vtjc

I would check with the forum on Planet Nautique http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/forum.php

I also vote for Oneil Assault (hybrid). Skis better than a baggie suit. You can put plenty of clothes(fleece) under the top if needed. Jamie

I like the classic colors and layout. Wish I had the $ for a 200. Jamie

Check out www.planetnautique.com great site for info on late model Nautiques. I will be shopping for a similar boat this winter. Jamie

I believe the TSC 1 hull ran 97-01, TSC 2 02-05 & TSC 3 06-09. See the attached chart.

Kona, The relevant brand forums can give you allot of info on specific models. I recently sold my 99 MasterCraft SportStar CB which is chronicled here: http://www.mastercraft.com/teamtalk/showthread.php?t=14622&highlight=prostar+history that hull was available as an open bow as the X5, SportStar Open Bow and later ProStar 195. It’s a good hull that skis well and has plenty of power with the 310 tbi Vortex 350 standard 99+. However, it doesn’t have great tracking, which is one of the things I hope to improve with my next boat, most likely a SN 196. The ProStar 205 is chronicled in these two posts: http://mastercraft.com/teamtalk/showpost.php?p=112635&postcount=21 http://www.mastercraft.com/teamtalk/showthread.php?t=15198&highlight=prostar+history I have skied behind a Ski Nautique Open Bow(SNOB), which isn’t a walk through, and found them to be great. Check out http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/ for more late model Nautique info. I would also add the late 90’s Malibu Sunsetter LXI to your list. I skied and drove friends allot before he upgraded to the slightly smaller 07 Response LXI. The Sunsetter ski’s amazingly well for such a large boat. However, even with the Monsoon engine it’s doesn’t seem very sporty. www.themalibucrew.com Here is a good boat buyer’s guide to help you inspect boats: http://mastercraft.com/teamtalk/showpost.php?p=257514&postcount=47 Good luck on your search! Jamie

http://asheville.craigslist.org/boa/2265154448.html http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-19-5-FOOT-SKI-NAUTIQUE-COMPETITION-SKI-BOAT-/260764540097 I stopped and saw this boat a month ago. I talked with Rick the owner on the phone, but he was out of town so I was shown it by his friend/employee. I believe this boat was flood damaged in Texas last summer, similar to this boat. http://mastercraft.com/teamtalk/showthread.php?t=38192 Based upon the registration, dealer sticker on the transom and the silt remaining in the bow, battery box, glove box and on the engine. The engine oil was also milky suggesting water contamination, despite Rick’s statement that that it had been winterized. Here is a list of other issues I saw; unfortunately I didn’t have my camera with me. They abandoned the touch pad ignition and wired(poorly with scotch locks) in a new key. The boat started and ran, but no electronics or gauges appeared to function. The PerfectPass was not working, so no other way to verify the hours. Rick said it showed 410 hrs the first time the hooked up a battery but gauges don’t work now. No sign of Stargazer components. The hull was poorly painted in several of the white areas. The tracking fins where missing from the bottom of the hull, but Rick said he had ordered some replacements, the screws to install them where in a cup holder, so I think they were removed not ripped off the hull. The dash has a split down the center. Various Small vinyl cuts on the seats. Missing a correct cover and Bimini(mounts where on the hull). Trailer is in poor condition and doesn’t properly fit the boat. The friend stated Rick has had the trailer for several years before the boat came along. In the early Craig’slist as the trailer was yellow. In my opinion this boat could make a good project, similar to the 96 ProStar shown in the MasterCraft thread, if you’re willing to re due the poor paint work and sort out the electronic issues. Hopefully the motor is good, but sitting with water in the oil for that long will have taken its toll. I would be hesitant to spend more than a couple of grand on its since clean 00 196 can be had for $15k… Regards, Jamie

PT Mike, Sorry to hear about your injury. I hope you’re able to have a great season this year. I skied in Fogman’s for three season, prior to that I had HO Animals and Goode Hardshells. My PB is 6 @ 32’ at 36mph. I sprained my ankle badly in them during the summer of 07, and in 08 I broke the talus in my right ankle in them, I ski RFF. In 09 after losing the release mechanism further, had already loosed them in 08 following sprain in 07, I sprained my ankle again and vowed to find new bindings. I have been skiing in Radar Strada boot every since and have been very happy. I am a former alpine ski racer, so I do miss the tight fit of the Fogman Hardshells. But I feel I have a better chance of releasing from the Strada’s when needed. Another ski partner who broke his ankle in Animal’s has liked the Strada’s as well. Out of my group of ski partners many have broken or injured there ankles. One broke in rubber boots and now skis with Goode Powershells while another broke his ankle in Powershells and now skis in Whiley’s… If you decide to go with the Fogman’s I have a plate and release units for sale: http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?topic=Search&postid=11824 This have minimal use. I am encouraged companies seem to be dedicating more energy to binding development, and I hope safer and better skiing systems are in our future. Jamie

John, The survey assumes you own a boat. I sold my boat in November, and probably won’t buy one until 2012... I don’t anticipate a drop off in my skiing however, as each of the people I ski with ones a boat. Jamie

I vote for SportTube as well. I got one after I had a pair of alpine skis damaged by an airline. It works great year round. Jamie

Thanks for the info that the GT-40 motor is serviceable. Jody, please post or email me the info about the 190 in FL. Never hurts to look. Jamie Â

I recently sold my 99 MasterCraft SportStar(95-97 ProStar Hull) and I am researching options for my next boat. I like closed bow boats(prior boats where a 88 MC PowerSlot and 98 Moomba Boomerang) and would like another MasterCraft but the 190s are rare so I might end up trying a CC 196. People rave about the GT-40 in Nautique's, particularly their torque and reliability. I live in VT and often use my boat early and late in the season. I drain the block and bring the boat in during cold weather, but if a block where to be damaged, are there any replacement options besides a complete repower with a Chevy? Thanks, Jamie

My friends and I experimented using two Bubble Boy Buoys on our course this year. The course is installed, on the north west side of a small public lake(Lake Iroquois) in Vermont. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=lake+iroqouis+vt&sll=44.403629,-73.177994&sspn=0.00765,0.01929&ie=UTF8&hq=lake+iroqouis&hnear=Vermont&ll=44.368226,-73.087749&spn=0.030617,0.109863&t=h&z=14 We had tried water filled buoys earlier in the year and found hitting the BBB’s was much less of an event. The BBBs seemed fine unless we got a strong north or south breeze; we had the BBBs installed at ball one and six. So if we had a south breeze the northern one would need burling and vice a versa, after a really big breeze 20+mph we would need to burp both. We plan to install all six this coming season and have a 7th as a spare. Between our group of skiers the cost was minimal and if it saved one ankle it would be worth it. About half of the skiers in our group have broken their ankle skiing one way or another. Jamie

So in 2012, each of the big three will be using a different company to marinze their respective motors. I am always a fan of competition, so hopefully this will keep price competitive and improve features! I have only had Indmar Motors though in my boats. 88 Mastercraft Powerslot 351 Carb 98 Moomba 350 Carb 310 HP 99 Mastercraft SportStar 350 EFI 310 HP

What year did PCM start using E-Controls ECU(06 or 07), so you can directly add Zero Off? Thanks, Jamie

Oneill Assault drysuit

I was wondering if that was a backboard in the shots of the boat on the water. Excellent idea. Jamie

Second Vote for VT. No private lakes or UT dry powder; but the water skiing on public water can be great and between the rains the snow ski can be great to.

No tape between G-10 plate and relase units. I have a whole setup for sale here: http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?topic=Search&postid=11824 Â Jamie

I have a size 9 adapter plate I will sell you for $100. I also have a spare set of release units you could use on it for sale as well. I also have a complete size 9 Fogman setup for sale if you’re interested. Jamie

I have been using my Strada's for a few weeks now. They are the 2010 version of the RS-1 boot. They are less bulky. My double setup uses the Sequence plate.