Re: Tell me about older (1995) Mastercraft Maristars....good boats?
Mastercraft are wonderful ski and wakeboarding boats. The boat you're looking at is 18 years old, and 61 hours per year is not necessarily high usage. Inboard engines and drivelines will last a long time if properly cared for.
The price is pretty high for a boat of that age. I would suggest you go onto Boattrader.com and EbayMotors.com to research the market on Mastercrafts and SkiNautiques--comparable boats. Many banks and credit unions won't lend money on such an old boat. Also check on insurance premiums before you go any farther.
On any older fiberglass boat, the condition of the boat hull under the fiberglass is what to worry about. You should have the engine, transmission and transmission fully checked out by an experienced inboard marine mechanic. This would include a complete engine analysis--compression, vacuum test, etc.
If there are any soft spots on the hull, walk away from the boat. Soft spots are like a cancer, and can require 140 man hours plus supplies to properly tear down and repair.
There are many such boats on the retail market. Just take your time, and the right boat and deal will come around. I see older SkiNautiques in the $6-$8K range quite often, and they still have plenty of life in them.
