Looking for a new toy

[CradGen2]

I know this will be wildly unpopular. I sold my 2006 ski, but decided I can't be a one boat family. Still need to convenience the wife some.
Also I’m looking for a project boat, MAYBE.
Thoughts – I found a couple project boats, but neither have a trailers. The sellers (via dealer) aren’t willing the take the boats to market levels with a trailer. Meaning they have the boat listed for 12K, but doesn’t have a trailer and needs interior work. When I compare similar boats with trailer and nice(r) interiors they are 12K. I found this issue on 3 boats.
I can find a trailer for 1500 + lets say 1000 for an interior, I would need to buy the boat for 10Kish and still be sitting upside down. Comments or thoughts?????
Here are some other options
Supra Pirata – Bigger then I want, but have always liked the sound and looks. Not sure of the engine the boat. If it had a 302, nope. 351 would be ok. These weren’t ski boat and I don’t need a wakeboard boat. Very original.
1988 Mastercraft 190
1994-1996 Mastercraft 190. Would like to find the LT1 motor. Would be an OK footing boat. I seem to remember a lot of hull spray for boom work?
I would like to have a very nice shape Supra Sunsport. I like the 19’ look of them.
Also I have seen a couple 1988 and 1989 Ski Nautiques, but all have 700+ hours. Thoughts on hours? (I know the answers, but thought I would ask)
I’m not sure what I will use it for. Right now with the baby, mainly cruising around. I have the 2012 SAN, but I want something that if I scratch I would have to heart attack. Maybe I will leave it in the water at a marina and not care about the bottom that much.

[Zach@n3]

Pshhhhh 700 hours on a Ford? Why you worried. Mine has racked up 700 hours in the past 7 seasons (fresh motor when I started). Trans has over 1600 on it at this point with regular fluid services and front and rear seal replacement around 1200 ish hours. I wouldn't be scared in the least in a BW or PCM trans and a 351 with even as much as 1500 hours. The 2001 hull doesn't have a very good foot table but the troughs are nice and buttery for footing. I set my rope length up on my boat to make me cross the wake as the rooster starts to come down but before it drops into the hole. 75' at 39-41 mph.

[bhectus]

I think your $1k estimate for new interior is way off. To do a complete interior and have it done "factory correct" it will be $3k and up depending on boat. Aside from that tidbit, if I were you I would look for a NWZ hull. Still a very good slalom wake, great trick wake, GT40 powerplant option on the later model years (95+) and they can be had for $10-12k nowadays. 90-92 boats even cheaper.

[pe4me]

Dont fall into a trap...BOAT bust out another thousand (judging by your list of priors, you know this)
$1000 for an interior seems light and that quickly becomes a project. I dont see how you are unhappy in a PS190 or any of the boats you listed provided it is in good shape. Find a garage queen that needs nothing and enjoy it for the "toy" you are looking for.

Great to be looking for a 2nd boat, I hope one day I have the time and $ to mess around. Seems like a couple times a year an awesome deal pops up locally; dude NEEDS cash, doesn't know what he has etc and MAN a guy could flip that a do really well.

Anywho, good luck

[CradGen2]

Zach - yeah, I know on the 700 hours. Based on the time I would put on the boat over 3 years would be 60 at best.

I'm not against the Prostar.

[Mikeski]

I picked up my 1998 Ski sitting on a very nice tandem trailer for just over $10k, another member on here picked up his similar boat for less than $10k but it needed a bit more work than mine. I was also watching the MCs but found the 98SN first and grabbed it. Just redid the interior for about $3k. With a buff and new interior (including new carpet) mine looks pretty darn close to a new boat. For what I have into it I am super happy.

[TRBenj]

700 hrs is nothing. Compression test and water trial will tell you all you need to know. Condition is much more important consideration than hours. A boat would have to have 1500+ hrs for me to even give it a second thought, and even then its probably a non-issue if it checks out.

Agreed on the interior numbers... $1k wont buy you much of anything, you cant even get a 60's/70's style basic interior redone for that much around here. $3500 is a closer number on anything with a delux interior (late 80's forward) once you add in foam and install costs.

94-96 Prostars are 2 different hulls (91-94 and 95-97). Both are good slalom boats. Neither drives like a Nautique. The construction of the Supras scare me a bit.

[4th ski-doo]

Interior on any of them will be closer to $3k.

I'd like to do a project too. 1. Mid 70's Ski, Late 60's Stang, or the 90's return of the Stars and Stripes in either red or blue.

[CradGen2]

I don't mind doing carpet and interior. Motors aren't my thing, so I would need to take it somewhere for a compression test (unless Ben wants to take a trip). I have driven enough of them to know the feel. Also I know how to test stringers, so good there.

I have found 3 89 I like. Might break down and go look at one.

I found 2 95 MC, but not sure I can drive a MC. I have friends that might not be friends with me.

As for the supra. I spent a hour on the phone yesterday with their engineers. The guy a spoke with was wicked smart. At the end of the conversation all I got was buy 1993 or newer and it will be composite.

I have to travel next week, so nothing will get done then. The following week the wife is travels, so nothing then either.
Thanks for the input.

[pe4me]

http://madison.craigslist.org/boa/4442590218.html

This looks like a solid boat for 10 grand. Best part...needs nothing.

[Zach@n3]

I feel like that's a pretty good deal for a turn key composite boat. It isn't a GT-40 unless they retrofitted it somewhere in its life.

[TRBenj]

If you can manage a spark plug change, a compression test is no more difficult. I could tag along if you find something local.

I feel the same way about mc's. Nice boats, especially when you're behind them. They don't necessarily drive poorly- but definitely don't drive like a SN. I don't think I could ever bring myself to own one, though I've always had a soft spot or the early 80's Stars and Stripes.

[Zach@n3]

I would own an 80s Stars and Stripes if it were a 440 boat.