View Full Version : Best ski wakes for '90s boats
michaelrph
02-12-2005, 11:58 PM
I am looking to purchase a used Mastercraft this year. What is the general consensus of the best waterski wakes around 30-32mph?? I am looking at the prostar 190s
thanks for all your help in advance
michael
erkoehler
02-13-2005, 03:43 AM
Early 90's were better than the mid I believe.
André
02-13-2005, 08:21 AM
Can't go wrong with 91-94 era.Considered my many as the best Mastercraft wake ever!
94 had standard EFI...
bradamerry
02-13-2005, 09:57 AM
Can't go wrong with 91-94 era.Considered my many as the best Mastercraft wake ever!
94 had standard EFI...
That is what I always heard as well. But I have no problems with the 87' wake either, seems soft for the sking we do. But it is not like it matters to me, I'm not sking 28 off on the course.
JohnnyB
02-13-2005, 10:13 AM
I am very happy with the wake on my 92 PS 190 and its overall performance. Yep, with that early 90's set of boats is supposed to have one of the best wakes. Two things I would seriously consider if I had to do it all over again:
1) I would've looked harder for a 94 with EFI. However, my 92 has always been an excellent starter and runner. Upgrading the distributor to solid state is worth the $$$.
2) Having a family with young kids, I would've looked for a PS 205 open bow. Not a big deal, my time on the water is probably 80% hardcore skiing/footing and 20% family cruising. However, the extra room for toting the family along would be nice.
If you're still shopping in fall, drop me a personal mail. If things go well, I'll be looking to sell and upgrade after September.
ski_king
02-13-2005, 10:18 AM
I have to aggree with the 91-94 190's and 205's.
My opinion is to stay with a carbed engine. I may be wrong, but I believe they are easier for a back yard mechanic to work on.
One of my favorite MC's of all time is the 93 190 Stars and Stripes (next to my 82 S&S and the newer 190/197's).
JohnnyB
02-13-2005, 10:23 AM
I guess I agree with you on carbed engines from that perspective. One thing that haunts me about an upgrade is the fact that with my 92, I've done all my own maintenance. With the newer boats, you move into the world of EFI, computers and now CAN (Control Area Netowrk) on the '05s. This means the average Joe is very limited on what he can do in the way of maintenance and troubleshooting.
T Scott
02-13-2005, 11:15 AM
So that you are comparing apples to apples as far as price and wake, make sure you know when the late 80's and early 90's Ps190 hull changed.
87-90-Identical hulls
91-94- Identical hulls
95-97-Identical hulls.
When shopping, you may want to find one on the earlier side of the hull change as it is the same hull and wake and could probably be had for less money. Good luck in your search!
Tom
Professor
02-13-2005, 11:16 AM
Can't go wrong with 91-94 era.Considered my many as the best Mastercraft wake ever!
94 had standard EFI...
I think my all time favorite was my 94 Pro 190 with EFI & 4 blade prop. Great wakes and fantastic looking boat.
pdoppenheim
02-13-2005, 11:26 AM
Best wake of any boat in 1990's. Stay away from 1998 and later and the early 1990's. I had a 1996 PS 190 and the only reason I sold it was to replace it with a 197 for the open bow.
Professor
02-13-2005, 11:30 AM
Best wake of any boat in 1990's. Stay away from 1998 and later and the early 1990's. I had a 1996 PS 190 and the only reason I sold it was to replace it with a 197 for the open bow.
Uhh...Hey Farmer???
wakesport
02-13-2005, 12:17 PM
I think my all time favorite was my 94 Pro 190 with EFI & 4 blade prop. Great wakes and fantastic looking boat.
They are great looking boats with a very nice wake. Here's mine from this spring. If you want to see its wake check out this video
http://personalpages.tds.net/~wakesport/Lake_Monona_Ski.WMV
Professor
02-13-2005, 12:27 PM
They are great looking boats with a very nice wake. Here's mine from this spring. If you want to see its wake check out this video
http://personalpages.tds.net/~wakesport/Lake_Monona_Ski.WMV
That is almost the exact color scheme of my ’94. It did have the gray base instead of white. I still try to mimic that color scheme on the newer boats I purchase. Of course, I could have just kept my old one :confused:
erkoehler
02-13-2005, 01:10 PM
I think that the 1998 PS 190 Stars and stripes may have had some issues, but it is still one of the best looking boats around.
André
02-13-2005, 01:29 PM
Best wake of any boat in 1990's. Stay away from 1998 and later and the early 1990's. I had a 1996 PS 190 and the only reason I sold it was to replace it with a 197 for the open bow.
1-(Why sould someone should stay away from early 90's?
2-)Early EFI like my 94 are really not that complicated to work on.With the diagnostic tool "codemate",the computer is telling you what is wrong on many problems.It's all stuff coming from the car industry...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4527504981&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT
I saw this one on ebay last week. His reserve is below 12k. I live in the Nashville area and tried to talk the guy into trading me trailers with a little cash to boot.
I have the same boat, just a year older, and I love it. The hull and the powerslot make a huge difference.
Don’t forget about the 98-00 Sportstar’s, 01 19Skier, which use the 95-97 Prostar hulls, a 1:1 310 HP TBI EFI Chevy 350 (Preditor) used in MC through 04.
Professor
02-13-2005, 08:28 PM
Don’t forget about the 98+ Sportstar’s, which use the 95-97 Prostar hulls, a 1:1 310 HP EFI Chevy 350…
Yes, and I (we) like my '98 Pro 190. The wake is different from my previous '94 Pro190 and the 'other' boat we use in training but mostly just at 15 & 22 off. Not much difference really except that the '98 has so much more power. Whatever anyone decides they should test drive and ski behind a boat before purchase. Hey, where's Farmer when his opinion is needed???
MasterMason
02-13-2005, 10:31 PM
Yes, and I (we) like my '98 Pro 190. The wake is different from my previous '94 Pro190 and the 'other' boat we use in training but mostly just at 15 & 22 off. Not much difference really except that the '98 has so much more power. Whatever anyone decides they should test drive and ski behind a boat before purchase. Hey, where's Farmer when his opinion is needed???
I too have a 98 Pro 190 and think it is great, As the Professor says, try it out and if you like it, and the boat is in good shape, and in the price range then thats the boat for you.
Powerslot has good taste. I have no problems with my 93 Prostar. Its been a great boat.
jsonova99
02-14-2005, 09:06 AM
I love my '91 PS190. I'm no professional skiier, but I've found the wake to be much nicer than anything else I've ever skiied behind. It's also a very easy boat to work on, and very pretty. :woohoo:
east tx skier
02-14-2005, 11:12 AM
To add to the hull change list above,
Prostar 205
92-95
96-??
To respond to a comment above. The 95-97 prostar (and later sportstars) had very fine slalom wakes, but were not, IMO, better than the 91-94 wakes. The spray (or lack thereof) was much better in the 95-97 boat though.
One note on carb boats and early nineties prostars. Generally speaking, you'll be fine with a carb and, maintained, it will run great. However, if the boat you're looking at has a Holley 4010 "fishbowl" carb on it (look for the dual feed), seek a discount of a few hundred dollars. These were problematic carburetors for both MC and Correct Craft. I'm among many owners who retrofit the older 4160 single feed carbs to his boat with much better results.
Agree with the ski it, then decide if you like it comment from above.
Farmer Ted
02-14-2005, 12:49 PM
Yes, and I (we) like my '98 Pro 190. The wake is different from my previous '94 Pro190 and the 'other' boat we use in training but mostly just at 15 & 22 off. Not much difference really except that the '98 has so much more power. Whatever anyone decides they should test drive and ski behind a boat before purchase. Hey, where's Farmer when his opinion is needed???
Come on people, let's not spread rumors. If you've never driven the boat or skiied behind it keep you pie hole shut or fetch the shampoo.
Farmer Ted
02-14-2005, 12:55 PM
I think that the 1998 PS 190 Stars and stripes may have had some issues, but it is still one of the best looking boats around.
No it was 1998 197 that had the issues not the '98 190 Stars and Stripes...
east tx skier
02-14-2005, 02:28 PM
Oh, yeah, to qualify my post above, skied both the 95-97 and the 91-94 190 hulls.
/I know that wasn't directed at me this time, just wanted to make sure I wasn't on the short list to lather you up.
//For those to whom Tim's post was directed, he requires a special shampoo from the pharmacist. ;)
tpttool
02-14-2005, 02:33 PM
my 89' mastercraft is probbally the best wakes. sweet looking too. i can email you some pics too. i get really short on the rope, yeah im that good. no problems.
BriEOD
02-14-2005, 02:58 PM
my 89' mastercraft is probbally the best wakes. sweet looking too. i can email you some pics too. i get really short on the rope, yeah im that good. no problems.
Dude this guy kills me. Tu Tu the Tool Man.
MarkP
02-14-2005, 03:03 PM
No it was 1998 197 that had the issues not the '98 190 Stars and Stripes...
What year was the first year for the 197??
bradamerry
02-14-2005, 03:59 PM
Dude this guy kills me. Tu Tu the Tool Man.
I wish he would say something about Farmer's 98'. Farmer would not hold back on him :woohoo: !!!! Farmer watch out, the Toolman may already have the shampoo you will be needing :eek: !!
east tx skier
02-14-2005, 04:09 PM
What year was the first year for the 197??
'02 if I'm not mistaken.
Farmer Ted
02-14-2005, 05:45 PM
What year was the first year for the 197??
I heard it was going to be 1998, but then they put the test boat on the beach, something to do with the driver not paying attention due to a pending court date regarding his animal Necrophilia so they shelved the 197 unitl '02.
Got it from a pretty reliable source...
Farmer Ted
02-14-2005, 05:46 PM
my 89' mastercraft is probbally the best wakes. sweet looking too. i can email you some pics too. i get really short on the rope, yeah im that good. no problems.
Dude,
lets see some pix of that beast and send some of your honeys if you got any.
skimoreworkless@6baps.com
André
02-14-2005, 06:49 PM
Come on people, let's not spread rumors. If you've never driven the boat or skiied behind it keep you pie hole shut or fetch the shampoo.
Tim is right,it's only rumors...
If only we could have someone with a 98 that got beached,we would have the real story. :popcorn:
I've got that shampoo for my dog,smells nice a looooonnnnggg time and no fleas! :toast:
pdoppenheim
02-15-2005, 06:58 PM
All the 1990s MasterCrafts are good boats. 95-97 had the best all around wakes. By this I mean recreational speeds as well as 34 and 36 mph. The early 90's wakes were good, but not as good. In 1998 and 1999 they tried to improve the 34/36 mph wakes but it was at the expense of the recreational (28-30) wakes.
The 95/6/7 hull was the best of everything from the 90s. Proof is that when they came out with the entry level boat in 1999 or 2000 it was the 96 hull. They made that boat for a number of years.
Professor
02-15-2005, 09:08 PM
You know, really this discussion is great. It shows that the boats have improved so much that slight variations make for major irritations. How close to perfect can they get?
east tx skier
02-16-2005, 10:51 AM
It always comes back to this. Ski behind it. If the wake is right for you, then who cares what somebody else thinks.
Having skied both the 91--94 and the 95--97 190 hulls, between the two, I'd opt for the 91-94 hull. But then again, shortline spray is not an issue for me. If it was, I'd probably go 95--97 as the spray was noticeably improved.
I'd also agree with the prof., comparing them is like picking gnat sh|t out of pepper. They both throw good ski wakes. And as 190s, they are smoother than my the wakes behind my 205.
east tx skier
02-16-2005, 10:55 AM
Proof is that when they came out with the entry level boat in 1999 or 2000 it was the 96 hull. They made that boat for a number of years.
The first year for the Sportstar was 1998.
east tx skier
02-16-2005, 11:11 AM
Sorry for the string of posts, but pdoppenheim's post made me think about something. He suggests that the use of the 95--97 hull in the sportstar is proof positive that it was the more desireable hull. My thought is that this assumes that the 91--94 mold was still available. Frankly, I don't know if it was. I seem to remember hearing (and I could easily be wrong) that MC sold its older molds to another boat company. Does anybody have any info on the subject?
atlfootr
02-16-2005, 12:06 PM
I'm allergic to flowers shorts!:popcorn:
Here ya go André, these are for you!
Hope ya like 'em ... :banana:
Sorry for the string of posts, but pdoppenheim's post made me think about something. He suggests that the use of the 95--97 hull in the sportstar is proof positive that it was the more desireable hull. My thought is that this assumes that the 91--94 mold was still available. Frankly, I don't know if it was. I seem to remember hearing (and I could easily be wrong) that MC sold its older molds to another boat company. Does anybody have any info on the subject?
Thought I read somewere they sold the 91-94 mold to Mike Brendella and he used it for the MB190. The bottom of that boat sure looks like my PS 190 to me.
east tx skier
02-16-2005, 06:02 PM
Thanks. I couldn't remember which company. I just read that on another forum, too. Went to MB's site. Doesn't appear that they're using it anymore.
Lake_Tippy_Skier
02-17-2005, 07:37 AM
what about rough water conditions, which year handles the chop the best?? i know that in my '87, i can only go about 23mph in the rough water, or else i am taking a real beating.
Professor
02-17-2005, 09:14 AM
what about rough water conditions, which year handles the chop the best?? i know that in my '87, i can only go about 23mph in the rough water, or else i am taking a real beating.
This is a good question but how would you test empirically? Size of waves, speed…scales models? I think I smell a student research project here, if I can figure out how to relate it to politics? One thing I know - flat bottom boats do not take rough water well.
wakesport
02-17-2005, 09:24 AM
For me I don't really care about how the boat goes in rough water. My main interest is slalom and I am not ggoing to be out when it's rough.
I don't think you can find any product that is ideal for all situations. But, I have skied several different years and find my '94 PS190 to work well for me.
I know that my 99 Sportstar(95-97 Prostar Hull), is allot better in rough water than my old 88 Prostar and my 98 Moomba Boomerang. But it won’t leave my small lake often. I don’t think any slalom boat is going to be good in rough water.
east tx skier
02-17-2005, 10:35 AM
My experience was that the 95--97 hull was better in rough water. This is also true of the later 205 hulls in my experience. But I'll second wakesport's view that if it's too rough to ski, I'll pack it in.
Lake_Tippy_Skier
02-17-2005, 10:58 AM
i'm not saying that i would ski in the rough stuff, but on a hot day when you're heading out to the sandbar to look at some half naked females, you want to get there as fast as you can :D
east tx skier
02-17-2005, 11:01 AM
You wouldn't want to see too many of the females half naked where I ski.
jimmer2880
02-17-2005, 11:58 AM
i'm not saying that i would ski in the rough stuff, but on a hot day when you're heading out to the sandbar to look at some half naked females, you want to get there as fast as you can :D
Here here! Skiing only takes up a couple hours of the day. The boat is still great for the other hours...:friday::friday:
bradamerry
02-17-2005, 01:10 PM
You wouldn't want to see too many of the females half naked where I ski.
Doug, that ol girl from the movie Gator Bait may live on the Bayou??
east tx skier
02-17-2005, 02:03 PM
Ha! We did run across a gal fishing in her thong one time. Wished we hadn't afterwards.
bradamerry
02-17-2005, 02:10 PM
Ha! We did run across a gal fishing in her thong one time. Wished we hadn't afterwards.
You should have gotten pics :D !
east tx skier
02-17-2005, 02:13 PM
Riding in the boat with my father in law, his wife, and my wife, that I'm still able to walk is proof positive that I made the right decision.
bradamerry
02-17-2005, 02:14 PM
Riding in the boat with my father in law, his wife, and my wife, that I'm still able to walk is proof positive that I made the right decision.
Where is Tippy when we need him :confused: ?
east tx skier
02-17-2005, 02:20 PM
:D :D :D :D
Lake_Tippy_Skier
02-17-2005, 02:28 PM
thank god for cameras :popcorn:
ski36short
02-17-2005, 10:35 PM
I ran my 95 and 99 190s (the 99 only a couple years) on the Detroit River/Lake Erie - there was always some place to ski depending on the wind but sometimes I had to take a beating to get there. It's been a while but I recall the 95 being better in the rough stuff... And it saw some rough stuff for a ski boat!