Ps 197 2003 - 2013

[AussieMC]

This is a general observation/question that I thought I would post.

One of the members of our ski club, Tim Bradstreet, has recently been sponsored by MasterCraft, and received his beautiful new 2013 197/6.0l Ilmor. I've skied behind it quite a lot recently and have noticed the wakes are slightly harder than my 2003 197tt. In looking at the 2 boats on the dock (not clear in this photo) the 2013's swim platform is almost touching the water and the 2003 is 2" out of the water, both had the same amount of fuel etc. and my boat has a mini tower. My guess was his motor had to be heavier, so I got on the MasterCraft web site and saw the 190/197 platform is now listed at 3200lbs where as in my manual the same 190/197 is listed at 2800lbs. (this doesn't specify any particular engine). Surely the engine can't be 400lbs heavier. It's like putting an additional 2 people in my boat when you are skiing. Where does the additional weight come from?

[GT500 MC]

Don't know about the weight---I can't believe it comes from just the engine. Anyway, that is a sweet picture. Nice rigs.....

[rodltg2]

That's because Zero Off weighs more than Perfect Pass.

[Ben]

Sorry, no help either, but agree on the cool pic. I like the old one anyway. Maybe w/o tower.

[ski_king]

I have no idea, but am guessing the specs may have been off in 03.

Great looking boats! Too bad the registration numbers are required to be so large down under.

[AussieMC]

I'm pretty sure the spec's were at 2800lbs up untill 2010. Maybe other 190/197 owners will chime in.

[AussieMC]

I just had a look at 2010, 2011 & 2012 brochures (I happen to have them lying around) the 197 is at 2800lbs each year, the 190 is at 2620lbs in 2010-11. Very curious

[AussieMC]

The rego numbers have to be at least 6" tall on power vessels, can be smaller on sail boats & PWC's.
Each rego has to have the registered state letter at the end e.g. N = New South Wales / Q = Queensland

[DooSPX]

I'm going out on a limb and saying maybe the tower on your 03 TT adding more weight to the bow, therefore lifting the stern up some. Also, maybe not 400 pounds worth, but all the new fanciness (billet rails, etc) account for some extra weight.

[gweaver]

Maybe the new one has slightly thicker fiberglass or is slightly wider? If they've changed construction methods just a bit, I can see the weight adding up quickly- thicker fiberglass, more epoxy, wider stringers to stiffen the hull, etc. Lots of changes that would be invisible except on a scale.
G