Mastercraft Tristar 190

LFwakeboardDiva · Outlaw Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 106

I need your opinion...there is a 1988 Mastercraft Tristar 190 for sale by me and im considering buying it. it look to be in perfect condition. It has a 351 V8 in it with 150 hours on rebuilt motor and transmission. i am just starting out wakeboarding but want to know what you think about the boat. yes or no?

thanks

joebananas · Posted: Sep 16, 2008 1:25 pm Post subject:

Sounds like a smokin deal. I say go for it.

Erik · Posted: Sep 16, 2008 4:43 pm Post subject:

joebananas, what makes you think this is a 'smokin deal'?

It could be that the asking price is 1000 or 10000. That info is not posted. What is posted are several low-quality cameraphone photos of a boat that looks like it has considerable gel coat and upholstery problems. Also is that bottom paint? Another yikes if yes. If it is 1000, then yes it may be a decent deal. I'd not pay more than 2k for one myself, and even if I did I'd use it for slalom and barefoot and not wake. Less if it was used in salt - much less for a boat that old. With a galvanized trailer and what looks to be bottom paint - I'm already highly skeptical.

This boat is NOT a good option for people trying to outfit a wakeboarding setup, nor are any 80's model "ski" inboards except the famed open bow Supras of the day and some of the Correct Crafts.

The Prostar 190 and other MC 190 variants are horribly suited for wakeboarding. There are worse options, such as the Malibu Skier, but the 190 makes a phenomenal slalom boat, not a phenomenal wake platform.

DRAGON88 · Posted: Sep 16, 2008 11:30 pm Post subject:

I agree with Erik, my uncle has a pristine '88 Tri-star 190 and I've ridden behind it before. (Admittedly usually on a Redline Skurfer.) and the wake is really nothing to write home about. It has a pretty shallow hull, and there are many other boats that are better suited for wakeboarding.

Gorgeous boat though, probably the boat that made me fall in love with inboards growing up.

LFwakeboardDiva · Outlaw Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 106

price is $5500
im just beginning to wakeboard so i was just looking for something to progress on

Hollywood · Posted: Sep 17, 2008 7:10 am Post subject:

LFwakeboardDiva · Outlaw Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 106

what do you think it is worth?

holdsworth · Posted: Sep 17, 2008 9:01 am Post subject:

that trailer looks like a drunk farmer used his scrap metal to build it.

Erik · Posted: Sep 17, 2008 9:23 am Post subject:

joebananas · Posted: Sep 17, 2008 12:46 pm Post subject:

WakeMikey · Addict Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 640 City: Fridley

To clarify it is worth $5000 on the open market for boats specifically water skiers. To a wakeboarder though it is not worth $5000. For $5000-7000 you could find an older Ski Nautique '2001' model or an older 85-87 Supra SunSport. After the end of one season I LOVE my 87 SunSport. Lots of pics in my gallery.

Sbt3 · Soul Rider Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 279 City: Okauchee

I disagree on the wake comment. I'll take the wake from a tri-star 190 over a 2001 nautique any day of the week. You just haven't ridden behind one that's weighted right. You need about 1800 in ballast and it's sweet. I have a Supersport Nautique so its not that I'm a mastercraft lover but I put about 500 hours on a tri-star and loved it. It has a great wake but will get cramped when you sac it out.

Commodore · Ladies Man Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11636

Sbt3 · Soul Rider Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 279 City: Okauchee

snowboardcorey · Posted: Sep 25, 2008 5:36 am Post subject:

Landed my first tantrum ever behind a tristar 190, it can throw a decent wake with 1500-1800 lbs of weight, we also used to surf behind it back in the day.

Bottom line the wake will never be huge but it is a great little boat. You can learn a lot and work on your technique. I have a couple of buddies with this boat and they all have a blast with them.

That being said if this boat has seen salt water WALK AWAY. You may be looking for your first boat but you still need a boat that is reliable.

loudsubz · Criminal Joined: 10 Aug 2008 Posts: 77 City: Mississauga

Heres a heavily weighted Prostar 190 to give you an idea

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3GPxHfBlHk

My boat is very similar when weighted, nice smooth transition wake, so its very doable, I love my wake on mine.

Commodore · Ladies Man Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11636

Sbt3, plenty. Best friend's dad had one growing up. But as you stated "IMO". Correct, that is your opinion.

Adding 1800lbs of ballast into almost (read almost) anything will get you a wake. It's weather or not the boat can still perform, operate, and provide a good clean wake.

If I put 1800lbs of ballast in my boat, it would put out an awesome wake.