What's the best slalom boat w/seating room

[athen99]

I'm in the market for a new boat. I currently have a 99' Mastercraft 205V, but I think I'd like a flatter wake so I can get more aggresive. I like the roominess of the boat, but I just don't enjoy jumping the wake while I'm skiing. I've heard that the Malibu Response is the best boat for skiing wake and that the Sunsetter and Wakesetter are pretty good all around boats for room and wake. What would compare to those in the Mastercraft line? Thanks. By the way the boat is for sale $26,000.00.

[USC8791]

Because they are wider, the 190/197 will have more room than your 205. The wake will also be much better.

[east tx skier]

Drive them and ski behind them and the decision should be obvious. You'll see a bias her for, guess what, MC. What's best for you is the question. Good luck.

[3event]

I looked at the Response, also, but liked the quality of build, fit, and finish on Mastercraft much better. Dash, vinyl, trim, gauges.... etc. Have spent a little time riding and driving Malibus. In '02 when I bought you could save a couple of large by going Malibu. Now that Malibu is selling a lot of boats they have figured out they can charge more, and it looks like around here (WI) the Malibu price is nearly as much as MC.

The PS197 is quite roomy and does a great job for slalom and barefooting with the Predator engine (49mph topend). Perfect Pass is a mandatory accessory - you wouldnt know how you lived without it if you don't have it already. I have the rear ballast and it works OK for wakeboard but I am admittedly more tuned to slalom/bft. You can add the mid-ballast and the industrial strength zero flex tower if you want to load it up for boarding.

Good luck!

[COSkier]

I went from a '95 Prostar 205 to a '03 PS197. Lengthwise the boats were within inches of each other but, the PS197 seems about a foot wider (They sat side by side in my garage for two months). The wake on the PS197 is also much smaller with less spray. I ski about 50% behind my PS197 and 50% behind my buddy's '05 Malibu Response LXi. We can't tell any difference between the wakes. The Bu seems to track better and my PS197 has a better holeshot. (That may be the 340HP to my 385HP). You can't go wrong with either of these boats.

[stevo137]

There is a very nice video on the 197 here.
Check it out. Nice swimsuit action too! :D
http://www.waterskimag.com/boat_search.do?product=boat&typeID=181%2C136%2C269%2C270&categoryID=112%2C115&specID=113&from=&to=&year=2005&manufacturerID=17146

[Hoosier Bob]

Nice video Stevo but need more color! Around here all the 197's I see are Navy or Red and look awesome. I think it is the best looking boat made today! No offense to everyone else but that should be my next garage buddy. I will have to add on of course. The motorcycles will probably be gone! I would have liked to have seen the Orange or that Navy in the add.There is a very nice video on the 197 here.
Check it out. Nice swimsuit action too! :D
http://www.waterskimag.com/boat_search.do?product=boat&typeID=181%2C136%2C269%2C270&categoryID=112%2C115&specID=113&from=&to=&year=2005&manufacturerID=17146

[SteveO]

The 197 has a great wake and good room. The LXI Response seems a little bit norrower. Drive and ski them both. If you want a ton of room and a 3 event boat with a slightly larger wake than the 197 the 2003 or newer 209's or 01-02 with the modified hull "hook" may also be an option. Good luck on the new ride.

[zberger]

The 197 has a great wake and good room. The LXI Response seems a little bit norrower. Drive and ski them both. If you want a ton of room and a 3 event boat with a slightly larger wake than the 197 the 2003 or newer 209's or 01-02 with the modified hull "hook" may also be an option. Good luck on the new ride.

what about a tige with the TAPS system?

[gene dobies]

I looked at the Response, also, but liked the quality of build, fit, and finish on Mastercraft much better. Dash, vinyl, trim, gauges.... etc. Have spent a little time riding and driving Malibus. In '02 when I bought you could save a couple of large by going Malibu. Now that Malibu is selling a lot of boats they have figured out they can charge more, and it looks like around here (WI) the Malibu price is nearly as much as MC.

The PS197 is quite roomy and does a great job for slalom and barefooting with the Predator engine (49mph topend). Perfect Pass is a mandatory accessory - you wouldnt know how you lived without it if you don't have it already. I have the rear ballast and it works OK for wakeboard but I am admittedly more tuned to slalom/bft. You can add the mid-ballast and the industrial strength zero flex tower if you want to load it up for boarding.

Good luck! How could one ge 49mph out of a predator engine on a 197? I have a 2005 ps190 with the LQ9 engine and get just 49/50mph out of mine. The ps190 is a little lighter than the 197 also.

[RobertT]

I thought the same thing. I have a new X7/197 with the MCX and it tops out at 46mph tested with a GPS.

[east tx skier]

There is a very nice video on the 197 here.
Check it out. Nice swimsuit action too! :D
http://www.waterskimag.com/boat_search.do?product=boat&typeID=181%2C136%2C269%2C270&categoryID=112%2C115&specID=113&from=&to=&year=2005&manufacturerID=17146

I wish MC would post that Prostar Commercial in the "downloads" section. It makes a very strong case. ;)

[Ric]

Supra has the most seating room and best wake in the business .

[east tx skier]

Ric, you trying to get banned or something?

[Ric]

Ric, you trying to get banned or something?
uh oh!!!!!
I just installed this new spam, popup, firewall and virus software and now I cannot add smilies to my posts and when I click "Reply", it automatically quotes the previous post rather than requiring me to click "Quote" Weird

bottom line, is that my Wink smilie didn't appear on my S post
I think newb might be a troll so I was having a little fun
sorry tmc police!

[zberger]

Ric, you trying to get banned or something?

I gotta admit it.. I love the layout of the Malibu WakeSetter LSV and WakeSetter 23 Xti

But, my sights are still set on an MC.. the quality and workmanship is just too much for me to pass up.

[zberger]

uh oh!!!!!
I just installed this new spam, popup, firewall and virus software and now I cannot add smilies to my posts and when I click "Reply", it automatically quotes the previous post rather than requiring me to click "Quote" Weird

bottom line, is that my Wink smilie didn't appear on my S post
I think newb might be a troll so I was having a little fun
sorry tmc police!

what did you install?

[east tx skier]

LOL! Rick, try "semicolan" "close parentheses," i.e. ; ) , but with no space between them. Should give you the winky guy.

[ajgressette]

I cant say what is the best boat because everyone has specific needs, likes and dislikes. I have the Powerstar 200. Room and speed have never been an issue. Wake is kinda small but she will do over 60 with 8 persons onboard.

:rant: I would rather paddle a Mastercraft than ski behind another boat. :rant:

[RedStar]

:cool: :purplaugh

[jamisonsbrodie]

Are you looking to buy new or used? price range?

[SteveO]

I gotta admit it.. I love the layout of the Malibu WakeSetter LSV and WakeSetter 23 Xti

But, my sights are still set on an MC.. the quality and workmanship is just too much for me to pass up.

If you are thinking about those two BU's, the wake on the 197 will be non existent and the 209- X9 would still be a improvement over those and your 205V. The room on the 209 - X9 has to be close to the LSV and the Xti.

[rodltg2]

supra sucks. dealer here is even worse. when i went shopping for a new boat i checked out supra , or really tried , they didnt have on on the floor. the sales guys tried to sell me the outback. i just laughed at him. he was selling the new outback for about the same as i was selling my 5 year old mb.

[east tx skier]

Not having a ski-specific boat on the floor isn't just a Supra issue, unfortunately. My brother-in-law has a 99 Supra comp and it skis well. Indmar Chevy 350. The wake is a tad tall, but extremely soft. The electrical issues he was having turned out to be only a bad battery. That said, I prefer my boat 7 days a week and twice on Sunday. But I'd never turn down a set behind his boat.

[east tx skier]

... the 209- X9 would still be a improvement over those and your 205V. .... I have no personal experience with the 209/X9, but there are several people on this board who have commented that the 205V has a preferable slalom wake. Again, I don't really have an opinion on the subject, but it has come up several times.

[Ric]

supra sucks. dealer here is even worse. when i went shopping for a new boat i checked out supra , or really tried , they didnt have on on the floor. the sales guys tried to sell me the outback. i just laughed at him. he was selling the new outback for about the same as i was selling my 5 year old mb.
you know I was kidding about the S, right rod?
I actually did the same as you and nope, the closest they had on hand was an inboard version of the launch(LTS, I think) which is basically on open bow comp boat with a tower, graphics and ballast standard.
I skiid it and it's cool boat but pales in comparison to my 197 fit, finish and skiability. S is not much cheaper here in Houston either.

[athen99]

Ric, I'm not a troll! I have a MC and pretty much will stay that way , but when spending 40 G's I'd like to make sure I wasn't just buying the name in today's competitive market. I've driven several boats and have decided with the 197. Thanks for all the input.

[bret]

If your in it for the wake and performance, then it's really hard to beat the wake of a 94 PS190, not to mention that a mint one can be had with less than 400 hrs for $16.5k and less. It also depends on what line length you ski and if in the course. Once you get to 28 off, most of the wakes are VERY close. But good luck with the 197.

[aprgriggs]

Love my X9...lots of room.

[stevo137]

X Boat for slalom??????? :confused:

[SKI*MC]

All an X boat is, is a PS or Maristar with an X-Package, basically different graphics and standard tower and ballast.

Anyways, i love the 197, even though i dont have one, it is the nicest thing i have ever ridden behind. Even so, if the wakes dont get you sold, then its the craftsmanship and attention to detail. I was at the Malibu open and they had some boats sitting out, some of the gliches that i noticed on a Malibu would have never passed the test with an MC inspector.

[Hoosier Bob]

I agree Stevo. I rotate with an X-9 and it is an awesome boat but no where near the wake ours lays down. That is if you can actually call bubbles a wake! I did hit the back flip on the kneeboard behind the X-9 and it is a blast no doubt. I enjoy both but "X" is extreme and PS190 is good old fashioned skiing. I almost felt like I was cheating behind the X-9! Talk about air! One of the best made boats I have seen and been on and all the room in the world compared to the 190.X Boat for slalom??????? :confused:

[stevo137]

It all depends on what you're looking for.

[Larryp]

I have seen a lot lot of new malibus out at the river and can I just say that their boats are the equilivant to the dodge little red truck. What an ugly line of boats.

[Andyg]

I looked at the Response, also, but liked the quality of build, fit, and finish on Mastercraft much better. Dash, vinyl, trim, gauges.... etc. Have spent a little time riding and driving Malibus. In '02 when I bought you could save a couple of large by going Malibu. Now that Malibu is selling a lot of boats they have figured out they can charge more, and it looks like around here (WI) the Malibu price is nearly as much as MC.

The PS197 is quite roomy and does a great job for slalom and barefooting with the Predator engine (49mph topend). Perfect Pass is a mandatory accessory - you wouldnt know how you lived without it if you don't have it already. I have the rear ballast and it works OK for wakeboard but I am admittedly more tuned to slalom/bft. You can add the mid-ballast and the industrial strength zero flex tower if you want to load it up for boarding.

Good luck!

You can get 49MPH with the 310 HP engine in a PS197? Have you calibrated your speedometers with a GPS? I have a hard time believing you can go that fast with a 197 Hull. My 2003 PS197 tops out at about 42.5MPH with the 350 HP MCX.

[Andyg]

I thought the same thing. I have a new X7/197 with the MCX and it tops out at 46mph tested with a GPS.


What transmission do you have and what prop? I must have gotten an engine on the low end of the power curve.

Thanks

Andyg

[WallenpaupackPA]

I have a 2005 X-2 (same hull as a PS205V) and the wake is very skiable. However, the 209/X-9 wake is definitely smaller. Taking it one step further, the 197/X-7 wake is very possibly the best in the industry. I went to the WWSP tournament in Queens a few weeks ago and the 197 pulled all the pros. The boats looked awesome. I have to agree with the comment that somebody made either in this thread or elsewhere that the 197 is probably the best looking boat on the water. Put a mini-tower on it and some ballast (or buy an X-7) and you've got a very verstile but ski oriented boat. Put wakeboard racks on one side of the tower and ski racks on the other, and you've got a fantastic package.