First go into the ski boat genre.

[CPC_1]

Looking for some input. Currently own a 1978 Glastron CVX-16. It has skied our family just fine for the last 3 summers but we’re looking to get into a bigger, more powerful ski boat. None of the 4 boys wakeboard, they’re skiers and of course they like a tube ride every now and then.

Narrowing down the list: I know they’re all totally different boats, but any experience shared would be appreciated. 1) 1989 Ski Centurion Barefoot Warrior (200 HP Johnson) 2) 1986 Malibu Skier 3) 1989 Mastercraft Tristar 190 Currently have an outboard boat, and the ease of care is intriguing. Hence the ‘89 BW. The Malibu looks super clean. The Tristar has the open bow, which the family leans to. Ready, set, go. Thanks in advance. - clear

[bananaron]

The 89 BW would be a great choice if you want to stay with an outboard.Contact @6balls about this boat as he had one for yrs.I grew up with outboards and they are great for some slalom and certainly barefoot.The 86 malibu probably will have a better wake then the MC tristar.What are you looking to spend??

[Dacon62]

Comments below are from memory so let’s hope they are accurate. If not I’m sure someone will correct me.

 

1) BF Warrior-Cool boat. High top end. Handles well. Tiny inside. Beware,look for soft spots, wood floor and stringers. If Johnson motor of same era they were not that powerful.

2) Malibu-great boat for its time.

Pretty good wakes. Good top end for bare-footing for a direct drive. Again, wood in the construction. My buddies ‘86 was all rotted out when he gave it away.

3) Tristar-decent boat. Don’t think the wakes were anything special but OK. All fiberglass so no rot to worry about. Open bow a plus.

If these are your only 3 choices and assuming they are all in similar shape, I would lean towards the Mastercraft.

 

Good luck.

[WBLskier]

A 91 or newer prostar 190 would be a way better boat than the Tristar. Way better. Or an 87-89 prostar is way better than a tristar. I owned two 89 prostars. Good boats that skied well. I still ski my friends 91 prostar and it has as good a wake as most new boats you will find but more spray.

[markn]

You are correct....entirely different boats. The Centurion is a barefoot boat with flat table, wakes conducive more for footing than slalom but certainly skiable. If it does not have skegs, tracking may be compromised for hard pulling skiers. The Tristar is almost an inboard version of a barefoot boat. I test drove one years ago and again, great barefoot wakes, but lesser quality slalom wakes. The Malibu Skier is a 3-event, old school direct drive boat for slalom, trick and jump. Not certain if Malibu used wood or fiberglass stringers, but check the condition of the stringers for sure. Our first inboard was an 89 Nautique. If the Malibu wakes are like the older Nautiques, the longer lines and slower speed wakes are a bit firm. All of them are skiable, but after owning 3 Nautiques, for skiing, nothing beats a DD ski boat. Good luck with what ever you decide.

[LoopSki]

I would go another route. not great choices

[ResponseSkier]

I have a 1982 Hydrodyne for sale if your interested. Has a 2014 Evinrude 200HO motor on it with GPS speed. Best ski wakes of any boat, excellent motor, very easy to maintain. Boat has been well cared for. PM me for pics and info.

 

Here's a SIA link: https://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?endless=summer&topic=Search&category=Boat_Outboard&postid=53785

[Orlando76]

Wasn’t the tristar wood stringers? I know it had a few corners cut. I’ve never been a fan of them. The Malibu I’d say is the better choice of your group even though that era Malibu id be hesitant on. I have some experience with my buddy’s Centurion outboard. I believe it’s a barefoot warrior but definitely has tracking fins. It’s a 1990. Fair wake, soft but I’m surprised wake is as big as it is. 200 Mercury but it was never propped right, slow in the hole and it’s top end was always beat by my Nautique. I felt interior was great due to no motor in middle. No other choices?

[Andre]

Mastercraft guy here.

Stay away from the Tristar.

Get an indboard.

[CPC_1]

@ResponseSkier that Hydrodyne is sweet! Beyond our price range for this time around. But definitely a boat we drool over when we go to the local ski shows in Northern Wisconsin.

[ReallyGottaSki]

Barefoot warrior or warrior comp?

Either way, those boats can do a lot of things well, but unfortunately they also go turtle unpredictably and with four boys likely at the helm I would be most concerned because things can go from normal to upside down without trying too hard.

[sodbuster88]

I always felt the back seat in the Tri Star 190 was useless...no leg room in the middle of the seat to the back of the engine box and also kinda hard to maneuver around...however you gain an open bow. Like others have suggested, I would opt for the 87-91 ProStar Over the TriStar. Handling, performance, wake...are better. Completely preference on my part.

[Ski_Dad]

a tristar is not a good ski boat. You want to avoid Malibu's from the 80's b/c of wood.

 

what is your budget ? A prostar 205 from the early 90's is a great skiing boat but might be hard to find under 10k. Also look at 90's Malibu Echelon, Response or Sunsetter. You will probably be able to find one of the Malibu's under 10k if you look around. Of the big 3 they are usually able to be bought a little cheaper.

 

always suggest a lake test and a compression test.

 

[MDB1056]

Agree with the group, look for all glass (no wood) - target 90 and up. SO many great options that are very reasonable costs. Would also lean towards Mastercraft

[UWSkier]

If Malibu, start in 1994 with the Echelon.

[6balls]

Barefoot warrior has a great wake and is a performance machine. You will want hydraulic steering.

 

Interior is tight, free board is low. Storage is under bow so trying to get under there for skis etc with people in the tight interior is tough. Small ski platforms. I'd say it's simply too small for you and your family, and agree with @ReallyGottaSki it's not your safest option. It's a racing kart on the water, corners flat with super high g's. Coasts forever after you pull the throttle. Not screwed together all that well, either.

 

Needing an open bow and thinking inboard of that general age: MC 205. Room, good wakes, open bow, nice big platform, storage space, higher freeboard, no wood to rot.

[BraceMaker]

TriStar pros... Solid boat with solid indmar power and CHEAP. You can find them in very usable shape sometimes for under 2K.

 

But they're smaller than people think and doesn't give you a true ski boat nor a true runabout. So unless very cost effective move on.

[WBLskier]

Wood stringers are a bad idea in an old boat. I would avoid them at cost. Should factor in maintenance too. Going to have way fewer maintenance costs with a slightly newer boat. 91 and up MasterCraft or 94 up Malibu.

[WBLskier]

Actually I think mc was no wood in 87.

[ESPNSkier]

Got to throw in another plug for the mid-90's MC 205. I've had my '93 for 23 years and absolutely love it. Easy to drive, great slalom wakes, plenty of family room. Keep looking, they are out there.

 

BTW: @CPC_1 That is a gorgeous CVX-16 you have there! I spent many a summer evening skiing behind one of those in the late 70s and early 80s.

[MDB1056]

Actually MC went all glass in late 83.

[CPC_1]

@ESPNSkier thanks for the CVX shoutout. We do love that boat.

 

And thanks to the whole crew for great comments. Based on all of the comments....we’re gonna keep looking.

[Orlando76]

@MDB1056 I can’t shake the thought that the TriStar carried wood stringers over for quite a few more years. I’m trying to research why I’m hell bent on that thought.

 

‘89 was composite. Maybe just my personal distaste for TS.

[BraceMaker]

MC maintenance is largely the same from ~83 to 93 - No wood, small block ford with a carb. LT1's in 93+ more maintenance from my experience - mostly fuel pumps and things like crank sensors. I'm starting to get a bit gun shy on the EFI systems from the 90's - Price out the computer for a MEFI 1.

 

Because the Tristar didn't come out till ~87 it was all composite every year.

[Wayne]

@CPC_1 what is your budget? I think the community here could really give viable options based on that.

 

Plus we all like spending other people’s money ?

[CPC_1]

@wayne —- starting our search in the 6500-8000 range. Since my post, I’ve found a several of 89 Prostar 190s in that range.... but any other advice is welcomed. Spend away!

[CPC_1]

@wayne — one other note....those first boats I listed were all in the 3800-4500 range. So there’s that.

[KRoundy]

For that kind of money you could get a pretty good 90s machine, maybe even late-90s, that would be a noticeable upgrade for you. Prostar 205, Ski Nautique Open Bow or a Malibu Sunsetter. Look for one with Perfect Pass. Do an on the water test, and have someone who knows ski boats look at it. Be patient and wait for the right deal to come along.

 

What area of the world do you live in?

[WBLskier]

Used market is strong but I sold two 89 pro stars for around 7k each 10+ years ago. That said they do hold their value well once they hit a certain age.

[CPC_1]

@KRoundy ... Chicago

[MDB1056]

@CPC_1 - lots of great inventory within easy driving distance of there. Start surfing Ski-it-Again inventory, and OnlyInboards. Your 89 PS190 leaning is also a solid option. The86-90 PS190 hull was great. My daughter had a 90 that we skied for years. Bulletproof boat. The 91-94190 is as you’ve already learned even more revered as one of the best slalom hulls ever. You could be wildly happy with any of these boats. Shopping is half the fun!

[teammalibu]

@CPC_1 I have a friend not far north of Chicago who has a 96 Malibu Sunsetter with the Monsoon Engine with Perfect Pass for sale that might be in your price range.

That year is a great all around boat, good slalom wake awsome barefoot wake lots of room with the open bow.

[BraceMaker]

Pulled a 94 prostar out of mokena awhile back. Craigslist

[Ski_Dad]

not sure if this is in your price range but seems like a nice deal and will ski great

 

 

[CPC_1]

@teammalibu how can I track down the info on the Malibu Sunsetter?

[CPC_1]

@Ski_Dad thanks for sharing. Just a little bit high, but definitely a sweet looking deal.

[strickmd]

@CPC_1 I was in the same situation as you few years ago, found a great 1991 Prostar 190 in the middle of your price range in Michigan. There's not a ton of room in them like most inboards, but we squeeze 2 spotters on the front seat fairly often. Found it easiest to pull the back seat - more room for moving around.

I searched for only fiberglass stringers, so Malibus and Nautiques (mid 90s+) tended to be a little pricier than the MCs.

Maybe someone here has skied one to give some feedback, but the Supra TS6M kept coming up in my searches too, seemed like a solid ski boat at reasonable prices too

[teammalibu]

@CPC_1 I talked to him today and he is asking 10K if you are interested i can give you his number.

[liquid d]

The cost of a boat is not what you paid for it; it's the difference between what you paid for it and what you sold it for. DO NOT SETTLE for less than the boat you need/want. The bottom end on that Malibu or that Dyne is 8 grand. If it still runs good and looks decent, it's worth 8 grand. You have minimal downside to either option. Don't buy cheap and spend every other month fixing it.

[6balls]

Check @teammalibu budfies boat and bring your checkbook

[IGski]

@CPC_1

There is a 97' Malibu Response 560hrs on Ski it again 12k

Just got posted today. This is a friends brother. I haven't personally seen it.

I believe the boat is in storage near Dekalb, IL

[TomH]

The mid-90's Hydrodyne inboards often fall right in your price range. We've been really happy with our 94 Hydrodyne Grand Sport (open bow version). They do have wood in them, but are solidly built, and have a little more room than the typical inboards of the time (both interior-wise and freeboard). There's certainly better wakes out there, but they're very capable ski tugs (aside from a healthy 22-off bump).

[jepski]

91-94 MC Prostar 205 is “everything” better than Tristar. Bow seating in a TS is really tight, platform integrated into hull design made the rear seat mostly useless due to proximity to doghouse. Tracking/driving/wake of the 205 is as good as it gets for that era and a low cost entry into direct drive boats. Other good choices exist, I’m just mostly familiar with MC and own a 92 205.

[CPC_1]

Hey all — following up on this feed since we’ve narrowed down our search to a 1989 MC Prostar 190 and an 1986 Ski Supreme I found on Ski It Again ... but before we dive into an inboard...the lake we vacation at (we rent the lake house) at the end of the dock the water is shallow ... to my knees, so about 20”... of course, we don’t run the boat that shallow but will it sit in water that’s so shallow? On the old CVX we tilt the motor out of the water when parked. Any input on docking that shallow?

[thager]

You could make an extender pipe to get the boat in a little deeper. Back the boat in, disconnect and add the extender to get another 10 feet or so. Extender is basically a pipe with a trailer ball on one end and a trailer coupler on the other.

[thager]

Disregard above. Thought you were putting boat the lake. I would just moor boat in deeper water.

[MISkier]

Docking in water that shallow likely will be problem when high waves or rollers from surf boats lift the boat up and down. The running gear and tracking fins would hit the bottom during the wave troughs. The boat would need to be on a lift or in deeper water when sitting for an extended period.

[liquid d]

dig it out where it sits.

[MDB1056]

Highly recommend the MC 190. Old Supremes were cool but wood plus there were some handling quirks that if you are not a very experienced driver could be of concern

[BraceMaker]

Couple thoughts on depth - Its probably deep enough but there are these bungee cord mooring systems where you pull the boat to the dock with a rope and then let it out with the bungie. Perfect for these sorts of things. That way when you're done unloading/loading you just let it out about 10 feet from the dock into deeper water.