1994 205 Prostar

[dh_bennison]

Hi

I am looking at buying a 1994 205 Prostar. After having read alot of info on this site about the model I still have a couple of questions.

1. The hull design changed for the 96 model. Would I be better trying to buy a post 96 boat? (I want the boat for wakeboarding).

2. How different is the wake between the 94 and post 96 models?

3. Is their anywhwere I can hide ballast on the boat as I dont want to lose seating?

4. How good is the wake compared to other MC models?

Many thanks
Dave

[east tx skier]

For wakeboarding, I would think that the 96 and up hull would be better. Although I'm not a wakeboarder, that is the original Xstar hull. The earlier hull is, IMO, better for slalom. I'll let someone more knowledgeable on the subject than me comment on the wakeboard wake on the 94. As for hiding the ballast, the 94 has a walkthrough locker that will be one good place. As for the rear, you can't get under the seat, but could either carve out some room in the styrofoam base or go with a fat seat.

[BrianM]

From what I know if you are going to be primarily wakeboarding the 96+ 205 is going to throw the better wake. the original X-star was on the same hull.

Edit: Easty was quicker than I was on the draw.

[prostar205]

Dave -

I'll try to answer some of your questions from the perspective of owning a '95 PS205.

First, let me say that my '95 PS205 was the greatest boat I ever owned. I loved that boat. Now, I mainly skiied behind it and not wakeboarded. Nor did I surf behind it.

For wakeboarding, the '92-'95 PS205s (all the same hull design) are OK. When I did wakeboard behind it, we used about 1,200 lbs of water - rear sac, two side sacs and a sac in the walkway. Without an automatic ballast system, it took alot of time to fill and drain.

I know with the '96 and new PS205s, the rear seat bottom lifts up and slides into the top making a nice sunpad. You can "hide" a large fat sac under this "sunpad" where on the '92-'95 PS205 models, you would have to remove the entire rear seat - which is what I did.

Lastly, with that much water ballast, the stock 275hp, 5.7L TBI engine just did not have enough "pop". Go for the LT1 if you can find one.

Good luck.

[corey]

First boat I ever drove was 94' PS 205. Awesome boat all around, we primarily wakeboarded with this boat and over the years the ballast grew from 500lbs to 2000lbs. It really depends how big you want your wake to be.

I agree that the TBI lacked some punch with 2000lbs of water in the boat, but it pushed 500-750lbs with out missing a beat.

If you don't want to lose seating and desire a pretty decent wake I would put a 350-400lb bag on either side of the engine compartment. Sure more weight will get you a bigger wake, but there is nothing I could'nt do behind this set up that I could with anything else.

[Mikey]

Hi

I am looking at buying a 1994 205 Prostar. After having read alot of info on this site about the model I still have a couple of questions.

1. The hull design changed for the 96 model. Would I be better trying to buy a post 96 boat? (I want the boat for wakeboarding).

2. How different is the wake between the 94 and post 96 models?

3. Is their anywhwere I can hide ballast on the boat as I dont want to lose seating?

4. How good is the wake compared to other MC models?

Many thanks
Dave

I researched these same questions for about 6 months. I ended up going with a 97. From what I have heard the 92-95 is alright for wakeboarding but the 96-up is alot better. Not much room (if any) to hide ballast. But it does put out one nice wake if you can deal with stepping over bags. If you are all that concerned with hiding ballast so you dont lose seating then I suggest either get fat friends or buy a V-drive. Its up to you.

[Jesus_Freak]

I just bought a '94. Ditto on what these guys said.

[rem_pss308]

Ditto on what was said above.
My son is at the Pro level wakeboarding, and I have a 1993 Prostar 205. He has long outgrown mine. We put 2000 lbs of ballast in it. It has a lower pitch prop to help get pop out the hole. But all in all you would be more happy with the newer hull shape.
BUt if you are set on the 94 Its fuel injected, and it would be good until you get to throwing 700's, and Crow Mobes

As far as loseing seating. I have a Sun deck built for the rear. and we put a sac on each side of the engine, and one in the walk way. No seating lost. But hard to walk around.

[Footin]

I love my 94 205. As for holeshot, the change to an Acme 13X12 makes a WORLD of difference.