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Other 3 Event Ski Boats of the 80s

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URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22837
Printed Date: May-04-2024 at 12:04am


Topic: Other 3 Event Ski Boats of the 80s
Posted By: Swatkinz
Subject: Other 3 Event Ski Boats of the 80s
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 11:13am
Hey guys,
I noticed that there's been some chatter about American Skier in a couple of other threads so I thought this might be an interesting topic. Specifically, speaking of 80s era ski boats, what are your impressions about the competition ski boats of that time period? Not looking to start a knock on the competition since we know where are loyalties lie, just interested in everyone's impression of the boats of "back in the day." My experience was pretty much limited to MC and CC, but certainly there were many others out there who frequently got a set behind these boats or spent time behind the wheel.

CC Ski Nautique 2001--good quality, decent ride (for a tournament inboard), dryer ride than an MC, good trick wake, not as good of a slalom wake vs. an MC. Carl Roberge was a CC 3 event skier.

Mastercraft--super sleek lower profile, superior slalom wake (to most brands of the day), Powerslot option, wet, rough ride. Platform seemed alot smaller than a CC. L shaped observer seat was uncomfortable as was the rest of the boat. Remember Camille Duvall? Damn she was fine.

Supra--pulled the Worlds in about 88. had a fiberglass platform with a stainless grab rail all the way around it. Nose dropped really low. WL was a dealer for awhile and painted it to be superior to the Nautique. Mike Hazelwood was a beast of a jumper during that time frame. I think he was a Supra guy.

American Skier--looked good, small wake. virtually non-existent in my neck of the woods

Ski Supreme--lots of upholsterey buttons and teak.

Malibu Skier--the poor man's inboard at the time. Distinct California look. WL was also a dealer of Malibu in the late 80s. Had the slalom course times and tolerances screen printed on the dash.

Ski Centurion--none in my area. Another undeniably California looking boat.

Again, not looking to knock the competition. Also, this was just my brief impression of these boats. What's yours?

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Steve
2011 Sport/Air 200
Excalibur 343
2017 Boatmate Tandem Axle Trailer

Former CC owner (77, 80, 95, 88, all SNs)

Former Malibu owner (07, 09)



Replies:
Posted By: 75 Tique
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 11:46am
I'll jump in on this one, since I have experience with one of those. (Interesting this came up this morning as it so happens Bri892001 and Dip (Darren) and I got together here on the Cape last night for a few runs (and congrts to Brian for his first boom-barefoot run) and some dinner, and this topic came up. I had an 89 Supra. Superior wake, but a noteworthy rooster tail. Wake probably a little better than 2001, but the rooster somewhere around 15-22 off was a problem. Shorter line and you were golden. I think the styling was more contemporary (not necessarily better) than the 2001s, whose look really wasnt that different from the "quaint" 70s CCs. More "luxurious" fit and finish. When sold, my upholstry was 18 years old and still looked new. Friend had an 80s supreme. Yup, lots of teak and buttons, kind of a dated look. Funny, non-symetrical wake.

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_____________
“So, how was your weekend?”
“Well, let me see…sun burn, stiff neck, screwed up back, assorted aches and pains….yup, my weekend was great, thanks for asking.”


Posted By: Nautique2001
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 12:51pm
I know I've posted these photos that were provide to me by Dan Fitzgerald, Three Seasons Ski Club in MA several times. American Skier and MasterCraft were very popular on the lake mid to late 80's. I recall counting about 12-14 Ski Nautiques on the lake in '87-'88. From what I'm told, the MasterCrafts had a smaller wake compared to the SN2001. Lots of people trick skied at that time and it seems that the SN2001 was the perfect boat for that. There was one Ski Supreme on the lake. It seems like American Skiers were very popular in the mid 80's. I was told American Skier would negotiate price and Correct Craft wouldn't. Anyway, I enjoy seeing all classic boat brands. The Stars and Stripes is a nice looking boat. There's a beautiful '85 MC Stars and Stripes blue/gray on our the lake that's showroom condition and sounds strong.

Didn't Bayliner or somebody else attempt to produce a comp ski boat in the late 80's? If I recall right, it had an ugly pink stripe.








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http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1052&sort=&pagenum=4&yrstart=1986&yrend=1990" rel="nofollow - Nautique 2001


Posted By: 75 Tique
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 12:56pm
Ken,

You are thinking of the Bayliner Ski Challenger.



I am pretty sure it pulled the Nationals and Worlds in 88 and 89. Ok, I made that part up.

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_____________
“So, how was your weekend?”
“Well, let me see…sun burn, stiff neck, screwed up back, assorted aches and pains….yup, my weekend was great, thanks for asking.”


Posted By: Swatkinz
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 12:57pm
Bayliner made an inboard called a Challenger. It was hideous. Someone on my lake had one. It seemed really wide and looked as cheap as every other bayliner.

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Steve
2011 Sport/Air 200
Excalibur 343
2017 Boatmate Tandem Axle Trailer

Former CC owner (77, 80, 95, 88, all SNs)

Former Malibu owner (07, 09)


Posted By: Nautique2001
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 1:06pm
YES, that's it. I bet there are only a hand full of those boats still running. Not a boat to be proud of in my opinion. My guess is it was attractive due to a low price point. It screams '80s with that pink. Awful boat.

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http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1052&sort=&pagenum=4&yrstart=1986&yrend=1990" rel="nofollow - Nautique 2001


Posted By: Nautique2001
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 1:11pm
Some of the orginal Three Seasons Ski Club members enjoying a nice 80's summer day!



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http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1052&sort=&pagenum=4&yrstart=1986&yrend=1990" rel="nofollow - Nautique 2001


Posted By: 75 Tique
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 1:16pm
When I was looking for my first inboard in the mid 90s, I stopped at East Coats Flightcraft while on a business trip in the area. They had a Challenger for sale for 5-6000. I had the good sense to pass.

Ken, those pictures of all the boats together are great.

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_____________
“So, how was your weekend?”
“Well, let me see…sun burn, stiff neck, screwed up back, assorted aches and pains….yup, my weekend was great, thanks for asking.”


Posted By: Nautique2001
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 1:17pm
Sorry for the thread-jack. I get passionate talking about the good ole '80s boats and memories. I wish more people would scan and share their old pics.



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http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1052&sort=&pagenum=4&yrstart=1986&yrend=1990" rel="nofollow - Nautique 2001


Posted By: harddock
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 2:56pm
Nautique and the power slot MC followed by Supreme and American Skier on the East. The west coast had Centurion which got plugged away into Tige, Brendella, and a few others. Hydrodyne made a inboard skiboat as did Sea Ray. Toyota had the Epic, Bagliner had the Challenger, and I'm sure I missed one or two

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http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4487" rel="nofollow - 1998 Ski Nautique









Posted By: GottaSki
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 3:13pm
Nice list Kevin
Found one more, may I add the century cts
There is a cherry hydrodyne inboard down the road from me, btw.
Was the glastron ski machine 3 event?

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"There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worthwhile as messing around with boats...simply messing."

River Rat to Mole


Posted By: Tom351
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 3:18pm
This was posted here a while back by someone else, but worth a re-post in this thread:
http://books.google.com/books?id=euMDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA86&dq=ski+nautique&hl=en&ei=8jkwToeIA4rbgQfGkN3mCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CGUQ6AEwBQ# - Popular Mechanics- 1987 Ski Boat Shootout


Posted By: M3Fan
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 3:30pm
I've heard from multiple skiers who competed in the 80's that if they saw a 2001 was pulling the competition that they'd be terrified of the wake. They'd pray for an MC being the towboat at the time.

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2000 SN GT40 w/99 Graphics/Gel
2016 SN 200 OB 5.3L DI
https://forum.fifteenoff.com






Posted By: GottaSki
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 4:25pm
Spot on. At the tourneys I was on the starting dock with the other kids, you should have heared the groans when the 2001 fired up to come over to pull the jr /boys/girls. Some masochist would always save the MC for the Men1, and enjoy seeing the kids attempting to run gates, getting 1/2 bouy run for $30, at 22-26 mph behind a freakin wakeboard boat. Sickos.

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"There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worthwhile as messing around with boats...simply messing."

River Rat to Mole


Posted By: phospher
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 5:00pm
Awesome pics Nautique2001.


Posted By: Whitfield
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 5:20pm


I'm guessing my "Black Sheep" Dixie 299 Super Skier may have never pulled an event, but growing up in a family run bayliner dealership I'm sure I could have done worse. There seem to be quite a few Dixie 299's around the mid atlantic. I believe they were made 1984 - 1989 (all same design / no change). I think they were the first open bow inboard ski boat (1984). Does anyone have any old school info on what this boat was / how it compared? The ride is nice, not to bad in chop, dry is no problem, but steering SUX. The guy who ran Dixie Boat works Melvin Little made his mark in racing inboards. The as i'm told the racing influence shows on the ski boat too. The knife like rudder has marginal input on what you want the boat to. It still turns and skis Ok but nothing like the few MC's I skied as a kid. Rear 3-4' of the hull has a stepped design (rear 3-4' is 2-3" up from forward section. I believe this is to aireate the running pad. I think a few go fast outboards and bass boats use this method but I don't see the advantage on an inboard. At higher speeds (depending on loaded weight) the hull design and lack of water pressure on the stern can causes the boat to porpse.     

   I'm still looking for my first Correct Craft ride / pull.

PS: My Dixie is #0050 and the only metal flake gelcoat I've seen (sky blue metalic). I also have the special trailer package with factory polished aluminium wheels and and aluminium diamond tread trailer step plates.     


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Michael ....    

I'm the black sheep ~ 1984 Dixie 299 Super Skier (350 Chev PCM / counter rotation / Velvet drive) Open Bow.


Posted By: Riley
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 5:53pm
This 88 Skier has been in the family since 1992. It may have been the first Malibu in Maine. For the first few years everyone was always asking what it was as they had never seen one. My brother in law bought it at Lake Lure in NC. It's been a great boat with very few problems. It's not as big and solid as a 2001, but it definately has smaller ski wakes and the gel coat is beautiful.

I met a guy at Race City Marine 2 years ago that had been the distributor for Malibu back in the 80's & 90's and knew all about this boat as he ordered it. It has a PCM 240 which he called the "White Lake" package as the Ford PCMs were popular there rather than the standard Mercruisers.



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Posted By: 75 Tique
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 6:29pm
Cool boats, Bruce. Almost got one of those instead of the Supra back in 96. Nice lines and the CA graphics, although a subjective thing, I like too.

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_____________
“So, how was your weekend?”
“Well, let me see…sun burn, stiff neck, screwed up back, assorted aches and pains….yup, my weekend was great, thanks for asking.”


Posted By: Riley
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 6:38pm
Larry, no doubt some don't like the rainbow CA look, but even today most boats, even CC, don't have that kind of detail in their gel. That red and white boat has a thin black pin stripe bordering the red that is gel. On the SN 196 which cost about $20k more they used tape on their pin stripe.

I used to love the WSM boat buyers guide back in the 80's because there were so many different companies building 3 event boats.

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Posted By: Swatkinz
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 6:45pm
wow, good activity here. I love those vintage 80s pics. keep em coming.

ya'll remember the:

Ski Pro--I/o tournament boat; I believe it had a telescoping boom that retracted into the boat (out of the way and stored) when not in use.

Sunbird Skier--outboard powered budget ski boat

Cherokee Skier

Brendella--I forgot to mention in my original post

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Steve
2011 Sport/Air 200
Excalibur 343
2017 Boatmate Tandem Axle Trailer

Former CC owner (77, 80, 95, 88, all SNs)

Former Malibu owner (07, 09)


Posted By: GottaSki
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 7:01pm
Best gel work had to be the ski eliiminator, bar none.

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"There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worthwhile as messing around with boats...simply messing."

River Rat to Mole


Posted By: Whitfield
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 8:56pm
Did the old flightcraft inboard fall into this 80's 3-event category. I almost bought a frozen one on a deal a few years back.

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Michael ....    

I'm the black sheep ~ 1984 Dixie 299 Super Skier (350 Chev PCM / counter rotation / Velvet drive) Open Bow.


Posted By: Liledgy
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 9:54pm
At a tourney in "87" I remember marlin magnum skier, malibu, and ski eliminater all bringing there boats to make sure they met the minimum to pull regionals and possibly nationals. When I saw a strip of vinyl made into a loop attached to the bottom of the motor cover (for the handle) on the Malibu, it scared me to think of the things that you couldn't see! Never saw a supra in a tournament. In the 90's Bimini skier came out. My buddy bought a 94 or 95 brand new for just under $15000 with a nice trailer. Most people on the lake told him to stay away from it, buy a used CC or MC. to scaffolds surprise it has been a great boat. It reminds me of the early malibu's, cheap vent covers, thinner vinyl, etc. It is a he'll of a slalom boat. If not the best, one of the best handling boat on the lake, STILL. articulating front skag that turns with the rudder. Very similar to a 1980-81 Mastercraft, your head is above the windshield, motorbox can be seen above the sides, etc. Not a rough water boat ( it is a ski boat!). Even his clock still works! The paint and fiberglass are still in great shape. He is paranoid about the wood stringers. He checks the lags on the motor mounts. So far so good.


Posted By: Nautique2001
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 11:33pm
I recall in the 80's, our ski club would beach their boats in the little cove you see the photos of the gold MasterCraft in. A club member would fire their boat up, VEEEEROOOOM, the dual exhaust would say dammit, listen to me!! Those were the days.

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http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1052&sort=&pagenum=4&yrstart=1986&yrend=1990" rel="nofollow - Nautique 2001


Posted By: Swatkinz
Date Posted: July-27-2011 at 11:44pm
Originally posted by Nautique2001 Nautique2001 wrote:

I recall in the 80's, our ski club would beach their boats in the little cove you see the photos of the gold MasterCraft in. A club member would fire their boat up, VEEEEROOOOM, the dual exhaust would say dammit, listen to me!! Those were the days.


Beach their boats????? Kidding, i'm the only one on the site who admits to doing that these days. love your description of what the exhaust says when it cranks.

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Steve
2011 Sport/Air 200
Excalibur 343
2017 Boatmate Tandem Axle Trailer

Former CC owner (77, 80, 95, 88, all SNs)

Former Malibu owner (07, 09)


Posted By: bkhallpass
Date Posted: July-28-2011 at 4:02am
Originally posted by harddock harddock wrote:

Nautique and the power slot MC followed by Supreme and American Skier on the East. The west coast had Centurion which got plugged away into Tige, Brendella, and a few others. Hydrodyne made a inboard skiboat as did Sea Ray. Toyota had the Epic, Bagliner had the Challenger, and I'm sure I missed one or two


Some of these are 90s

BKH

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Livin' the Dream



Posted By: dip
Date Posted: July-28-2011 at 4:38am
Bruce, thats a great Malibu. I remember how nice that gelcoat was. Were they originally a California company only? I know they are now built in Tennessee. I actually ski more behind Malibus than any other boat (my own included). Not quite the fit and finish of a Nautique but if I didn't buy a Nautique that is what i would buy.
Larry and Brian and I were talking about how nice the Supras were. They also had a manually adjustable trim tab that allowed you to adjust the attitude of the boat to affect the shape of the wake. That was pretty imaginative. I think Tige later followed with a more refined version of that idea. I also recall that they had a sharp V hull fore to cut the water with a very flat bottom aft, supposedly to offer both a good ride and good wake. Not sure how that worked. Supra also did a great job early on of having a broad product range to suit different need. They had the Mariah and Sunsport which were good quality, family oriented inboards, predecessors to the Sport Nautique.
I really thought the Mastercraft change in '87 to the Prostar upped the ante on ski boat design dramatically, ultimately leading to the '90 No wake zone Nautique. Its fun to look back on those years because so much was happening but the boats hadn't really morphed into the machines they are today yet.


Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: July-28-2011 at 2:08pm
I have not problems beaching my 80s ski boat and sometimes a little keel rub is a better option than dock rash.

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Posted By: Riley
Date Posted: July-28-2011 at 4:29pm
Darren, they were a CA company when that boat was built. Once they started building a lot of boats sometime in the 90's they opened a 2nd plant in TN which is their only plant now. They closed the CA plant when the economy tanked. Not as good fit and finish as a Correct Craft, but a lot of the same components like VDO gauges, PCM engine, Morse controls. I think they were about 15% less money. That boat is mostly original and still looks great. About the only thing replaced were the seat cushons and I rebuilt the observers seat a long time ago as it rotted out. That pic is from 06 or 07.

The TSM Supra or whater they called it was a nice boat. My perception of Supras was that they were good quality boats.

Hollywood, I've never had a problem until our 03 Malibu with beaching a boat. Not with Correct Crafts, Centurys or that 88 Malibu. The fine sand will dull the gel, but on our the 03 the gel seems soft and has some deep scratchs so we try not to beach it.

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Posted By: harddock
Date Posted: July-28-2011 at 5:22pm
Let's not forget the step side fenders on some Ski Centurions, When they went from 5-7 color gel to tape stripes.

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http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4487" rel="nofollow - 1998 Ski Nautique









Posted By: Riley
Date Posted: July-28-2011 at 5:38pm
Originally posted by harddock harddock wrote:

Let's not forget the step side fenders on some Ski Centurions, When they went from 5-7 color gel to tape stripes.


What were those for? I saw 2 of those boats at a Naples ME wakeboard competition about 15 years ago. The boats were on trailers and not pulling anyone. Strangest thing I've ever seen done to a boat.

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Posted By: 75 Tique
Date Posted: July-28-2011 at 5:44pm
http://s16.photobucket.com/albums/b24/lhine763/supra/ - my 89 Supra in 2006 original everything

I'm not super sure, but I am thinking those saddle bags on the centurions were billed as some kind of spray suppressor, but I could be wrong. Guy on my lake had one, which he bought from a friend of mine.

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_____________
“So, how was your weekend?”
“Well, let me see…sun burn, stiff neck, screwed up back, assorted aches and pains….yup, my weekend was great, thanks for asking.”


Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: July-28-2011 at 6:53pm
Someone please find a picture of these fenders, I'm intrigued.

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Posted By: bkhallpass
Date Posted: July-28-2011 at 6:58pm
Look for an 80s model Tru-trac centurion. As the name suggests, those "fenders" were supposed to help tracking. BKH

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Livin' the Dream



Posted By: dip
Date Posted: July-28-2011 at 7:18pm


Posted By: bkhallpass
Date Posted: July-28-2011 at 7:18pm
Like this one. BKH


http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=29181

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Livin' the Dream



Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: July-28-2011 at 7:27pm
Tracking as in the boat listed too much from a side pull? Look like they'd help knock down the chine spray as well.


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Posted By: bkhallpass
Date Posted: July-28-2011 at 8:04pm
Upon further review the called them S rails and apparently were for spray only. I remember the boats well, but I guess I did not remember much about the details. The boat model is however Tru Trac II which proceeded the Falcon.

BKH

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Livin' the Dream



Posted By: Riley
Date Posted: July-28-2011 at 8:07pm
Time sure changes things as I think that blue Centurian is a decent looking boat even with the fenders.

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Posted By: dipper
Date Posted: July-28-2011 at 8:45pm
I agree Bruce. Back in the day I thought that was the ugliest thing ever.


Posted By: KRoundy
Date Posted: July-29-2011 at 2:01pm
I thought that Tru-track was because the front fin of the boat "steered" a little bit? I could be way off on that.

The 2001's may have had larger wakes, but they were really soft. You had to really keep your ski on edge through the wakes, even at 32MPH. When did Moomba come on the scene?

I had somebody tell me once that Ski Brendella was old Mastercraft hull designs. When MC came out with a new hull design, Brendella would purchase their old molds and put on a different cap. Can anybody verify?

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Previous: 1993 Electric Blue/Charcoal Ski Nautique
Current: 2016 Ski Nautique 200 Open Bow


Posted By: Timr71
Date Posted: August-30-2016 at 1:46pm
Originally posted by KRoundy KRoundy wrote:

I thought that Tru-track was because the front fin of the boat "steered" a little bit? I could be way off on that.



I hope you don't mind if I revive this thread.

The Tru-track was a model in the 80s up until the Falcon was introduced in the late 80s. My cousin has an 88 Falcon that has been restored and is about to go up for sale.

The other tracking system that is referred to here is the CATS that was an option starting in 1990. From the Centurion history page:

Centurion turned the water sports world upside-down - this time with steering technology. Centurion developed the patented Centurion Articulating Tracking System (CATS), which featured the first articulating front fin. This design enhanced steering tracking ability.

Back in the later 80s / early 90s there weren't many Centurions in the east. My cousin decided to buy a Falcon Sport about the time he graduated from college and when he called the factory in Merced he was told that there wasn't a dealer within 300 miles of his location in east, TN. So, he purchased a 1996 model directly from the factory. BTW, he still owns that boat today (after selling it and reacquiring it) and it does have the CATS fin.

Totally agree on the fit and finish knocks, but it does have a nice slalom wake.


Posted By: MourningWood
Date Posted: September-16-2016 at 6:29pm
Another popular West coast boat was the Sanger Skier out of Fresno (or Sanger) , Ca.
More known for their flat-bottom, S-K type boats and jet boats, they had quite a run with inboards in the 80's.


Posted By: rebel skier
Date Posted: September-16-2016 at 6:38pm
They still make an closed boat inboard direct drive, but target it to barefooters.



http://www.sangerboats.com/dxii" rel="nofollow - Sanger DXII

There is a relatively contemporary direct drive sanger on our lake.


Posted By: Nautiquehunter
Date Posted: September-16-2016 at 8:55pm
Well some of you know I am a closet Supra guy . I currently own a 1989 Supra sunsport, 1992 Supra comp ts6m and a 1984 Supra comp ts6m . As far as the newer boats I am Nautique through and through but I will always have a soft spot in my heart for my George Fowler Supra's.

http://s303.photobucket.com/user/suprahunter/media/WP_20150505_12_03_51_Pro1_zpschkwr8mz.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">

http://s303.photobucket.com/user/suprahunter/media/WP_20150808_0031_zpschu5wuwh.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">

http://s303.photobucket.com/user/suprahunter/media/SupraPicture033.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">

http://s303.photobucket.com/user/suprahunter/media/skirack003.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">


Posted By: DrCC
Date Posted: September-16-2016 at 10:01pm
I miss that show Mutual Of Omaha's Wild Kingdom with George Fowler.

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Keep it....from sinkin'


Posted By: Nautiquehunter
Date Posted: September-17-2016 at 10:41am
Wrong George Fowler that George Fowler was Marlin Perkins.


Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: September-17-2016 at 10:59am
Originally posted by Nautiquehunter Nautiquehunter wrote:

Wrong George Fowler that George Fowler was Marlin Perkins.


I think that that George Fowler who you think was Marlin Perkins is really Jim Fowler

http://www.wildkingdom.com/" rel="nofollow - Wild Kingdom


Posted By: KRoundy
Date Posted: September-17-2016 at 1:04pm
I was right about that steering thing after all! I wonder what that looks like - as in how it physically operated?

My brain has so much useless knowledge about ski boats built from reading Water Ski Magazine every month since I was 15.... I used to save the yearly boat reviews for a couple of years just reading over and over about all those dream machines.

The ts6m burst onto the slalom scene from nowhere. The wakes on those boats we almost nonexistent. I skied behind a Ski Centurion in 1986 on a private lake. It wasn't until after our sets and were driving away when I said, "That wake was so small I hardly remember it being there." My ski companions all agreed. We skied daily behind a 2001 hull Nautique. There was definitely a difference. Then the NWZ appeared and it was tons better.

Then wake boarding happened everything changed.

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Previous: 1993 Electric Blue/Charcoal Ski Nautique
Current: 2016 Ski Nautique 200 Open Bow


Posted By: Timr71
Date Posted: September-17-2016 at 3:18pm
Originally posted by KRoundy KRoundy wrote:

I was right about that steering thing after all! I wonder what that looks like - as in how it physically operated?



I will be back in my cousin's shop in the next month or so. I'll snap a few pictures so you can see how it works. Basically the steering cable goes down one side of the bilge to the rudder, the same as it does in all inboard tournament boats, but there's an extension on the cable. So after the connecting point at the back/rudder, it goes back up to the tracking fins where the very end of the cable engages the one rotational fin.

That may not be a great description. The rudder connects at a mid-point in the steering cable and the CATS fin is at the end. That makes the cable longer than normal and it goes from the steering wheel area to the rudder and then halfway back up the boat.

I'll post the pictures in this thread.

Since I know you guys love pictures, here's a couple of my recently restored 1993 Centurion Falcon. Before:



Posted By: Timr71
Date Posted: September-17-2016 at 3:22pm
Another before shot:




After:




Ready to play:



Posted By: dsums
Date Posted: September-17-2016 at 4:36pm
Interesting thread. Nice to see all the boats from our past. I had a 87 Ski Supreme from 1991 - 2006. Similar to the one in the beach pictures. Mixed feelings when I sold it to get the 196. Had a good slalom wake, superb trick wake which made it a pretty good boarding wake with the extended pylon. Boys wanted a tower but there was no way I was adding a tower to a classis tournament boat. Too much of a traditionalist I guess. To this day I feel it was one of the best laid out and most comfortable driver areas I have come across. Everything was right where it needed to be for spending hours driving.


Posted By: dsums
Date Posted: September-17-2016 at 4:38pm
before the questions come. I did have a front strap on the pylon before we used it. This was when I had the for sale sign on it


Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: September-18-2016 at 2:26am
Originally posted by dsums dsums wrote:

To this day I feel it was one of the best laid out and most comfortable driver areas I have come across. Everything was right where it needed to be for spending hours driving.

In terms of driver seat/body comfort American Skier is the best I've ever driven, period. Correct Craft was way behind until the rotocast bucket seat (still not better but very, very good) but the CC 1987+ instrument panel was also a major improvement.

Never been in a Supreme, looking forward to it.


Posted By: jbear
Date Posted: September-20-2016 at 1:05am
Originally posted by Hollywood Hollywood wrote:


In terms of driver seat/body comfort American Skier is the best I've ever driven, period. Correct Craft was way behind until the rotocast bucket seat (still not better but very, very good)

.


no doubt about it...



john

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"Loud pipes save lives"



AdamT sez "I'm Canadian and a beaver lover myself"...


Posted By: halfnelly
Date Posted: September-20-2016 at 9:38am
Originally posted by Hollywood Hollywood wrote:

Originally posted by dsums dsums wrote:

To this day I feel it was one of the best laid out and most comfortable driver areas I have come across. Everything was right where it needed to be for spending hours driving.

In terms of driver seat/body comfort American Skier is the best I've ever driven, period


Agreed, the driver seat and padded armrest were much nicer than what CC had to offer back then. We had an '87 Advance with a PCM 351.



Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: September-20-2016 at 11:23am
That's a nice looking boat. I wouldn't mind owning a 1987 Advance.


Posted By: halfnelly
Date Posted: September-20-2016 at 11:35am
It was a great boat. Only qualms would be that they ride a lot rougher than a 2001 of the same vintage, and the spray at slalom speeds was considerable. Shortline slalom in a head wind you were getting pelted. Great trick and barefoot hull, though. She'd run about 48 with the 240hp 351 and a 13x13 wheel. As you can see, they were quite popular in our ski club during that time:


Posted By: kytom2
Date Posted: September-20-2016 at 2:10pm


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Posted By: Jonny Quest
Date Posted: September-20-2016 at 3:21pm
Originally posted by Swatkinz Swatkinz wrote:

Hey guys,

Mastercraft--super sleek lower profile, superior slalom wake (to most brands of the day), Powerslot option, wet, rough ride. Platform seemed alot smaller than a CC. L shaped observer seat was uncomfortable as was the rest of the boat. Remember Camille Duvall? Damn she was fine.



This the one you were referring to?

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Current
2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited

Previous
2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow
1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow

Aqua skiing, ergo sum


Posted By: GlassSeeker
Date Posted: September-20-2016 at 4:11pm
That Sanger DX and DXII inboard sure has staying power its still being built exactly the same as back in 88....probably the only mfgr today offerring a closed bow skiboat

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This is the life


Posted By: GlassSeeker
Date Posted: September-20-2016 at 4:20pm


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This is the life


Posted By: 75 Tique
Date Posted: September-20-2016 at 4:29pm
Originally posted by GlassSeeker GlassSeeker wrote:

....probably the only mfgr today offerring a closed bow skiboat


The Sanger has always been a good looking boat. Nice that they stayed with their traditional roots.

If I'm not mistaken there are two others, Centurion Carbon Pro and SN200CB. I don't think MC nor Malibu do any more but I also seem to recall that even tho Malibu doesn't market a closed bow Response, it is still available. I be Bruce knows the answer to that.

Far cry from the 80s when everyone and their brother offered a comp ski boat, including a lot that shouldn't have.

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_____________
“So, how was your weekend?”
“Well, let me see…sun burn, stiff neck, screwed up back, assorted aches and pains….yup, my weekend was great, thanks for asking.”


Posted By: JPASS
Date Posted: September-20-2016 at 4:44pm
Originally posted by GlassSeeker GlassSeeker wrote:

That Sanger DX and DXII inboard sure has staying power its still being built exactly the same as back in 88....probably the only mfgr today offerring a closed bow skiboat


That's one heckova fly high on that bad boy.




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'92 Correctcraft Ski Nautique


Posted By: GlassSeeker
Date Posted: September-20-2016 at 5:10pm
That Super Fly High is standard equipment at barefoot tournaments both national and world competition

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This is the life


Posted By: 75 Tique
Date Posted: September-20-2016 at 5:42pm
Originally posted by GlassSeeker GlassSeeker wrote:

That Super Fly High is standard equipment at barefoot tournaments both national and world competition


Greg's BF tug behind which we have been working on our LLBDs. I'm sure it helped. Now I have to wean myself down to my regular fly-hi and then I'd like to take it all the way down to a regular pylon pull.







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_____________
“So, how was your weekend?”
“Well, let me see…sun burn, stiff neck, screwed up back, assorted aches and pains….yup, my weekend was great, thanks for asking.”


Posted By: NCH20SKIER
Date Posted: September-20-2016 at 6:02pm
My '88 Glastron CVX 16 was a solid ski boat back in the day. Equipped with a merc 115 tower of power and good for ~60 mph with no skier

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'05 206 Limited
'88 BFN


Posted By: Riley
Date Posted: September-20-2016 at 9:46pm
Originally posted by 75 Tique 75 Tique wrote:

[QUOTE=GlassSeeker] ....probably the only mfgr today offerring a closed bow skiboat


If I'm not mistaken there are two others, Centurion Carbon Pro and SN200CB. I don't think MC nor Malibu do any more but I also seem to recall that even tho Malibu doesn't market a closed bow Response, it is still available. I be Bruce knows the answer to that.
QUOTE]

Malibu turned their old 1998 Response into a walk through bow rider. No more closed bows for them. Mastercraft has the fiberglass hood that makes their ski boat look like a closed bow, but it's a bow rider. Sanger makes the only dedicated barefoot boat, don't they?


Posted By: NCH20SKIER
Date Posted: September-20-2016 at 10:26pm
Bruce
If I am not mistaken Gekko has started manufacturing a outboard Barefooter

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'05 206 Limited
'88 BFN


Posted By: GlassSeeker
Date Posted: September-20-2016 at 11:57pm
There is a new builder in FLORIDA called Custom Ski Boats they moved from Australia and were supposed to be "sponsoring" the World Barefoot Center with a couple boats but due to reasons unexplained the partnership never happened ...David Small assured me everyone was going to own a CSB barefoot outboard...but they are still skiing the old Sanger outboards. CSB builds a closed bow inboard barefoot boat as well as an outboard closed bow.

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This is the life


Posted By: davidg
Date Posted: September-22-2016 at 10:19am
I work with a lady who told me she has a tournament inboard called a Bimini. It is a '93. She indicated it has a MasterCraft hull, and an American Skier deck, and also has a front tracking fin that slightly rotates when the steering wheel is turned to facilitate tighter turns. Anybody heard of this brand of boat?? New one on me.


Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: September-22-2016 at 10:41am


Posted By: JPASS
Date Posted: September-22-2016 at 12:02pm
There's a guy on my local lake who has a Ski Ray inboard.





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'92 Correctcraft Ski Nautique


Posted By: 75 Tique
Date Posted: September-22-2016 at 1:06pm
Throw Back Thursday.

If you guys are enjoying this old thread coming back to life, you will really enjoy this one from 2006. Unfortunately many of the photos are now missing but it is still a very entertaining read.

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5284&KW=maliboob&PN=1&title=name-this-boat" rel="nofollow - http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5284&KW=maliboob&PN=1&title=name-this-boat

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_____________
“So, how was your weekend?”
“Well, let me see…sun burn, stiff neck, screwed up back, assorted aches and pains….yup, my weekend was great, thanks for asking.”



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