Maristar 200

I am wondering if anyone can give me their opinion on the Maristar 200. I am looking to get an inboard with all around capabilities. Does this boat handle waves better than a conventional inboard ski boat? We ski very little wakeboard and tube plus cruise.

Let me know your thoughts.

[mikeg205]

what year? but I believe yes..

[SP Maristar]

What boat you pick usually depends on what you plan on doing with it. You say you ski very little, but wakeboard, tube and cruise. The Maristar looks to be right up your alley. The PO of our boat had a Prostar 190 as his first boat, then bought the Maristar. He is a skier, but he said as he got older and skied less, he was looking for a smoother ride. Our Maristar has a decent ski wake at higher speeds like 36 mph, but is a little tall at slower speeds. It is a great cruiser, and has decent room with the open bow. I think it is a great all around boat, and it suits our family of 5 well.

[bturner2]

Year will matter in this discussion. Assuming an older model and that it will be a vdrive I had a 95 200VRS that I was quite happy with. Very comfortable boat with a deep cockpit and wrap around windshield which made for a dry ride. I had this boat while my kids were between 6 and 14. Never felt nervous in any water I ventured out in on inland lakes. I took it out on Lake Erie frequently and the boat preformed well in the open water. I did however keep in mind the limitations of any 20' runabout and picked my days carefully.

I've heard some people complain about porpoising issues but never had that problem with my boat. I ran a OJ Force four blade prop and it did everything pretty darn good. Wakeboarding and Surfing were it's best but open water skiing was very acceptable. Tons of storage and rock solid drive train. The only thing I didn't like was the integrated platform. This was changed on later models and while not a deal breaker for the right boat, I would recommend looking at the later models if for no other reason other than to get away from the integrated platform.

Here's a picture of mine on Lake Erie. The girls out for a ride on the big lake.....

[ahhudgins]

[quote=bturner2;894207]

I've heard some people complain about porpoising issues but never had that problem with my boat. I ran a OJ Force four blade prop and it did everything pretty darn good. Wakeboarding and Surfing were it's best but open water skiing was very acceptable. Tons of storage and rock solid drive train. The only thing I didn't like was the integrated platform. This was changed on later models and while not a deal breaker for the right boat, I would recommend looking at the later models if for no other reason other than to get away from the integrated platform.

QUOTE]

Mine is one of the 95s with the porpoising issue. I eventually will put a wake plate on it to fix that problem. I agree with the platform. I didn't think it would be a big problem, but it is smaller and a little tricky getting used to. Being recreational skiers, the wake is fine for us and I love the extra room. It doesn't handle like my old S&S or my 89 Prostar, but we needed the extra room. If I had to do it all over again, I would stay away from the integrated platform.

[jhall0711]

My buddy has a 94 Maristar 200 Direct Drive. I own a 89 PS and although my wake is noticeably better, I do not mind skiing behind his boat at all. As far as handeling, like it has been said, its not a Pro Star. When I go back and fourth between the two I notice a huge differecnce. The Maristar does not handle as well at low speeds or high speeds. The other comment I have as to rough water is this: although I have never been uncomfortable in chop on it be advised IT WILL EASILY take water over the bow if you are not careful. With two people up front when you come off plane and dont pay attention they are getting drenched.

Just my thoughts....

[walterlaughlin]

QUOTE]

Mine is one of the 95s with the porpoising issue. I eventually will put a wake plate on it to fix that problem. I agree with the platform. I didn't think it would be a big problem, but it is smaller and a little tricky getting used to. Being recreational skiers, the wake is fine for us and I love the extra room. It doesn't handle like my old S&S or my 89 Prostar, but we needed the extra room. If I had to do it all over again, I would stay away from the integrated platform.[/quote]

Hello, I have a 95 VRS Maristar that I picked up a few months ago. I noticed a couple people mention that they don't like the integrated swim platform - why is that? This is my first MC after owning 3 vintage v-drive boats, so this is my first boat with a platform. And a hand throttle, and a windshield, and cup holders, etc.

[ahhudgins]

Originally Posted by walterlaughlin

QUOTE]

Mine is one of the 95s with the porpoising issue. I eventually will put a wake plate on it to fix that problem. I agree with the platform. I didn't think it would be a big problem, but it is smaller and a little tricky getting used to. Being recreational skiers, the wake is fine for us and I love the extra room. It doesn't handle like my old S&S or my 89 Prostar, but we needed the extra room. If I had to do it all over again, I would stay away from the integrated platform.

Hello, I have a 95 VRS Maristar that I picked up a few months ago. I noticed a couple people mention that they don't like the integrated swim platform - why is that? This is my first MC after owning 3 vintage v-drive boats, so this is my first boat with a platform. And a hand throttle, and a windshield, and cup holders, etc.[/quote]

After owning a 79 S&S with a fiberglass platform and an 87 with the teak platform, the integrated platform on my 95 is much smaller in width and length. When you pull yourself out of the water with the grab handle, your face is in the stern before you even have time to turn your body around. I don't let anyone put on their board or skis while on the platform (except me ) because they always bang the board into the sides of the hull which enclose the platform. Mastercraft did not seal the rubrail completely past the water line so I had to pull the carpet up and add some silicone on the inside of the rubrail...it leaked pretty bad.

[FrankSchwab]

In 1998, Mastercraft redesigned the 200VRS - the same boat in 99+ is called the 210VRS (or the X10 in wakeboard trim). The '98 version is a bit longer (it's 20.5' long, not including the swim platform. In previous years, it's (IIRC) 20' long, including the built-in fiberglass swim platform).

I love ours. The wake is a bit big for optimum water skiing, but works fine for wakeboarding, air chairing, etc. The ride is much nicer on rough water than my friend's PS190, and it has lots of space. I joke that we could easily hide a dozen illegal aliens in the storage spaces if we ever boated across the border.

Let me know which year you're looking at; I have some old brochures digitized that might help you out.

/frank

Hi Frank I am reading about the two styles per 98 and post 98. I like the year where the ski pylon is back in the rear seat, not in the middle on the floor.. Do you have the brochures showing both?