vtjc

What year is the Mastercraft and what motor does it have? Roughly needs to be 07/08+ or newer with an e-controls ECU to install ZO easily.

Gongrats on the achievement.

I have done it a few times in Vermont, always a memorable day.

The ice went of Lake Iroquois in north western Vermont earlier in the week. I will be getting my boat out of storage the 27th. It was a great winter ski season in northern Vermont.

 

@swc5150 I agree also telling that MC didn't make an open bow version of the 98-00 Prostar hull. I agree a Prostar 195, SportStar/19Skier are good MC options from that era.

@BraceMaker Years ago, I test drove a 98-00 Prostar. I have owned an 88 MC Prostar and a 99 MC SportStar(95-97 Prostar) Hull. A ski partner has a MC 197 and there is a 94 MC 190 on our lake. I suspect your correct a 98-00 Prostar boat would fine nice with the modifications for public water. It is good for people to be aware of the history that may impact resale.

 

Waterski Mag 5 Standout Used Ski Boats

MC 190 years are wrong in article should be 91-94, 95-97 was a different hull. 98-00 was problematic hull with chine lock.

 

Check the boat forums for more detail on specific models.

MC 190 A History

MC Prostar 95-97, SportStar A History

MC Prostar 205 A History

 

For a closed bow boat I would look for a 93+ Ski Nautique(92 last year for wood), a 91-97 MC Prostar( 98+ MC SportStar/19Skier, 99+ will have a Vortex 350 with TBI EFI systems) or BU Response. The older multiport motors like the LT1 and GT40 are great motors but harder to get parts for as they age.

 

If you want to ski with 4-5 people an open bow MC 205 or a Malibu Sunsetter would be a good idea. Sunsetters with the diamond hull ski great.

 

 

I agree a 27.5+ bike is a better all-around bike. I also have both. If you want to ride in the sand I image its allot like riding on snow, the more flotation the better.

My O’Neill Assault Hybrid suit is one of my prized possession. Great for extending the ski season and making dock/lift install and removals more comfortable during the shoulder seasons. Unfortunately, it appears O’Neill discontinued and they have an all neoprene Fluid suit now. Prior to the hybrid suit I had a baggy suit which was tough to ski in.

I just got a quote for Ski Safe, just $5($269) more than Progressive for equivalent coverage. Freeze coverage is offered for an additional fee. Going to investigate this further when its time for my renewal in May.

I shopped around for insurance last year when I bought my boat, I ended up with Progressive. As I was boat shopping, I got a quote for an 09 196, I eventually bought a 08 196. Curiously the rate for the 08 was higher because it was 10+ years old.

Check out https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/list/?category=71 for used Fatbikes. I recommend you find a lightly used bike from a reputable manufacture.

 

My wife and I have Specialized Fat Boys we enjoy on the snow and in the summer when trails are wet or our mtn bikes are being repaired.

I agree looks like a boat.

Keep watching Ski It Again, onlyinboards.com, BoatTrader, craigslist, eBay and some larger dealers, something will come along. Last spring, I bought my ’08 196 for under $30k. I had been tracking 196 and cheaper 200 prices for a while, you can get a 200 5.7L with 500ish hours for $35k. I think the low volume made and price increases of the new boats affects resale value. Good luck in your search!

A SN 206 is likely a good boat for your use, the Malibu Sunsetter LXi is another solid option for a larger boat that skis well.

 

@Ski_Dad is right about the Perfect Pass, maybe a negotiating point with the dealer.

 

I agree the price maybe a little high. I live in Vermont and looked for boats in Quebec and Ontario when I was looking for my 196. They always seemed to be priced a bit higher in Canada(after accounting for currency conversion). The advantage is like boats from northern US they have only been used part of the year so if properly maintained and cared for they can be in excellent condition. Does seem to be to many 206’s for sale currently, but spring is coming.

 

I am interested to learn the weight of a TXI. Boatmate lists trailer weights: https://boatmatetrailers.com/models_malibu.php

Alpine skiing, sailing, mtb/fat/road biking.

 

Typically Ski DIM

Wasn’t the 2010-18 200 a ‘Ski Nautique 200’, so are they dropping the SKI and calling it the first Nautique 200? Seems like splitting hairs.

https://www.nautique.com/models/nautique-200

Looks like a nicely updated product. They have had success with the G series and 210/230, great they are trying that with the ski line.

I hope surgery went well. I wish you a speedy and complete recovery.

@Ridemx59 I ski at 34mph 22-32’ most behind my 08 196 and my neighbors 17 TXI, we feel the wakes are fairly comparable. The wakes are better than the 09 MC 190 and 05 MC 197 we also ski behind. For our ski partner that ski 30 mph the wakes of the 196 and TXI are noticeably better than the MasterCrafts.

 

Are other factors changing between the boats and sites? Water depth, Temperature, boat loading and such?

 

I agree the 6.0L in the 17 TXI doesn’t seem to have the power it should. I do like the rest of the boat though.

You could also consider adding a magnetic block heater to your system for swing season cold preparations. I had a 200-watt KAT heater on my drained 5.7L last night. Not a long-term solution and dependent on reliable power, but provides a little extra protection between uses of the boat. The KAT heater 'CSA Rated for Canada', are better for use in an enclosed space.

Unfortunately, I am doing the full winterization and storing the boat this weekend.

Another year has passed since this thread was active. It’s close to winterization and oil change time for me. I have a new to me 2008 PCM Excalibur 343, original oil specs SAE 15W-40 GF-4/SM. Following links Jody provided in the Warning - Shell Rotella no longer has gasoline engine designation thread it seems GF-5 can be used where GF-4 is recommended. Can SN can be used where SM is recommended?

What oils are people finding that meet these specs? Valvoline VR1 or Chevron Delo?

I regularly ski behind these three ZO boats: 2008 CC 196 5.7L my boat, 2017 Bu TXI 6.0L &

2009 MC PS190 6.0L. I have tied my season best behind all three of them this summer. I am considering updating my boat to single puck and the latest ZO version. I occasionally behind a 2005 MC 197 with PP & 5.7L.

I speculation that the mid ship fuel tank affects this. I also suspect it will allow them to offer an Open Bow configuration as part of a model cycle refresh in a few years.