New to me 96 prostar 205

[stuttgart]

Woohoo, just bought a 1996 Prostar 205, FANTASTIC boat. It needed a little TLC, but its in great shape. A couple questions:

1.)The decals were a slightly damaged so I went ahead and removed them from one side, soon to do the other as well, then buff and polish the hull. I can get the older style decals but I was thinking of getting newer mastercraft logo decals. what do you guys think?

2.)I have been having a hell of a time bleeding the surge brakes, the manual explains how to compress the cylinder with a screwdriver from underneath, but I have yet to get new fluid out of the one side and I only get sludge out. Any tricks?

3.) The rear seat (aluminum honeycomb material) and vinyl seems to need some work like every other boat I looked at. what has everyone done to address this?

So far its performed flawlessly I love it, is there anything I should look out for?

IMG_0149.jpg IMG_0152.jpg

[erkoehler]

Be sure to pick up a spare impellar.


Boat looks awesome.

[Ryan]

Nice buy! I'd go for the newer decals, but I'm a little biased. Look at the pics in my gallery (camera icon) you'll have a pretty good idea of what one alternative decal set would look like on your paint scheme. TScott also has a '96 205 (http://www.tmcowners.com/market/showproduct.php?product=670&sort=1&cat=all&page=1) in the Marketplace with some domed white decals that are a nice middle ground between your OEM and mine. He had some bigger pics somewhere, maybe they were on Boattrader? I have my part # laying around here somewhere if your interested. I know I've got a pic or two of a 205 with my decals (same paint) somewhere too.

[SD190EVO]

My perspective on the decals is a bid different.

I have them on my 01 and I think they look great but they are super expensive (one side for my 01 Sammy is $350!!!!). They do not seem to adhere as well as standard flat decals. I've had them get peeled off by the water. Then you have to pray your dealer has an extra "r" in his shop so you dont have to drop that $350 meanwhile your running around with a MasterC aft and I really hate that.

The honeycomb floors are really 'non servicable'. Once they start to de-laminate, I think you have to can them. You then either buy new honeycomb from your dealer ($$$!!!) or substitute with some other heavier solution. You can usually pull the carpet off the floor panel and then reinstall it over your new panel.

Good luck with the new ride!! Looks very nice.

[jrcarte78]

Sorry, small threadjack.....

Stuttgart, Arkansas??

[east tx skier]

The honeycomb floors are really 'non servicable'. Once they start to de-laminate, I think you have to can them. You then either buy new honeycomb from your dealer ($$$!!!) or substitute with some other heavier solution. You can usually pull the carpet off the floor panel and then reinstall it over your new panel.

Good luck with the new ride!! Looks very nice.

I think he said the HCAL in his rear seat. Either way, SD190EVO is right on. Probably best to just go with replacing the base with wood and treat it with some marine epoxy. Some additional supports for rigidity in the middle would probably be a good idea.

As for anything else, I'd check your impeller, clean your flame arrestor, make sure your belts are tight and your hoses are in good shape. Other than that, have fun.

[Evan Jones]

Nice lookin boat ! What brand tower is that? I've had my '97 205 for 9 years now with no problems. They are great boats.

[Jim@BAWS]

Need stickers

Call us at Bay Area WaterSports we may have what you need
or at least close

(813) 996 2297

ca.baws@verizon.net

[Kevin 89MC]

Nice boat! Welcome aboard. For the brakes, I use the hand held vacuum pump device (I think mine is a Mity Vac or something similar), found at your local auto parts store. IMHO it works much better than pumping the cylinder.
Good luck.

[stuttgart]

Thanks for the tips guys.

the tower is by 13th floor

As for my username, i'm not in arkansas, i'm outside of charlotte nc.