Promo Boat Engine Options

[jjackkrash]

I currently have a 2000 American Skier Volante with Stargazer. Its a decent tugboat, but has a few quirks and is close to needing a new interior (which I kinda like because I don't really have to worry about the kids beating it up).

 

That said, I am considering upgrading to a 2014-2016ish promo boat. I am a 34 mph course skier who occasionally runs 32 off, but the boat also gets used as a family fun boat. So I need an open bow. Most of the guys in my club have older tugs so I don't have that much personal experience with the newer boats.

 

Based on reading through stacks of threads, it seems like the consensus is the SN200 and Prostar both probably need the upgraded engine, except that the 2016 direct injection 5.3 SN200 has plenty of power, is this right? How are the TXi's with the 5.7? Still better to get the upgraded engine in the Malibus?

 

I won't be pulling jumpers, but I also don't want to spend a stack of cash on anything that even resembles a piggy boat or that I have to wind out at high rpm to pull 36 mph skiers. (Although we are pretty close to sea level so altitude isn't an issue.)

 

Any thoughts on engine options or anything else I need to look for or think about in deciding on a '14-'16 from one of the big three? Any year-specific quirks for a particular boat that I need to watch out for?

 

Thanks in advance.

[MISkier]

Our club TXi with the 5.7 was fast enough for us. We had a 2015 and it was really nice to drive, especially with the engine moved forward that year.

[jjackkrash]

So, the engine was moved forward in 2015 and this change improved performance? That's good to know, thanks.

[Dacon62]

TXi with 5.7 has more than enough power. Very efficient hull. Also best family boat with largest bow and a nice sized rear locker/sunpad.

[Jordan]

Consensus on the Prostar seems to be that in the 2014 model some of the 5.7s were slow getting up to speed; but, not all of them.

I the 2015 model and newer there was a transmission change and the smaller engine did fine.

 

That said, if you can get any of the boats with the optional 6 lite, life will peachy!

[MISkier]

@jjackkrash, the engine move didn't change performance that I could tell, but it did change the tracking. Very nice to drive.

[Mick04]

I have a 2014 TXi, 5.7. Plenty of power for me at 230lbs. I'm about where you are in course, 34 mph, mostly 28/32 off. Put 40-50lbs ballast under the furthest forward bow seat cushion. Shifts CG forward for same tracking as 2015+.

[lpskier]

The 5.7 in anything is just fine for slalom, trick and most jumpers. Some may even see it as the best pull. The 200 5.3 or 6.2 is better if you have a short set up, if you ski at altitude or if your ski partner jumps in the 200's. In my opinion, MC is harder to drive well than the other three. I prefer to drive a 200 and to ski behind a Carbon Pro, but a well set up Malibu is also very nice. Personally I would be happy with any one of the latter three, though if I had to pick one I personally would go with a 2000.

[ForrestGump]

If the requirement is open bow, the '15 or '16 TXI with either engine is the best bang for the buck to be had. The 6.0 is sooo smooth and refined feeling. But the 5.7 has plenty of gogo juice for anything short of a 180+ foot jumper or 41 off capable skier.

[jjackkrash]

Thanks for all the input. It seems like a 15 or 16 Txi might be a good value, especially if the new model depresses used prices a bit. There are at least two locally available with a 5.7, although it might be worth it to travel for the bigger engine, you know, just because, :)

[jjackkrash]

With the new model TXI out, is there a reasonable expectation that the 2015's and 16's will take a market-value price hit?

[jhughes]

@jjackkrash No. the previous Txi was and will still be a great boat.

[RAWSki]

Agree with @jhughes especially since the new TXi is such a departure from the previous version they both will have their fans and prices should stay in line.

[jjackkrash]

Anyone know these boats or the seller? They are about 12 hours from me, so I could pick up and return on a weekend.

 

Link

 

Does the price seem about right for a 500+hour boat? They seem pretty well optioned and have the bog motor.

 

Any issues to consider bringing a boat from Canada into the states?

 

Thanks in advance for any input.

[Dacon62]

@jjackkrash

 

More money, but damn sharp rig.

 

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bod/5896001763.html

 

[jjackkrash]

I have been looking at that one. Its certainly sharp, but spendy. I'm still getting used to the $50k barrier for a ski boat, $75k is probably more than I'm willing to spend.

[jjackkrash]

I am looking at a 2016 TXI with a 450HP 6.0l. Anyone had any experience with this set up? Are there any downsides to this engine? I imagine it rocks.

 

 

[Chad_Scott]

Nothing to the set up. Great combination

[jjackkrash]

Man, this is tough. There's something to like about all three options and the new Malibu kinda throws a monkey wrench into things.

[swc5150]

I hear you @jjackkrash. I don't want any regrets or mistakes when dropping $50+k. This will be, by far, the most I've ever spent on a boat. Hoping to drive a new Prostar in Miami next Fri. It's slightly ahead in the running for me.

[jjackkrash]

Exciting. Please report back.

[jjackkrash]

I paid $12k cash for the American Skier about 6 years ago and nothing but oil changes and regular maintenance since. Just a few quirks here and there and the interior is a little beat up. Part of me says run it till it quits, but I got that itch.

[Horton]

One of the most interesting ideas to come out of the trick mode conversation is that all the engines have more than enough power

[DanE]

You can hook up a Diacom and look at actual values while running the engine. A 5.7 L uses about 40% of max power to run down the lake @36 mph without a skier ( a bit more in a CC 200)

[jjackkrash]

@horton, I thought you were against the 5.7 in the 200?

 

In any event, I found a local sold as new 50 hour 2016 200 OB I am looking hard at with the 5.3DI. Does everyone agree that this is a sufficient engine? I would really like the 6.2, but this boat has everything I want less the big engine.

 

 

[jhughes]

@jjackkrash the 5.3 DI engine is a beast. You won't be disappointed. 400 ft/lbs of torque! Definitely one of the snappiest rides I've ever driven.

[skierjp]

The 5.3 is the replacement for the 6 liter. You can't tell the difference between the 5.3 and the 6.0.

 

[Horton]

@jjackkrash if the trick mode thing becomes a real thing all preconceptions about engines may change.

 

I am beginning to think all engine feel is 50% ZO programing

[jrs]

@jjackkrash Here's a 2016 ProStar with all the options for $53,950. Plenty of power, open bow with full seats and the bow hard cover to make it closed bow. Sexy when you want it to be and family mode when you don't. Pick it up in West Palm and enjoy a warm winter ski vacation before taking it home.

http://www.hustonmastercraft.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?veh=488065&pov=4757232

[Dacon62]

Don't know why MC didn't/doesn't offer a 6 liter engine as the base engine instead of the 5.7 as this motor seems to come into question a lot (on this form) about its ability to produce enough power for the 3300 lb (MC web specs) hull.

Seems like this would end the debate and if you really need a snarling, fire breathing 6.2 it is still available.

[jjackkrash]

@jrs, that's great looking boat, but pretty far away. I am on the other side of the world up here in the Pac NW.

[Horton]

@Dacon62 the 5.7 has plenty of power. It has bad rep because with the CC 200 and the current ZO map it seems under powered.

 

The 5.7 has plenty of power in MC, Boo & CP. The 200 is a high drag hull but I stongly suspect the issue is the ZO map not the actual engine.

[DanE]

If anyone believe the 5.7 lacks power for slalom do this test. Turn speed control off, do a little old school manual driving. When it's time to block the skier hammer the throttle all the way down. Ask the skier afterwards if the pull felt weak.

Like @Horton said, any other kind of pull than the above is just ZO programming.

[Horton]

Clarification: i am talking sea level and not a super short lake. I am NOT an engineer and am really just starting to re-understand ZO from a skiers perspective.

 

With the current ZO what I know for sure is that in the Carbon Pro the 5.7 is great. The 6L is more fun to drive around the island but for the skier it is about the same.

 

I think the same is true for the ProStar and TXi. I think @Chuck_Dickey's ProStar is a 5.7 and it is one of the best boats i have ever skied behind. I think @bgturf always gets a 5.7 in his TXi and his boats always feel great.

[jjackkrash]

I don't doubt the 5.7 skis great in the 200 at sea level, but I just like boats that are a bit faster than 40-42 WFO and would prefer a little more RPM headroom at 36 mph.

[skierjp]

I think the last time I checked my 6.2 Nautique 200 went over 55 with the gate in trick mode. I'll double check the next time I'm out.

[jjackkrash]

My CC dealer said 55 right out of the box with the big motor. That is freaking sweet.

[jpattigr]

At my club, Predator Bay in Calgary, we have 2 of the Prostars with 6.2 engines, WOW, they are so quick and have so much power! They are fun to drive, and great to ski behind.

[jjackkrash]

Is the 6.2 Ilmor a Direct Injection motor like the CC/PCM 6.2?

[skiinxs]

No, different engine.

[jjackkrash]

 

I am probably going to close on this boat Tues! Its a 2016 sold-as-new boat (but 50 hours) loaded with the H5/5.3. The only thing it doesn't have that I might have wanted is the H6/6.2, but the boat is local and I really like the dealer here.

[Zman]

@jjackkrash Great looking boot. You will be very happy with that. If I may, would like to know more about the lift system on that dock. And, what is the decking material. May be building a boat house soon, and interested to know more about the one in your pic. Thanks. PM me please if you have info.

[jjackkrash]

@Zman, PM sent.

[rodecon]

Here's a sneak peak at an innovative new propulsion system coming soon to a promo boat near you. It's being tested at a secret site somewhere in Thailand, from what I could see there was almost zero wake ;)

 

 

[skierjp]

@Zman The lift system is a Nyman, also under the name of Basta I use to have one. It works awesome especially where the water level stays the same. I would like to what the decking is also

[jjackkrash]

I learned the deck is Trex Composite Decking. The deck is laid on 12 inch centers; each hole was pre-drill to protect the finish.

 

Oh, and I bought the boat. :)

[Zman]

Thanks. Nice!

[skierjp]

@jjackrash, @zman, You can also opt for the special mounting fasteners where there are no screws in the top of the deck boards. It's surprising how this changes the look. On composite decking DO NOT cut cost or corners on the supporting floor joist spacing!

[Jody_Seal]

for my next boat order I have opted for the twin supercharged engine upgrade!!

Happy new year!

[dthate]

@Jody_Seal Sweet!!