196 closed bow "misses the boat" on better resale

[CAN'TSKI]

I have a 1995 MC Prostar 190 Tournament Edition. I have never seen a better looking ski boat. It has the "spoiler" net protection and an awesome ski wake. Some say the best ever. (My expensive boat is a 211).
I love that CC has stayed true to a dying breed of boat in the 196. My 14 yr old is going to bring slalom back, so hang tough CC.
The biggest challenge I see for the 196 is a $55,000 price tag and you would be lucky to get $35,000 the day after you take it home. The re-sale is not there. Everybody wakeboards because it is easier to learn. Sorry, WB'ers but it is.
If CC is going to hang tough on a losing boat model, they need to figure out a way to get the sport back front and center.
Note to CC: My boy is your answer, but he is surrounded by MC people.

[cotton]

if your looking to haul that many folks on a lake that big...then perhaps even a 216 might be an option....???

The 2 extra person capacity that the 206 open bow will allow is really all we will need but I'm glad you brought this up. For slalom skiing, how is the wake behind your 216?

[NCH2oSki]

if your looking to haul that many folks on a lake that big...then perhaps even a 216 might be an option....???

The 2 extra person capacity that the 206 open bow will allow is really all we will need but I'm glad you brought this up. For slalom skiing, how is the wake behind your 216?

I have pulled 15 off thru 28 off thru our course, and most are surprised that the wake is as good as it is.

[zapada]

The 216 is a good one for bigger families. Plus, you can surf behind the 216 with the right set-up.

[swc5150]

My family also thought an open bow would be a great idea back in the early 90's. We purchased a Prostar 205 and found we rarely used the extra seating. Those sitting up front find themselves isolated from conversation when in crusing mode, and who wants to add weight to the boat when running sets? I agree with BigBald, if your on big water with a big group, the 216 would make sense. My only advice on which brand to purchase would be to drive both and let nature take its course. I owned a few Prostar 190's and moved into a SN196 after driving one for literally 2 minutes.

[JohnE]

Also, keep in mind that CC is the only manufacturer out there to offer a "real" closed bow these days. The closed bow Malibu Response and MC 190 are just non-cutout versions of their open bow (RLX and 197) counterparts. These closed bows do not offer the forward-shifted cabin of the 196. CB SN's have all 3 tracking fins FORWARD of the ski pylon. That's not something you'll see on any M boat.

Please, the mc 190 is not a non cutout version of the 197. Rather the other way around. I'm not saying it is better than a 196, but get the story right.

[M3Fan]

Also, keep in mind that CC is the only manufacturer out there to offer a "real" closed bow these days. The closed bow Malibu Response and MC 190 are just non-cutout versions of their open bow (RLX and 197) counterparts. These closed bows do not offer the forward-shifted cabin of the 196. CB SN's have all 3 tracking fins FORWARD of the ski pylon. That's not something you'll see on any M boat.

Please, the mc 190 is not a non cutout version of the 197. Rather the other way around. I'm not saying it is better than a 196, but get the story right.

The 197 is a cutout version of the 190. There. Regardless, the point is that when MC designed the hull and top deck layout they clearly wanted to make it as easy as possible to convert the boat from a CB to OB version without moving the helm, windshield, engine, etc. one inch for either configuration (which was required for the SNOB model CCs). Without actually sitting at the design table I'd be willing to bet that the 190 was designed from DAY ONE to be an OB boat as well as a CB boat. It's not like they got the bright idea one day to convert it. Because of this the windshield and helm are still so far back in the boat on that it's not really a dedicated CB boat in my mind.

[Hollywood]

I don't know all the MC ProStar history, but it looks like when the PS 190 came in open bow version the cockpit was moved back and stayed back (for both versions). The late 80's boats looked more cockpit forward like the CC 196.

[M3Fan]

I don't know all the MC ProStar history, but it looks like when the PS 190 came in open bow version the cockpit was moved back and stayed back (for both versions). The late 80's boats looked more cockpit forward like the CC 196.

Exactly. I know the SportStar/19 Skier (which was the 95-97 PS190) came in an open bow version but IIRC it was just a really tiny open bow. My guess would be that up until the 2002 re-design of the 190, the 190 was primarily designed to be a CB boat, with the 205 serving the OB market. 2002 and up though, the 190 was designed to be "convertible" from what I can speculate.

[east tx skier]

I don't know all the MC ProStar history, but it looks like when the PS 190 came in open bow version the cockpit was moved back and stayed back (for both versions). The late 80's boats looked more cockpit forward like the CC 196.

Exactly. I know the SportStar/19 Skier (which was the 95-97 PS190) came in an open bow version but IIRC it was just a really tiny open bow. My guess would be that up until the 2002 re-design of the 190, the 190 was primarily designed to be a CB boat, with the 205 serving the OB market. 2002 and up though, the 190 was designed to be "convertible" from what I can speculate.

I think this is a pretty fair assessment. The 205 was their open bow ski boat from 1992 until 2000. It was loosely based on the 190 hull (91--94 for the 92--95 205; 95--97 for the 96--2000 205). That said, the 205 was a foot longer and the running surfaces were not identical.

In 98, the Sportstar 19 was released mid season. In 99, the OB Sportstar was released. In 2000, the Sportstar was renamed Skier 19. The OB version was rebadged PS 195/X5, and was only produced through 2001. The OB Sportstar/195 was literally a Closed bow Ski boat with a cutout for bow seating that amounted to a pair of seat backs/cushions with leg room in front of them.

In 2001, MC released the EVO hull Prostar 190. In 2002, the 197 was introduced. The running surfaces and length was the same. Above the deck line was obviously different. But as you mention, the windshield position looks about the same, with the 190 having a rather long deck.

Compare the evolution of the 190 from the early 90s and that boat's nose begins to grow around 1998, but definitely by the 2001 reissue. As TRBenj has pointed out, the head on view of a SN/196 has not changed dramatically in the last 20 years with the changing of the hull. The forward driver's seating is very noticable as is the way it is pushed back in the late 90s SNOB's.

Having driven my share of 190s and 205s, the view from the driver's seat of a SN is a whole 'nother ballgame and probably, other than backing to port, is the biggest adjustment for me coming from a MC.

[JohnE]

Also, keep in mind that CC is the only manufacturer out there to offer a "real" closed bow these days. The closed bow Malibu Response and MC 190 are just non-cutout versions of their open bow (RLX and 197) counterparts. These closed bows do not offer the forward-shifted cabin of the 196. CB SN's have all 3 tracking fins FORWARD of the ski pylon. That's not something you'll see on any M boat.

Please, the mc 190 is not a non cutout version of the 197. Rather the other way around. I'm not saying it is better than a 196, but get the story right.

The 197 is a cutout version of the 190. There. Regardless, the point is that when MC designed the hull and top deck layout they clearly wanted to make it as easy as possible to convert the boat from a CB to OB version without moving the helm, windshield, engine, etc. one inch for either configuration (which was required for the SNOB model CCs). Without actually sitting at the design table I'd be willing to bet that the 190 was designed from DAY ONE to be an OB boat as well as a CB boat. It's not like they got the bright idea one day to convert it. Because of this the windshield and helm are still so far back in the boat on that it's not really a dedicated CB boat in my mind.

I'm sorry, I just don't understand the notion that only the boat with the seat and windshield closest to the bow is the only "true" closed bow. I wouldn't be posting if you said it was the "best" closed bow. ( I may or may not agree, but I wouldn't argue that.) If the wake were somehow compromised by placing the windshield and seat further back, I'd understand. Not trying to argue here. The phrasing of your earlier post just struck me.

My opinion is that the 197 isn't really an open bow boat. The open bow is basically useless. And I had one.

[Nautiqueman]

I feel unsafe with smaller kids in the fron of the open bow ski boats because they are more like a playpen and dont seem to contain the passengers like a true open bow. Does anyone else feel that way?

[j2nh]

Thanks for the history east_tx_skier, I wasn't aware of most of that.

I had an 87 and 95 ProStar before moving to a 196 in 99. I agree that the driving position being forward in the 196 is evident right from the start. After driving the 196, going to another brand is not nearly as much fun. I drive a Moomba Outback from time to time and that "big bow" feeling takes some getting used to.

[bkhallpass]

I feel unsafe with smaller kids in the fron of the open bow ski boats because they are more like a playpen and dont seem to contain the passengers like a true open bow. Does anyone else feel that way?

I don't want small kids in the open bow period. I don't care what size the boat. Far and away the most dangerous seating postion in the boat. BKH

[cotton]

I feel unsafe with smaller kids in the fron of the open bow ski boats because they are more like a playpen and dont seem to contain the passengers like a true open bow. Does anyone else feel that way?

I don't want small kids in the open bow period. I don't care what size the boat. Far and away the most dangerous seating postion in the boat. BKH

Agreed; but with teen aged daughters the open bow is a must. The boyfriends go up front, in sight, in the open bow (and if they bounce out, its a sign it wasn't mean to be).