WaterSki Magazine

WATERSKI Magazine
2006-12-13 15:00:00 | 1802 views | 0 Comments

BOAT REVIEW
High-end tournament skiers looking for a family-friendly open bow gravitate to the MasterCraft ProStar 197. This ski boat’s credentials over its five-year history are unbeatable, having pulled world records in every one of the three events: trick, jump and slalom, including the current men’s slalom mark of 11⁄2 at 43 off.

The 197 also holds the distinction of being the only boat USA Water Ski has certified for all five events with one engine. What MasterCraft’s X-Star is to wakeboarders, the ProStar is to skiers, whether they’re about to set a new record or a personal best. The performance and quality are more enduring than any score, thanks to MasterCraft’s exceptional and time-tested construction process.

PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
The most demanding skiers want a powerful hole shot, tracking that’s straight and true, and wakes that virtually disappear into the glassy water of a slalom course. The ProStar 197 is built to do all of that, with a bare 4-degree deadrise that makes much of the hull nearly flat, while a flared design minimizes the width of the running surface. The hull quiets the wake at skiing speeds, with chines that virtually eliminate spray. Wake crossings are buttery-soft, whether at recreational line lengths of 15 off or all the way up to 38 off and–if you’re a pro–well beyond (and don’t worry about chine spray affecting visibility as you get tighter on the boat). Standard cruise control and superb handling with a tunable rudder make this one of the easiest boats to drive.

Every time WaterSki has been behind it, especially with the tournament-approved MCX 350-horsepower engine upgrade, we’ve experienced one of the top slalom wakes anywhere. The ProStar 197 is truly world-class.

SPECS
Passengers: 7
Dry weight: 2,800 lb.
Draft: 22 in.
Load capacity: 978 lb.
Fuel capacity: 28 gal.
Storage capacity: 16 cu. ft.
Bow: 2 cu. ft.
Center: 8 cu. ft.
Rear: 6 cu. ft.
Platform: 8.5 sq. ft.
Interior gunwale height: 21 in.
Sun-pad area: 20 sq. ft. (max)

STANDARDS
Base price: $45,980
Engine: Indmar RTP-1 5.7L, 310 hp
Prop: OJ 12.5 x 12 four-blade
Cruise: MasterCraft Cruise
Pylon: Swivel
Mirror: Windshield-mounted
Driver’s seat: Bolster
Dash: Compression molded with billet aluminum gauges
Gauges: 2.25 in. to 4 in.
Gas fill: Port rear
Cooler: 12 qt., under walk-through
Cup holders: 8, stainless steel
Rub rail: Stainless steel
Platform: Teak
Graphics: MasterCraft logo
Colors: 21 exterior choices in five color ways; two base colors and 11 accent colors in interior

OPTIONS
Engine: Indmar MCX 5.7L, 350 hp; Indmar LY6 6.0L, 400 hp
Cruise: PerfectPass
Ballast: 612 lb. total
One observer’s-side tank: 180 lb.
One rear tank: 432 lb.
Tower: ZeroFlex
Racks:  Swivel
Stereo: AM/FM/CD Clarion deck with MP3 input, four JL Audio speakers, amp, subwoofer, CD changer, driver remote, armrest remote
Platform: Fiberglass with rubber
Trailer: Single or tandem axle
Misc.: Heater, shower, bow filler cushion, Bimini top

Also in this line: ProStar 214
This all-new boat replaces the 209 in the ProStar lineup, offering even more interior space while maintaining a narrow, ski-friendly running surface.

Phone: 800.482.BOAT
Web: MASTERCRAFT.com