to "V" or not to "V'

[waterboy]

Help, i am in the process of buying a new boat, we are fairly serious slalom skiers (not competition) and board for fun, we were fairly set on a 197, but have recently had a look at the 205v, what is the 205v like as a slalom boat as this is our main type of skiing?
anybody that can help?

[BrianM]

If you mostly slalom and just board for fun I would stay with the 197. I think you are going to sacrifice quite a bit of slalom wake going to a V.

[east tx skier]

Even if you are recreational, if slalom is your bag, go direct drive over v. The rear weight from the engine placement does have an effect on the wake.

Welcome to the board.

[waterboy]

i read in 2005 review that at faster speeds the 205's wake flattens out, we ski at about 35mph and 28 off, anybody have an idea what the wake will be like?

[east tx skier]

I've skied behind that hull (late 90s 205 direct drive---same hull I believe). There's a rooster tail at 15 and 22 off. Don't know about 28 off. With a v-drive, that rooster tail/bump isn't getting smaller compared to the DD.

I don't doubt it flattens out at higher speeds, but it's not going to compare to a 197. If you slalom, I'd go with the direct drive. Just my $.02.

[tex]

i read in 2005 review that at faster speeds the 205's wake flattens out, we ski at about 35mph and 28 off, anybody have an idea what the wake will be like?
rec ski at 35mph and 28 off? stick with the 197.

[waterboy]

thanks, we live in south africa and are looking to import a boat from the states do you know where we can get a 2004 197, that can be shipped to us here

[east tx skier]

I wouldn't know where to begin. However, there are several people on this board who do not live in the United States, who could surely give you some tips, not to mention a couple of dealers who may be of some assistance. Good luck.

[Leroy]

Waterboy; what are you skiing behind now?

[east tx skier]

I guess I should clarify one thing. Apparently, there are some who are of the opinion that the d drive skis better that v-drive does not apply in all circumstances. According to a post from Jim@BAWS (if memory serves), the 205V has a better slalom wake than the 209. I have no personal experience with the 209 or the 205V, so you may want to investigate that further.

[Tom023]

Waterboy, I'll go ahead and give my dealer a plug: Darryl Moores in Houston, TX. Not only are they an excellent dealer, but given Darryl's background, he may have experience shipping boats overseas. Houston also is a major port facility, which may help facilitate shipping if Darryl can help. Just a thought.

[nashvillematt]

Call Rambo Marine in Alabama. They are long time friends of mine and I would reccomend them to anyone. The phone number is (256) 828 - 3590 - Info@Rambomarine.com is the website for sales.

Contact Lex Rambo or Dustin they will take great care of you!

MS

[SteveO]

WB,

Have you considered a PS 209? I'm kinda partial, but it has direct drive performance, a TON of room and is AWSA approved. Good (not the 197) ski wake and a great wakeboard wake with a fat sac. If you want the room for the family o r friends and a great multi purpose boat, it is something to consider. Texas Mastercraft in the Dallas- Fort Worth area has been great to deal with.

[east tx skier]

I'll go ahead and plug two of the dealers above. Bought my boat from Daryl Moore and was very satisfied. Lex at Rambo is perhaps the nicest person on the face of the planet. As for the nearest MC dealer to me, I'd be lying if I didn't tell you that on three separate ocassions I'd called them and talked to them about purchasing items; on each of these three ocassions, they never called me back. There are enough dealers eager to work with me that I, thankfully, don't have to put up with that nonsense. I'm sure they've given others the love they deserved or they wouldn't be in business. They just won't be getting my business, especially when, one day, I'm ready to pull the trigger on that 197.

[bradamerry]

Doug, I will second that on your nearest dealer. :mad: When I started looking for a boat, I called them and got little response. I got no response once I told them I was looking for a used boat! And I was paying in CASH :confused: !!

[MasterMason]

Doug, I will second that on your nearest dealer. :mad: When I started looking for a boat, I called them and got little response. I got no response once I told them I was looking for a used boat! And I was paying in CASH :confused: !!


My local dealer was very responsive when I bought my used boat. They immediatly called the old owner to see when they could sell him a new one.

[east tx skier]

Wish I had your local dealer.

Brad, are you talking about my somewhat local MC dealer or my local non-MC dealer? If it's the latter, I'm very surprised.

[bradamerry]

Wish I had your local dealer.

Brad, are you talking about my somewhat local MC dealer or my local non-MC dealer? If it's the latter, I'm very surprised.
the MC dealer, not the CC dealer. Doug you ought to think about using Gus Campbell's in Monroe, La., they are great!

[lakes Rick]

thanks, we live in south africa and are looking to import a boat from the states do you know where we can get a 2004 197, that can be shipped to us here

Are you going to pay for it with a check amount larger than the buying price and you want the extra sent back to you????

[east tx skier]

the MC dealer, not the CC dealer. Doug you ought to think about using Gus Campbell's in Monroe, La., they are great!

Brad, my father in law bought his boat from Gus. Heck of a nice guy and like my conversations with Lex Rambo, I got the feeling from him that he loved selling these boats and brokering deals on the used ones. On at least one ocassion though, I had the no return call from him, too. One of the worst things you can do in business in my opinion. It only happened once though and I haven't had a need to call him since then.

I typically don't think of them because Monroe is just too far to take my boat when I'm not there for another reason. If it has to go to a MC dealer, I'll drive it to Daryl Moore's in Houston since I'm often down there visiting family anyway. They do maintenance by appointment only and are 20 minutes from my sister-in-law's place in the Woodlands. Most of the time, I can get the boat back the same day from them because they keep on schedule this way.

Again, if Gus was closer, I'd probably tend to do more business with him.

On another interesting subject, my local non-MC dealer is moving its maintenance/service business off site (and by off site, I mean a couple of miles from my house). :dance:

I know they aren't MC, but I can't say enough good things about them. My somewhat nearby MC dealer could really learn some customer service lessons from these guys.

[Adkin20]

I own a 205V and the boat is Great! The inside seating is more family and guest orientated, and you will come to love it. I don't notice a major differnec in the wake issues nor have any of the friends, competitors said anything about that. You won't regret the 205V and everyone you come in contact with or that rides with you will say the same thing. Wow! great boat.

[bradamerry]

I grow up sking behind CC and all those boats made trips to Tyler. They always seemed to like that dealer. I even talked to them about a used boat, glad I got what I did! But if they would have had the price range I was looking at, might be typing there ;) .

[Leroy]

I have a friend that will take another boat if there are any takers on that deal!

Are you going to pay for it with a check amount larger than the buying price and you want the extra sent back to you????

[Leroy]

It really takes a professional to get the shipping done correctly. For cars the legal requirements for the glass is different and emissions are very different. Remember the German trailer, MC's trailer was not ok there! When we moved back from Belgium we couldn't clear our 200 bottles of wine through Indiana. They had to go through Canada or port in Chicago and truck down. After living in Belgium two years I found anything that could be different in EU and USA was different, not sure about South Africa.

[Jim@BAWS]

thanks, we live in south africa and are looking to import a boat from the states do you know where we can get a 2004 197, that can be shipped to us here

I 'll give my local dealer a plug also...What am I talking about I am the local dealer

Hope we can help

www.bayareawatersports.com

Florida dealership withe some 04 PROMO's ready to ship

Already in Florida

jim.baws@verizon.net

[Farmer Ted]

Are you going to pay for it with a check amount larger than the buying price and you want the extra sent back to you????

Don't forget to send your routing and account number....

[east tx skier]

Brad, I also went there first simply because of the proximity issue. They had an 85 in my original price range and a 99 SN that was outside my ultimate price range.

I don't regret my choice in the end, but those guys are as great as you've heard and take good care of their MC stepchildren. :D

[NSXBill]

Help, i am in the process of buying a new boat, we are fairly serious slalom skiers (not competition) and board for fun, we were fairly set on a 197, but have recently had a look at the 205v, what is the 205v like as a slalom boat as this is our main type of skiing?
anybody that can help?

If they mostly slalom but board some and are consisering a 197, why hasn't anyone suggested an X-7?

[NSXBill]

I guess I should clarify one thing. Apparently, the d drive skis better that v-drive does not apply in all circumstances. According to a post from MyMC (if memory serves), the 205V has a better slalom wake than the 209. I have no personal experience with the 209, so you may want to investigate that further.

Hey Doug,

I have a hard time believing that the 205V wake is better than the 209 in most (if not all) slalom speeds. I really don't know though.

I did a fair amount of homework (discussing wakes with the MC pro among other stuff) before getting the 209 and I do believe that ALL years of non-V 205's have a better wake than any 209. I guess there could be arguments both ways...205V vs. 209 (although I still can't believe it), but I don't think that it is a given.

JMHO

Bill

[east tx skier]

Bill, like I said, I haven't skied either, so I don't know. I think it was Jim@BAWS who mentioned this. It surprised me, too. Again, no personal experience with it. You would have more experience with those hulls than I would.

Here's the thread. X2 versus X9 for Slalom (http://www.tmcowners.com/teamtalk/showthread.php?p=26587#post26587)

[NSXBill]

Looked at the thread. Some stuff I would disagree with there, BUT...35th's experience with all the boats is compelling, so I guess I'm wrong about the wake. :eek: Don't really like it myself. Also, when you are hookless in a 209 it really DOES porpose at high speed.

Oh my god! Why did I buy this POS? (kidding)

I still wouldn't give up my mid-engine handling for skiing (for a V drive)...even my 209 pig. :)

[east tx skier]

Bill, you may just have to come to grips with the fact that you have an outstanding AWSA certified tow boat. :toast:

[NSXBill]

Bill, you may just have to come to grips with the fact that you have an outstanding AWSA certified tow boat. :toast:

Absolutely! Now, time for a margarita....