1988 Mastercraft prostar $7,800

[CabinGuy]

Thanks for your advice folks so here is a boat a little newer than the starfire:
This is what owner says:
1988 mastercraft prostar 190 Exterior is in great shape seats are mostly ok some have been replaced. Like new monster tower. 1007hours Engine..351w THE BOAT DOESNT IDLE I think it needs the carb cleaned or the new fuel pump isn't producing enough pressure. Once hot it's close to idling. I bought this boat 3 years ago and was told it was rebuilt and it wasn't it was a bandaid that lasted 2 days. So I pulled the motor sent it to wagman Brothers did a complete rebuild then replaced the fuel pump,oil pump,fuel filter water separator, flame thrower electric distribution, impeller/housing, new oem damper plate,napa battery. I have all the records for the parts and work.. all gauges work, plowerslot Trans.

 

[GA_Boater]

Repeating some advice - Avoid any boats with Ford power. Marine parts are almost nonexistent as Ford hasn't powered any new boats in like 20 years.

So the owner has all the records for the parts and work and it still won't idle. That should tell you something.

Look for a boats with Volvo-Penta or GM Mecruiser power. Also, are you even looking for an inboard ski boat?

 

[CabinGuy]

Thanks - will do - looking for a smaller boat 19 feet or less -in board - enought to tug a tube or ski cruise at sunset

 

[CabinGuy]

1985 SEARAY 185bowrider 265hp 4bbl 5.0ho

This 1985 bow rider 5.0 H.O. runs and drives as it should @ 265 horsepower. New 5.0L mercruiser engine installed by Tanners marine in 2002 new crate motor has about 176 Hours on the engine

 

[southkogs]

The SeaRay is worth lookin' at. Condition is the key. You will also want to carefully consider the boat's condition. And make sure you base your decisions on used boat buying mostly on the boat's condition.

Have you read through THIS information?

 

[briangcc]

You can lug around a tube with almost any power. Waterskiing has been done behind outboards and I/O's...unless you're into competitive skiing that is.

Are you sure you want a traditional inboard? Without trying to sound insulting, this is the angled prop shaft under the boat with a rudder in back to steer. IF you are boating in rocky or stump infested waters this probably isn't the best choice as when you bend the prop shaft you're going to be dead in the water. Wrap a tow or anchor rope around the prop shaft and you are diving under the boat to cut it free.

For a first boat I'd go Outboard then I/O. I'm partial to Honda outboards (whisper quiet - hear the tell tale peeing in the water at idle) although others will say Yamaha or Merc. Avoid Force at all costs.

 

[JimS123]

SeaRays are nice. In fact, I own one. But one that's 35 years old and already needed to have the engine replaced?? Somebody did somting wong.

It ran good last time it was in the water. Just won't idle and needs a carb cleaning and it'll be fine. (That;s like telling the girl "Don't worry, you won't get pregnant".....LOL.)

Bargains are few and far between. The rest are money pits.

 

[rallyart]

There are many advantages to getting an direct drive inboard. Don't worry about the arguments that people who don't use one unless you are using your boat for the same purpose as they use theirs.
However, I think I would have to have a more significant discount to get that one which does not idle. Old Fords are harder to maintain and why start with a problem when it's easy enough to make your own. Good Luck.

 

[matt167]

direct drive inboards are used in wake boats, pretty much or much larger boats. If you want a competition wake, then it has all the advantages. Otherwise the drive system is just cheaper to repair. This is also why they basically are never seen anymore, outside of pulling skiers ect...
Ford SBF was a great marine engine, and they were used in many wake boats prior to 1997. But in 1996-1997, Ford quit building 302's and ran out the supply on the Ford Explorers. Ford marine division was shut down. Now 20+ years later, the marine specific parts are becoming NLA

 

[ahicks]

The problem with straight inboards is they're a pain in the butt for newbies to maneuver at low speeds. Once you've had one for a couple of years you get pretty good at it - unless the wind is blowing the wrong way.

I don't think there are many boats that will get up on top as quickly as a straight inboard. That's the big draw for skiers. That and the shape of the wake.

Most are terrible in rough water as well. That big (nearly) flat bottom that gets them on top so quickly rides like a roller skate on a brick road.