Help Wanted

[thughes]

I am currently very interested in buying a late 80s early 90s Mastercraft. I have looked at the Maristar (Which i missed out on by a day in Colorado) and now a 88 Tristar. I am hoping I can get some advice from current owners. Any recommendations , comments or suggestions as to what to look for and avoid would be great. I have only owned Glastrons.
Thanks

[MASTIQUE]

I think it would help if you told up what you want to do on the water and detail about how your family plans to use it?

[thughes]

We go out most weekends I 15 minutes door to water. I am the only skier right now , slolam but I have a 4.6.8 yo kids so wakeboarding is in my future.

[MASTIQUE]

If I were you I'd keep my eye out for a 205 Prostar, 210 or 225 maristar. With the kids you have you will want some space for sure. If you could find an older version of this, wow. I love this boat but a little high and maybe too new for you.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/maste...item231a6eadbb

[Jerseydave]

I agree with mastique on his suggestions. What is your price range?

Add a prostar 209/X9 to that mix too. I little more space than the 205.

[thughes]

I am looking at around 10K. Having spent the day reading threads, ( this is a fantastic web site for into ) Prostar might be too cramp with 3 kids + more sometime. The tristar sounds appealing but that back space looks too cramped as well. I am leaning toward the 225 maristar. Can anyone tell me what the VRS is?

[MASTIQUE]

I think it just means its a V-Drive (Engine in back under sunpad) and engine is backwards vs. Direct Drive (Engine in center, under a motor box). The direct drive will be much better for your skiing and maintenance is easier but the V-drive opens up the boat with much more space and room for kids and all the extra bags, towels etc... that come with kids. You'll need to drive both since this is a very personal part of the decision. If I were you, I'd stay away from the tristar. Parts are hard to come by. I think if you bump you budget up to the low to mid teens your options will be much bigger and the money spent up front can help you avoud either buying the wrong boat or getting the one you want but it needs alot of work.

[j.mccreight@hotmail.com]

Originally Posted by MASTIQUE

I think it just means its a V-Drive (Engine in back under sunpad) and engine is backwards vs. Direct Drive (Engine in center, under a motor box). The direct drive will be much better for your skiing and maintenance is easier but the V-drive opens up the boat with much more space and room for kids and all the extra bags, towels etc... that come with kids. You'll need to drive both since this is a very personal part of the decision. If I were you, I'd stay away from the tristar. Parts are hard to come by. I think if you bump you budget up to the low to mid teens your options will be much bigger and the money spent up front can help you avoud either buying the wrong boat or getting the one you want but it needs alot of work.

Tri-Star parts are NOT hard to come by...

[MASTIQUE]

Originally Posted by j.mccreight@hotmail.com

Tri-Star parts are NOT hard to come by...

My bad, I thought there were limited parts due to lower production units (can't remember where I got that from).

[Miss Rita]

If I were you, I'd stay away from the tristar. Parts are hard to come by.

As mentioned, parts are easy to find. The TriStar is mechanically identical to the ProStar.

You should avoid the TriStar for other reasons: it just isn't big enough for what you want to do, and it lacks storage. If you put passengers in the front you're going to take some water over the bow. I wouldn't consider the TriStar a wakeboard boat.

Having said that, I love mine!