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WATERSKI MagazineMB Sports boss 190
It has been eight years since Mike Brendel brought the original Boss 190 to our annual boat test. Back then, we praised certain elements of his new boat, but we also found room for improvement.
In subsequent years, we began to find even more things to praise and fewer things to criticize. By the time the 1999 tests rolled around, we considered the 190 to be state of the art. “Mike Brendel has now created one of the finest slalom boats ever built,” we wrote in the 1999 Boat Buyers Guide.
How then, could this semi-custom California boatbuilder improve upon near perfection? For starters, he made a few small adjustments to the running surface. This fine-tuning turned a boat with minimal spray into a boat with virtually no spray.
Next, he enlisted the help of General Motors factory technicians to optimize the engines. Over a number of hours, techs from GM and PCM custom-programmed the engine's ECM computer chips over the entire RPM range. The result is a power plant that delivers optimum performance at all speeds and work loads.
Finally, Mike turned his attention to the topside lines of the boats. A slight softening of the topside lines lends a sleeker overall look to a boat that previously had a slightly angular deck and cockpit. These topside changes didn't affect seating capacity or the size of the rear trunk, which remains the largest on any inboard of comparable size.
In years past, we have written a great deal about the premium materials and meticulous personal craftsmanship that set MB boats in a class by themselves. All of these methods and materials are employed in the creation of the newest 190 – and it shows in the final product.
On the ramp or in the water, this boat is easy on the eyes, kind to the body and good for the ego. And as some of the world's best slalom skiers may tell you, there is a lot more to this boat than just good looks.
Specifications
Length (w/out platform) 19 ft. 3 in.
Beam 88 in.
Fuel capacity 32 gal.
Cockpit* 117 in. (w) x 64 in. (l)
Cockpit depth* 26 in. (driver) x
24 in. (rear seat)
Bow interior* 47 in. (w) x 46 in. (l)
Rated load capacity NA
Seating capacity* 8
Driver knee room* 18 in.
Windshield height* 41 in.
Walk-through width* NA
Passenger foot room* 11 in.
Rear foot room* 20 in.
Rear seat width* 67 in.
Dry weight 3,000 lb.
Platform 64 in. (w) x 20 in. (l)
Test prop 13×13 OJ 4-blade
Test engine: PCM 350 TBI
Base engine: PCM 350 TBI
Engine options: PCM 350 Apex
NMMA-certified Yes
Options: Heater, shower, cover, bimini, CD stereo
MSRP on base boat: See local dealer
MSRP on test boat: See local dealer
*Test-team measurement
Subjective Scores
1 World class, 2 Tournament quality, 3 Suitable for experts, 4 Suitable for advanced recreational use, 5 Suitable for recreational use
[ Slalom ]
30 mph
Wake size 1
Wake hardness 1
36 mph
Wake size 1
Wake hardness 1
Spray 1
Tracking 1
Comments: Small and soft wakes make the Boss 190 world class. A gentle boat for the recreational slalom skier. Tracking is even further improved from last year.
[ Barefoot ]
Deepwater start 2
Acceleration 2
Crest 3
Curl 3
Table 2.5
Top speed 2.5
Comments: Strong acceleration and it tops out quickly. Not much definition on crest. Smooth but narrow curl. Nice table. Great for the slalom skier who occasionally barefoots.
[ Wakeboard ]
Wake size 4
Lip 4
Width Narrow
Double-up 4
Shape: Shallow. Transition: Not a lot of pop. Driving and handling: solid through the double-up. Other comments: Fine for recreational riders.
[ performance ]
Top speed 44.8 mph, 4950 rpm
Accel. to 30 4.13 sec. 100.8 ft.
Accel. to 36 5.5 sec. 167 ft.
Accel. 30 to 36 1.8 sec.
Noise levels** (db)
Idle 65 D, 62 R, 67 T
36 mph 90 D, 96 R, 99 T
