New and Used Ski and Wakeboard Boats for Sale

Ski and wakeboard boats are specialized tow boats designed to create the perfect wakes for waterskiing, wakeboarding, or wakesurfing. They use advanced technology and ballast tanks to adjust the wake to create ideal waves for each watersport. Search for new and used ski and wakeboard boats for sale and refine your search by style, brand, and price. 

Main Characteristics of Ski and Wakeboard Boats

Ski and wakeboard boats, also known as tow boats, use specialized innovation to create specific wakes suitable for waterskiing, wakeboarding, and wakesurfing. Ski boats have been around for decades, but the emergence of wakeboarding and wakesurfing has seen this sector boom. 

Ski and wakeboard boats are characterized by several features. They have ski tow pylons or towers, plenty of storage for boards, use inboard engines (with propellers far away from riders), have ballast tanks to create the right wake, and various types of specialist technology to help adjust the waves. Waterskiing for example requires the smallest, flattest wake possible, while wakeboarding requires big round wakes ideal for jumps and extreme moves. 

These types of boats are popular with families who use them for cruising, swimming, sun lounging, and entertaining friends, as well as for serious watersports. Brands today are including more seating and features to allow them to be more versatile. While many small motorboats can be used for towing, ski and wakeboard boats offer the precision wakes that these extreme sports require. 

Types of Ski and Wakeboard Boats

Ski and Slalom Ski Boats

Ski and slalom ski boats tend to be smaller than other tow boats, as less people on board is preferable in creating a smooth, small wake. They are usually 20 to 22 feet long, have a center-mounted pylon, and can accommodate a maximum of 9 passengers. As they are suited specifically to waterskiing and slalom skiing (skiing on one ski), they are less versatile, activity-specific boats. 

Wakeboarding and Wakesurfing Boats

The huge boom in popularity of wakeboarding and wakesurfing has seen sales of these types of boats surge in recent decades. They are usually larger than ski boats, as the more the merrier when it comes to added weight and creating the perfect large wakes for extreme moves and jumps. They are typically 22 to 25 feet and the largest can accommodate up to 19 passengers. Their innovative technology utilizes ballast tanks and various engineering developments to create adjustable wakes to suit the sport and the experience level of the rider. 

High-end Ski and Wakeboard Boats

Tow boats tend toward premium prices because the cost of their high-powered engines and state-of-the-art innovation adds up. But there are some boats that take it to the extreme when it comes to truly high-end tow boats. From leather upholstery and luxury finishings, to the latest electronics, beautiful craftsmanship, big horsepower engines, and of course some of the best technology to create tournament-winning wakes. 

Value-for-Money Ski and Wakeboard Boats

At the other end of the spectrum are brands of ski and wakeboard boats that focus on offering less expensive models. These offer the big engines, ballast tanks, comfortable seating, and wave-shaping technology, but at a more entry-level price. 

Crossover Ski and Wakeboard Boats

Having a more versatile boat is appealing to many buyers, offering more chances of cruising, sun lounging, swimming, and entertaining. Crossover boats offer the technology and equipment needed to enjoy all three towing sports as well as plenty of amenities for families too. 

Best Ski and Wakeboard Brands

Malibu are one of the biggest names in the ski and wakeboard boat world, with an enormous line-up of boats and a finger on the pulse of innovation. Its range runs from high-end wakeboarding models to ski boats and crossovers that use the latest tech to create a boat suitable for all three tow sports—no easy feat. Another top ski boat brand is MasterCraft, which builds one of the best tournament ski boats out there. 

When it comes to wakeboarding and wakesurfing, there is a large choice of top brands. Tigé, for example, offers a good range, with a focus on passenger comfort in spacious bows, aft-facing loungers, and high-spec wave technology. Luxury brand Nautique’s largest models can accommodate a whopping 19 passengers and use its patented Nautique Surf System to create a perfect wave, while Centurion is another excellent brand that has been used in the World Wake Surfing Championships. When it comes to value-for-money ski and wakeboard boats, look to brands such as Supra that offer high power and a great wake for a lower price tag.

Why Choose Ski and Wakeboard Boats?

Specialized ski and wakeboard boats offer great waves for waterskiing, slalom skiing, wakeboarding, and wakesurfing. Each style is designed for each tow sport, as different sports require different types of wakes. Wakeboard boats tend to be larger and can accommodate more people, while waterskiing boats are smaller. Crossover boats can be used for a variety of watersports making them more versatile.