Here is a 2000 Eclipse (it looks like a direct drive)
If this your Dad's first boat, I would stay away from a direct or V drive. It's really easy to misjudge the water level and run the boat aground. With a direct or V drive we are talking about a $$$$ mistake. Another drive option is an inboard/outboard "I/O". With an I/O you can put the boat on the beach because the drive unit can be raised.
Another thing to consider is the water conditions he plans on running it in. A buddy of mine has a Ski Nautique (direct drive). On smooth, glassy water it works great (like a little slot car
). In
any rough water it is unusable.
I own the "happy medium" boat. 21ft I/O Ebbtide. It's not the greatest ski boat, but it makes wake a nice wake for wake boarding and it's not the greatest rough water muscle boat, but I leave my Ski Nautique buddy far behind.
