How drastic are the changes between the first and second generation 205 hull?

[fombyjambox]

Hello there!

My wife and I are planning to buy our first family boat in the coming months and after months of reading and debating I've narrowed my focus down on a 90's model ProStar 205. We're after a well rounded 'crossover' boat as I like to ski (the wife does a bit, but she rides in or drives the boat for the most part) and would like to learn how to wakeboard, and we have 3 kids that like to tube and also want to learn to wakeboard. That gets me to my question; just how much different are the two generations of the 205 hull? In your opinion, is the 2nd gen hull so much better as a crossover that I should only consider a 96 or newer? I'd like to keep my out the door costs under 20k so I should easily be able to find a 96 or 97 in that range, but I've also seen some pretty sweet looking deals on 1st gen models, hence me asking the question here now.

I grew up skiing behind I/O's and while I like to ski/carve/turn hard as if I'm running the course, I rarely, if ever will actually be running the course so I'm guessing that any DD wake will be a huge improvement over what I'm used to. Everything I've read indicates (including the great thread covering the history of the 205 hull here on team talk) that the 2nd gen hull is much better for boarding at the expense of the slalom wake, but I'm trying to get a feel for HOW much worse the slalom wake is and how much better the boarding wake is. It's really going to be hard for me to get pulls behind any of these boats as I just don't know anyone that owns either of them so I'm hoping some of the gurus here might be able to help point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance!

[Tom Jones]

I have owned and skiid behind an IO and I have owned and skiid behind a 1994 205. The 1994 205 is an excellent slalom boat. The wake I think is every bit as good as the 197 I have now. My son liked to wakeboard and no matter how much weight we put in the 205 we could not get a decent wakeboard wake from it. I trick ski also and the wake sucked for trick skiing. So, I went to the 197 and the slalom and trick wakes are great. The wakeboard wake with a 650lb sac is intermediate and much better than the 205. As for the 1997 to 2000 205 is throws an awesome wakeboard wake when loaded. I have slalomed behind a 1997 205 in a tournament at 34 mph and it was quite good.I was surprised actually. So, for an all round boat my vote would be for the 1997 - 2000 205.

[fombyjambox]

Great! That's exactly the type of information I was after. Thanks so much!! That's very helpful in narrowing down my search.

[rspiecha]

I've had the 94 Prostar 205, and my neighbor had the 96 Prostar 205, honestly, I prefer the 96 because of the bow diving on the 94. The 96 had more capacity to hold weight than the 94. I had to only keep kids in the front, or be very careful of turns or rollers. Storage was better on the 96. Now all out turning and acceleration and sports car feels goes to the 94.

Rob

[Ski-me]

That 205 year comparison is excellent and it's how I actually selected my 94' 205.

Although a friend has a 2000 205 and I've never ridden in it, I will share his thoughts. Driving the 94' he said it felt more like a sports car when compared to his. For some reason, it felt more agile driving it. He also said the 94's wake was slightly better than his for skiing. Neither one of us wakeboards so he didn't have much to say there.

This last summer in Idaho I had another Mastercraft skiing near me and eventually came up to us after skiing. They came up in about a 2005 or so, Prostar 190 and commented about my ski wake. They thought that their wake was not as smooth as my 94' and asked if I would ski behind theirs to see if I noticed a difference. Taking every opportunity to ski behind a nice (and much newer boat), I took them up on the offer. What I noticed was that the 190 had a remarkably close wake compared to my 94. I was pleasantly surprised actually. Afterwards, I did tell them it was slightly better than mine but not much, if at all. I was happy to know my wake was awesome and even if I paid another $15k - $20k more, I wasn't gaining all that much!

The 94 has lower sides than the newer ones and sits a little lower. This does allow for folks to get a little water spray if conditions are not ideal. It doesn't really concern me and it's a very rare occurance but something to note. The 96+ has higher siderails so if you have little ones (under 6 or 7) the higher might make you feel a little safer. In fact, because of this, my sister-in-law would like a boat and I am zoning pretty hard on model year 2000 for her. She still has small kids and is widowed so she is the only adult with 4 kids. Just a little more safe. I also like the look of the 2000 interior compared to the 96 to 99 era.

Sorry, I can't comment on the wakeboarding wake.

[Tom Jones]

I would agree, my 1994 205 was very nimble but took on water from the bow often if I didn't pay attention. By the way, the 197 nose dives just as much as the 1994 205. The 2nd generation 205 will handle the family for an outing much better than the 1st generation hull.

[fombyjambox]

Man, I've been lurking on this forum for quite some time and it's been great. It's even better now that I've signed on and posted a question. What a great group! Thanks so much for the responses!

I've wanted a MasterCraft since I was a kid and can't wait to get one!

[Ski-me]

I pretty much grew up on I/O boats and switching to the inboard is a true delight. Either one you pick will be great! I don't ski the course either but have tried....it's very addicting and a lot of fun! I mostly free ski.....

If you can get perfect pass in it, that's great! I added mine and I will say it has paid itself in spades. Everyone gets a great pull, with respect to speed. The kids love it too because they have their own "setting" and makes them feel good. If just free skiing, you don't necessarily need the top notch GPS based one. I found a used brain and got new gage, wiring and servo. A great investment.

Also, heaters are great! Definitely worth looking for if possible. Showers.....well, I have never used mine but always use the heater.

[Ski-me]

Man, I've been lurking on this forum for quite some time and it's been great. It's even better now that I've signed on and posted a question. What a great group! Thanks so much for the responses!

I've wanted a MasterCraft since I was a kid and can't wait to get one!

Same here!!

Just remember that you need to budget money for the extra "gear" after the purchase.

Skis, life jackets, ropes, bumpers, tube, wetsuits.....

Also, a boom bar is really great! Definitely worth it if you have kids. You can pretty much teach anyone to ski with that thing. Usually can find one used (Barefoot International, prefered).

[Barefooter92]

Welcom to TT! I had the same delima as you on the 205. I ended up with a 97. The early 205 has an unmached wake for skiing (for a family boat) the older 205 has the best all around wake with great skiing. I am just learning the course and this boat is well advanced for me. Barefooting is my thing and taking the family is important also. For the money the newer 205 is your best option. The fuel injection Chevy ranked high on my list as well. Good luck with the find!

Kevin

[jconover]

I want to second that boom comment. I've been trying to teach 3 grown adults to ski for 5 years. I bought the MC and a boom this year and I had them up in 2 minutes. They can now all deep water start as well. Incredible teaching tool

[captain planet]

I want to second that boom comment. I've been trying to teach 3 grown adults to ski for 5 years. I bought the MC and a boom this year and I had them up in 2 minutes. They can now all deep water start as well. Incredible teaching tool

X3 on the boom recommendation, best money you will ever spend on an "extra" for your boat. It's so important I don't consider it an "extra". It's just as important as the gas you need for a day on the water.

[tlcrichardson]

Same here!!

Just remember that you need to budget money for the extra "gear" after the purchase.

Skis, life jackets, ropes, bumpers, tube, wetsuits.....

Also, a boom bar is really great! Definitely worth it if you have kids. You can pretty much teach anyone to ski with that thing. Usually can find one used (Barefoot International, prefered).

AND GAS money needs to be figured in. They are pricey but once you got an MC you will be happy to keep it full.

[tlcrichardson]

I went with a Maristar, because everyone wants to ride in the boat to see each other ski. So now we can load up everyone and enjoy the fun together. Yes big ski wake but the kid are more into boarding so that works for me. I just can not believe I waited so long to get a Mastercraft. 43 years old before I got my first and never expect our camp not to have one on the dock.

[bkblaida]

Another like report from those above.......we went from a 185 Sea Ray I/O to a 1997 PS 205
Wanted the newer hull and higher sides, but mostly wanted the fuel injection. My daughter and I slalom..course and free ski and my other 2 children wakeboard. The 205 does it all very well. With just a little bit of looking you will find a great 96 or newer 205 in great shape with acceptable hours. You will never be sorry you purchased a Mastercraft.
Heater is a great addition, and I echo getting a boom we use ours all the time.
Good Luck

[east tx skier]

I have owned a 93 205 and spend plenty of time behind a 98 205. While the 98 is nice to ski behind, the slalom wake is a good deal larger. In my opinion, the 92--95 hull is much preferred for its slalom wake. As mentioned, handling, roominess, etc. will tip the other way.

[91ps190]

So are the hulls and ski wakes the same between the '98 and the 2006 205/x9? Thinaking about changing from our 91 ps 190 to a 06 x9.

[east tx skier]

The X9 is based on the Maristar 210 hull. The direct drive 205 is the same from 96--2000, after which point it was discontinued. The vdrive 205, continued on as the Prostar 205V, X2, and ultimately and currently, the X1. The 209 wake is very different from either generation 205 wakes, which were very narrow.

[91ps190]

So any idea if the wake is ok on the x9? Not course skiing, just open water but hard skiing.

[brat]

I've got a '96 205 with a tower on it. From a slalom standpoint we hang with some people that have a '84 S & S and a '02 BU response LXI. Everybody says my slalom wake is superior to both those at 34 to 36 mph. As far as the wakeboard wake goes I guess it does the job I've had a bunch of kids ride behind it throw tons of tricks and flips. We don't add any ballast just some big O-Line built guys and ride. Mine has the LT1 and tops out at 49 mph. I've pulled a bunch of guys long line barefooting and they say its the best pull on the water. I guess I'm biased cause I own one but I think its the most versatile boat on the water. We've even surfed behind it some.

[east tx skier]

I would agree to most versatile MC.

[Ski-me]

Pic of my mom's SeaRay 185 and my 94' 205. Big difference in the front bow area.....

[DeVrieski]

Though I am a newbie to the Mastercraft family, I have skied behind a tournament boat since 91. Our family bought a 1991 Supra Comp brand new and I skied behind it all growing up. I just sold it this summer and bought a 2000 Prostar 205 (same hull as 96 and newer). I am blown away by what this boat is able to do. I ski behind it early in the morning then surf behind it later in the afternoon when the water gets rough. I do think the wake behind the 94 and older 205 is slightly better for slalom (I have skied behind a friends a number of times) but my 2000 prostar 205 is a better wake than my 91 closed bow Supra by far and it makes a great crossover boat. My wife also likes the fact that it feels and handles more like a bigger boat. Our lake gets pretty rough during the day and in our closed bow we never went out because it would beat us up. With this new boat, though it is no rough water queen, it certainly handles it OK and we have never swamped the boat (even when taking some really large wakes from cabin cruisers). I can't say enough how much we love our 205.

[Honkity Hank]

This is the first year for me and our 2000 205 and as such can only offer a few observations. We really have enjoyed the boat, the wake, from my perspective is fine, I have nothing really to compare it too other than it being a damn sight better than any other (non tournament style) boat I see out on the lake. Plenty of room with the bow seating area, great power (LTR 330HP and powerslot). I really have no complaints with this craft, well made, solid performer, nice driver, easy to trailer, good to swim off of, good to tube behind, a great all around recreational boat. Even our German Shepherd likes it.