MC Stars & Stripes

You can't help yourself mate !!

Is this the one you provided a trailer for?

joing dots? thats a new one..... lol

      

Chopper,
I might be one of a few on here that like the MC S&S boats. The early to mid 80s are probably the only MCs I'd ever consider buying. JMO though.   I believe they went to all fiberglass construction in 84 or 85. I believe the era you referenced used PCM. Powerslot option a big plus IMO. Great slalom boats. Not a CC though. The following site will have more information.

www.tmcowners.com/teamtalk

I also looked at the early stars and stripes before purchasing my boat. 1984 is the first year for composite stringers. I love the look of the classic MC's but do not have any personal experience with them.

I do believe however they sit a little lower in the water and therefore not so good if you get caught out in rough water.

Chopper wrote: Nevergrew, Cat "may" be out of the bag. I had this feeling you would spot my post & start joing dots. We are just discussing a couple of things. no deals yet & I need another project like I need a hole in the head. Any other "locals" reading please keep this here if you know what I mean. Anyway seeing you posted, what are your thoughts on the MC.?

Nah all good mate, secrets safe with me !! Good onya I reckon. Once you get married and have kids all of that free "tinkering" time vanishes, so make the most of it.

Know nothing of these boats - sorry. Jasper over on wake is looking at importing one. I believe he has extensively researched them. Maybe PM him

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure 83 was the first year for composite stringers. Although every one calls them Stars and stripes, the boats are actually called Skiers if I remember correctly. The S&S motif ended in 85. By 86 AMF had bought Mastercraft and they had some funky graphics that year. In 87 they introduced the first prostar.

For pre fiberglass stringer models, I have followed some threads on the MC forum. They had some smart design features, including the fact that vent hoses weren't buried in foam like they are in the CCs. I've also seen some threads regarding the swim platforms pulling out. If it happens, you have to cut the back portion of the floor out to repair them.

In my opinion, these boats are better ski boats than the CCs of the same period. Wake is flatter and less hard. However, in my opinion, the CC is a much better all around boat. I find the CC to be more comfortable in the driver seat. The CC has more freeboard. The CC handles rough water better, and the CC is a way better wakeboard boat (personally, I'd say don't even waste your time with the MC of that vintage as a wakeboard boat).

Well cared for the MCs were also very pretty boats. Generally I think metalflake is better on a bass boat than a ski boat, but some of the MC metalflakes were very nice looking boats. I remember the first time I saw a "Stars and Stripes." I can't be sure, but I think it was 1974 in a red, white and blue color scheme. Really turned your head back then.

BKH

bkhallpass wrote: In my opinion, these boats are better ski boats than the CCs of the same period. Wake is flatter and less hard. However, in my opinion, the CC is a much better all around boat. I find the CC to be more comfortable in the driver seat. The CC has more freeboard. The CC handles rough water better, and the CC is a way better wakeboard boat (personally, I'd say don't even waste your time with the MC of that vintage as a wakeboard boat).

I have my SAN for a wake boat, so it won't fall into the wannabe wake boat catagory. I like the idea of a slalom boat with a hot motor.

As I mentioned a while ago, I'd like my next project to be "old school" clasic type thing. I'd much prefer an old CC project any day, but a project "without wood" does have it's appeal. From what I understand it is a 1985 S&S. I'm not too fussed on the look though - kinda ugly in a biassed CC way.

Bottom line the only reason I'm thinking about it is cost. To put it into perspective it costs me MINIMUM $5k to ship something from your back yard to mine - be it a hull or a complete boat. Then I have to find the project, get it to a port, add it's costs, then pay tax back here. So even a $500 basket case costs me $6k minimum.

This thing is here - Project entry cost is low. Down side is there is a lot missing. No driveline or underwater gear, no gauges, no controls, no salvagible interior.

On top of that I'd need to bore you guys with a rebuild on this forum as this is the best site out there.

You know Eric I mispoke. Mastercraft was actually bought by Coleman in the 80s. Pretty sure it was AMF that bought American Skier. Yes, same AMF. Didn't work out so well for either. Eventually a group of former MC mangers bought the company back. Ron Tanis a former Exec at American Skier bought that company back as well. It worked out a bit better for the MC guys than for American Skier.

BKH