2001 Prostar VRS questions

[CC2MC]

I have found a 2001 Prostar 205 VRS with the Indmar 310hp engine for $13k. However, it does have some reasons why it is priced this low. First it has no trailer, as it has been in dry storage for quite some time. Aside from being winterized and summarized every year, the boat has just been sitting in dry storage for at least two years according to the owner. I called the mechanic at the marina and he said he thought it was more like four years, but the boat does run great. I am a little concerned about the boat sitting for so long for fear that there may be things rotting away that should not be rotting yet. I am supposed to be getting some pics from the mechanic later today with some detail shots of a couple of, what he calls minor upholstery blemishes as well as other shots of the boat, including the engine hours. As I recall, 2001 was not a good year for their upholstery. The boat has a Monster tower, (unsure of which one) and bimini top but does not have PP. Not sure about tower speakers and ballast, but I am guessing it does not have it. The owner said it has normal wear and tear, but his normal may be totally different than my OCD normal. I guess the best thing about this boat is that it is a one owner and he has all the original documentation on it. Depending on how the pics look, I may go at least take a look at it this weekend.

Is there anything else on this particular boat that I should be concerned about, with the limited information given? I would really like to get into a v-drive boat but I am not sure if this kind of find has more negatives than positives. I will post pics as soon as I get them.

[CC2MC]

Still no pics but I would love some opinions.

[bturner2]

By the number of posts you have it looks like you've been around the block a bit so you should have a pretty good idea of what to look for in an inboard. This model has been around for a long time with different names (200v, X1, X2). Great hull for it's day and many still consider it to be one of the best MC hulls ever produced.

I believe you're correct on the vinyl so I'd pay attention to all the seams. I'd also start looking for a trailer (Lex at Rambo Marine seems to get a lot of used trailers) to see what that's going to do to your overall price. If you can't live with the interior you may want to call Viper Customs to see what he would charge to refresh yours for you. Once again looking to get a feel for what your "all in" cost is going to be.

Other thoughts.....

How many hours?
Any service history?
Any accidents, insurance claims, storm or water damage?
Any liens on the boat?
How does the boat run and steer?
How is the installation quality of the tower? Did they use backing plates for the legs?
What if any stereo is in the boat and what condition is it in?
If the boat has been sitting this long does it have a new battery? if not what condition is it in?
How's the gas? If it's been sitting that long I'd be concerned about it's condition.
If you want PP what will it cost to add it?
If you want ballast what will it cost to add a system?
What kind of cover(s) does it come with and what condition are they in?

With any older boat without a trailer especially one needing work I'm always looking for my total cost. There also seems to be some options that are not on this boat that you want that are a thousand bucks a crack to add. Doing some quick math this is what I'm thinking.....

Add PP - $1300
New interior - $4000
Trailer - $2000
Ballast system - $1200

That's $7500 with you doing the work (except on the interior) so you'd basically have about $21K into it to get it where you want it assuming all else is in good condition. Unless you like projects and plan to keep the boat forever sometimes it's better to find one already done and bite the bullet for the higher initial purchase price. That would be my .02 cents.....

[CC2MC]

^^All fair questions and good things to consider.

I was finally able to take a look at the boat today. It looked great from 50' away and probably even 20' away. Upon further inspection, I think I would be wise to let this one go, although it may make a good project boat for someone. It does need a good cleaning, wet sanding and buffing out and that would make a world of difference, but then there is everything else. All service was done through the marina that stores the boat and the mechanic said it runs great, but after looking at the boat, I would have to see to believe. The vinyl was in okay condition and I could live with it through the summer, but I would replace it come winter time. The stickers could all use replacing and the stbd vent cover was broken. There was no ballast or bags present as I suspected. The tower was a Monster tower with two Monster quick release wakeboard racks and it did have speakers, although not nice ones. I did notice there were some spider cracks starting to develop around the tower feet, which probably meant it did not have backing plates. The stereo was a Sony, and looked fine, but I was unable to test it as the battery was dead, therefore I also couldn't get the engine hours. The interior speakers were Clarion and all looked to be busted. There was a little water sitting in the bilge, which I was unsure of bc it was supposed to be in "dry" storage. I don't think it comes with any cover of any sort. The prop was pretty dinged and dented up, which could lead to other possible issues. The front rub rail looks like a beaver got after it and then there is the hull and transom area. I am not sure what happened, but they do use a large fork lift to move the boats up and down and it looks like it could be damage from that. If it were not for the fiberglass damage, I think I could live with everything else, but that in itself shows me that they really do not or have not taken care of this boat.

I was really hoping I found one, but looks like the search continues.

[CruisinGA]

Looks like a good deal at $9k to me.

[gsxrjtt]

cc2mc Just sent you a pm

[CC2MC]

I just got an estimate back on the fiberglass work at $3-5k. That boat would almost have to be given away for me to justify, I think. I am still waiting to hear back from the mechanic on total hours.

[ttu]

this one looks to be much cleaner. it is at marine world mastercraft in wichita, ks.

http://wichita.craigslist.org/boa/3792850484.html

[Traxx822]

By the number of posts you have it looks like you've been around the block a bit so you should have a pretty good idea of what to look for in an inboard. This model has been around for a long time with different names (200v, X1, X2). Great hull for it's day and many still consider it to be one of the best MC hulls ever produced.

The 200V model is not the same as the 205v, x1, x2 models. Its wider and has integrated swim platform like the tristars.

Edit, actually, I'm not 100% sure on this as the 200vrs model did change in 98 from the 95-97 platform.

[CC2MC]

this one looks to be much cleaner. it is at marine world mastercraft in wichita, ks.

http://wichita.craigslist.org/boa/3792850484.html

Thanks TTU! That is closer to what I am looking for, with the tower and PP. I wish it was closer to me. Is there anyone out that way that could take a look at it for me?

[JRW160]

The 200V model is not the same as the 205v, x1, x2 models. Its wider and has integrated swim platform like the tristars.

Edit, actually, I'm not 100% sure on this as the 200vrs model did change in 98 from the 95-97 platform.

You are right. The 200vrs is a different hull. There was maristar 205vrs in 1999 only that had the 205v hull.

Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using Tapatalk HD

[ttu]

Thanks TTU! That is closer to what I am looking for, with the tower and PP. I wish it was closer to me. Is there anyone out that way that could take a look at it for me?

I have a cousin who can. he has a 89 prostar and marine world does all his work. trust me they are a good dealer and I didn't even buy my boat from them!

a good friend of mine who lives in salt lake city, ut came to Tulsa to buy a friends Moomba xlv and on his way back blew the turbo in his F250 in Wichita. they offered to keep his boat there while his truck was fixed. they even put his boat inside storage.

[Traxx822]

You are right. The 200vrs is a different hull. There was maristar 205vrs in 1999 only that had the 205v hull.

Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using Tapatalk HD

Thanks. Sorry to have thread jacked a little there. I've just always wondered where the 200 hull derived from or evolved to and that it is no 205. But that should be somewhere else.

Sent from my HTC VLE_U using Tapatalk 2

[CC2MC]

I have a cousin who can. he has a 89 prostar and marine world does all his work. trust me they are a good dealer and I didn't even buy my boat from them!

a good friend of mine who lives in salt lake city, ut came to Tulsa to buy a friends Moomba xlv and on his way back blew the turbo in his F250 in Wichita. they offered to keep his boat there while his truck was fixed. they even put his boat inside storage.

I got to looking a little closer at the boat and it looks like that year or maybe just that Maristar model does not come with the L seating, which is what I prefer. It is hard to tell from the pics provided though. I will see if the dealer has any shots posted.

[ttu]

I got to looking a little closer at the boat and it looks like that year or maybe just that Maristar model does not come with the L seating, which is what I prefer. It is hard to tell from the pics provided though. I will see if the dealer has any shots posted.

okay, just let me know.