Boat Buyer's Guides Past

[east tx skier]

I think it's great that TT Admin put the WSM boat buyer's guide in the download section.

MasterCraft wouldn't happen to have any of the write-ups from years past would they? I'd be interested in some early nineties (93 :D )write ups specifically. If MC doesn't have them, maybe someone who does could scan the MC section and email it to TT Admin.

[MarkP]

:wavey:


Doug I will, as soon as I can. Tonight or tomorrow???

[TTAdmin]

I don't have any of the older guides. But if someone scans them I would be more than happy to post them.

[Footin]

I have a few, I will look and see what years I have.

Doug, I am pretty sure I have 1993.

[east tx skier]

Rock on! If, when someone is sending TT Admin the 93 scan, if he wants to drop me a copy, he can send it to my name (at) ____.com. I would be very grateful, and as you might expect from my avatar, I know how to return a favor.

[Footin]

So far I have found the guides from:

1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2005.

I will look more tonight, I probably have more.

[east tx skier]

Right on!!!

[Footin]

OK I also found 1993.

[east tx skier]

:worthy: :worthy: :worthy:

[ski_king]

Right now I can find 83, 89, 92. 94, 96, 99, 04 and 05. I am pretty sure I got them all from 83 on. Some are also in my travel trailer and some are in the library (aka outhouse) at camp.
I will be glad to scan any I have for anybody that wants one.

You may be out of luck if you want a review on a Malibu or Correct Craft from one of the ones in the library.

[east tx skier]

I'm very interested in a scan from the 1993 issue from anyone who doesn't mind sending a copy to the address above. Thanks a million in advance.

[Robert Averyt]

Several years ago I was looking for a write up that WSM had done on lake building. I contacted them and found out that I could order a copy of any of the old issues. So I did.
Doug you could most likely order a copy of the original.

Just a thought.

Robert Averyt :rolleyes:

[BriEOD]

You may be out of luck if you want a review on a Malibu or Correct Craft from one of the ones in the library.

Did you use those in the outhouse? :D

[BrianM]

Powerslot,

If you find the '88 I would love to get a scanned copy......Thanks

[MarkP]

BriEOD,

Dyou just wake up?

[BrianM]

Dyou just wake up?

What is that supposed to mean :confused: ??

[MarkP]

Sorry man. The other Brian

[BrianM]

You're forgiven....................This time:D

[aprgriggs]

Right now I can find 83, 89, 92. 94, 96, 99, 04 and 05. I am pretty sure I got them all from 83 on. Some are also in my travel trailer and some are in the library (aka outhouse) at camp.
I will be glad to scan any I have for anybody that wants one.

You may be out of luck if you want a review on a Malibu or Correct Craft from one of the ones in the library.

I would like to see the 05 Guide aprgriggs@yahoo.com

[tph]

Right now I can find 83, 89, 92. 94, 96, 99, 04 and 05. I am pretty sure I got them all from 83 on. Some are also in my travel trailer and some are in the library (aka outhouse) at camp.
I will be glad to scan any I have for anybody that wants one.

You may be out of luck if you want a review on a Malibu or Correct Craft from one of the ones in the library.

A copy of '83 would be great!

:D

tph

[ski_king]

tph,
I am working on it. I may have to do it in black and white to keep the file small.

April,
TTAdmin has added a good copy of it under the download section.
http://www.tmcowners.com/teamtalk/l...n=links&catid=5

[aprgriggs]

tph,
I am working on it. I may have to do it in black and white to keep the file small.

April,
TTAdmin has added a good copy of it under the download section.
http://www.tmcowners.com/teamtalk/l...n=links&catid=5

thank you - but your link doesn't work

[MarkP]

Found a link for the available Water-ski magazine back issues. https://www.the-direct-source.com/index.php?cPath=23_114&sort=2a&page=1&osCsid=6f464e390574c90eaabefad147702925 (https://www.the-direct-source.com/index.php?cPath=23_114&sort=2a&page=1&osCsid=6f464e390574c90eaabefad147702925) They don’t appear to go back that far. Sorry, hope it helps someone.

[John B]

I would like to see what was said about the 98 190 ?
If that can not be found,the 99 will do.

[atlfootr]

I would like to see what was said about the 98 190 ?
If that can not be found,the 99 will do. John B,

I went back into my '98 archives for you Jan-Dec search'n for info, re: MC PS190.
Here's what I found, hope this helps :)

Jan / Feb '98 WS Mag Boat Buyers Guide
Volume 20 Issue 1
2 full pages 126-7

Sept / Oct '98 WSMag
Volume 20 Issue 8
3 full pages 28-30

Will continue check'n '99 tonight ... :eek3:

[east tx skier]

It'd be really cool if we (and I use the term loosely) could divi' up the years and get a ton of scans to TT Admin to post. I just scanned and ripped my 1991--1993 Prostar Manual (44 pages) to .pdf last night, so I have done some scanning suffering for MC. I'd be happy to email it for uploading if MC is interested.

It's great that they're willing to archive this stuff online. Let's get to scanning.

[atlfootr]

Everything you mentioned above would be great, I just spent an hour go'n back through my mag's for John B.
Let's see, how we can somehow get this task completed :)

How many hours did it take you to scan / rip '91-'93 Prostar Manual (44 pages) to .pdf?

[east tx skier]

It took about an hour to scan it. I've never done a project that size, so it took another hour to figure out why my scanner opened each page in a separate word document. Resaved as many pages as I could locate and rescanned the 4 I couldn't find. Then, I opened each page in word and ripped to a single .pdf document. Guess is 3.5 hours. It was worth it though. Very convenient to have it on my hard drive at home and at work.

I would not take too long for the folks that have a bunch of these to take 2 or 3 years a piece and scan them. I'd be happy to write them to .pdf for anyone that doesn't have adobe writer (that seems to be how ttadmin is uploading stuff).

It would take a ridiculous amont of time for one person to do all this, but if we organize and divide up the project, we can really improve the quantity of content in the DL section.

I've got the 03 and 04 WSM reviews. If nobody wants to do those, I'll tackle any or all of those if need be. Come on folks, suffer for the site.

It doesn't have to be extremely high quality for the web. Photoshop can downsample color images making them plenty small to email.

Alternatively, if someone wants to email their buyer's guides to me, I'll tackle it over however long it takes and mail them back when I'm done. (what am I getting myself into???)

[atlfootr]

what was the final file size?

[east tx skier]

11.8 mb. 11.3 zipped. I've got to figure out how to downsample it.

[atlfootr]

Any chance "WinZip" maybe of use?

[tph]

tph,
I am working on it. I may have to do it in black and white to keep the file small.


Thanks!

tph

[_JR]

I would love to see any 1994 info...if anyone has it, I would be more than happy to scan it in and return the original docs...

[east tx skier]

Any chance "WinZip" maybe of use?

Took it from 11.8 mb to 11.3 mb. This was my first experiment with adobe writer, so I assume, as in photoshop, I can downsample to make it smaller.

[ski_king]

I had a simular problem when I scanned to pdf the 8 page article on the 83 boat tests. It came out to 30 meg. I will try again this weekend with reduced resolution and black/white.
I know it can be done, I have scanned 40 plus page typed documents that were less than 2 meg. I just need to remember how.

[east tx skier]

When you figure it out, let me know. If you don't have photoshop, I can downsample those color scans for you and email them back to you on Monday. That way, you might be able to keep it in color, but with smaller files. The picture's size won't be smaller, just the file size. Let me know and I'll send you an email address that will handle a bit larger file.

/can you tell I want to see this happen?

[atlfootr]

Come on folks, suffer for the site. Just imagine ppl. what a kickass section this would be.
Almost as good as, the swimsuit thread! :banana:

[east tx skier]

Like I said. I'll tackle 04 and 03 plus whatever anyone wants to lend me by mail. Anybody want to sign up for other years?

[atlfootr]

Com'on folks, east tx is try'n to help!
Step up to the plate .. yeah I'm down :woohoo:

[Footin]

I have been trying to scan some pages and each page comes out at 10 to 30 mb. I do not think these will email.
I will try some more over the weekend.

[Professor]

Like I said. I'll tackle 04 and 03 plus whatever anyone wants to lend me by mail. Anybody want to sign up for other years?
I'll take a look while at the lake house this weekend and see which issues we have. I will gladly assist.

[east tx skier]

I have been trying to scan some pages and each page comes out at 10 to 30 mb. I do not think these will email.
I will try some more over the weekend.

You need to downsample them for lower resolution. Do you have photoshop? We just got the new MS Photo Editor at work as part of Office 2003 and it is really good.

As for .pdfs, my sources say that Adobe distiller may be the key. Will work on it when I get home.

[G-man]

I have the 93 stars and stripes one framed with plex on both sides so you can read it. Doug let me know if you want to .pdf it.

[east tx skier]

George, if you have a scanner, that'd be great. Email it to me. Mark sent me the 205 write up yesterday. Footer said he'd try to shoot me the 190 write up. I'm going to start compiling these things this weekend.

[G-man]

I don't have a scanner but I a SN buddy that can .pdf it. I'll get to you then.

[east tx skier]

That'd be great. You don't even need to rip it to pdf. A jpeg will work fine.

[east tx skier]

I don't have any of the older guides. But if someone scans them I would be more than happy to post them.

TTAdmin. I need an email address to send it to. I have some people sending me jpegs that will be converted to a .pdf file.

[east tx skier]

Footin', just sent you an email.

[MarkP]

Ok east tx Admin,


You got an inbox full.. Hope it helps:wavey:

[east tx skier]

Got 'em all. Awesome!!! Many thanks to MarkP. :worthy: I'll be compiling the 1993 review tonight. Just need an address to send it to when I'm done.

[georgea0731]

Let me know which ones I can help scan and forward. I did two pages on the 98 190 and it was approx. 400K each page, not too big.
Completely agree, MC Admin should add "all" of these to their web page library.
Great idea, thanks for taking initiative!

[MarkP]

Wow George,

Lot of photos in that gallery of yours. Nice looking X:worthy:

[east tx skier]

Geoge, you can send as many as you like to d. I've got all of the 93 writeups that Mark sent me and have put them into a single .pdf. It's 11 mb in size. Just waiting for an email address to send them to MC so TTAdmin can post them.

My only request is that you do 1 year at a time and send all the writeups for MC (I know it gets longer as years go by).

I am amazed at how good the write ups are for the older boats. I don't mean I'm surprised MC got a good write up. I mean, I'm so surprised that, compared to recent write ups, how much useful info they contain. They've got all the various aspects ranked on a 1--5 star system. Whaahappened?!?

[Professor]

Working around the farm today and just in case I don't get a chance to thank you guys (Doug, Mark, George) for the hard work on the old copies ... Thank You :worthy:

[brady1022]

That'd be so great if you had the 89...(prostar190). Woo hoo, I'm all pumped up now!

[east tx skier]

I will gladly compile the guides by year. 1993 looks so good I just can't stop looking through it. The scans mark sent me were around 2.5 mb a piece. When you go to .pdf, they get knocked down to 72 dpi anyway so web quality on the scans should be fine. Thanks to all the potential scanners out there.

[aprgriggs]

I would love the 2003 guide...aprgriggs@yahoo.com

Thanks,
April

[MarkP]

April

It looks like the 03 is available (the whole magazine) from, https://www.the-direct-source.com/index.php?cPath=23_114&sort=2a&page=1&osCsid=6f464e390574c90eaabefad147702925 (https://www.the-direct-source.com/index.php?cPath=23_114&sort=2a&page=1&osCsid=6f464e390574c90eaabefad147702925) ..

[east tx skier]

I would love the 2003 guide...aprgriggs@yahoo.com

Thanks,
April

April, I've got that one and will scan it at some point. One thing I've definitely noticed in the last few days, there are a lot more boats in the guide as the years go on.

[east tx skier]

TTAdmin, I should have the following boat buyer's guides ripped to .pdf by later this week or so.

1991, 1993, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, and 2004. I just got a gmail account, so I can email them if your account can handle the file size. Or, I could put them all on a CD and mail it. Please PM me or email me an address to send these to.

[aprgriggs]

thanks to all.

[east tx skier]

Edit: See update below.

[MarkP]

Your like a machine!! A big thanks to Doug:wavey:

[ski_king]

I have the 82 in a pdf file and found the 83 last night.
The old test by Spray Magazine are quite a bit different than the new tests. They don't get into all the features of the boats, they just compare the performance specs of all the ski boats head to head. Lots of good charts, etc.
MasterCraft blew the competition away back then in acceleration and most of the other comparisions.
The pdf file is still on the large size, 16 meg or so.

[east tx skier]

Powerslot, if you can, and you don't mind, I'd love to see a copy of this stuff. (I can receive attachments up to 20 mb).

Update: teammc@mastercraftboats.com bounced my email back to me (apparently they can't get that large of an attachment).

I've been requesting an email address since TTAdmin offered to post these last week, but have yet to receive one. I'm starting to feel like a broken record and don't want to be a nuisance.

[east tx skier]

Yet another update. I've gotten feedback from TTAdmin and I'm going to burn all the guides I have and receive to a CD and mail it to him. If you want to contribute, please email me. So far, people have been sending me scanned .jpegs and that has worked out great. I've been straigntening them out and cropping them, and ultimately, putting them into single .pdf documents.

If you want to contribute, please send jpegs (or .pdfs) to . I expect to have what I've received so far (2004, 2003, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1993, and 1991) ready to go by the end of the week. I may have 82 and 83 if things go as planned. Any others, send 'em soon. I know somebody mentioned 89, 92. 94, 95 and 97. I've scanned one issue so far, and once you get in the rhythm, it doesn't take long at all (especially in the older issues before the x-series).

If you have trouble sending large files, you can break them up page by page. I don't mind reassembling them on my end. For large files, I highly recommend gmail. You have to have an invite, but I found this invite spooler (http://isnoop.net/gmail/) yesterday. It's free.

Thanks to Mark, George A, George M, and PowerSlot for their help. Thanks to TT Admin for putting this stuff up, and thanks to whoever I probably just forgot to thank.

[ski_king]

I have 82 and 83 scanned. I have 89, 92 and 94 yet to scan. About 60 pages total. I may not have time to complete until the weekend.

[SDmc205]

Since i haven't seen any requests for 2000, I'll throw my hat in the ring.

[Laurel_Lake_Skier]

A BIG thanks to you East Tx! These old reviews will be a great addition to the site.

[east tx skier]

2000 is on its way. Powerslot has tried to email some to me, but we've had gmail issues apparently. If you want to send them as individual jpegs or pdfs per page, I could assemble on this end and send with the rest. I got 2004 scanned last night (about 20 pages). I'm keeping up with the scans as they come in, but just barely. A special thanks again to the scanning folks. They're doing the real work. I'm just compiling for the most part with just a little scanning.

/George A is a scanning machine!

[JohnnyB]

Any update on when these may hit the downloads section? I'd like to see the 1992. It would also be handy for folks that are shopping to be able to hit these if they're in the downloads section.

Thanks to all that contributed....hopefully we get to see it.

[east tx skier]

I just spoke with George A today, and he's got a few more to send me. I've got everything else done. Our plan is to mail it off to TTAdmin next week.

[east tx skier]

Update. George A, the man with the scan, has them to me. I've got two more issues (2000 and 2001) to convert to .pdf.

So for the record, here's what will be sent to TTAdmin next week.
1982 and 1983 Spray Mag reviews, 1984 Pslot article, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2004. Also, the 1988 and 1993 Prostar Manuals will be included. If anyone sends me some more between now and then, I'll add them to the CD and send it, too. But if anyone wants to send me anything, but can't get it in by next week, no worries. I'll keep compiling these as fast as I get them. There are certainly enough remaining issues to warrant another mail-in to TTAdmin. Thanks to everyone for their contributions.

[ski_king]

I do have the 89, 92 and 94 magazines to fill in some of the gaps.

Although I have been having some trouble getting a good scan on them. The magazines have the square type binding and my scanner is the printer/scanner type with the top hinged from the side (11 in.) as opposed to the end (8.5 in.).
Does anybody have anytips how I can get a good flat scan of the entire page without destroying the magazine? There is propboly a simple solution to this I am not thinking of.

[east tx skier]

Sorry, I've got a flatbed. If you are able to get those scanned, don't hesitate to shoot them my way.

[georgea0731]

I had to put a weight on the sleam to make it flatter, and I don't think it will hurt the magazine.

In addition, I have 91, 96, 98, 99, 00, 01 in JPG files that I can email direct to any of you. I just need a good email send your request to amonette516@comcast.net. Each page is around 350-400 in size.
These 2 pages are examples, but had to be resized so they could fit on here. Use zoom to see the small print (ha).

[André]

So you guys are missing 95 , 97 , 02 ?
Let me check in my "Bordel"...

[MCPS205]

I made this for a friend and put his pictures of him in his boat in the write-up. Check it out.

[MCPS205]

I also have 1989 - 2005 Boat Buyers Gudies and almost every issue inbetween. Including the one about building the lakes :) Let me know if you are looking for something.

I am looking for more inof and pictures on that 1980 MC Outboard I just bought if anyone has info on that. Thanks - Nick

[east tx skier]

I will be happy to compile anything not listed above as already received. Single page jpegs or single page .pdfs can be sent to

[east tx skier]

Just an update. I sent the CD off to TTAdmin a few weeks ago and got a confirm from him that he'd gotten it. If someone notices that things are getting posted, don't hesitate to let us know on this thread. Thanks again to everyone who contributed.

[east tx skier]

Well, I've been informed that there may be some delay in getting some of the information posted. In some instances, it seems that file size was an issue, which is understandable since the later issues had a lot more pages than the former ones did.

For those of you who were hoping to see this happen a bit sooner, I'd like to offer some assistance. If you email me, I'll email you my address. You can send me a blank cd and a return, self-addressed, stamped envelope. I'll burn everything I sent MasterCraft and mail it back to you. It's far from an ideal solution, but it's a great endorsement of the brand and contains some good information.

What can I say? I live to give.

[erkoehler]

:dance: :D

[sfitzgerald351]

How big are those files....? Bandwidth and server storage space are really cheap these days so I'm not sure why big files would pose a problem, especially it is all fits on one CD.

[83MC]

I would love to have an 1983 "Boat Buyer's Guide"

83MC ayer5524@bellsouth.net

[Footin]

Anybody have 1994 guide?

[ski_king]

Got them both :D but I dont want to sell.

[east tx skier]

You can always scan 'em and send them my way. :D

[Wes]

If you have the 93 guide scanned, love to see it. email MC205@shaw.ca

Thanks

[JohnnyB]

I'd like to have the 92 guide....I've got the 1995 to 1999....I'll have to PDF 'em.....who do I send them to to get them put on the downloads section :steering:

[bobk]

GREAT WORK!

When you have the time please send me the 2000 at kleinbrookbdm@yahoo.com

Thank you.

[east tx skier]

I've got the 93 and 2000 guides already scanned and .pdf'd. They are too big to email and there's really no shrinking them further. I sent lots and lots (chronicled above) to the former TTAdmin, who was instrumental in getting what we do have in the DL section up there. I was told that some of the files were "just too large" and that they MC, were working on downsizing them or something like that. I've heard nothing more about it, which is a bummer because several of us worked hard on the scanners to get those to MC.

Carrying the torch, my offer still stands. PM me for my address. Send me a cd-r and a self-addressed, postage paid, envelope for the cd, and I'll burn everything I've got for you guys.

If anyone has anything that I haven't listed above and wants to scan and send me the pages, I'll be happy to archive it. In the past, we did one page at a time.

If anyone just wants a picture of one boat or two from a year I've got, I'd be happy to try to remove it from the pdf and email it. Apart from that, it's much easeier on me to just burn a cd and mail them all rather than messing around with the files for a host of different requests. After all the legwork I and others did, I think the ball is in MC's court.

[Leroy]

Anyone ever contact the publisher? I've sent them an email asking for options/solutions.

[bobk]

WOW You go so far and above what is expected.

I've got the 93 and 2000 guides already scanned and .pdf'd. They are too big to email and there's really no shrinking them further. I sent lots and lots (chronicled above) to the former TTAdmin, who was instrumental in getting what we do have in the DL section up there. I was told that some of the files were "just too large" and that they MC, were working on downsizing them or something like that. I've heard nothing more about it, which is a bummer because several of us worked hard on the scanners to get those to MC.

Carrying the torch, my offer still stands. PM me for my address. Send me a cd-r and a self-addressed, postage paid, envelope for the cd, and I'll burn everything I've got for you guys.

If anyone has anything that I haven't listed above and wants to scan and send me the pages, I'll be happy to archive it. In the past, we did one page at a time.

If anyone just wants a picture of one boat or two from a year I've got, I'd be happy to try to remove it from the pdf and email it. Apart from that, it's much easeier on me to just burn a cd and mail them all rather than messing around with the files for a host of different requests. After all the legwork I and others did, I think the ball is in MC's court.

[Leroy]

Here is what the publisher responded to me.


Hi Leroy,
Unfortunately, there are only limited boat buyers guide issues that are available for purchase. To see what is available, please call 800-879-0495. Only the reviews from the past few years are available electronically at waterskimag.com.

Regards,
Todd Ristorcelli

[east tx skier]

WOW You go so far and above what is expected.

Wasn't just me. Lots of folks were burning up the scanners. George Amonette (sp) for one. Denny and Footin sent me some stuff as well. MarkP gifted the entire 93 guide to me.

I'm sure I've forgotten someone. Sorry about that.