In Search Of Beginner Ski Boat For College Student

[scottyspin]

Hi everyone,

I've been looking for the right boat for a year and have let two boats slip out of my hands. Looking for a ski boat on cheaper side in NorCal preferably that I can take out with family, friends and teammates on college team. Looking to stay at 10k or less and preferably open bow but not a must(I know that not many boats fit my constraints). I was just wondering if people know of any good deals, I constantly look at craigslist, other websites and talk with local mechanics but there are never many boats in my range. Its quite a stretch but I love Prostar 205's and SNOB's post 1993. I am open to looking at other boats as well.

Thanks for the help!

[motoxr]

Try Ski It Again

[BraceMaker]

10K is just right on the verge of the Prostar 205 - most of these are going to be in pretty rough shape below 10 depending on your market, the Prostar 190's of the same vintage you may get for a few grand less but not open bow.

 

Other boats you might search for -

Moomba Outback

Supra

Malibu

 

[motoxr]

You may also want to consider Tige, Gekko or Centurion as less popular and possibly well priced options.

[swc5150]

'91-'94 Prostar 190 best bang for the buck under $10k. Not an open bow of course.

[scottyspin]

I've seen some prostar 190's @swc5150 and got an offer on a 1996 for 5k that has been sitting outside without a cover for 3 years... Engine runs but needs to be resealed and whole interior is shot and will need to be redone. Do you think thats a decent option or is that boat a liability for being out in the elements for that long?

 

[scottyspin]

@BraceMaker I've also found a 1999 Malibu sunseter lx by me but its a bit out of my price range. How are the wakes on those boats for skiing at 22 off?

 

[keithh2oskier]

@scottyspin - Where in NorCal are you?

[keithh2oskier]

92 PS 205 This boat was in our club. I knew the original owners and it was used pretty easy since I was in the club (early 2000's). Used by an older couple and the hours were probably mostly learn to ski days.

 

The MB may also be a pretty good boat. I remember the Boss 190's being pretty decent skier back in the early 2000's. They have a 210 which is the Open Bow. This Boss 210 is pretty old but still may be available.

 

 

Check FB Marketplace as well. Here is a late 80s MC 190

[BraceMaker]

Interiors cost more than 5k done right. Skip unless you can live with it

 

[scottyspin]

@keithh2oskier I'm on the Bay Area peninsula but can drive a bit if its the right boat. I saw that prostar and love it but it is a bit out of my price range. That 210 can be a good option, how are the wakes on them?

 

[scottyspin]

@BraceMaker unless I get the boat dirt cheap I am going to pass on that option, that interior is absolutely gone.

[6balls]

'91-94 Prostar. If you need an open bow hunt around on Malibu Echelon LX.

https://www.onlyinboards.com/1995-Malibu-Echelon-LX-for-sale-Lexington-Kentucky-92802.aspx

 

This one a little over budget I know just wanted to get an example out there of an Echelon LX.

[LoopSki]

This one is turnkey with GT40 engine and Perfect Pass. Not an open bow , but its pretty sweet. You can ski it yourself . Located in Sacramento. 1980 MC

 

 

 

 

[LoopSki]

 

[scottyspin]

@LoopSki how much is the asking price?

 

[liquid d]

call on the 92 ps...Offer them 10k and tell 'em it's going to further the sport with College kid! Anyone who keeps their garage that neat has plenty of money anyway!

[Horton]

@scottyspin

I might have a 2000 SN with GT40 for 5K. Boat needs to be cleaned up but she runs good. A little $ for some new vinyl and bits plus some elbow grease and you would have a killer boat. Trailer not included.

[LoopSki]

sixty five

[scottyspin]

@LoopSki I will keep this in mind

[scottyspin]

@liquid d I might give this a go too, thank you!

[76SS]

MC used wood stringers until 82, I'd pass on a pre 83 MC.

[Killer]

Malibu response also great boats, no wood and easy to work on 350 powerplants. 95-97 can be had pretty cheap usually. 98+ has a better wake. the Sportster also great boats, inexpensive but not as great for slalom.

 

here's one:

https://redding.craigslist.org/boa/d/malibu-response-1999/6807720945.html

[BraceMaker]

Can't load CL on my firewall - but is it the same as this link?

 

http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?endless=summer&topic=Search&category=Boat_3Event&postid=49169

 

In which case the price seems to be coming down and the guy seems to be willing to help with getting it to the buyer.

 

[keithh2oskier]

I think I have seen that Malibu in redding for sale for well over a year if I recall. According to my wife I occasionally browse listings for stuff I have no intention of buying...

[Mateo_Vargas]

@keithh2oskier in his man cave looking for boats

 

[keithh2oskier]

@Mateo_Vargas I don't have a mullet. Nor am I that skinny. Otherwise pretty accurate.

 

Thanks for the laugh. great movie clip.

[6balls]

stretch a little and never look back

 

http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?endless=summer&topic=Search&category=Boat_3Event&postid=50140

 

[swc5150]

^^this^^

[h2onhk]

@scottyspin here are some others you may be interested in close to your price range....may be able to negotiate a little?

 

https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/forum/classified-group-buy-section/boats-for-sale-by-owner/576975-1996-ski-nautique-196

 

*** This one has the LT-1 Corvette engine

https://www.mastercraft.com/teamtalk/showthread.php?t=100011

 

***PS 205 just dropped his price in January

https://www.mastercraft.com/teamtalk/showthread.php?t=84287&page=2

 

 

[Mick04]

@6balls , the above 196 ad referred to recent carb rebuild. How well did the carb TSC1’s ski? I know the GT-40 boats were fantastic. Never actually saw or talked to anybody who skied on a carby TSC1. Or could that boat have been repowered?

[dvskier]

No difference in skiing, carb will need a rebuild every 3-4 years. Need to pump the gas a couple times to start it when cold. Otherwise you won’t see a difference. I had a 97 w GT 40. Great slalom wakes at all speeds and line lengths.

[swc5150]

You see a decent amount of '97 TSC's out there with the carb'd engine, which was still the standard powerplant at the time. It's not going to ski any different than a GT-40.

[RAWSki]

The SNOB and the 205 are both great boats but as you discovered they are hard to find nearly impossible in your price range.

The best options I saw on SIA for you are both in So Cal. but might be worth the trip.

I 2003 MB190, EFI, PP, closed bow but huge trunk that saves floor space and skis great

OR a 2002 Response LX, step-over open bow, tower, EFI, PP and a wedge if you just want to play.

Good Luck,

[Rpc29]

https://www.mastercraft.com/teamtalk/showthread.php?t=100069

 

This one is a bit of a stretch but the hours and condition are superior to just about anything else out there.

[6balls]

@Mick04 wish I could tell you. I run a 2000 with a gt40. Having said that for a long time ran a carb '87 MC 190 with no issues. EFI is nicer for sure.

'97 plus Nautique hull is fantastic.

[MDB1056]

Stay current on the SIA listings. MANY great boats < 10K that are capable far beyond 99% of skiers .

[Killer]

you get 50-70 extra HP with a GT40 over the carb'd 351 as well as easy starting. well worth it.

[buechsr]

Killer, I dunno, other than ability to run a steeper prop if you wanted to, my carb 97 has as much go as I'd ever need.

 

Here's a good looking one OP. A tad more than budget.

 

http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?endless=summer&topic=Search&category=Boat_3Event&postid=50140

 

[MillerTime38]

@scottyspin I have a 2001 SN 196 that I am considering selling since we are moving to Japan shortly. GT40 engine with PP runs great but it’s in FL

[ReallyGottaSki]

I concur, a carbed '97 TSC1 will still have the gt40 heads, so the HP gap is only 15-20hp from the FI GT40. Personally rather fix a carb than 20+ yo marine electronics.

 

[Mick04]

I didn’t want to get this thread too off topic. For the OP, I just wanted to highlight the referenced ad was for a carby 97 TSC1. During that era (I could only find a 98 brochure) Nautique offered the 310 HP GT-40; a 290 HP carb (GT-40 heads); and a base 260 HP carb motor. I’m not too sure the 260 HP carb motor is going to feel like the 310 HP GT-40. Which carb motor is in the boat? Dunno, ad doesn’t say. Is it still going to ski OK? I’m sure it will, but it may feel different. Just a question worth asking if you are considering that boat.

[BraceMaker]

@ReallyGottaSki mostly agree - I think the 20+ year old marine electronics are still fairly well working but I would not spend the $ replacing a MEFI I-III - I would just install a carb and distributor - luckily pretty easy to do on those boats.

 

I wonder what PP has up their sleeve.

[scottyspin]

Thanks for all the input, I appreciated all the help that I received. I recently found and purchased a 99 response lx this week and could not be any happier! I am not quite sure how to add photos but the boat is extremely clean!

 

[keithh2oskier]

@scottyspin you can add photos by attaching them through the little attach image icon when your typing a post.

[Chef23]

@scottyspin great purchase. I have an 02 RLX that is still going strong and ski regularly with a friend with either a 98 or 99 that runs great as well. That boat will provide years of great skiing for you.

[wski1831]

Now you can join Berkeley ski club or Diablo ski club and ski the Delta

[scottyspin]

@keithh2oskier @Chef23 @wski1831 here are some pics!

 

 

[Chef23]

That looks a lot like my boat without the tower. You are going to get a ton of good use out of it.

[keithh2oskier]

@scottyspin WOW, it has been like 20+ years since I have seen that Marina on the Delta. Some things just dont change! We used to launch out of there when I was a kid but probably havent been there since the late 90s when I was no more than 14. Still recognized it instantly. How cool. Enjoy the new boat!