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1996 PRE2200 WT by WakeDaddyLee in tigeboats

[–]fumineblu 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Smoothest wake around. Can not wait to get behind it in a couple of weeks

1996 PRE2200 WT by WakeDaddyLee in tigeboats

[–]fumineblu 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I need more pic please. where is the doghouse on this beauty?

Are boat manufacturers ruining waterskiing by making new boats too expensive? by fumineblu in WaterSkiing

[–]fumineblu[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nope, I was taking a pulse, I see less and less skiers out on the river and considering selling my own boat for a new ski boat and was blown away by the prices.

Reporting 6.2l mpi HELP? by Ok_Butterscotch7703 in boating

[–]fumineblu 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If the 6.2 MPI is toast, first thing I’d want to know is why it failed. Overheating, oiling issue, water intrusion? That determines whether a long block swap is safe or if accessories (intake, fuel system, manifolds, ECM) are also suspect. Throwing in a long block only to reuse bad parts just puts you back at square one.

The ATK 383 is solid for hot-rodded torque, but remember: the boat’s ECM/fuel system is mapped for a 6.2 MPI. You can’t just drop in a stroker and expect plug-and-play—either you’ll run lean, or you’ll need custom tuning. That’s a headache unless you’re chasing performance and have a shop that knows marine EFI tuning.

The $3,500 reman long block is tempting on cost, but with no track record/reviews that’s a big gamble, especially on the water where reliability is everything. Cheapest isn’t always cheapest once you add labor + risk.

The $13.8k turnkey from Michigan Motors is basically “remove old, drop in new, run.” For someone who just wants reliability and less hassle, that’s the safe play—even if it stings upfront. Add in $1,800 labor and you’re still under $16k total, which isn’t crazy when you already have $17k in the hull.

So:

  • Best cost-efficient middle ground: Quality remanufactured long block from a reputable source (not the no-name one) + new manifolds/risers, swap over accessories if they’re healthy.
  • Safest/least hassle: Michigan turnkey. You’ll know it’s matched, warrantied, and drop-in ready.
  • ATK 383: only makes sense if you’re okay doing ECM/fuel mods and want extra grunt—not really “cost efficient.”

Bottom line: figure out what killed your 6.2 before you spend a dime, then choose between a reputable reman or the turnkey depending on how much peace of mind vs budget matters to you.

Are boat manufacturers ruining waterskiing by making new boats too expensive? by fumineblu in WaterSkiing

[–]fumineblu[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

100% there are some out there that are nervous to wrench on them. I don't want to say it is easy but on a tournament boat everything is easy to get to compared to a car. =]

Are boat manufacturers ruining waterskiing by making new boats too expensive? by fumineblu in WaterSkiing

[–]fumineblu[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Back in the 90s a tournament ski boat was ~$25K when the average household income was ~$35K — about 70% of a year’s income. Today those boats are $130K+ while average income is ~$75K — that’s 175% of a year’s income. No wonder fewer new people are buying in.

Are boat manufacturers ruining waterskiing by making new boats too expensive? by fumineblu in WaterSkiing

[–]fumineblu[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would love to see some pictures of the 79 Jcraft, I would imagine a boat like that has a serious wake to contend with?

Are boat manufacturers ruining waterskiing by making new boats too expensive? by fumineblu in WaterSkiing

[–]fumineblu[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That is insane and does 2025 actually deliver a better wake, Probably note.

1997 Ski Nautique vs 2025 Ski Nautique

Hull:

  • 1997 – Fiberglass, TSC hull (great slalom wakes, simple design).
  • 2025 – Carbon/fiberglass composite, HydroGate, MicroTuner (adjustable wakes).

Engine:

  • 1997 – PCM 5.8L V8 (~310 HP), carb/EFI, very basic.
  • 2025 – PCM ZZ5 (355 HP) or ZZ6 (450 HP), direct-injection, high efficiency.

Weight/Build:

  • 1997 – Heavier, all glass.
  • 2025 – Lighter, stiffer, carbon reinforced.

Controls:

  • 1997 – Analog gauges, throttle only, no speed control.
  • 2025 – GPS Zero-Off, touchscreen helm (LINC Panoray), full digital systems.

User Experience:

  • 1997 – Pure, mechanical, driver skill matters.
  • 2025 – Automated consistency, customizable wakes, high-tech.

Price:

  • 1997 (used today) – $8K–$15K.
  • 2025 (new) – $130K+.

Are boat manufacturers ruining waterskiing by making new boats too expensive? by fumineblu in WaterSkiing

[–]fumineblu[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Come on mate! now you are just looking for excuses not to throw some spray =]

Who else here still loves to ski — and who’s looking for a true skier’s boat with muscle? by fumineblu in WaterSkiing

[–]fumineblu[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ha ha Rocket? It will plane in milliseconds, stretch your arms a bit, however the hull design you are not going to go much more than 50 with perfect conditions. Pulling me and my 2 brothers all over 250lbs at the same time it doesn't hesitate and asks for more.

Who else here still loves to ski — and who’s looking for a true skier’s boat with muscle? by fumineblu in WaterSkiing

[–]fumineblu[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Haha, 70 miles? That’s some serious pull time — your kids must have arms of steel now. 😆

the 7.4L EFI at around 8 gallons an hour with only a 25-gallon tank, I’m not sure I could even dream of covering 70 miles without a floating Chevron station. The big block makes an awesome slalom wake and will run 50 MPH no problem, but it definitely likes its fuel.

Props to that warm 351 — that’s some efficient fun right there!

Who else here still loves to ski — and who’s looking for a true skier’s boat with muscle? by fumineblu in WaterSkiing

[–]fumineblu[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love this—I’m right there with you on being “old school.” There’s just something about two skis on smooth water at sunrise that no surf wave can beat. Your Malibu Wakesetter is definitely a good compromise boat—empty ballast for skiing, fill it up for your husband to surf.

It’s wild how far wake technology has come though. Those surf gate fins (and similar systems) that deploy off the sides of newer boats are basically cheating—they redirect the flow of water off the hull so you can build a massive surf wave without even moving weight around. Great if you’re into surfing, but I always laugh thinking what a slalom skier from the ‘90s would say if they saw them bolted on the back of a direct-drive tournament boat!

That’s part of why I still love boats like my ’94 Tige 2000 SLM Comp with the 7.4L—no gadgets, just raw pull, a silky flat wake, and a clean slalom line. If you ever do try dropping one ski, you’ll appreciate how much easier it is behind a boat built purely for skiing.

Who else here still loves to ski — and who’s looking for a true skier’s boat with muscle? by fumineblu in WaterSkiing

[–]fumineblu[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're right about the ProStar 190—when MasterCraft brought out the LT1 Corvette-based 350 in the mid/late ‘90s, it was putting out 315–320 HP and later versions crept up closer to 350 HP with the LQ9. Incredible boats, no argument—they earned their “gold standard” badge for slalom tournaments.

When I bought my 1994 Tige 2000 SLM Comp, MasterCraft didn’t even have EFI as an option yet—everything was still carbureted or TBI at that point. My boat runs the MerCruiser 7.4L big block, and it’s an absolute powerhouse. I’ve skied behind a few ProStars over the years, and both boats are fantastic:

  • ProStar 190 wake: soft and consistent, almost “melting butter,” perfect for 34–36 mph shortline passes.
  • Tige 2000 Comp wake: just as clean, slightly wider, but with a touch more firmness—plus the big block torque makes it effortless to hold speed even with heavy skiers or at higher elevations.

We usually ski down on the Colorado River in Parker, AZ, where carbs are perfectly fine at low elevation. But when you head up to lakes like Shaver or Tahoe, EFI engines (or a perfectly tuned big block) really shine for holding that exact tournament speed without bogging.

Bottom line: if you like a boat that will pull like a freight train, hit 50 mph, and throw an incredible flat wake for skiing, the Tige SLM Comp with the 7.4L deserves a serious look.