want it.  Even better news is that they just
	recently became a Yamaha dealer!  Anyways, they have no Barefooot
	Warriors in stock...

	Here are some snippets from Water Ski's 1989 Boat Buyer's Guide
	about the Barefoot Warrior...

	"The Yamaha throttle/shift/trim control is about the best solution
	to the problem of combining all functions in one..."

	"...there's no wanting for power for any skiing application..."

	"For a quick pick-up out of the water, no boat in the tests was
	able to beat the Warrior..."

	"Slalom wakes are relatively hard and wide...but there's no rooster
	tail to speak of."

	Some stats:
		0 to 36 in a little over 3 seconds
		top speed of about 57.

	The boat is best suited for tricks and barefoot.  Although the
	slalom wakes are not quite tournement level, it is still an
	outstanding slalom boat...

	But why would you be considering this boat Rick?  The Barefoot
	Warrior is only for true "Barefoot Warriors", like Doug, Roger
	and myself.  Barefoot wannabies that need their "tennies" don't
	need such a powerfull rig! :-)

	-ric. future_barefoot_warrior_owner!

	Somewhere I heard (read) that the top Yamaha engine is now (or
soon will be, i.e. for 1990) the  V 76X, something like that, I think
there is a 225 and a 250 HP version.  The 76 refers to the included
angle of the V, the X signifies the cross_over between the carbs that
feed cylinders on the opposite bank.  What this might do to '89 left 
over prices ????????, not that 225 or 250 would be  NEEEEDED  on a 
Barefoot Warrior  (-:

	Reg	{fledgeling footman}

    re 542.*
    
    	I was thinking...Rick if your really serious about getting this
    SC....well, maybe I just might have to drop that worked small
    block...naaa, at 57 MPH things are just starting to get interesting.
    I still have a 4-6 MPH advantage...but if you were to put a Yam 225 on
    that BW...humm...have you seen that high performance air cleaner ad 
    around....
    
    mike_Who_might_be_putting_a_little_extra_time_in_the_BAJA_this_winter
    

    
    	The reason a "Barefoot wannabe" would want a Warrior is
    that it can tow anything *and* go fast!
    
    	I was surprised to find that the hull only weighs in at
    about 1200 lbs... That's light! Whew... add about another 400
    for the motor and it's still a mere 1600 lbs. I wonder if a 
    good slalom skier could pull it around?
    
    	Some initial findings don't help the argument to trade
    to the Centurion (hey, I spelled it right, Doug)....
    
    	1) The used boat market is and has been dead. One place
    		actually ballparked the trade-in value of the Nautique
    		at $9,600...! They obviously don't want my business...
    
    	2) I still haven't talked myself into liking the half swim
    		platforms, considering how hard my high wraps are to
    		get on.
    
    	3) It's not a Correct Craft! :-)
    
    	On the upside, here are a few things that still manage to hold
    my interest.
    
    	1) 55+ MPH
    
    	2) More room in the boat
    
    	3) Much less weight for the truck to tow...
    
    	4) It's new....
    
       	5) I wanna!
    
    Rick
         

>>    	2) More room in the boat

	Rick,

	If there is one serious downside to this boat, it's the *lack* of
	passenger room in it.  The spotters seat sits only about 1 and a
	half people...really only 1 comfortably.  Any additional passangers
	during skiing have to sit on the gunnel...

	Notice that I said "passenger room."  I think there my be more floor
	space in the thing, but as far as passengers for skiing go, well...

	-ric.

re   <<< Note 542.7 by ARCHER::SUTER "Gentlemen, start your *marine* engines!" >>>
    
>    	1) The used boat market is and has been dead. One place
>    		actually ballparked the trade-in value of the Nautique
>    		at $9,600...! They obviously don't want my business...

	URGENT MESSAGE FOLLWS THE FORM FEED !



		TALK TO  *_ME_*  !


	



	You could do better by  NOT  trading and I could come out smilin' 
		too  (-:


	SERIOUSLY !

    Rick S.,
    
    Before you get your mind all set on a Barefoot Warrior you should
    take a look at the boat Flightcraft(I believe) puts out.
    I was out yesterday in Spencer with some guys and we were 'Footing'
    (in our bare feet) behind one with a 200 HP Merc.
    The guy's whose boat it was,  Jeff Stein,  took 3rd in the Mens 1
    Nations.  He was just coming back from a broken arm so according to
    him he was a little rusty,  I sure couldn't tell.
      
    This was a really nice boat, and with a 19' SS prop  and 200HP
    it had plenty of power out of the hole and could still hit about
    55+ mph.  The boat is 5 event rated.
    
    I have only seen Barefoot Warriors from a distance but if what
    was said in .8 about it not having much room for sitting is true
    of the BFW , it was not true for this boat.  We had SIX people
    sitting in the boat and one on the boom.  Two people in the observers
    seat was not a problem and the other 3 sat on the the back seat
    after it was rotated from along the the back to being behind the
    driver.  In fact it fit EXACTLY from the back of the drivers seat
    to the storage compartment in the back,  like some designer thought 
    that you might want to do this.  :-)   And as far as HP goes
    that 200 HP merc got up and went, even with 6 in the boat.
    Never got a chance to try/see the wake at 30-36 mph since it
    seemed like we were always going 0 mph or 40mph.  It seemed to
    handle real well also,  but then I am used to an I/O.
    
    As you may be able to tell I was real impressed by this boat.
    Rick's Nautique and a MasterCraft Tri-Star were the only other
    boats I had had used a boom on before and I really like the
    postion of the boom while 'footin' behind this boat.
    
    Mike 
     
    PS.  Giving respect to those people who foot off of a long line
    or 5ft leader on a boom,  I think people (like myself) who
    just hang onto the boom should be called "boomers" not footers
    since there is a real difference between holding a rope and holding
    the boom.  You're not REALLY a barefooter until you can jump out of
    the boat with the handle and a smile...  
    I'm not sure what you should call someone with sneakers on 
    AND holding the boom!  :-)

    The Barefoot Warrior also has this arrangment of relocating the rear
    seat, aft-forward facing, midship-aft facing, or on the dock. I believe
    the pylon is also interchangable from midpoint to about 2/3 of the way
    back.
    The Flightcraft (now owned by Malibu Boats :^)  wouldn't be the 18XL
    O/B would it?  Seems like a real small boat (from the pic's in the
    mags). But there is also two jumpseats, (Judge and observer) that
    the '89 AWSA Towboat Evaluation (The Waterskier, Jan '89, pg A-44)
    lists as standard. With all seats installed, looks like it holds 8
    people. (and no gear :^)
    Doug (cold water boomer) Whynot
    FWIW, I'd still rather have a Barefoot Warrior with a Yamaha.. 

    
    Doug,
    
    It was the 18XL O/B.  At least that is what I saw
    on the dash by the speedometers.  Do they make a bigger
    one??  How big are the Barefoot Warriors??
    
    I saw the bracket on the floor for the jumpseats,
    but they were not in the boat at the time.
    Eight people would be a little tight I would think.
    It rides low enough to the water as is.
    4-5 people is real manageable.
    Saw the hole for the second pylon postion,  just behind
    the rear seat.  Would be nice if you wanted to sit people 
    in the rear seat and keep their heads on.
    Couldn't tell what it takes to move it,  probably not
    worth the effort on a regular basis.
    Another kind of neat feature was a third speedometer
    mounted in the back facing forwards.  This I was told
    was for the judges,  but it was also kind of handy for
    us observers when watching what speed they were going
    for different tricks/starts.
    
    Mike    
                               

>PS.  Giving respect to those people who foot off of a long line
>or 5ft leader on a boom,  I think people (like myself) who
>just hang onto the boom should be called "boomers" not footers
>since there is a real difference between holding a rope and holding
>the boom.  You're not REALLY a barefooter until you can jump out of
>the boat with the handle and a smile...  
>I'm not sure what you should call someone with sneakers on 
>AND holding the boom!  :-)

  
  I agree 100% Mike, anyone can foot off a boom, real footers
can use either the boom or long line....I would think the
5ft leader would be somewhat easier that using a long line.

 I really like the boom because #1 you don't get very wet and 
#2 you don't fall!  As long as you hang on, you can yell to the 
driver to stop the boat.

  I think its the *only* way to learn how to foot.  I can't imagine 
stepping out of a ski on a long line to learn barefooting.  Thats' death.  

Jeanne (a boomer)

    I passed Sport Shak in Plaistow Saturday morning and out front was
    a Ski Centurian on blocks. Didn't stop to look at it, there was
    a used Ski Nautique a little further up 125 that was more in my
    price range. :^)
    
    ~jeff

re     <<< Note 542.14 by BOSOX::JEGREEN "Money talks..mine says 'goodbye'" >>>
>                        -< Ski Centurian @ Sport Shak >-

>    I passed Sport Shak in Plaistow Saturday morning and out front was
>    a Ski Centurian on blocks. Didn't stop to look at it, there was

	First number out of the guy's mouth was  $16,900, that was a 
couple of weeks ago.

>    a used Ski Nautique a little further up 125 that was more in my
>    price range. :^)

	Oh, Mr Grover's boat ?   He  "only"  wants about half the 
above number, and its been there  "a while".
    
>    ~jeff


	Reg	{used boat catalogue}

    Here you go Rick...
    
    1989 Ski Centurion Warrior, Black/Pink. 200 Yamaha,
    Matching Trailer. $16K/BO  (207) 797-9153
    
    Maybe he'll take a Nautique in trade?  :-)
    
    Doug 

    
    My lets_buy_a_boat_together_ski_partner called me
    the other day to say Baert's has an 1988 Ski Centurian
    for sale, asking price, $15K.  I'm sure with the economy
    being the way it is we could knock off some $$$ on his
    asking price, but I'm a little skeptical about Centurians.
    
    They seem to have this strange porpoising defect.  Anyone
    know what causes this?  Engine position or something?  It's
    very strange to foot off the boom while the boat is doing
    that!!  The porpoising stops after reaching 30MPH+ or so.
    
    We'll definately test drive this boat, from what I've read
    so far they seem to be reputable.  And they have a nice
    *small* wake.  :>)
    
    Jeanne
    

    Jeanne,
      Is this a "Falcon" or a "True Trak" (the one with the "S"
    rails/bulges out in the middle.)
    
    The Falcon is a real nice looking boat, kind of like a Supra, but not
    as plush.  I sat in one once and thought it was kind of uncomfortable.
    i.e. the back seat back came only up to the middle of my back.
    (understand?)  It felt like I would have fallen over backwards if this
    boat had taken off.  Your not thinking of one of those pink/teal/purple
    ones are you??   As far as the porpoising effect, I don't know what
    causes it, but could be corrected with a fixed trim tab at the stern.
    You could also adjust your trick wake with it :^)  (The Falcon that you
    skiied behind (next to?) doesn't have one of these, does it?
    
    The Tru-Trak:  Don't think about it.  It was an admitted design problem
    that was to supposedly improve handling-it didn't. Also the wake is less
    than favorable for slalom, but not too bad for tricks.
    
    You might want to check with Owens marine in Hooksette. They have quite
    a few Ski-Supremes (new/leftover/used) in stock and would gladly take
    your Baja in trade (them being a Baja dealer and all).
    
    You might want to check the want adds as there are a lot of non-serious
    skiers out there looking to get rid of their "real" skiboats.  That
    same $15K could go a lot farther in the private market than helping Mr.
    Beart unload his '88 leftover that has only been used in a few
    tournements.  
    
    Or- could I interest you in my friends '84 Ski Eliminator (350 4-bolt
    Indmar w/ 480hrs) for around $10K?
    
    Doug 

    
    Yeah Doug, this one is the True Trak.  I haven't looked at
    the boat yet, but supposedly it's pretty sharp looking.  
    
    The Ski Eliminator sounds tempting, like the price too!
    
    Did you hear Ski Supreme went out of business?  I did.
    
    jd/
    

re              <<< Note 542.17 by DONVAN::DECAROLIS "Just HIT It" >>>
>                               -< Hippedy Hop! >-

    
>    My lets_buy_a_boat_together_ski_partner called me
>    the other day to say Baert's has an 1988 Ski Centurian
>    for sale, asking price, $15K.  I'm sure with the economy
>    being the way it is we could knock off some $$$ on his
>    asking price, but I'm a little skeptical about Centurians.

	Did you ever call Ed again re his American Skier ?

	"Ed who ?"    Ed whatsisname.

	R

    re .18
    
    Just for everyone's info, OWEN's is no longer a BAJA dealer. Channel
    Marine up at Winni is now the new BAJA dealer in NH along with Brown's
    Auto/Marine up at Sunapee.
    
    							-mike-

    
    Jeanne,
    
    The ski club that I am a member in has about 5 Centurians,
    (Falcon, Falcon Bow Rider, Tru Trak I, Tru Trak II, and Tru Trak II)
    The Tru Trak II is the one with the side rails that proved to not
    be a good idea.  The Tru Trak III looks to me like a scaled down
    Falcon.  The Tru Trak III in the club was new the spring,  and did
    seem to have a slight porposing even at barefoot speeds.  But USUALLY
    that can be eliminated by adjusting the trim tabs.  I like the Falcon
    myself. For the most part everyone seems to be happy with their boats.
    As far as Baert's marine goes, the two most recently purchased boats
    were bought there and neither party was happy with Baert.  They got
    the impression that once you bought it they did not want to see you
    unless of course you had your check book open.  They also said that
    the price thay were asking for the boat was about the same you are
    qouting and this was in the spring.  Be carefull of this quoted 
    price, the bottom line is generally alot greater by the time they
    get done totalling up all the "other" stuff.  So I basically can not
    recommand Baert as a great place to buy a boat,  but I have never
    dealt with them myself.   Definitely have the agreement for a sale
    be conditional to a test drive in the spring.
    
    I would seriuosly look into the used market before jumping at something
    new.  There are many good buys out there for the price range that
    you are considering.
    
    Good luck,  it will be a LONG winter if you buy a new boat now.  :-)
    Mike
       

    Re: Mike- Good clarification on the different Centurions..
    
    Re: Supreme out of business- They were for a short time but now there
    back under Genmar Industries (owner of Glastron, others)  They have
    the TS and MS series of AWSA apporoved towboats...But nevermind, this
    is the Centurion Note..:^)
    Doug

RE: The last few

Times are tough right now, it's the off season, the economy $ucks,
and there's LOTS of good deals to be had out there.  To shell out 
$15K for a ski boat and settle for anything less near *perfection*
seems unnecessary.  If there's any chance this Centurion has porpoising
problems, well, there's plenty of proven boats out there for the 
same money.  

Why risk your $15K to find out if you got one of the good ones?  If 
you sign a deal now with final acceptance pending a spring test drive,
what happens if you don't like it and back out?  Now it's springtime 
and you've lost your advantage, because the boat *sellers* will be
back in the driver's seat.

Remember, you're bargaining from a position of strength right now.
I'd stick with one of the proven boats where quality and performance 
are a known factor.  Especially if you buy this time of year where 
a test drive is not really possible.

Rick

    
    Right Mike, and the winters are long enough around
    here!
    
    If we were to buy right now, it would be because we'd
    be saving big $$$.  Baert's is *asking* 15K, with the economy 
    the way it is it's anyone's guess what they'd accept.  
    I also think that there will be plenty of
    good deals around this spring, dealer and private.
    
    Actually, the whole purpose of this discussion was to
    find out where the strange porpoising problem came from.
    My friends Centurian could outjump Flipper, :>)  and
    don't you know, he bought the boat from Baert's!  Guess
    I'll visit them for *skies and equip* only.
    
    Reg...on that American Skier, we have a 12.5/13K budget,
    I don't think he'd take the offer (and I don't want to
    insult the guy, he's too nice) :>)  From what I remember
    he was asking about $16K.
    
    
    Anyways people....I won't have to worry about buying a
    boat after today, I'm gonna win the Overton's raffle
    for the 1991 No Spray, No Wake Ski Nautique.  The drawing
    is today and I've entered about 1500 post cards!  :>)
    
    oh oh....there's my phone ringing now!
    
                      ** Happy Holidays **
                                            
    JD