Malibu or Mastercraft??

(naych) · (naych) **Join Date: Oct 2006** 07-07-2009, 2:39 PM

Hey guys,
I need a bias opinion on a 1996 Malibu sunsetter lx and a 1998 mastercraft prostar 190...looking to use for mainly wakeboarding..Also need to know if my 2005 mitsubishi rated a 3500 max tow will have any problems towing it...boat says 2800lb dry ..any feedback with be appreciated..looking to get it this weekend..

naych

(snowboardcorey)

I'm an MC guy but I'd take a sunsetter over a 190 for wakeboarding. The 190 will work but its a purpose built ski boat, the sunsetter will have a little more freeboard, open bow and more space for ballast.

(mhunter) · (mhunter) **Join Date: Mar 2008** 07-07-2009, 2:47 PM

I dont think you will get much of a wake out of a 190 its primarily a ski boat.You will be maxing out your Mitsu, Boat 2800lbs, trailer 1000lbs plus,fuel and gear 500-700lbs. 4300-4500 lbs?

(rodltg2) · (rodltg2) **Join Date: Oct 2005** 07-07-2009, 2:53 PM

i'd say sunsetter. The 1998 MC190 is a purpose built slalom boat but it sucks at it. so you wouldnt even be able to sell it to a slalom skier either!

(naych) · (naych) **Join Date: Oct 2006** 07-07-2009, 2:59 PM

wow....awesome responce guys..thank you...

michael: thanks for the info..didnt know trailer weigh much...made my mine on boat but now might need to upgrade the car...

naych

(naych) · (naych) **Join Date: Oct 2006** 07-07-2009, 3:02 PM

thanks guys for the quick responce..help me to decide easily...now problem is the car....never easy....

naych

(polarbill) · (polarbill) **Join Date: Jun 2003** 07-07-2009, 3:36 PM

I remember a few years ago that people were using the 95-97/98 prostar as a wakeboarding boat. If I remember correctly it had a very similar hull to the 205/205V. Not sure if the 98 190 was the same hull as the 95-97. If it is I am sure it is capable of throwing a good wake. that being said I think the Sunsetter LX is the same or similar hull to the early 2000's VLX. It also has a ton more room and an open bow. For those reasons I would go with the Sunsetter unless the 190 is significantly closer to your budget.

(wakedoctor) · (wakedoctor) **Join Date: Dec 2004** 07-08-2009, 9:26 AM

The model you are talking about is the 205 hull it is an open bow boat and a foot or two longer I think.

(polarbill) · (polarbill) **Join Date: Jun 2003** 07-08-2009, 10:09 AM

Craig, I know what the 205 hull is. That is the one I was comparing it to. After looking at pics of a 98 190 it looks to be different than the 95-97 190. The 95-97 190 has a very similar hull to the 205. It is just a smaller scale. This means it should put out a similar shaped wake with a little less ballast. It will just be a more narrow wake. I could be wrong though. But I don't think so.

(behindtheboat)

It is different, that's the year they changed it and it had huge, peaky wakes. If you want a closed bow boat for wakeboarding, get a 98 Prostar 190. Sacked out and towered, I would put good money that it's hull will produce a better wake than the Sunsetter. Those Sunsetters didn't really push that much water. Like rod kind of said, the 190 was meant to be a slalom boat, but they didn't do that well. However I would disagree, because I rode one a while back and it was as nice as most "wakeboard" boats. If you want an open bow, get an open bow. If you want a better wake, IMO the 190 would be the choice. A 19skier would be the same thing in a newer model

(ttuclint) · (ttuclint) **Join Date: Sep 2003** 07-08-2009, 10:31 AM

"I would put good money that it's hull will produce a better wake than the Sunsetter"

So exactly how much money are you gonna put on a 98 Prostar 190 having a better wake than a 2004 VLX ?

(bill_airjunky)

The 98 Prostar was the one that had hull problems that MC "fixed" with the rudder & 4th skeg. The rumor at the time was that the boat chine locked & slid off the test lake during the AWSA approval testing..... TWICE! MC only made that boat for 2 yrs.... wonder why. Look it up for yourself. But I'd stay clear of that boat for that reason alone.

The Sunsetter is a descent all around boat that you can use for boarding for a long time without any problems. Plus it's a bow rider. If you were comparing the Sunsetter to the 98 205, I'd say you can't go wrong with either boat. But run away from the 190 in that year.

(Message edited by bill_airjunky on July 08, 2009)

(behindtheboat) · (behindtheboat) **Join Date: Aug 2006** 07-08-2009, 1:09 PM

Clint, since he was talking a 96 Sunsetter, that's the one I would put my money against. VLX is a v-drive anyway, he's talking direct-drives. I would put your boat ahead of them all of course.

Don't try and power turn right before shore. You won't have a problem with the Prostar.

(Message edited by behindtheboat on July 08, 2009)

(ttuclint) · (ttuclint) **Join Date: Sep 2003** 07-08-2009, 4:25 PM

96 Sunsetter = exact same hull as up to 2004 VLX is why I said that.

(bill_airjunky) · (bill_airjunky) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 07-08-2009, 4:27 PM

It doesn't take a power turn to chine lock a boat. And if you have the band aids that were available for the 98 PS190, then it's not likely to do it anyway. But would you want a boat that is band aided together when you have other proven options???

(wakedoctor) · (wakedoctor) **Join Date: Dec 2004** 07-08-2009, 4:44 PM

Sorry Brett. I misunderstood.

Bill do you have experience with this boat?