View Full Version : difference between lines
gatorguy
05-05-2009, 11:26 AM
What is a good resource for side by side comparisons of older models. I think I will be getting an x-14 in 1-2 years, but I want to save up and pay cash. In the mean time I want some thing older and cheap less then $10k. I want some thing like a 197 or 205. I keep finding things like prostar, maristar, proski, tristar, TT, etc… I don’t know which one has a wake designed for skiing. Help me please. Just some general guide lines.
captain planet
05-05-2009, 11:52 AM
Welcome to the board.
In a nut shell if you are looking for something designed for skiing you want any Prostar 190, 195, 205, or 209. These are all direct drive. The MariStar boats are all V-drive and are a lot better for wakeboarding, surfing, etc. The Tristar boats are direct drive, however I haven't been behind one to give you an idea of how they ski.
If you want to stay under 10K you will probably find an older 190 (pre1995) in that general price range. If I were in your position I would look for a 92 to 95 Prostar 205. There are a couple of 205's in the market place on this board that are around 10K.
JohnE
05-05-2009, 11:57 AM
You'd be hard pressed to find anything newer than a '93 for under 10K. Earlier prostars ski well. The tristar 190 is under rated imo, and would serve you well. Ideally a 91-94 190 or 205 might be found for around 10G. Good luck.
g-Dog
05-05-2009, 12:02 PM
My brother-in-law just picked up a 1996 Prostar 205 w/105 hrs for 10K. Good deals are out there...it just might take a while to find them.
Ski-me
05-05-2009, 12:56 PM
If you mentioned the 214 as your next boat in a few years, then you are probably wanting the extra room up front (open bow). The 197 and 214 are more "ski" boats as well so, I would recommend the 92-95 205. Up to 95' the ski wake is great and was a slight downgrade from 96 on up. However, the wakeboarding wake was slightly better from 96+.
I bought a 94' 205 last year and absolutely love it! I did look at the 214 as well a few weeks ago....very nice but very expensive! I paid cash as well for my 205 and it's a great path to take. We paid $14k for our boat that had the LT1 engine and 200 hours.
If you can get a 94 or 95, that would be preferred based on the fuel injected motor. Easier to start, etc. 92 and 93 were carbureted.
I'd say, 205 is your ticket.:cool:
Jesus_Freak
05-05-2009, 01:02 PM
If you mentioned the 214 as your next boat in a few years, then you are probably wanting the extra room up front (open bow). The 197 and 214 are more "ski" boats as well so, I would recommend the 92-95 205. Up to 95' the ski wake is great and was a slight downgrade from 96 on up. However, the wakeboarding wake was slightly better from 96+.
I bought a 94' 205 last year and absolutely love it! I did look at the 214 as well a few weeks ago....very nice but very expensive! I paid cash as well for my 205 and it's a great path to take. We paid $14k for our boat that had the LT1 engine and 200 hours.
If you can get a 94 or 95, that would be preferred based on the fuel injected motor. Easier to start, etc. 92 and 93 were carbureted.
I'd say, 205 is your ticket.:cool:
Absolutely! The only MC ski wake I have experienced that beats a '94 205 is a 190 (or our friend Hammer's 195 :)).
Chicago190
05-05-2009, 01:12 PM
For 10k you will probably be looking at:
91-94 Prostar 190: Closed bow ski boat. Great ski wake (some consider it the best MC has ever produced), some spray issues at short line lengths, carbed engine 91-93 and then fuel injected in 94 (GM 350 or LT1 engine), rough ride in choppy water.
95-97 Prostar 190: Closed bow ski boat. Very good ski wake, no spray issues, fuel injected for all years (GM 350 or LT1), rough ride in chop but an improvement over the older hull.
92-95 Prostar 205: Open bow ski boat. Very similar wake and handling characteristics to the 91-94 190 as it is the same basic hull from the windshield back. Fuel injection in 94 and 95 (350 or LT1).
96+ Prostar 205: Open bow multipurpose boat. Will have the best rough water ride and when weighted will throw the best wakeboard wake. Ski wake will still be very good, but not quite as good as the other boats.
Some Tristars fall in your budget, but I don't know anything about them.
H20skeefreek
05-05-2009, 03:47 PM
Don't discount the older boats as well. I have an '85 and love it. You could pay 7k or less for an 85/86, and have an awesome wake. If I had a little bit more money, I'd upgrade to a '94 190/205 with LT1 and a tower and be happy with it forever (as long as it wasn't purple).
Monte
05-05-2009, 04:01 PM
A 1989 prostar 190 fell of Fleabay yesterday with no bids at no reserve for $4500.. Check the ebay thread it may have re appeared...
H20skeefreek
05-05-2009, 04:20 PM
Oh, I have to add, the tri-star is not under-rated IMHO. There is a reason why it was only made for a few years. I don't mean to offend anyone, but if you are ever going to be on public water with the boat, the tri-star isn't for you (for the record, i'd never take my boat on public water again either). And if you are going to be on private water, you are probably going to be too picky for the tri-star.
JohnE
05-05-2009, 04:54 PM
Oh, I have to add, the tri-star is not under-rated IMHO. There is a reason why it was only made for a few years. I don't mean to offend anyone, but if you are ever going to be on public water with the boat, the tri-star isn't for you (for the record, i'd never take my boat on public water again either). And if you are going to be on private water, you are probably going to be too picky for the tri-star.
I'm not following you. I wouldn't recommend the tristar for a serious course skier, but for anything else it ski's well. Especially with a $10K budget. I also don't get the public water comment.:confused: If it is because of rough water and waves over the bow the 197 dunks as easily. I agree about the private water and the tristar.
H20skeefreek
05-05-2009, 05:24 PM
the 197 dunks easily, but not as easily as the tristar. Has anyone ever re-located the fuel tank on a tri? The problem with the tri is the fact that the fuel tank is in front of the cockpit, making it very nose heavy.
Am I correct in the fact that you had a tri? I know several people on here that have had tri's and spoke highly of them, but I've never met anyone OUTSIDE of teamtalk that has owned one and like it. If someone wanted to give me a pull behind one, I'd be more than happy to take it (never turn down a pull) but I don't think I'd buy one.
JohnE
05-05-2009, 05:48 PM
the 197 dunks easily, but not as easily as the tristar. Has anyone ever re-located the fuel tank on a tri? The problem with the tri is the fact that the fuel tank is in front of the cockpit, making it very nose heavy.
Am I correct in the fact that you had a tri? I know several people on here that have had tri's and spoke highly of them, but I've never met anyone OUTSIDE of teamtalk that has owned one and like it. If someone wanted to give me a pull behind one, I'd be more than happy to take it (never turn down a pull) but I don't think I'd buy one.
I did have a tristar 190. And it dunked easily. But when I got my 197 2 years ago, I found/ felt that it dunked just as easily. Or so close that it didn't matter.
I wouldn't advocate a tristar over any 190 for skiing. Nor over the 205 for anything. I just think it isn't as bad as it's sometimes made out to be. Ski wake is good, and the right prop really makes it jump. Platform is small. Quick modification turns the back seat into a sundeck in the same fashion as the 197. But for under $10K and a boat that "boats" better than a 190 it ain't bad.
If you are ever near Boston, I'll take you behind the tristar. I sold it to a buddy on a lake 2 miles from my house.:cool:
Jesus_Freak
05-06-2009, 12:36 PM
Don't discount the older boats as well. I have an '85 and love it. You could pay 7k or less for an 85/86, and have an awesome wake. If I had a little bit more money, I'd upgrade to a '94 190/205 with LT1 and a tower and be happy with it forever (as long as it wasn't purple).
Hey! Keep it clean! :D
damaged442
05-06-2009, 01:43 PM
Man...no love for the Tristar...wth? :confused::D I don't mind mine, especially for what I paid for it. I'd like to get a run behind an 89 Prostar 190 for direct comparison. I'm sure there are differences. I may or may not be experienced enough to detect them. The slalom wake is decent, definitely better than any runabout I've been behind. It's got tracking fins and stays straight with anyone I've towed on a ski. (Can't remember if the 220 has them or not...anyone?) The wake for boarding can be pretty good with some extra people in the boat. It's not big in comparison to any boat that was made for wakeboarding, but I can get some decent pop off it. You do need to watch what others have said about putting the front under with extra weight in the boat. With an open bow I'm sure it's much worse. Even with my closed bow I've put it under once or twice...:D You need to be more aware of the waves and make sure you hit them properly and it's no problem! As far as rough water, is a Prostar of the same period better at handling it? If so, why?
gatorguy
05-08-2009, 04:03 AM
Welcome to the board.
The MariStar boats are all V-drive
All maristar are v-drive's?? I could have sworn I've seen pictures of straight inboards with maristar on the side.
TMCNo1
05-08-2009, 06:44 AM
MariStars came out originally as a direct drive, here is a example, http://www.mastercraft.com/teamtalk/showpost.php?p=592893&postcount=15, (http://www.mastercraft.com/teamtalk/showpost.php?p=592893&postcount=15)
JohnE
05-08-2009, 08:35 AM
Man...no love for the Tristar...wth? :confused::D I don't mind mine, especially for what I paid for it. I'd like to get a run behind an 89 Prostar 190 for direct comparison. I'm sure there are differences. I may or may not be experienced enough to detect them. The slalom wake is decent, definitely better than any runabout I've been behind. It's got tracking fins and stays straight with anyone I've towed on a ski. (Can't remember if the 220 has them or not...anyone?) The wake for boarding can be pretty good with some extra people in the boat. It's not big in comparison to any boat that was made for wakeboarding, but I can get some decent pop off it. You do need to watch what others have said about putting the front under with extra weight in the boat. With an open bow I'm sure it's much worse. Even with my closed bow I've put it under once or twice...:D You need to be more aware of the waves and make sure you hit them properly and it's no problem! As far as rough water, is a Prostar of the same period better at handling it? If so, why?
I had an 89 prostar 190 and and 88 tristar 190 open bow. I got the prostar in '03, and the tristar in '06.
No doubt that the prostar is a better slalom boat. But I still think the tristar was under rated. JMO.
Monte has the tristar 220. It does not have tracking fins, iirc. And he gets a decent wakeboard wake.
The prostar doesn't handle the chop any better from a rough ride point. But it does drive and handle better overall.
Monte
05-08-2009, 08:45 AM
I had an 89 prostar 190 and and 88 tristar 190 open bow. I got the prostar in '03, and the tristar in '06.
No doubt that the prostar is a better slalom boat. But I still think the tristar was under rated. JMO.
Monte has the tristar 220. It does not have tracking fins, iirc. And he gets a decent wakeboard wake.
The prostar doesn't handle the chop any better from a rough ride point. But it does drive and handle better overall.
You are correct. The 220 has no tracking fins. It does have a decent wakeboard wake. My neighbor (and boat mechanic) who has been sloloming since before many of the folks on this board were in diapers says the bump is almost un noticeable at 32 and above.. Not a course boat by any stretch of the imagination, but for the recreational free ski not too shabby.. As for handling chop it does fairly well. I can honestly say I have never burried the bow.
"The MariStar boats are all V-drive and are a lot better for wakeboardin"
Not true as TMCNo1 said. I think you would be hard pressed to find a V drive Maristar for under 10k. We have a 1990 we picked up cheap. Polished it, carpet and reupholstered it and add a few new parts(pitots, raw water pump and a starter) plus some cleaning. The boat looks good and runs great. The boat handles chop well if you know how to drive. Gas tank is in the rear. One day I will have a newer v drive boat. Will pay the house off early first. But for under 10k with an all new interior, hardly anyone knows it is a 19 year old boat and if they do I am proud of the fact that I brought it back.
JohnE
05-08-2009, 09:07 AM
"The MariStar boats are all V-drive and are a lot better for wakeboardin"
Not true as TMCNo1 said. I think you would be hard pressed to find a V drive Maristar for under 10k. We have a 1990 we picked up cheap. Polished it, carpet and reupholstered it and add a few new parts(pitots, raw water pump and a starter) plus some cleaning. The boat looks good and runs great. The boat handles chop well if you know how to drive. Gas tank is in the rear. One day I will have a newer v drive boat. Will pay the house off early first. But for under 10k with an all new interior, hardly anyone knows it is a 19 year old boat and if they do I am proud of the fact that I brought it back.
Pictures, please....:)
Pictures, please....:)
In life I have figured many things out. Posting on TeamTalk is not one of those things. I even read the thread for dummies and no luck. If you know an easy way to do it PM me and I will post them Monday. Promise :D I will be out of town this weekend.
TMCNo1
05-08-2009, 09:35 AM
In life I have figured many things out. Posting on TeamTalk is not one of those things. I even read the thread for dummies and no luck. If you know an easy way to do it PM me and I will post them Monday. Promise :D I will be out of town this weekend.
Click "Post Reply", type message, find the paperclip, click on it, download up to 5 pictures per post from your browser and after downloaded, click "Insert All" and it's done, then click "Submit Reply".
JohnE
05-08-2009, 09:39 AM
In life I have figured many things out. Posting on TeamTalk is not one of those things. I even read the thread for dummies and no luck. If you know an easy way to do it PM me and I will post them Monday. Promise :D I will be out of town this weekend.
I know the feeling, it took me a while to figure it out too. Which part are you having trouble with? Resizing them or attaching them? I'm not even sure you need to resize them these days based on Coz's pics.
But essentially below the reply box is an area that says "additional options". Under that, click "manage attachements". A new screen will pop up. If you then click "browse" you can tell it where to look in your computer. I always save the pics I'm gonna post in "my documents". When you see your photo, double click it and then click upload photo. Then you can click "close this window". You'll be back at the reply page. Click the paperclip and the photo should drop down.
Someone else might be along to explain this better. If you want, I'll talk you through it next week. Send me a PM and I'll give you my number.
47247
If this works that was easy. I have been trying to use the insert image button. This is the only picture I have here at work. I will start a thread to show what I have done. I had planned to share pics since a lot of my questions were answered here. Thanks, this opens a whole new world for me. If this does not work, I will keep trying!
JohnE
05-08-2009, 10:56 AM
47247
If this works that was easy. I have been trying to use the insert image button. This is the only picture I have here at work. I will start a thread to show what I have done. I had planned to share pics since a lot of my questions were answered here. Thanks, this opens a whole new world for me. If this does not work, I will keep trying!
Worked great! Looking forward to more pics next week.:cool: