WaterSki Magazine

WATERSKI Magazine
2004-01-23 15:00:00 | 379 views |
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MasterCraft MariStar 230 VRS
Recommendation: Family
www.waterskimag.com/boats/maristar230vrs

For bigger water and better cruising, MasterCraft makes the MariStar line of luxury boats. The 230 VRS is the middle size of the three MariStar models, but there's nothing middling about it.

The centerpiece of the 230 VRS is the wraparound seating, 90 cubic feet spread across a 98-inch beam, though there's also excellent room in the open bow, on the rear sun deck and on the super-sized swim platform. Top-of-the-line touches come into play for a high-class feel, including a leather-wrapped steering wheel, wood grain dash, chrome bezel gauges, and a swiveling, sliding adjustable driver's seat.

To keep the driver and all 11 passengers comfortable, the 230 has a variable-degree V-hull with 25-degree deadrise to cleave through the chop of large lakes. We enjoyed a smooth ride in our test run. Whether with the standard 310-horsepower engine or the 450-horsepower upgrade, the 230 runs circles, literally and figuratively, around I/Os.

Skiing
Families thinking this is just another big runabout will be amazed at how much of a difference the V-drive and the MasterCraft hull make in flattening out the wakes for recreational free skiing. Enthusiasts wanting increased skiing performance should check out the 205V.

Wakeboarding
This is the same hull as the X-30, so with ballast and a tower, the riding possibilities open up to handle even advanced riders looking to boost some air. Recreational riders should opt for a shorter line length to accommodate the wider than usual wake. The V-hull allows for a long afternoon of slicing through double-ups, and the boat's deep design easily handles large bodies of water.

Lowdown
-Only the mega-sized 280 VLD has the 230 beat in terms of sheer size and luxury in the MariStar line.

-A new tachometer LCD gauge displays hour meter, clock, temperature and alarm messages.

-The wraparound seating caters to groups of friends and families looking to cruise all weekend.

-The variable-degree V-hull expands the limits of where you can drive and ride.

-Provides acceptable recreational skiing, but the absence of tracking fins affects strict boat path performance.

-Wakeboarding wakes are especially good when the 230 is sporting ballast and a tower.