Are there any older boats w/o wood stringer problems?????

robby_kue7 · Newbie Joined: 16 Mar 2010 Posts: 12 City: monroe

im looking at a lot of older ski boats because thats all i can afford but im finding that they have rotten stringers. are there any good wakeboarding boats from the 80s w/o this problem?

Suprahunter · Soul Rider Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 486 City: Lowell

92 was the year that Supra and Correct Craft changed over. A 93 would be a safe bet.

robby_kue7 · Newbie Joined: 16 Mar 2010 Posts: 12 City: monroe

What type of price range would I be looking at for a boat like that?

NKCrider · Posted: Apr 12, 2010 5:01 pm Post subject:

robby_kue7, probably around 8-13k roughly.. check out the "budget boat" chart on that thread and it will give you a lead on what you want to do

SouthWaker · Posted: Apr 13, 2010 1:41 pm Post subject:

A Mastercrafts ran fiberglass stringers in the 80's. Check to see what year but the only downside is that they notoriously take more weight because of the flat bottom design.

KatyJhonson99 · Newbie Joined: 28 Jan 2011 Posts: 1

hey! give them a try! i used them once each:

www[DOT]boattrader[DOT]com/
www[DOT]onlyinboards[DOT]com/Used-ski-boats/

from here; i am sure you can find within your range and without rotten stringers!

chawk610 · Addict Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 668 City: Fort Worth

I think you just have to find something garage kept... I have an '83 MC and it has a solid floor, very structurally sound. Of course... we looked at prolly 12-15 used boats before we found her! Luckily, the family was wanting to upgrade to a new modern Malibu! It got to the point that I carried the cash on me, hitch on truck... scoured CL and paper... I would go at lunch, etc... to try to get the right boat. Just have to be patient... Your price range is what we paid... 5900.00, the right boat is out there for sure.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

If you're looking for a budget boat without stringer problems that's good for wakeboarding, I'd start with a '93 Sport Nautique then move to a '94 MasterCraft ProStar 205. I'd guess you're looking around the $10-12k range for these in decent condition. My '92 Sport had wood stringers, I'd definitely look 93 or later if you're worried about stringer problems in a Nautique.

Mastercrafts and Malibus in the 80s don't throw great wakes, and the SN2001 all had wood stringers. The MasterCraft PS190 doesn't throw a good wake for any year.

Wheeler · Criminal Joined: 04 Sep 2010 Posts: 74 City: Decatur, AL

Bought a 93 Malibu Sunsetter a couple months ago for $4900. Solid boat with 450hrs. This was the 1st year for fiberglass stringers and floor. The open bow on these was a requirement for me.

Plave · Newbie Joined: 26 Mar 2010 Posts: 34

Mastercraft dropped wooden stringers in 83, Nautiques from 93.

If you do look at an old MC most people actually have no idea how old their boat is, I've seen 85's claimed as 80's, 79's claimed as 84's etc. Get some pics and bring em online, there's some giveaways to tell which year they are.

Both will give usable wakes if you weight them, sure not like a modern boat will but ample for your couple of K you can buy one for and plenty for 90% of riders to ride behind.

coricluster · Newbie Joined: 18 Aug 2010 Posts: 31

who cares about the wood stringers, i have an 82 ski nautique 2001 and if you can build a birdhouse you can tackle the project of replacing them over a winters time. you can run the boat still with old stringers just fine, i use mine 6 days a week in the summer and the old girl loves it

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

lindamiller40 · Newbie Joined: 22 Jul 2011 Posts: 3

Yes, I mean there are loads of w/o such problem. You better perform active search. Anyways, I'll post your dilemma under my business blogging. Hope, this will bring early remedy. It's easy, we'll get into it.

FlyZone CR · Posted: Aug 10, 2011 7:01 am Post subject:

cadunkle · Criminal Joined: 16 Jul 2009 Posts: 60 City: NJ