2014 Prostar scoop?

[GregDavis]

VALUE:

 

1. Qualify of product

2. Performance

3 Resale, RESALE, RESALE.

4. Does boat meet the needs or your family activities

5. VALUE, Yes, X boat is more expensive than Y boat, however, is the VALUE there

for you. and your interests. I place alot of importance on Resale, People who keep a boat 10 years or more, resale isn't as important.

6. Drive ability, I want a slalom boat that is easy to drive in slalom course.

i.e. wife driving, I want best pull while skiing slalom course that I can get.

 

[dave2ball]

@rodltg2 a promo 200 goes for 45-46k or so for an SE. A promo centurion is advertised 42K or so when they were trying to break into the market for a promo. Not a huge difference. But you get what you pay for. You will have a much better resale on a 200 vs a centurion

[PT Mike]

@Krlee no need to get on board with Centurion when Correct Craft had been nailing the slalom scene for years.

[Mateo_Vargas]

Looks like another MasterCraft thread turning into a Nautique circle jerk.

[rodltg2]

Is ballast or trim tabs not allowed ? Why couldn't they build a great slalom boat and add those things to improve trick and jump performance. Nautique obviously has a patent on the hydro gate , but I'm sure there is another effective way to please all.

 

I'm one if those guys who will ski behind anything , at least anything other than a Svfara Sv one ! That wake is nasty !

[Horton]

@Krlee because the brand is not yet trusted again. It is a killer slalom boat. I would buy one but a lot of skiers want the old brand that they know.

[ForrestGump]

@rodltg2 Just wait. You'll see what the new MC has to offer when it is first seen to the real public at Nationals.

 

FWIW........ full deck and interior pre-production boat will be ready in April/May time frame for testing by select skiers and pros.

[rodltg2]

I won't be able to afford it but , but looking forward to it !

[ToddL]

@GregDavis

 

The missing element in your breakout of slalom vs. trick vs. jump..? People who ski more than 1 event. I know a couple of trick-only skiers. I know a couple of jump-only skiers. But I know TONS of 2 event or 3 event skiers. While I think slalom is hands-down the clear winner for number of active skiers and number of tournament pulls, there are many, many trick pulls and skiers and jump pulls and skier who are also slalom skiers. Thus, it is not a either or situation.

 

However, if you must quantify slalom vs. the rest... In my area if I were to take all tournament pulls (all events all rounds), I would say that about 45% of all tournament pulls are slalom, and the other 55% are equally divided among trick and jump. By those numbers you could say that a majority of all tournament pulls are trick and jump combined, making slalom the minority.

 

It's all a matter of perspective.

 

PS: Our area is having a 3-ev boom and our numbers may be slightly higher than other areas...

[rodltg2]

There is also another element to consider @ toddL. The non tournament ,public lake skiers. Doubt too many jumpers or trickers there.

[ForrestGump]

Yeah, your numbers are WAY higher than 3 hours east in Houston. There are 4 3event tournaments in Houston every year and we'll have 4 times that number of tournament days of slalom only.

[eleeski]

I'm not sure what this thread is saying. My MC slalom wake is as good or better than any CC, Malibu or Centurion wake out there for the line length I ski. The wake seems to be tuned for 32off - especially compared to my 04MC (which Lisa prefered at 15off). The prevailing internet wisdom regarding slalom wakes may not be factual.

 

While tricks only skiers do exist in significant numbers, trickers do not need the tournament lake to train and may be less visible to the slalom crowd. The tricks only group can be more concentrated on public water - it certainly was when I started.

 

CC has done a fantastic marketing job. Sponsor the Big Dawg and you create a loyal following (and I salute that). We are convinced that CC slalom wakes are superior and are willing to pay for that in higher initial price and higher gas bills on the water. The apologists for the inferior trick wake generate animosity toward trickers. Note that the 200 trick wakes are not unskiable like the 196 wakes - but the anti tricking rhetoric of some CC boosters and CC's unwillingness to improve the 196 trick wakes has made a few trickers (like me) unhappy with CC.

 

Waterskiing is a niche market. Tournament skiing is a smaller niche. Slalom specialists are an even smaller subset. Maybe we should try to encompass more skiing interests. MC's overall focus is on target and admirable.

 

Eric

[Horton]

MasterCraft has announced the intention to change the V8 engines to 1.6 litre V6 turbo engines including energy recovery systems and containing fuel flow restrictions, in order to make MasterCraft more environmentally aware and to attract more commercial partners for 2014. The engines would also be limited to 15,000 rpm.

 

Wait. No that is the 2014 Formula One rules...

[DW]

JTH, might be just a tad difficult to get the fuel for that particular ride. But it sure would sound sweet. . . .

[Horton]

@DW

As much as I hate the idea of what they are doing it sounds like the hybrid stuff is going to be interesting tech.

[BraceMaker]

As a fuel buyer... I would love a boat that used less.

[6balls]

This is sorta like Dodge, Chevy and Ford going at each other in the pick-up market (other than the pick up market is huge). All three are great, capable, quad-cab, luxurious, towing monsters with differences on the margin that drive sales based on personal preference. Usually the most recent r/d updated truck wins the comparo in the mags.

In tourney boats or pick-ups, really can't go wrong with any of 'em, but based on your personal mission you may choose one over the other....granted you have what it takes to buy one. Who ever thought that ski boats and pick-ups would be north of $50 grand?

 

[Broussard]

@Krlee Thank you! From what I have seen in the sport, a lot of the new boats sold go to families that participate in more than one event.

[swc5150]

@ShaneH makes a great point on the Centurion. The two dealerships near me don't stock them, so that makes it a challenge for me to even see one in person. Being that it's only rated for 3 people makes it a non-option for me anyway. Speaking of Coast Guard approval, I thought buoyancy/weight capacity played a big role in the process, beyond just seating area? I was told this is why a Prostar 190 has the capacity for 8, when you'd practically have to start stacking people to reach it. If there's any truth to this, what the heck is going on with the Carbon?

[E_T]

@Horton 1.6L turbo my lawnmower has a bigger motor.....

[Horton]

@E_T how many rpm?

[E_T]

@Horton not 12k.... but it does a frekin sweet wheelie!!!

[MattP]

@Horton and you wonder who we don't talk... Look what I have to put up with.

[MCskiFreak]

@swc5150 Look at the Carbon Pro's transom, that would be the limiting factor for the CG capacity rating I would imagine.

[Horton]

@E_T Awesome!

[swc5150]

@mcskifreak

That was my initial thought as well, but then remembered there's more to capcity than seating area. However, it turns out it holds 5 versus 3. If used carbons drop at or under $30k in the near term, that's my next boat.

[swc5150]

So right now there's a 600 hour 2012TT out there for $35k, and another '12 TT 200 hr for $42.9. Once again, if the 2014 is awesome, there could be a firesale on late models - which looks like may have already started?

[ntx]

@swc5150 I think the numbers you state are about right and not a firesale. I purchased a 2011 MC 15 months ago, with 200 hours for 41,000. Did the firesale start a year ago? Deals can be found if you know where to look and move quickly.

[swc5150]

$35k for a 2012 is about right? Wow, I didn't realize MC's got that low so fast. I just saw an '08 196 sell for more. I totally agree that deals come up, and one has to be ready strike, however most of those don't end on ebay or boat trader type sites. Dang I wish I could buy a boat right now.

[Jordan]

First of all that 2012 has 600 hours. That is high for a one year old boat. That is reltively high mileage for the age.

 

It also has some interior and gel coat damage.

 

So it is priced right for its' condition. Hardly a fire sale.

[ForrestGump]

And with those hours and condition, it could be a ski school boat, which negates the warranty.

[ntx]

@swc5150 with 600 hours maybe a little low but not too much. The 196's are way over priced. Not sure if people are getting what they are asking for. I have 09 196 Limited that has about 900 hours that will be for sale soon. My guess is that it will be in the mid 20's. I need to work out the details on it's replacement.

[swc5150]

@ntx I completely agree on the 196 pricing.

 

@Jordan

Two tiny dings and 600 hours shouldn't lower it to $35k. Those are cheap issues to fix, which makes me wonder why he didn't just have them taken care of before listing? Could be from a school? That would make sense. Or just a lucky guy who can put 300 hours a year on a boat.

[The_MS]

It may be just me but I would take a 600 hour 08/09 196 over the 600 hour MC. I think every member of our ski club would agree.

[vtjc]

The ’12 MC 197 for sale http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2012-Mastercraft-Prostar-Team-Boat-/111060095255 is a club boat from Avon Old Farms Ski Club in CT. They seem to struggle selling their boats each year.

I hope the new ProStar is a great slalom boat.

The 196 pricing is crazy this spring and has put me off from buying. I will go another summer skiing with friends. Its great it takes two people to ski.

[eleeski]

@MS It's just you. Or just a bunch of slalom only (hmmm, couldn't think of a polite word to insert here).

 

The MC has the best wake for tricking and wakeboarding. At deep shortline, the wake and pull are equivalent to the CC. Technically, the MC is a better all around boat.

 

Additionally, the CC 196 is far enough out of date that it is harder to get an exemption to use a non current boat in a tournament. The MC hull is similar enough to the current hulls that the older MC exemption is much more realistic and fair.

 

A new MC will have to be a great boat - because the old ones are so good. Hopefully a change is not being made just to make a change to drive new boat sales. In today's economy, I don't think that will work (look at MS's love of a horrible obsolete boat and all the talk of retrofitting really old sweet boats). There may be a place in the market for a smaller, easier to tow, easier to handle, more economical and equally versatile boat.

 

Eric

[The_MS]

Actually some of the slalom skiers would like to get the MC so they can practice behind the big wake at slow speed or longer line. After practicing behind the butter 196 slalom wake, the kids and longer liners have an issue with the MC wakes when they get it at a tournament so they want us to buy one so they can practice behind it. That is a terrible reason to buy a boat with bigger wakes.

We have used a 2002 196 with ZO and a 08 196 with ZO the last 2 years at the events at our site. We had no problem getting the exemption to use them.

 

[eleeski]

Last year an 09 196 would be still approved (for non record). This year the 196 hull is technically completely obsolete (the 200 dubuted in 10 didn't it?). I'm sure an exemption is possible and reasonable but the hull does not meet any AWSA criteria. The MC hull is still current so an older boat with ZO is technically meeting the criteria.

 

The 196 slalom wake at beginner speeds and lengths IS superior to the MC. To me, that does not make up for the shortcomings for tricks (and wakeboards and kneeboards) - things a developing skier should be doing as well as learning the course.

 

Eric

[The_MS]

What is this Tricks stuff you are talking about?

I think if you tell USA that your event will be cancelled due to no boats, they grant the exemption based on needing to keep the sanction money. There is no reason the 196 should not be approved for a slalom event if it has ZO.

[Texas6]

@MS, I'm really struggling to figure out which boat you preference? :). And yes, the 196 is a fine machine

[The_MS]

I love the CP, LXI, TXI, 196, 206, PS190 and the 197 as long as I have good drivers for them all.

But if I am buying, its the 196.

[Dacon62]

And the topic was...

[Onside135]

So...leading arm vs. trailing arm?

[Horton]

http://media.tumblr.com/fe497dd337d9af8479bb6398b9565d16/tumblr_inline_mg6n5ltl6X1rxe4lt.gif

[The_MS]

I cant wait to ski behind the new MC.

[swc5150]

The new PS is making its tournament debut in May isn't it?

[Texas6]

Please tell me that was my Panda??

[Horton]

Nope @Texas6 that Panda was for @Onside135

[Horton]

@swc5150 No. I would bet a case of Kilo Kai that it will not be in May. They have managed to keep all details super secret. My "guess" is mid to late summer.

[Ed_Johnson]

My guess is Nationals or right before !!!