205 vs. 209

[Whisky]

Been looking to get a 205 for over a year without luck. Want a family boat that I can still slalom and foot behind as well as venture into wakeboarding with my little ones. Seems like I have missed out on the good ones at decent prices. So, I have been expanding my options to include looking at the 209. Looking to the experts out there to give me the comparison between the two boats.

[mikeg205]

http://www.onlyinboards.com/Ski-Boat...1&Keywords=205

what about these?

[mikeg205]

My understanding 205 flatter wake - 209 better in rougher water.. iirc

[j.mccreight@hotmail.com]

heres a 93 205 in the "Midwest"
http://mastercraft.com/teamtalk/showthread.php?t=51669

[ps205]

Hi Whisky

I owned both of these boats... I had a 94 205 and now own a 2002 PS209. I will give a short review of each boat...

1. 94 PS 204 - Best all around boat I have ever owned. Ski wake is fantastic and can be made into a really good wakeboard boat. Can hold lots of friends and family and has lots of storage. But I hated every second of having a Carb engine. Do yourself a favor and only look at FEI.

2. 2002 PS 209/X9 - I really like this boat it does a lot of stuff really well but its price does not justify it compared to the 205. Holds lots of people, has a good ski wake (bigger than the 205 but still really good)and makes a really good wakeboard wake even without ballast. However one of the things I don't like about this boat is that it sits really low in the water in the front. Bow takes on water when you turn around to pick someone up if you are not careful. Mine has the 310 and it does just fine until you really load the boat up with people and then it starts to have trouble getting out of the hole pulling a wakeboarder. Some of that has to do with the huge amount of "wet surface area" of this boat, meaning this boat has a lot of the hull touching this water at all times causing drag but also makes for a big wake when you need it.

If it were me and I was in a position to buy a boat right now I would keep looking for a 96 or 97 PS205 EFI. Fantastic boat and they are usually priced right. Plus the boat will always be stylish and can adapt to any watersports you are wanting to do/try.

Hope that helps.

[Ski-me]

^^^^^^ Interesting about the 209 and the low bow. I did not know that. I've always known the 197 was prone to that but not the 209. Thanks!

I'll chime in too. I have a 94' 205 as well and really love it. Very functional, ski wake is great and it holds a lot of people. 94' was the first year for fuel injection, so anything past that, you will be OK.

94' and 95' have the flatter wake and lower siderails, whereas the 96+ has higher sides, just a touch more of a Vee for smoother ride, and overall, a little more room inside. The 96+ is considered to to be just a little better at wakeboarding too vs. the 94-95 era.

I don't know why PS205 above had a carb engine on a 94. I have not heard of that. Generally, 94+ is all EFI. They did offer the LT1 in 93' too but pretty rare to find (also EFI).

Be patient and don't settle. It's worth the wait. It took me many, many months too to find my 205. Good luck!

[Footin]

Great thread as I have been thinking about selling my 94 205 and getting a 209.
I will have to find the 209 first though.

[captain planet]

Originally Posted by Footin

Great thread as I have been thinking about selling my 94 205 and getting a 209.
I will have to find the 209 first though.

You have any pictures of your 205? Ideally I'd like to get a 214, but the timing is wrong WRT finances, but I could dump my boat and get a 205.

[Double D]

Originally Posted by captain planet

You have any pictures of your 205? Ideally I'd like to get a 214, but the timing is wrong WRT finances, but I could dump my boat and get a 205.

Sorry Footin, saw this post first. CP, its the one next to mine, and then tied up besides Rob's 214. Pretty sure the only real difference from mine is the platform.

...

[jason95gt]

The 209 is a little roomier inside, but the wakeboarding wake is nothing compared to the 205. The additional freeboard on the 205 is well liked for not getting wet and for wakesurfing.