MC SportStar vs Sport Nautique

[Liamfm]

hi all, I realize this is a bit of a biased group, but I'm wondering if anyone wants to weigh in on difference (good or bad for either) between a 99 MC Sportstar vs a 99 Sport Nautique. Looking for open bow, direct drive. Going to be a boat the boys learn to ski from, maybe they will want to wakeboard or kneeboard, and I'm sure some tubing. Dad likes 32' off at 36mph, but stays out of the course. So ski wake is important to me, as is build quality and reliability and resale value. Looking at stuff between 550-800 hrs

[swc5150]

The slalom wake of the MC will be better, as it's built on a previous Prostar hull. However, you'll give up substantial interior space from the Sport Nautique. If you want a tower, it'll likely be easier to find a SN with one as well. Both are built like tanks, and have reliable power trains. The SN will just be more comfortable for a family. The best advice is to take both for a drive and see what works for you.

[Liamfm]

Looks to be about 6" narrower and 1.5' shorter. I'd say that is significant! Thanks for the heads up. I'm skiing on a 2005 SN 206 LE now, so my hope is I wouldn't be giving up much on the wake by going to a Sport Nautique.

Does that put me in the MC 205 vs CC Sport Nautique? If so - how's the wake comparison there? Again, targeting 98-2000 boats.

[swc5150]

MC 205 will at least the same amount of space with a better slalom wake. The SN206 is also a step up from the Sport in terms of wake, naturally. Not saying the Sport's wake is horrible, it's just not in the same category as the dedicated slalom hulls. I'd take the PS205 over the Sport, but if you can get into a SN 206, that would be the route I'd go. They still command some good money though, where you can get into an MC 205 very reasonably.

[Liamfm]

Thanks SWC. So I don't think I can afford a 206, so that's out of the question. I'm having a hard time following the rest of your comment. You're saying that a Mastercraft ProStar 205 (open bow) will have a better ski wake over a Sport Nautique? And I'm seeing the Sport Nautiques demanding slightly better money over the Mastercraft 205's. Sound about right?

Expense:
Sport Star
Pro Star 205
Sport Nautique
Ski Nautique 206

Wake (worst to best):
Sport Nautique
Sport Star
Pro Star 205
SN 206

Am I on the right track? I've been discounting MC205's, but maybe that needs to hit my consideration set. Looking at them out of the water they just look like they just look big (deep).

[swc5150]

Correct, Sports tend have higher asking prices than 205's. Most likely because they're perceived to be better wake boats.

I think you're about right in regards to your expense and wake lists. It's debatable whether or not the 206 or 205 has a better wake...both are really nice. I think I may personally give the advantage to the MC205? Splitting hairs though really.

The direct drive 205 ended production after the 2000 model year, so you'd be looking at an older boat. Don't consider the 205V for slalom (1999-2005). They do look big and deep, but almost argue less-so than a SN206. That bow looks huge and deep when it's sitting on a trailer.

[Liamfm]

Perfect info and insight. Thank you. If you know of any hull changes to the 205 from about 1995-2000 let me know. If not, I've got a friend of a friend who has a 97 205 and we're trying to line up a ski tomorrow morning.

[swc5150]

A '97 205 will be the 2nd (and final) generation direct drive 205 hull. No spray, tiny wake, lots of room. There's a lot to like about that boat...enjoy the test run!

[Wayward]

Liam- The 206 you ski is a 2004!!!! Haha

Looks like you got my main concern covered, when Scotty asked me about it. I told him that i wasn't sure if the sportstar shared the 205 hull, but that, if it did, it would be a good one for you to look at. Just stay away from the 205v obviously (vdrive).

Main thing I would say, is maybe focus less on hours, and more on the general condition of the boat and how it has been treated. There are plenty of 300 hour boats out there that are trashed compared to some with 1000+ hours. Not sure if you saw my buddy's old prostar, but that thing had 1100 hours, and was still in showroom condition. It was easy to tell that it had been taken care of, and had lots of trouble free years left in it.