Why should I buy a Mastercraft?

[jlykins]

Hello All,

I have owned a boat, 1996 Maxum, for 3 years now. I am probably going to buy a new boat later this year or early next year. I had never really looked a Mastercraft before, but I just happened to be at Shanghai Marina this weekend at Norris Lake and saw everyone there for the family reunion. You guys sure know how to have fun and you have some great boats.I even sat in the corner through some of your awards.

Knowing you folks are a fun & vocal bunch, I'd like to get your opinion of why I should make my first new a Mastercraft? We like to cruse, tube and some skiing. My kids are just now getting into ski's and showing an interest in in wakeboarding. I was looking at a Cobalt bowrider or a Searay deck boat. As far as size goes, something 22' to 28'.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[G-man]

Please decide on a boat after first skiing & driving several brands of boats. Next talk with local owners and find out which brand dealership in your area has the best service department from a standpoint of how long to get a boat in for service and the quality of service received. This time of year is a real good time to find out how long till they could get your boat in for service, just call and ask how long would it take to get an oil and impeller change, ask price also. I like the drive of 21 - 22 ft boats the best. The bigger boats just don't handle the same.

[Cloaked]

Hello All,

I have owned a boat, 1996 Maxum, for 3 years now. I am probably going to buy a new boat later this year or early next year. I had never really looked a Mastercraft before, but I just happened to be at Shanghai Marina this weekend at Norris Lake and saw everyone there for the family reunion. You guys sure know how to have fun and you have some great boats.I even sat in the corner through some of your awards.

Knowing you folks are a fun & vocal bunch, I'd like to get your opinion of why I should make my first new a Mastercraft? We like to cruse, tube and some skiing. My kids are just now getting into ski's and showing an interest in in wakeboarding. I was looking at a Cobalt bowrider or a Searay deck boat. As far as size goes, something 22' to 28'.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.Just keep reading the board... :steering: :banana:

All-in-all, MCs and inboards alike offer a different realm of performance over outboards and I/Os. There's a list a mile long which eventually becomes a lifestyle more so than a single selection of a boat........ It's all here... Welcome aboard... :steering:

[Bert]

Drive it, Ski and board behind it and then decide.

[Leroy]

Maristars, X-Stars and the big 280 if you really want 28 feet of boat. I often hear of Cobalt as equivalent to the MC's in quality, attention to detail, but more of a cruising/riding boat. MasterCrafts in the size you mention will perform well cruising/riding, but are great for wakeboarding and ok for skiing (big wake, even at speed).


I have a Maristar 230 and it reminds me of the quality of my Lexus LX470. If you like seeing your purchase hold value, want something nice to have for many-many years, normally not have many problems, usually they are taken care of when they happen, MC is great.

As you look and get more questions ask away and welcome aboard!

[Hoosier Bob]

:twocents: Most of your top shelf inboards are awesome. Inboards are incredible at speed. They typically will not go over 50 mph but offer performance and build quality matched by nothing else. If you went with the Cobalt you would have a special, well made boat as I/O's go. The Cobalt looks like an I/O MC 197 on steroids (not a bad thing). The difference will be the test drive, purchase experience and support following the sale. The group on this site are extremely helpful and will be helpful with all concerns. Another MC on the water is another great pull and someone else to join us on the drinkin' thread.
Good luck!

[Maristar210]

I can help with this, perhaps;

Here I was at the boat show in January of 2005. I was going back and forth between the Cobalt 20 and the Mastercraft 210 Maristar.

Both great boats mind you.

Four issues swayed me to the Mastercraft and YES it was, and is, my first.

1.) Draft of the vessel
2.) Benefits of an Inboard
3.) Easily removable swim platform and @ water level
4.) DEALER SERVICE

These four things the Cobalt guy literally "threw his arms in the air" and said there is nothing we have to match that but the Cobalt is a great boat.

He was right. But the BEST boat is a Mastercraft.

Read on....

Enjoy.....

Let the justification begin.......

good luck
Steve

[ryanbush]

We have owned both a cobalt and 2 mastercrafts. there are a few things that a cobalt will do that a MC won't, we had a 262 with a 496 HO, and the boat would run 62-65mph in rough water, it would also out ride our X80 hands down, and the x80/280 is by far the best ride that mastercraft offers. another thing that the cobalt offered in my opinion was a little better quality. the dash was real wood, teak floor, better seat cushions, and vinyl. there are a few other things not worth mentioning, but all in all i think that the exterior quality is about the same, cobalt just a little better on the interior
not trying to swing you one way or the other just letting you know the other side, you should go to both dealerships, look in and out throughly of the boats that interest you, narrow them down to the few that you like the most and then test drive them.

Good Luck!!

[Tom023]

I think your decision should be based on what your priorities are in a boat. You mention that you want to do "cruising and some skiing," and are considering a Cobalt and a deck boat. In my mind, those who buy MC's, or other DD/VD boats like these, place water sports activities at the top of the priority list, cruising and general boating second. The Cobalt and Sea Ray will be better for running around the lake, especially in less than ideal conditions, and sure, your can do some sports ok behind them. The MC will be a better water sports boat and less of a cruiser. If you narrow it down to a DD/VD boat, then drive it and go through it and compare, you'll land on the MC for the quality and for the company.

[WakePowell]

I just made the change from Cobalt (227) to Mastercraft (X-45) this year. The Cobalt was an awesome boat and performed well but was mediocre when it came to water sports. Here are some of the things that swayed me towards Mastercraft:

· Incredible amount of storage
· Seating layout is the best in the industry
· Built in coolers that are not found in other inboard/v-drive boats
· Great wake for wakeboarding and surfing
· Large gel-coat color selection to make the boats “individualized”
· Comparable build quality to Cobalt
· Awesome wakeboard tower and racks

You really cannot make a bad choice between Cobalt and Mastercraft. If you are going to ski, wakeboard, or surf behind your new boat the Mastercraft will out perform any I/O.

[SKI*MC]

If you go to a MasterCraft dealer, ask if they have the Rewind video, it gives a lot of insite about there lines of boats, from Prostar, X Serises, and Maristar. As for what boat to go with. I have never really looked at Cobalt, but for all around superiority in crusing and skiing, check out the Maristar line. go to www.mastercraft.com and design a boat. See what you like. Welcome aboard!

[ski_king]

Once you try a direct drive (or v-drive) there will be no going back to an I/O.
Check all the brands out, take them for a test drive and try skiing/wakeboarding behind them all, check the construction. Go on the factory tour.

My guess is you will chose MasterCraft.

Thats what I did 23 years ago, still have the same boat, I know I made the right decision.

[Cloaked]

Once you try a direct drive (or v-drive) there will be no going back to an I/O.
Check all the brands out, take them for a test drive and try skiing/wakeboarding behind them all, check the construction. Go on the factory tour.

My guess is you will chose MasterCraft.

Thats what I did 23 years ago, still have the same boat, I know I made the right decision. >>> DING! DING! DING! We have a winner here!!! :banana: <<<

[SteveO]

If watersports are at the top of the list, you can not go wrong with the big 3 in comp ski boats (MC, BU and Ski N). As you look at the big 3 of comp boats, you should find a good mix of value and features in a package that holds it's value second to none in MC. While the MC's will not be the best open water cruise boat, they will perform extremely well and will not lack the performance the aspiring wakeboarder or waterskier will enjoy. If they have ANY desire to ski or board, you won't have to look across the lake and listen to them say... Wow dad look at that cool ski boat (A Mastercraft ) and regret your purchase decision

[jayocheskey]

Keep in mind, at this site every opinion is at least somewhat biased toward MasterCraft. Now having said that, every boat owner here also went through what you are right now as well. The shopping experience is where you really learn what your family will "fit" in. IMO, if you want to cruise around on the water and have lunch while adrift, Cobalt is not a good choice. BUT, if you and your kids want a boat to perform and increase your skill level involving watersports of any kind -- your boat will be an M/C hands down.

[ajgressette]

Performance, resale and service. Take a test drive and see. Oh and Mastercraft uses no wood in the hull.

Why cant it be Friday?

[H2OGirl]

My husband and I just switched from a Sea Ray 220 Select with a factory tower last year and bought our first MC. I will say the Sea Ray definitly had better top end speed and handled cruising the river much better, especially in rougher water. My husband and I are more into the water sports more than just cruising so the MC ended up being the right choice for us. They are great for watersports and not so bad at cruising depending on what you would get. I say test drive lots of them, see what you like about each. Our Sea Ray did well for wakeboarding, we added weight to it to get a nice wake but we got tired of filling fat sacks to wakeboard so we chose a boat with factory ballast. If you settle on an Inboard IMO the Mastercraft was the best boat for the money looking at quality, re-sale, customer service. Let us know what you decide on.

[Granite_33]

Maybe the question should be.....why should I buy a Cobalt and NOT a Mastercraft? Can you talk yourself into that one? :D

If there is a chance your kids could get really serious about skiing and wakeboarding.......buying a Mastercraft today will keep you from having to buy a Mastercraft in 3 or 4 years. MC is a watersports boat. I/O's are cruisers.

Build quality is outstanding.
Good Warranty.
Dealer support is solid. (Yes, some bad ones are out there)
Factory Support is outstanding, and my perception is that the Dealers and factory keep in good contact.
Depreciation is very good (You will be able to get more out of a used Mastercraft than you will out of a used I/O)
Storage.
Ballast.
Huge swim platforms
The list goes on............

Good luck with your decision. :banana:

[JEREMY79]

I would say resale.

I have a '79 and I could sell it for more than it sold for new.

[peason]

As I sat on my MC the other day on the lake, I was reminded of why I love having my direct drive boat. I own a 2002 Prostar 209 w/ a tower - so I have a ton of room for all of our water sports gear. I was watching a skier being pulled for a start on a slalom ski - by an I/O - the skier was about 6 foot and weighed probably 200 lbs. It took him forever to hold on in order to just get up and if he didn't have some experience, he probably would not have been able to hold on for the start.

Direct Drives and V-drives have a lot of torque - it doesn't take much to pull up heavier or multiple skiers. If you have ever been to a water ski show, notice how many skiers they get up behind a Master Craft or other direct drive boat. Yes, I/O's have greater top end speed for cruising, but if the goal is to enjoy water sports then an inboard is the way to go.

I am on my second direct drive - I had a 1984 Ski Nautique made by Correct Craft. I was the 2nd owner and had this boat for 10 years, 4 kids later we just needed more room for gear and friends so we bought the 209. I was able to sell a 20 year boat for approx. $1800 more than I bought if for - of course I did make some improvements, like new vinyl interior.

Another reason why I love my direct drive is the safety factor - no prop hanging out the back to injure someone. We also have a boom that we can extend out the side of the boat to teach others how to ski and barefoot - this is a great tool for new skiers. We can talk the skier through the start and get them used to skiing before they go on long line. We love water sports and the ability to do several different "events" with our boat like ski, tube, kneeboard, wakeboard and barefoot ski.

I do think the Cobalt is a very well made boat, but if you are going to get into water sports then I would look at Master Craft more seriously or another inboard make.

Good luck with your decision and let us know what you decided.

[east tx skier]

Welcome!

I'll parrot what George said about dealer service. Most of us here own MCs. All of us think they are great boats or we would spend so much time here. But if you don't have a good local dealer, to back up the brand you choose, the great experience I've had with my MC might not be the same for you.

Apart from that, ski behind it, drive it, and go into the deal informed. That way, you'll ask the right questions and know you made the right decision.

Do a search here for threads about buying a new boat. There's a ton of info on things to look for. Good luck.

[Granite_33]

As I sat on my MC the other day on the lake, I was reminded of why I love having my direct drive boat. I own a 2002 Prostar 209 w/ a tower - so I have a ton of room for all of our water sports gear. I was watching a skier being pulled for a start on a slalom ski - by an I/O - the skier was about 6 foot and weighed probably 200 lbs. It took him forever to hold on in order to just get up and if he didn't have some experience, he probably would not have been able to hold on for the start.

Direct Drives and V-drives have a lot of torque - it doesn't take much to pull up heavier or multiple skiers. If you have ever been to a water ski show, notice how many skiers they get up behind a Master Craft or other direct drive boat. Yes, I/O's have greater top end speed for cruising, but if the goal is to enjoy water sports then an inboard is the way to go.

I am on my second direct drive - I had a 1984 Ski Nautique made by Correct Craft. I was the 2nd owner and had this boat for 10 years, 4 kids later we just needed more room for gear and friends so we bought the 209. I was able to sell a 20 year boat for approx. $1800 more than I bought if for - of course I did make some improvements, like new vinyl interior.

Another reason why I love my direct drive is the safety factor - no prop hanging out the back to injure someone. We also have a boom that we can extend out the side of the boat to teach others how to ski and barefoot - this is a great tool for new skiers. We can talk the skier through the start and get them used to skiing before they go on long line. We love water sports and the ability to do several different "events" with our boat like ski, tube, kneeboard, wakeboard and barefoot ski.

I do think the Cobalt is a very well made boat, but if you are going to get into water sports then I would look at Master Craft more seriously or another inboard make.

Good luck with your decision and let us know what you decided.
You hit the nail on the head with all the points you made!! My X-9 has more storage than I know what to do with now, and I absolutely love it.

Top speed is great.....but what else can you do going 60MPH but hold on!!