icehawk21

It is a beautiful boat. And I hate to see it go as well. I knew the conversation with my wife was coming but I was hoping that she would come around. You can imagine I wasn't too happy when she brought it up tonight at dinner. But for the sake of our relationship, it's probably best that I sell it. It hasn't been too fun using it this year when I know she dreads every minute we are using it...and dreads the very idea of using it. Now I need to sell it...but what should I get for it? Just trying to minimize the financial hit

Hey Crew! Well, I knew it was coming. My wife and I had a bit of an accident last year (grounded prop on boat ramp in windy conditions) that completely shook her confidence and she's never really recovered from it. Now she's always nervous and anxiety-ridden - before, during and after every boating trip. Coupled with the fact that we are new to the boating scene (last year was our first, this year our second) and that she doesn't really like it means she laid down the ultimatum that she really wanted to sell it. And since it's virtually impossible for me to drive AND surf at the same time, and my kids aren't old enough to do either, I've very reluctantly agreed to sell if for the sake of our marriage. What sucks is that in the limited time we've used it this year, I've really figured out this surfing thing and have been able to go hands-free and start some rudimentary tricks. I was hoping that you guys could help me figure out a decent asking price for it. I own a 2013 Elite V C4 - bought new from a local dealer last July for $54k (plus tax) CDN. Boat is basically brand new and only has 37 hours on it. It's pretty loaded - includes the following options (with prices as per See Dealer Cost's website from last year, which were pretty close to what I paid): Centurion Elite V C4 2013 $60,860.00 $45,645.00 2 Tower Speakers Wetsounds Rev-8-C-B (Requires Custom Stereo Upgrade) $1,871.00 $1,403.00 Additional Stripe On Std Gel w/Flake Stripe- Standard Gel Only $286.00 $215.00 Boat Cover w/ Vent Poles, Black Only $1,000.00 $750.00 Centurion Pro Ballast Package, Dual Side Bags $1,564.00 $1,173.00 Custom Stereo System Upgrade $1,214.00 $911.00 Engine: PCM EX343 5.7L MPI Catanium PowerPlus V-Drive 343 hp $1,614.00 $1,211.00 Gladiator Tower Bimini, Black Only $1,129.00 $847.00 Heater with 1 Hot Tube & 2 Outlets $757.00 $568.00 High Altitude Prop, Exchange $71.00 $53.00 Stainless Steel Bling-Bling Package $593.00 $445.00 Trailer: Spare Tire Bracket (Weld On) $86.00 $65.00 Trailer: Spare Tire Bracket w/ Spare Hub (Weld On) $286.00 $215.00 Trailer: Swing Tongue $100.00 $75.00 Wind Dam $264.00 $198.00 Bow Filler Cushion (bought separately this year) TOTALS $71,695.00 $53,774.00 Does anyone have any suggestions on a decent asking price? I have attached some pictures to assist. I live in Calgary, AB Canada, which is actually kind of a hotspot for boats. I would venture to say that used boats - especially inboard V-drives - hold their value quite well in this market even though we have a short boating season and there aren't many lakes around. Just lots of discretionary income. I haven't seen a lot of Elites for sale - mostly newer Enzos and FX, along with 'new' 2014s that dealer's are trying to sell. I'd love to sell it this year so I don't have to carry the boat through the winter - although I'd love to continue using, which I will until it's sold. Any thoughts?

Thanks...from you specs it has the following for ballast options: Enzo "Quick Fill" Ballast System 212E Centurion Pro Ballast Package (Dual Mid Side Bags) 404 Enzo Bow Ballast Bag System 404A Centurion Plug-N-Play Rear Surf Ballast (With 2 Bags in boat) 316D Centurion Cool! Thanks for the information.

Thanks for pointing my reversal of port/starboard....tis early in the season...still snow on the ground...and it was late when I posted I of course meant running weight on the port side since I ride regular...doh! I would edit my original post but then it would make your reply confusing and it's quite obvious I'm the confused one I might have some vids...I'll check. Not sure I want to post and embarrass myself but I'll check if any show the wave. I believe we usually ran between 10.5 and 10.7 on the perfect pass. My wife drives and I'm usually just yelling faster or slower from the back but I think we settled on 10.5-10.7. What setting do you use for the trim tab? Would you run the 400 on the seat in addition to the 370 sac under the port ski locker, or just the sac in the locker and 'human' ballast. Do you run any weight in the opposite side locker (port side for you/goofy, starboard for me)? I usually just keep the gear (tube, ropes, etc.) in the locker but I could fill the 250 in the locker as well. I won't run any weight in the bow, as per your suggestion. I haven't yet, other than to have a couple of kids sit up front when the boat's full. Thanks!

I have a 2013 Elite V with the optional ballast plumbed to each rear locker. I swapped the starboard sac for an 1100# sac that probably fills to about 950-1000#. I kept the standard 250# sac in the port locker but I never fill it since it has all my gear when I'm surfing. I generally run the rear starboard at 1000# (as full as I can get it) and the mid-ship hard tank at capacity (250# I think). Then I have everyone load up on the starboard side of the boat. Unfortunately, I usually just ride with my wife (driver) and two young kids, who sometimes don't want to sit where I tell them. I'm thinking of buying a 350-400# sac to go under the starboard ski locker. Any suggestions on other options? What do others run in the Elite V? Should I put anything in the bow? I ride regular and haven't pulled anyone that rides goofy so I'm not too concerned about the port side riders. I'm a beginner that only started boating, let alone surfing, last year - and only for about 1.5 months. So I'm just getting the hang of it and was close to going hands-free near the end of the season. I believe my wave is pretty good - depending on the number of people in the boat and the weather. But I'd really like to dial it in this season and go hands-free/ropeless for good. So I'd like to get the wave as good as possible. I realize I don't have a top-end boat (i.e. Enzo) so I won't be pushing an epic wave. But I'm quite certain that I can get a very fun and functional wave for a beginner like me with the help of this forum! Thanks in advance! Bryan

Thanks for the info. What is the stock ballast configuration - 1000# quick fill (500# to each rear corner)? Are these hard tanks in the keel of the boat? How much locker space do they consume? What are the ballast options that were available? I believe there was the plug-n-play to each rear locker and the bow ballast - how much to the lockers and bow were available? Bryan

A friend of mine is looking at purchasing a new boat and I've suggested he look at some used Centurions. He's currently looking at a practically brand new 2013 SV 230+ (5 hours) that would be perfect, if not a bit on the higher side of his budget. Anyways, I/we have a couple of questions that I was hoping this forum could help us with. What factory ballast options did this model come with? The spec sheet indicates two options - "Centurion Plug-N-Play Rear Surf Ballast, With 2 Bags in boat" and "Enzo Bow Ballast Bag System" - what size/configuration is this? Is this sufficient for a beginner boater/wakesurfer? What is the total length of the boat on the trailer, including the swim platform and trailer hitch (with and without the swing-away tongue folded back)? He needs to determine if it will fit in his boathouse. Thanks! Bryan

Just wanted to post an update. My wife's attitude took a turn for the worse today. Had the boat winterized by the dealer today, which was the first time they could inspect the shaft and drive line. Let's just say that I'll be making an insurance claim. Holy fu*&!!!! New shaft, strut, seal and prop required. Rudder and fins could also be replaced but not necessary. Not sure about the transmission/drive unit until they disassemble but he's not suspecting any issues since we didn't drive the boat once we grounded it on the boat launch ramp. Looking at $5-6k repair bill after labour. Yikes! Needless to say, I'll be making an insurance claim and replacing everything that needs replacing (including the rudder and fins). So good news is we'll only be out the deductible ($750). Bad news is my wife is back in a foul mood, we took a hit on any resale (so no trading up to an Enzo anytime soon) and our insurance premiums will go up. At first she said she was done with the boat but after a few minutes to calm down, now she wants me to get her some driving lessons as a Christmas present. I know I could use some - maybe Santa's listening Just thought I'd share the update since everyone did a great job making her feel better and I destroyed all that goodwill with one return trip from the dealer. Yikes!!!

Hey guys - thanks for all the posts. These definitely helped. My wife felt much better after reading about other's mishaps. It was too bad that we couldn't get out again before the year was over but she's been able to put it behind her. Now I just need to buy a couple of props over the winter for next year. Thanks again!

Thanks for the replies. Indoor storage in and around Calgary is expensive. I'm going to drive it north to my in-laws farm and store it outside but under a covered shed. I'll keep the boat cover on, lower the tower and tarp it (obviously after winterizing it). Hadn't considered hoisting the trailer on jacks. What about the inside of the boat? How do you guys completely dry out the lockers before storage? What do you keep in the boat to prevent moisture, etc.? What about gear? Is it fine to store the boards, ropes and bumpers in the boat during the winter? What about the empty fat sacs - can they be stored outside in freezing temperature or should they be brought inside? What about the life jackets? Tube? Everything would be dry but I'm not sure what the effect is on them from the freezing cold. Any other tips for the inside storage would be helpful.

Hey guys! Thanks for all the shared stories. I had forwarded this to my wife earlier today (even before the last few posts) and she texted back that she felt much better about herself. I agree with all the sentiments above...accidents/misshaps will happen. The first time I drove the boat I actually tried to swerve around a big log coming into the marina and hit one of the marina barriers, putting a decent scratch in the gelcoat. Easy repair but still a bit upsetting. And I agree with above statements - can't get upset at her (or anyone) for dinging the prop. Although I was upset that it happened, I was never upset with her. I'd be a hypocrite if I did because she's put on 18-20 hours of the 23-24 hours we've put on the boat. And the dealer was responsible for at least another hour. So really, if I was driving, I'd probably have slammed it harder than her. We did talk about it afterwards to try and assess what we should do next time. We don't have much experience so it's hard - but the more we do it, the better we'll get, with a few accidents along the way. But I've definitely learned the meaning of the B(ring) O(ut) A(nother) T(housand) acronym. Thanks again for the shared stories - it's definitely helped. Keep them coming...they are good learning experiences!

New boat owner - never stored a boat over the winter. Will be taking it in to get winterized by my dealer in a week. I have no idea what else I need to do for winter storage and was hoping to solicit some advice. We live in Calgary, AB Canada so we definitely experience cold, freezing weather and snow. We do get heavy dumps of snow from time to time that can accumulate for some time, until we get a chinook and it all melts. Temperatures range from +5 celsius to -40 celsius, usually with the coldest weather in January/February. Anyways, I'm considering my options for storage. Option #1 - drive it 4.5 hours north to my father-in-law's farm and store it in an unheated but covered shed, enclosed on three sides, alongside other farm equipment and trailers. So the shed would keep the snow off but no heat. And a 4.5 hour drive. Option #2 - drive it 1.5 hours north and keep it at our recreation property where we do our boating. However, it would be uncovered and exposed to snow accumulation. Option #3 - same as option #2 but I buy a portable garage and erect it on the storage lot that I will use to park the boat. Obviously I would need to find such an enclosure and erect it - I'm assuming the cost would be anywhere from $500 minimum to ~$1200 - depending on size, model, type. And I wouldn't be able to attend to it to remove snow, etc. since I'll be 1.5 hours away. Anyone have any recommendations? I'm considering this one: http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/PortableShelters/PortableSheltersCanopies/PRDOVR~0371156P/Round+Style+Instant+Garage%2C+12+x+24+x+10-ft.jsp?locale=en Also - what are some other things to consider when storing the boat over the winter in an unheated shed/garage? What should I do beyond winterization. What can I store/keep in the boat (lifejackets, boards, fire extinguisher, batteries, etc.)? How do I dry out the storage lockers before storing it? Should I keep a dehumidifier in the boat over the winter? Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks! Bryan

We recently mangled our prop and need to replace it. Might be possible to repair as well. Regardless, I would like to buy a spare prop and prop-puller kit to have on hand. I believe the current prop on my boat (2013 Centurion Elite V C4) is an Acme 1847 (14x14.25 LH 1 1/8" .150 cup), which was the stock high-altitude prop sold with the boat. My google search brough me to Nettle Props - they seemed to get good reviews and had the best price. Does anyone have experience with them? I would need to ship it to Calgary, AB Canada. I'm going to contact my dealer as well but I'm pretty sure I can save $200-300 by ordering two new props + prop-puller kit from Nettle Props. Just looking for some feedback on them. Also - he also indicated that the Acme 1433 is another option - same prop with less cup. He said this is the usual high altitude prop and might be a bit easier to drive. What does everyone think - 1433 vs. 1847? We live at altitude (Calgary, AB Canada) and boat in a colder lake with a bit of debris. Surf, tube and cruise at low speeds (never gone above ~25 mph when cruising). No wakeboarding, just surfing - too old to start wakeboarding at my age Just looking for some feedback before I order the props. Cheers! Bryan

My wife and I are new to the boating scene. Picked up a 2013 Centurion Elite V C4 at the end of July - first boat purchase and experience for both of us. Have put about 25 hours on and really enjoying it. But...we went out this weekend in really windy weather - questionable whether we should have gone out at all. Unfortunately, coming in to drop me off at the dock to get the trailer, we ended up getting turned around and drifted, back-end, into the boat launch area. Really windy and the water was low - ended up grounding the prop onto the submerged area of the boat launch ramp and mangled the prop. We didn't have a spare prop so that was the end of the weekend - and likely the end of our season. We also nicked the bottom of the rudder but I don't think we did any damage to the shaft - will have the dealer check it out when we bring it in to get winterized. Anyways - my wife is beating herself up about it. She usually drives since she doesn't want to trailer, and since I'm usually behind the boat surfing and tubing with the kids. She's actually quite good at getting the boat on/off the trailer, getting regular props from the bystanders. And she's getting quite good at pulling us around the lake, avoiding debris, picking up stranded drivers. Much better than me since I never drive! But she's always been nervous driving the boat up to the dock. She's getting much better but this past weekend's experience has seriously caused a major drop in her confidence level - to the point she says she doesn't want to drive the boat again. I've repeatedly told her that I'm not upset, accidents happen and that due to our inexperience, things like this are likely to happen from time to time - especially since we've never been in windy water conditions like that before. So...I was wondering if you guys could help me out by sharing your stories of misshap and tragedy, to show her that even the most experienced boaters have accidents. Plus, it might be fun to hear about everyone's embarassing misshaps! I've tried telling her that even the most experienced boaters sometimes have those confidence-shaking moments. So please share your stories and help my wife get back into the drivers seat. Otherwise I'll have to find a way to trailer, drive and surf the boat all at the same time Thanks! Bryan

Has anyone used the new Zup board? Thoughts? Here's a link http:/www.zup.com. We are new to boating and watersports and thought this would be a great toy for the kids. And the adults! So I was able to buy one off our dealer at cost. Going to use it this week but was curious if anyone else has used one.