I agree, you can pull a skier with a 3.0. However, getting the skier up on plane is a little harder. What I've seen in the past, is a marginal skier has a hard time because they are getting plowed thru the water until the boat reaches a high enough speed to pull them up on plane. Again, it will do it but from a skier prospective its not the best scenario.
So let me understand this, its possible that he "needs the money" we think. He is selling a boat right now, which in most of the U.S. boating season is over unless you live in the souther states. Perhaps for him, his bottom dollar is what he owes on the boat? If you're still interested in the boat I would just flat out ask him what the bottom line is. He turned you down on $9500, so maybe you were right originally with an offer of $10,000. Some people get caught up in the idea of selling "There is no way Im letting this go for $1500 less than what I owe". Instead of thinking about what's prompted him to sell it in the first place i.e, job loss, money to pay off debt, again, assuming he is hard up for cash. If he doesn't need the money, and is looking to sell in order to upgrade lets say, then he can afford to sit on it. In other words, if he needs the money and the offer is reasonable which I think yours was, then take the offer and sell the boat. But in the end if he really wants to sell it, he should "play the game" and give you some insight as to what it will take to do the deal. A tip that has helped me in the past was taking COLD HARD CASH when you go! If had people tell me "no" over the phone and I've gone back to look at a particular item again, but this time with cash in hand, and let me tell you it changes things. They see the "green" and psychologically there mind starts to rethink the scenario. A verbal offer is just a verbal offer, but cash that you can see and touch obviously has a tangible aspect. Gosh I talk to much, sorry Tim, Im long winded this morning.
Me personally, Im currently selling a 1965 Mustang and I know what my bottom dollar is to make the sale, I surly don't list the car at my bottom dollar. No! I list it for a couple thousand dollars above my bottom line to possible come out with a little more than what I paid/profit, but no lower than my bottom dollar would be. See Im just rambling now
. Im curious what his reaction was about the $9500 offer....was he offended? or did he himhaw about it?
Jim
You may want to consider looking for a V6 or V8... If you do (1) you'll probably have enough power to do most of the things you want even with a loaded boat... and (2) if you decide boating isn't for you it won't be such a hard sell. I'm sure it's an excellent boat but just be sure it will do everything you want and then some... Though I would rather see you hop into a slightly older well kept boat for the same money if it means a bigger motor. 
