Re: Pismo Skier, anyone know about them?
Ok, I would think your best comparison would be a 1989 Malibu Sunsetter.
Your second best would be a 1989 Mastercraft Tri-Star.
The Mastercrafts will go for more because they had no wood in them back then and the Mastercraft name. Malibu would also have name recognition, but some of those old Malibu's have had to have some wood and floor replacement. They are a boat that sits low in the water and can do a power slide, plus a lot of wet skiers get in and out of them, and the back seat sits on the floor, holding a lot of moisture (I had an 87 Malibu Skier -- so I speak from experience). That, and some boat owners sin by leaving them outside, uncovered.
In my area, a nice looking 88 Malibu Sunsetter was listed at $4800 on our local craigslist. I don't know what it actually sold for, though.
Here is my $0.02 guess: (realizing I have not been in a competition ski boat for a couple of years, as I am in an IO now, but I watch and plan when the kids will get into skiing to get back into one:
No wood rot and engine/drive train in good working order, V8 had good, equal compression in all cylinders, steering cable not binding, interior good condition: $5000 - $8000
Knock of $1000 for a bad interior.
Cut the price to $3800-$4200 for bad compression indicating the motor will be to be replaced soon, but everything else on the boat being in good condition.
Cut some money off if the steering gets tough in either direction.
If there is wood rot, then you need the help of the restoration guys.
I would suggest you also spend some time at the only inboards site (
http://www.onlyinboards.com/Types-of-Inboards/direct-drive.html)