How many hours is to many?

[sea061]

hey guys, i'm looking at a 1998 PS 190 with 2140 hours on the meter. It has a rebuilt engine with 24 hours on it. The carpet and interior has been replaced recently. Transmission has a fresh service and impellor was replaced. All the work was done by MC dealer. Should I pursue this boat to purchase? What does this many hours do to the resale value? I have seen pictures of the boat from every angle and they look good. Asking price is $14,200 negotiable. Thank you for any advice that you might have about the boat.

[T Scott]

:twocents: I have seen ski school boats here in Florida log well over 3000 hours on the original motor. Since the boat in question has a rebuilt motor, I'd say you should be OK fo a while. If just the motor was rebuilt, (and not replaced entirely) you may find yourself replacing components here and there. (ie: starter, alternator, EFI module, fuel pump, steering cables, etc) The price you will likely pay should make up some of the difference and possible inconvenience, because most in Florida are asking $17,000-$20,000 for the same boat.

[Ralph Magnuson]

I agree with TSCOTT, if none of these other components have been changed, you'll be nickled and dimed all summer long. 10-11K is more reasonable. But I'd keep looking. Try boattrader.com. Also '96,'97 is a great MC hull. Great consistant hull and wake. In '98-'99 mC 190 they changed the hull and had some problems before mass production and made some quick fixes.They started production of the EVO hull around '00 and have since worked out all the bugs. Good Luck

[André]

I think that's a lot of hour for such a "young" boat.Ralph makes sense here,why not buy an older but fresher boat if you can find one.Must be a ski school boat to have such hours on it.
You should be able to find an earlier Prostar with EFI for that price with a lot less hours and a better slalom wake.
Good luck!

[BriEOD]

Not to open Pandora's Box again (Doug's job on this subject) but, their has been A LOT of disscussion about the 98' hull and whether or not their was any problems with it. Search the board for 98' and you'll get a lot of hits. Their are a few guys on here that have 98's and say they are great. I'm not leaning one way or the other, just suggesting you collect all opinions/facts before making your decision. I think it would probably be OK but I might look else where as well.

[BriEOD]

http://www.tmcowners.com/teamtalk/showthread.php?t=621&page=1&pp=10&highlight=1998

[Leroy]

I've try to relate hours to miles in a car, which can be subjective but if you say the 50 hour service is similar to 3-4k miles in car this boat has went equivalent of 130k-170k miles in car. Think if you would like a 98 car with those miles and rebuilt engine. Only 24 hours is not much either. How many other boats have you compared this to?

[Farmer Ted]

hey guys, i'm looking at a 1998 PS 190 with 2140 hours on the meter. It has a rebuilt engine with 24 hours on it. The carpet and interior has been replaced recently. Transmission has a fresh service and impellor was replaced. All the work was done by MC dealer. Should I pursue this boat to purchase? What does this many hours do to the resale value? I have seen pictures of the boat from every angle and they look good. Asking price is $14,200 negotiable. Thank you for any advice that you might have about the boat.

with that many hours it's probably been on the beach at least 4 times, those 98s are wacky like that, I guess, or so I've heard

[André]

Tim
Am i ever gonna get that story or should i always read in between the lines here ?

[H20skeefreek]

hey guys, i'm looking at a 1998 PS 190 with 2140 hours on the meter. It has a rebuilt engine with 24 hours on it. The carpet and interior has been replaced recently. Transmission has a fresh service and impellor was replaced. All the work was done by MC dealer. Should I pursue this boat to purchase? What does this many hours do to the resale value? I have seen pictures of the boat from every angle and they look good. Asking price is $14,200 negotiable. Thank you for any advice that you might have about the boat.

honestly the answer lies in "what is a rebuild?" Often times it's something like new head gaskets. find out what all was rebuilt, if it was a true full rebuild, then I say go for it, but use the hours as a way to knock that price down even further. those hours will effect your resale drastically. if you sell it in a year someone will come to this website and say "i found a boat with 2340 hours on it and 224 on the rebuild and someone may say "stay away, stay away" who knows.....I say buy if it is a full rebuild but pay 12K, If a minor rebuild I'd shop around further.

[John B]

Well it looks like the box is open,and this time Brian open it.
If you read what I said the last time this came up,that is I think about that hull. :twocents:

BUT I don't know for sure I have not skied behind one or driven one.
This next summer I will get the chance, then you will hear what I think of the 1998 hull.

Brian you opened Pandora's Box and let Tim out :mad: ,so get the shampoo and you can shampoo his crotch. :D

[sea061]

I've try to relate hours to miles in a car, which can be subjective but if you say the 50 hour service is similar to 3-4k miles in car this boat has went equivalent of 130k-170k miles in car. Think if you would like a 98 car with those miles and rebuilt engine. Only 24 hours is not much either. How many other boats have you compared this to?
leroy, i have driven a 94 PS 205 LT-1 asking $16,000 pretty firm on $15,500 has 408 hours. I have found a 96 PS 190 LT-1 with 474 hours i can get for $13,500 it has minor interior flaws to engine cover and one seat.I have not seen any real detailed pictures yet. have looked at an 89, 88, 91 and used to own a 1980 S&S, but I would really like to go with something fuel injected for under $15,000 if possible. maybe i'm just getting to antsy. thanks

[sea061]

honestly the answer lies in "what is a rebuild?" Often times it's something like new head gaskets. find out what all was rebuilt, if it was a true full rebuild, then I say go for it, but use the hours as a way to knock that price down even further. those hours will effect your resale drastically. if you sell it in a year someone will come to this website and say "i found a boat with 2340 hours on it and 224 on the rebuild and someone may say "stay away, stay away" who knows.....I say buy if it is a full rebuild but pay 12K, If a minor rebuild I'd shop around further.
I'm with you man, this is the kind of reply's I was looking for. The block froze up and cracked was the reason for the rebuild. I suppose it is a new short block or maybe just new block with same rotating assembly. thanks for your reply

[T Scott]

Toby,
I have a 1995 Prostar 190 with a tower for sale. Corvette, LT-1, powerslot, etc. Brand new interior. Will easily fit into your budget. Check out the link below. $13,500 obo

http://www.tmcowners.com/market/showproduct.php?product=108&sort=2&cat=5&page=2

Tom

[André]

If the block froze up and cracked,that will give you a good idea of how the rest of the boat was service and maintain!
The others boats and prices that you mentionned (specially the 205 if you have a big family) are much more in the normal operating hours compare to the 98.
You're right on one thing for sure: GO EFI!

[Farmer Ted]

Brian you opened Pandora's Box and let Tim out :mad: ,so get the shampoo and you can shampoo his crotch. :D


touche Johnny B! :banana: :banana:

I might need some cream rinse too!

[Leroy]

Wow, sometimes I think I missed something, maybe not.

Sea061; my other question is how long do you intend to keep it. If you are planning on keeping many-many years 98 with new motor, carpet and skins could be a good deal, especially at $10-12k. If you plan on trading in few years seems not so good, so many hours and few years older.

Based on my view at the following blue book link.

http://www.nadaguides.com/Values/ValueReport.asp?UserID=59ad37c0-0775-4dd0-866d-eacf75a8cfed&DID=38368&Type=MR&GCode=MR&wPg=1107&wSec=4&Letter=M&Com=1004&Year=1998&Model=1600115849

[sea061]

Wow, sometimes I think I missed something, maybe not.

Sea061; my other question is how long do you intend to keep it. If you are planning on keeping many-many years 98 with new motor, carpet and skins could be a good deal, especially at $10-12k. If you plan on trading in few years seems not so good, so many hours and few years older.

Based on my view at the following blue book link.

http://www.nadaguides.com/Values/ValueReport.asp?UserID=59ad37c0-0775-4dd0-866d-eacf75a8cfed&DID=38368&Type=MR&GCode=MR&wPg=1107&wSec=4&Letter=M&Com=1004&Year=1998&Model=1600115849
I plan on having the boat a good while. But the guy will not come off the price anymore. $10 - 12kwould be out of the question.

[Leroy]

Not to tell you what to do, but if you want it, I would offer low and walk if he doesn't take it. Most of the MC's have a fairy tale existence, this one hasn't. Not sure where you are, but if it's spring until you ski, no hurry there will be many more trade ins and people selling in the spring. Is the gel and fiberglass in good shape?

[BriEOD]

Well it looks like the box is open,and this time Brian open it.
If you read what I said the last time this came up,that is I think about that hull. :twocents:

BUT I don't know for sure I have not skied behind one or driven one.
This next summer I will get the chance, then you will hear what I think of the 1998 hull.

Brian you opened Pandora's Box and let Tim out :mad: ,so get the shampoo and you can shampoo his crotch. :D

JB--I keep telling you I don't need any help getting myself in trouble; I do a good job of it all on my own. :D If Tim needs to have his "privates" checked for ticks or something he should email the "toolman."

[Ralph Magnuson]

Gentlemen, I'm new to these boards, but have vast experience in skiing and boating. I post only to share info, not insult or open boxes. Heres what the pros and my manufacturing buddies have told me about MC '98's. You all refer to the "bad" yr. when MC ran there boat on shore several times during the waterski mags test(Sept. '97). That boat truley never went in to production, but for a few. They corrected the hull with the glue on chimes and a 4th skeg on the bottom. By '99 these changes were made permanent into the hull design. It really was only a concern with pure tournament skiers on private ponds because of the short set up to the course and sharp radius turns they would make. Obviously MC would'nt produce a boat to the general public that would flip or run aground, otherwise major law suits would have happened and we would have heard more. The only concern still out there was how many of the pre '98 boats were actually produced. That's probably why the MC'98 owners have no idea what were talking about when they hear negative comments about that yr. I've skied and driven 96' 97' '98 '99 '00. All are great for what I use them for. Mainly Tournament skiing on private ponds. Hope this helps.

[bradamerry]

with that many hours it's probably been on the beach at least 4 times, those 98s are wacky like that, I guess, or so I've heard

I still like the old 98' Farmer. It is a great boat. Do you feel better now? But I am not going to wash or rinse anything. :noface:

[Thrall]

Sea061,
IMO, I'd look for a boat w/ less hrs unless you can get that one real cheap.
For only a little more $ those lower hr boats sound much better. For $15k +/- you can get a 190 in good orig shape w/ 500 hr or less. No real advantage of a 97 or 98 over something a little older as long as it's in good condition, the depreciation will be close to the same.

[east tx skier]

I'm the kind of person that wants to keep his boat for a long, long time as I hate making boat payments. While these engines are rated for 2,000 hours and are known to go well beyond that, unless we're talking major rebuild with all parts and components replaced, i.e., practically new engine, I wouldn't pay top dollar for the boat as I would expect to do more maintenance that I would on a 500 hour boat.

As Ralph mentioned, with the add-ons from MC, there is no more danger of that 98 beaching than there is of any other boat. I suggest you do a search on the board for "drive it" or "ski behind it." Then, I suggest you ski behind it and drive it. If you like it, get the details of the extent of the rebuild, and make the seller an offer based on a boat with a rebuild. If he won't let you drive it/ski behind it, then walk away on general principal.