There are soo many options out there Shamu, it really comes down to what you will do with it. I had for 16 years a Hurricane Fun Deck, that was a great family boat. It was basically a pontoon layout on a hull with a 100HP motor. Great for kids and entertaining, safe as it "fenced" in the kids (or drunks), but could tube and pull small kids skiing or tubing. But as my kids are now older, I sold it and picked up a 1990 Supra, inboard ski boat with a very clean Ford 351 (265 HP). Has VERY much power for skiing, but holds only 6 or 7 even with the open bow (the old boat held 9 or 10). While it is a 1990, it had only 324 hours on it (that's like 16 hours per summer - which are short here in Mich). It's also lower profile, like most ski boats so it takes water over the bow if your slow into a swell. I don't mind that since we're out to get wet anyway, but if it's colder and your just cruising, some guests might not like it!! I shopped a lot before buying and these are many deals, like you said. Like Dark said, I like the inboard over I/O, since there's one less mechanical failure possible (the trim mechanics). Good luck and enjoy!!