just curious how many tristars are still alive and running

[wheelerd]

Welcome to TT and congrats on the new boat. Restoring and repairing is half the fun of an older boat, particularly if you can do it on your own terms . . . and not in the middle of the lake at sundown. With the cars and boats I've owned, it's the time working on them that really creates the personal value above and beyond the $$ value.

You'll find tons of helpful info on here if you ask questions and post lots of pics.

[cas17013]

Thanks for the welcome Wheelerd. I have read through a lot of the old posts trying to find some information, but I have been reluctant to post any questions yet.

I want to make it a little more friendly for some occasional fishing, while still having the towing capacity for skiing, etc. At the moment, I am seriously considering installing a center console/ t-top, and removing the original helm. While I am at it, I may also raise the floor a few inches to install some floatation foam, and get the hull to be somewhat self bailing. I will be using it in the East Coast bays on good days, but while I have it under construction it will take just a little extra time, and money to increase the safety factor if/when I get caught in a little rough water.

I am not sure if this is the place to ask the questions I have, and I am sure some will take offense to my "modifications". I plan to hang out, and get a feel for the site before I decide if this is the right place to discuss such a project in any great length. At the end of the day, it was a free boat that was suffering a slow death floating out in the open so I am ok with changing it up a little to give it a second life, and make t work best for me.

[wheelerd]

The fact that you're saving a MasterCraft from "a slow death" warms all our hearts. You'll find some purists on here who feel that every boat should be restored to its original pristine condition. I'm more pragmatic -- it's your boat, do with it as you wish. In your case, it sounds as though you have a plan in mind that has a basis in functional logic.

Be sure to post pics as you go. Chances are there are other people who, now or later, will find your posts to be useful in one of their projects.

[wheelerd]

BTW, what year and what engine? Some 220's had the 351 Ford and some had the 454 Chevy.

[91tri190]

91 190 open. 403 Hours and still running great in St. Paul. I regularly see another teal open bow 190 on Balsam Lake, Wisconsin where we keep our boat.

There are enough of us out here that we should have a Mod create our own thread or topic specific to this boat.

Steve

[cas17013]

Originally Posted by wheelerd

BTW, what year and what engine? Some 220's had the 351 Ford and some had the 454 Chevy.

I have the 351, it is an 89. The 454 would be fun, but frankly the 351 seems like it should be just fine for my needs. I have no plans of getting into rough water, but I expect the norm. will be just choppy enough I will not run WOT anyhow. I also have no plans to weigh it down with ballast so that should be to my advantage with the lesser motor.

Thanks for the encouragment on my plans, I am sure there will be some purists who do not see things my way. Frankly, I found the Tristar looking for a "freebie boat" with a 200+hp motor to repower a Chris Craft Lancer I have that needs an extensive restoration. Once I laid my eyes on the Tristar, I knew there was no way I could scrap such a nice boat just to rob the running gear. There is no such thing as a perfect boat, but with a few small changes this one should do very well, and unlike my others will not require a one ton truck to haul around.

[MasterTri]

I have a 1986 MasterCraft TriStar 220 (hull #22). It has the 351 Indmar. I test drove the TriStar 22' when it came out in the Spring of '86 and had Mastercraft Rep come up to Massachussets in the Spring of '86 with one to test. It had the 454 in it and had it up to about 54mph. The boat turned heads bigtime on the lake back then and still gets great compliments on the styling and open design. This boat was way ahead of its time.

I have restored the interior (cushions and carpet) back about 10 years ago to exact factory / orginal condition and ordered the material from MC. I just became a member and registered for teamtalk today and will have to post a pic of the boat.

[wheelerd]

Welcome! Looking forward to the pics.