Ewojer

That's what I thought. It didn't jump out of the hole either. The speedo was not working so I downloaded a GPS speedo on my phone. 33 to 34 top end.

Anyone know what the top end speed of the 2002 Calabria Cal-Air is? I test drove today and top end was 34...

@foxriverat I saw that as well. Nada books out at 12 to 14 grand for whatever that's worth. Going to get in it this week to test drive.

@foxriverat thank you for the article on the Cal-Air. Confirmed that it has fiberglass stringers as well!

Knowing the Calabria has fiberglass stringers helps my decision! Thank you everyone, and continue to chime in if there are any other opinions.

All comments have been helpful, mostly I just wanted to see if anyone saw any red flags with any of the boats. I also wanted to know more about Calabria and I think it seems like a solid boat. Basically they all have the same motor... They all seem like good options... I am test driving the Calabria early this coming week.

Thank you @wawaskr it is good to hear multiple people say that it has fiberglass stringers. Not sure where the seller got his info from... What did you think of the Calabria?

The Prostar also has a tower. The Malibu has a boom and high pole.

My bad. It is the Cal-Air direct drive with a tower.

If serious, I would love his contact info. The Calabria looks sweet.

My goal from the start was to get a Mastercraft. But is there something to be said for 9 and 7 year newer boats? Especially if they are quality manufacturers (still not entirely sure on the Calabria). From my understanding the motors are pretty much the same (unless I am mistaken). Where we are in the Mississippi is overall very sheltered and mostly calm. I usually have not gone out skiing in the highest trafficked weekend times. In other words I don't plan on bringing the boat through much if any rough water, but I appreciate the warning on the Sportster. My thoughts are that the Sportster might be the perfect starter boat for my young boys (and wife and myself) but might want the extra space of a bigger boat soon. The benefit is that it would be good on gas and easy to trailer as I would be putting it in and out of the water every time I use it. The Prostar would actually be my dream boat. The downside is that it is 7 years older and 500 more hours. The Calabria is local, looks great and is newer, but I don't know much about the company. Was hoping someone here could tell me more about the company and boat. There is not much online about it that I have been able to find. Either way it looks like I have a couple of good choices. I guess the next step is to go for a couple of drives... Thanks for the info so far and if anyone else has any thoughts feel free to chime in.

The seller told me that it has wood stringers... Hmmm. I tried to Google it but didn't find anything about a 2002.

The Mastercraft and Malibu are 4 hours in different directions. I am not at all opposed to driving, but it would have been nice to kill two birds with one stone... I want the open bow for the extra space for people when we take the boys friends or other families out. The boat will be used on the Mississippi river so we can drop people off on a sandbar and then ski the day from there. So when I take more people/gear out I would need the space. Does anyone know anything about the Calabria? I have read up on the manufacturer and the wood stringers send up a red flag for me, but it is a really nice looking boat.

Hi all, I am looking to purchase my first inboard and am seeking input from the group. I have read many similar posts on boats in this forum and they have been very informational as I work toward making this purchase. I grew up skiing, trick skiing, kneeboarding, discing,... on many older outboard boats and have owned a stern drive as well about 15 years ago. I now have two boys (8 and 5) and am looking to purchase a "deal" inboard boat at the end of the season. My thoughts were to possibly purchase a boat for under $10,000 now or to save for two more years and increase the price to $15,000. I would like an open bow as it provides family flexibility and I have never been a tournament skier and will not be too picky about the wake. I have been around and skied off of some great inboards in the past and it would be great to own one. That being said I have a couple of options on boats that I would like to get feedback on if anyone is willing to chime in. Do any of these boats send up any red flags or does one seem to be a "better" deal than the other? I realize that a great deal of the worth of these older boats are how well they were taken care of but all three seem to be in good shape (owners seemed to have pride in the boats and took care of them). Option 1: (4 hour drive from me) 1993 Mastercraft Prostar 205 $6,700 1000 Hours Open Bow Carb Fiberglass Stringers Single Axle Trailer Option 2: (4 hour drive from me) 2000 Malibu Sportster $8,500 650 Hours Carb Playpen style open bow Fiberglass Stringers Option 3: (Local) 2002 Calabria Cal-Air $10,000 420 Hours Carb Open Bow Wood Stringers Tandem Axel Trailer with surge brakes Wood Stringers I am going to drive each/any of the boats that I seriously consider buying to make sure they are mechanically sound. I have read many people say to ski behind your future boat, but I have skied behind some really crappy boats in the past and honestly didn't care too much about the type of wake, so I don't think that would matter too much. I am just looking for a solid boat that will get the family out on the water that would be as trouble free as possible that would keep options of tubing, wakeboarding, skiing... open. I have also talked a bit to each of the sellers and all are willing to field offers on their boats as it is late in the season for what that is worth. Any and all input would be appreciated... Thank you!