purchasing a 92 mastercraft 205...what to look for?

Jeff · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 678 City: Long Island

i came across a good deal on a 92 mastercraft 205, for $9000. the vinal is in good shape and everything just needs to be cleaned, the engin looks to be in good shape and has only 400 hours. This is my first boat purchas and im just loking for some tips on what to look for, or if anyone knows of anyproblems with older mastercrafts. Thanx for any advie

ps. does anyone have any pictures of one weighted down i rode behind this boat and would like to see what the wake could look like

chaz28o · Posted: Aug 22, 2004 7:17 pm Post subject:

That's an awfully good price

pull the oil filler cap, hopefully you can see into the valve cover

does it look clean inside, or do you see black

MrBlean · Posted: Aug 23, 2004 2:26 am Post subject:

Don't worry about pictures of the wake when weighted - it will be fine. The 205 throws a decent wake with a few peeps and/or weight aboard.

Check the colour of the tranny oil - is should be a clear, pale red colour not white/pink or dark brown. White/pink creamy colour suggests there's water in the tranny oil, dark brown suggests a problem with the tranny wear or overheating.

Does it have the LT1 (Corvette ) motor? Whilst I don't disbelieve the hours, if the motor is an LT1, a dealer or service guy with the right diagnostic tools can verify these from the engine management ECU.

Damage/wear to the vinyl is the most obvious sign of boat use/abuse so if that's in good condition, that's a fair reflection of the condition of the rest of the boat.

As a belt & braces sanity check, you could undertake a compression check to make sure all the cylinders are up to par and within 10% of one another.

Good luck. I know you'll enjoy both driving it and riding behind it.

lumpy · Criminal Joined: 25 Jul 2003 Posts: 99

That is a very very low price on that boat at least here in the south. I love a good deal/steal as much as anyboday but I have found when something seems to be too good too be true it usually is. I would get as much information as possible on the boat, everywhere it has been and everybody who owned it. Dirty boats always give the impression that it has not been taken care of, plus it is often a nice ploy by someone selling as most of us will look at something and say, "that will clean up or buff out".

The advice you have already been given above is solid, the only thing I would add is check over the trailer pretty well also. Test drives can go a long way also, just to ensure it doesn't take on water.

El' Presidente · Outlaw Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 145 City: Jacksonville

I have a 93 PS 205. Check the heads thoroughly. The GT-40 heads are prone to cracking if the previous owner over heated the motor. Look for drops or small trickles of water around the head bolts under the exchangers. Mine were cracked and someone had repaired with JB weld. According to the guys at Ski Discount Marine, JB weld on the heads is common practice because replacements are hard to get and/or $695 each. Pull the pump cover and look at the impeller (if the owner will let you) to see if it has been changed (usually every 100 hrs.) Also Like Mr Blean says...check the tranny fluid. If the tranny is a velvet drive 1:1, these are great and last forever. Also great for getting out of the hole with weight. I run 1600-2000 lbs of weight and the wake is sweet. Nice shape, ramp, and hard. Good luck and let us know what happens.

lumpy · Criminal Joined: 25 Jul 2003 Posts: 99

That is some good info on the heads, as the PS 205 is one boat that I would consider buying. A cylinder head problem would also justify a pretty low price, just like a cracked blocked.

In the 5.0 Mustang world these heads are pretty common and fairly cheap, <$500/ pair used (iron, not GT-40X). Just be sure to get the right combustion chamber, the bolt size can be drilled out as they come in 7/16 and 1/2. Or for around $700 you could get a nice set of used aluminum aftermarket heads that have had a little work done them plus they take the heat a little better.

Jeff · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 678 City: Long Island

thanx for all the advice guys, im going to look at it tommarow and check the compression and oil. i've already test drove it and liked it alot so hopefully i'll be the owner of a mastercraft by tommarow night Very Happy

Jim M · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 2933

Im pretty sure all the pre-94's have the Ford 350. The non-fuel injected situation may give you some cold start hassles, so make sure the battery is healthy and all the connections stay clean.

Be sure to test it on the water, and run it at various speeds to make sure the prop/shaft feel tuned in and issue free.

Check the hull for any imperfections or serious dings.

And remember- the more things you can find to comment on during the test drive the better- it will help you to bid lower Cool