92 ProStar 190

[upnorth]

I am a long time boater thinking of buying a 92 ProStar. (My 1st MC) Has this been a solid boat as far as a MasterCraft goes. The one I am looking at has a Chevy 350 block (285hp). Boat is in excellent condition. Anything to look out for? Thanks in advance.

[jsonova99]

I am a long time boater thinking of buying a 92 ProStar. (My 1st MC) Has this been a solid boat as far as a MasterCraft goes. The one I am looking at has a Chevy 350 block (285hp). Boat is in excellent condition. Anything to look out for? Thanks in advance.

Not familiar with the engine in early 90's boats. I have a '91 with the frod 351. Is the motor carbureted or fueld injected? There are a few threads on here with some tips on buying used MC's. As far as MC specific problems, I don't know of any on these years. I love my '91

[milkmania]

ditto on my 91:worthy:

[NatesGr8]

I've got a 94, i think they're the same hull, and it's fantastic. I have the LT-1 though, so no idea about the engine.

[jsonova99]

I would say as long as the engine has been taken care of, it should be as reliable as any other chevy motor in these boats.

[erkoehler]

How many hours, are there maintenance records, cracks in gelcoat, oil in bilge, does it come w/ trailer, are all items functunal these are all things that you need to looks for.


PLUS TEST DRIVE, SKI, RIDE, SIT, START, SKI, SIT, START. Use the boat for a whole day!

[jsonova99]

How many hours, are there maintenance records, cracks in gelcoat, oil in bilge, does it come w/ trailer, are all items functunal these are all things that you need to looks for.


PLUS TEST DRIVE, SKI, RIDE, SIT, START, SKI, SIT, START. Use the boat for a whole day!

Good advice. I think you get away from the crap trailer my '91 had where the mounted the bunks directly to the frame of the trailer. The wet carpeting causes the frame rails to rust pretty badly (atleast in my case) It probably didn't help that the previous owner never really addressed it at an early stage.

[murphfsu]

I have a 93 PS 190 -- in some respects I think that time frame looks better than the new boats they are putting out today. My only complaint is the way the boat rides on rough water -- it doesn't exactly cut through the water. As long as you stick to small water ski lakes and rivers -- the boat is perfect. Almost no wake at 34 mph -- if you are a wakeboarder though you may want to consider some other options -- althogh with enough weight it does kick out a decent wake.

The engine is a whole different story and cannot be judged in general. Everyone cares for the engine differently -- they are all good engines and easy to work on - just make sure the guy who owned the boat took proper care and never overheated the block or anything serious like that.

[jsonova99]

I have a 93 PS 190 -- in some respects I think that time frame looks better than the new boats they are putting out today. My only complaint is the way the boat rides on rough water -- it doesn't exactly cut through the water. As long as you stick to small water ski lakes and rivers -- the boat is perfect. Almost no wake at 34 mph -- if you are a wakeboarder though you may want to consider some other options -- althogh with enough weight it does kick out a decent wake.

The engine is a whole different story and cannot be judged in general. Everyone cares for the engine differently -- they are all good engines and easy to work on - just make sure the guy who owned the boat took proper care and never overheated the block or anything serious like that.

I'll second that about rough water

[erkoehler]

Your not supposed to be whipping somebody through the course when there is rough water!

[east tx skier]

Welcome, upnorth.

With 285 HP, that sounds to me like a Ford 351 HO. I don't think they were putting chevys in the boats OEM until 1993, when fuel injection made its appearance as an option. Of course, the P.O. may have dropped a Chevy in there at some point. If it is the 351 HO, then it's carbureted. If that's the OEM carb on a 351 HO, it's a Holley 4010. I have had horrible experiences with this carb that are well documented in this forum. I'll try to keep it brief, and in the form of advice.

The 1992 Prostar 190 is a fantastic hull. The Ford is a great engine if it was properly maintained. If it has that dual feed Holley carb on it, you owe it to yourself to give it a nice, long (1 hour) test drive. With regard to the carb, you are looking for hot stalls, poor idle after it has been warmed up and shut down, hard restarts requiring repriming of the throttle, and, possibly, hesitation during hard accelleration. The latter issue is not necessarily specific to this carb, but was an issue with my boat, and might be fixable by a rebuild. In my experience, the hot stall and poor warmed up idle problems were not something that could be fixed after a professional rebuild and much tinkering on my tournament inboard mechanic's part. In the early 90s, these problems led PCM to recall the carb on Nautiques. If only some of we early 90s MC owner's could have been so lucky.

So, test drive it for at least an hour. Run it hard. Shut it down. Start it back up (do you have to reprime the throttle for it to restart? You shouldn't). How does it idle?

If it has the carb, and the issues show up in the test drive, should you get the boat? All else being equal, absolutely. The early 90s prostars were incredible boats. But seek a discount. The only way I solved this problem was going back to the 4160 carb. Skidim sells these carbs for around $500+ bucks. After installation, I was living lean for a while, but my boat now runs like a champ.

[Bert]

I am a long time boater thinking of buying a 92 ProStar. (My 1st MC) Has this been a solid boat as far as a MasterCraft goes. The one I am looking at has a Chevy 350 block (285hp). Boat is in excellent condition. Anything to look out for? Thanks in advance.
I bought my 91 new. Best thing I have ever purchased. They are a great boat, just stay off the water when it is choppy. At the time you had a choice of 350 chev or 351 ford hp, chev had more hp but less torque than ford. I chose the ford and it has been great. I can't remember the hp of the chev but I think it was 260 or 270 hp. I can look it up in my manual if you want.
I don't think the 285 hp ford was an option until 93, but maybe it was in 92. Some one on here will know. TBI chevy was base engine in 94.

[east tx skier]

Bert's right. I wrote that post without sufficient coffee. The TBI Chevy was rated at 275 hp. The 285 HP engine is the Ford 351W HO with the GT40 heads.

[AirJunky]

I've read that the TBI Chevy was an option in 92 & 93, then the base engine in 94. I have the 94 with about 600 hours on it & it's been a pretty good engine with very few problems.
When you go check the boat out, drop it in the water & ski behind it, whatever discipiline your into. Listen to the trans when you go into & out of forward & reverse gear. Check out the condition of the prop. Look at the trailer, specifically the brakes, check the fluid level. Compression test the motor, check the oil level & the trans fluid level. All these should be up to par in a boat that was taken care of. If any are not, then walk away. Even going thru the trailer brakes can be hundreds, if not $1000.
You'll probably find a few small cracks here & there, usually nothing to worry about unless there is an obvious impact on or below the waterline. My own boat has several hairline cracks around the tonneau snaps (PO installed) & the vents up front(factory installed), which are fairly common & not going to cause a problem.
Good luck & enjoy the whole boat shopping experience. I bet I test drove 20 boats before finding the one I wanted...... and skied everyone of them!
You'll find that year 190 has a great slalom wake & an OK wakeboard/foil wake when weighted. They drive like a sportscar on rails too. As for the chop, I never thought they were too bad, certainly better than the late 80s flat bottom hulls.

[TNH2oSkier]

The TBI chevy was not available till 94'. The LT1 with fuel injection was available in limited run in 93'. The 285' hp with gt 40 heads is a great engine, and East TX gave you the fix for the carb. I also think imo the 92-93 interiors vinyle is more atractive. Rough water ride is poor, but it is on most tournament boats. Overall I loved my 92, they have really clasic look.

[Hoosier Bob]

I agree w/other responses. 285 would be the Ford GT 40 and the limited, supposedly first for a ski boat, "fuelie" was the 1993 LTI 350 rated at 275 HP. I have had three Ford 5.8's and never had an issue, knock on wood! I currently own a 93 190 with the 285 and can't imagine anything better that still fits in an average size garage. I would love East TX's ride but the stern would have to be a bar in my living room. Even if you may be a Chevy follower the Ford is very, very solid. Oh yeah, the distributer is right where you want it! Get an old Accuski (or PP) and the boat is a dream. The rough water info is correct, worse than a hard tail on Indiana back roads!

[erkoehler]

The rough water info is correct, worse than a hard tail on Indiana back roads!


Sorry to hear that, I assume you have experience it before.

[JohnnyB]

I own a 1992 PS 190 and love it. As mentioned above, the recommendation I would make is to make sure you take it to an MC dealer for compression test and systems check. That's the best $150 I've spent. Although they found nothing major wrong with my purchase, they found a couple minor things that probably paid for the $150 I spent as the owner had agreed to fix the issues they found. This will give you good piece of mind on your purchase. Depending on where you are in life, if you've got a family you may consider looking for a 205 OB. Per my manual, the 92 was available with a 351 Ford HO (285HP), a 351 Ford, a 350 Chev or a 350 Chev HO.

Good luck with your shopping experience.

[upnorth]

Thanks for the feedback. I found out the boat I am planning to purchase has the 350 HO. Any feedback on this particular motor? I am purchasing this boat from a reputable boat delearship that provides a 30 day warrenty on purchases, we are water-testing next weekend.

[east tx skier]

No info from me on that motor. Probably great as a general rule though. Good luck on the test drive.

[MarkP]

Thanks for the feedback. I found out the boat I am planning to purchase has the 350 HO. Any feedback on this particular motor? I am purchasing this boat from a reputable boat delearship that provides a 30 day warrenty on purchases, we are water-testing next weekend.
What part of the country are you in?? Is your weather ready to let you have a good hard 30 days to work all of the bugs out?

[east tx skier]

Mark, I'm going to take a stab at that question and say the man is "up north." Of course, ICBW. ;)

[André]

I have not seen many Chevy 350 HO in those years of Prostar but if it's the same 350 that was later the TBI in 94,it should be a very reliable engine.
Again nothing against carbs...but if there is a 93 with LT 1 or a 94 EFI for sale in your area i would take a good look at it.
If you go carb,i would look for a Ford 351 HO.
Is "Upnorth" in Canada ?

[jake]

Welcome, upnorth.

With 285 HP, that sounds to me like a Ford 351 HO. I don't think they were putting chevys in the boats OEM until 1993, when fuel injection made its appearance as an option. Of course, the P.O. may have dropped a Chevy in there at some point. If it is the 351 HO, then it's carbureted. If that's the OEM carb on a 351 HO, it's a Holley 4010. I have had horrible experiences with this carb that are well documented in this forum. I'll try to keep it brief, and in the form of advice.



I know Doug had lots of problems with his 4010, but mine has been pretty good. I had some hot stall issues but a choke adjustment and a seafoam treatment took care of it. I wouldn't let the 4010 deter you from buying the boat. I don't think Doug was saying it should, I just wanted to point out that not all the 4010's exhibit this behavior.

[TCrate]

East TX skier hit the nail on the head. The 285HP is the Ford HO, 351 with the 4010. I have the '92 190 with this same setup and it has been a great boat. I do not have the driveability issues with the carb. I guess I am one of the lucky ones. I have 800 hours on it. I have rebuilt the alternator and that is it. It does not track as well in the course as some of the newer boats but I would say thumbs up to this one if it passes the test. Good Luck.

[Jerseydave]

I had a 94 with an LT1 and I loved it! The throttle response was terrific and no surging of speed like most 4 barrel carb motors. I would never go back to a carbureted engine again.
Like someone said, if you can find a 94 with a F/I engine, that may be your best bet.

[east tx skier]

I know Doug had lots of problems with his 4010, but mine has been pretty good. I had some hot stall issues but a choke adjustment and a seafoam treatment took care of it. I wouldn't let the 4010 deter you from buying the boat. I don't think Doug was saying it should, I just wanted to point out that not all the 4010's exhibit this behavior.

Yeah, I wouldn't let it deter you. For whatever reason, they didn't all do it. Seafoam didn't work on mine, nor did all the professional tinkering I paid for. I don't think Mark has complained of any problems either. Just something to look for in the water test.

I have never had an issue with surging at speed. But all other things being equal, obviously fuel injection is preferable.

[DAinAZ]

East TX skier hit the nail on the head. The 285HP is the Ford HO, 351 with the 4010. I have the '92 190 with this same setup and it has been a great boat. I do not have the driveability issues with the carb. I guess I am one of the lucky ones. I have 800 hours on it. I have rebuilt the alternator and that is it. It does not track as well in the course as some of the newer boats but I would say thumbs up to this one if it passes the test. Good Luck.

This is the exact same setup I have. I am getting my carb rebuilt now, but it is only because it sat for the better part of 2 years with very little use. Everything else on the boat has been great. I like the looks of my 92 Prostar 190 better than some of the new boats.

Like everyone else before has said, check it out thoroughly. You'll be glad you did. I did a compression check on each boat I looked at before I bought the one I did, and one of them had water shooting out the spark plug hole! To say the least, I put the plug back in and left as quickly as possible.

My key point is to be patient. Don't be in a rush to get a boat. I know now is the season, but you will be glad that you waited for just the right boat for you.