I need an education on Mastercraft models

critrgitr · Newbie Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 11 City: Boring

Could y'all educate me on what the differences are between the X series, Prostar, and the Maristar? Is one of these more of the "top end" for mastercraft or what is the deal - why three different names?

TIA

RoughRiverMike · Outlaw Joined: 08 Dec 2005 Posts: 107 City: louisville

X-series and the maristar series use the same hull. X series come with all the wakeboard goodies and different graphics. The maristar is more their family runabout boat, but can be equiped for wakeboarding. I think there is a crossover boat for every X-series to maristar EXCEPT the X-Star. Prostar is their Slolom ski line.

snowboardcorey · Posted: Jan 31, 2006 8:46 am Post subject:

MariStar boats have more V in the hull and typically more free board so they will handle rough water really well, as well as fit a grip of people and gear.

ProStar boats have a much flatter bottom hull and are typically more slalom and calm water oriented.

X series are a MariStar or ProStar hull with tower, ballast and different graphics. RRMike is correct, the X-Star has no ProStar or MariStar counterpart.

The boats break down like so

X-9 = PS 209
X-7 = PS 197
X-2 = MS 200
X-30 = MS 230
X-15 = MS 215

etc.

Bambamski · Posted: Jan 31, 2006 8:50 am Post subject:

X-series is the cross over of the other two lines.

The Prostar 205v, 197 and 209 is the X-1 (old X-2), X-7 and X-9.

The Maristar series 210, 230, 245, 280 is the X-10, X-30, X-45, X-80

I'm not sure what the new Maristar is called 200? which is the new X-2 pickle fork.

I believe the X-star is the only one that does't have a prostar or maristar background. You can only order it as the X-star.

X-series comes standard with a tower and ballast. The prostar series and maristar boats don't have that standard but you can add them and keep the other graphics I believe.

critrgitr · Newbie Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 11 City: Boring

Thanks for the educations guys.

Does this info also apply to the older Maristar's? In other words, if I bought a 1996 - 1999 Maristar 225, would it have the same hull as the X series? Also, where do they put the water sacks for the ballast systems in the new boats? If I bought an older Maristar could I install an aftermarket ballast system under the seats, floor, or where ever the factory installs them?

Bambamski · Posted: Jan 31, 2006 10:18 am Post subject:

in a short answer no.

I owned a 1997 maristar 225, it has the molded swim platform. I believe the 95-97 Maristars shared the same hull. Before that it was slightly different and some of the older (pre 95) maristars were direct drives I believe. The maristar hull was changed in 1998 and is the same hull as what the 2001-2005 X-10 and X-30 hulls were like. They didn't really start making the X-series until around 2001. The had the X-star which started as a direct drive in 1998 which has the 205 hull then went to a V-drive in 1999 I think.

If you're looking at anything before 1998 those boats drive and feel much different then the boats after 1998. Those Maristars had a flatter bottom, didn't handle as well, and needed quite a bit of weight to throw a wake that is comparable to the boats made after 1998.

I've owned a Malibu VlX, then bought the 1997 Maristar 225, then the X-10 and I currenty own a 05 X-2. If you can afford to get into a 1998 or newer I think it's well worth the jump.

critrgitr · Newbie Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 11 City: Boring

Thx Bambamski,
That is the information I was looking for. I will now do my searches for 98 & newer.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

what a freakin' pain.

Bambamski · Posted: Jan 31, 2006 11:05 am Post subject:

Camera boy, I think all boat companies do pretty much the same thing.

Malibu has the sunsetter XTI, which is the same as the wakesetter XTI, Sunscape LSV which is the wakesetter LSV, V-ride series which is the old VLX wakesetter which changed hulls in 05. The LSV hull changed in 2004 I believe and so on.

Supra has a luxury series, a gravity games line of boats and their regular wakeboard boats. Only difference is some stickers, towers and different ballast options.

When you're buying a boat you just need to do a little research on what you're buying.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

Bambamski · Posted: Jan 31, 2006 11:14 am Post subject:

I agree with all the numbers and names changing comment about MC. I think it's about the stupidist thing to keep changing the X-star, X-2, X-1 name. Very confusing.

If you went through the Malibu boat line up they've made a bunch of changes to hulls and names over the years as well. When I was looking at BU's I wasn't quite as familiar with them as the MC's and I got a little confused. People started talking about diamond 23v hulls and so forth and when they changed from year to year. It's all what you're familiar with I guess.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

three years ago, before I knew anything about inboards, I started researching mastercrafts, moombas, and malibus seriously. It took all of 2 minutes to understand that the malibu VLX was the little one I could maybe afford, and the LSV ws the big one.

With Moomba, the Mobius was the dd, the Mobius LSV was the v-drive, and the XLV was the big one.

With Mastercraft, I STILL am not really sure what the hell is going on there. All I know is that the X1 is the one I can maybe afford.

RoughRiverMike · Outlaw Joined: 08 Dec 2005 Posts: 107 City: louisville

cameraboy wrote

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

RoughRiverMike · Outlaw Joined: 08 Dec 2005 Posts: 107 City: louisville

that is XXXXXXXXXXactly how they want it!

critrgitr · Newbie Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 11 City: Boring

Thanks for all the input.

I have been looking at photos of new and used X series and Maristars for several hours now and it seems to me that the Maristar line is a little pusher - nicer dash, interior design, etc. But you don't get the factory tower or ballast. So by the time one adds these items, the boat is more expensive than the X series but you have a nicer boat. Personally, I don't really like the graphics on the X series boat. I really like the looks/lines of the Maristar. So I will probably continue to search for one. Let me know if I am off base here with my observations.

Bambamski · Posted: Jan 31, 2006 2:11 pm Post subject:

They all have a bit of confusion around them for sure!

sorry for the hijack, but sunsetter, sunscape and wakesetter. WHat are the differences there?

critrgitr
the 21 foot Maristar was called the 200 in 98 I believe. The renamed it the 210 for 99. Anothter one of MC's brillant name changes... Confused

You could probably find a used maristar with out the tower for much less than an X series boat. The interior is identical I believe, same seats cup holders ect. The only difference in seats maybe the X that is stiched into the seats. The dash may have a different back ground, wood vs billet as well. The Maristar isn't going to be more comfy or anything.

whitie · Criminal Joined: 04 Aug 2003 Posts: 55 City: austin tx

the OG X-star X1/ X2(up to 05) is the Mc 205v not 200v

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster