You might check out used Malibu's or Tiga's as neither requires ballast.
Malibu is more agressive but the Tiga is the most easiest to use.

V-drives also tend to be better as a wake board machine.

Granted this may be more money than your looking at.

The boat is generally a fixed cost. Go fuel injected if you can.

"Mark" wrote in message
om...
I have a chance to buy a 1988 MasterCraft ProStar 190 (excellent
condition, excellent price). I understand it was a fantastic *ski*
boat in its day (tiny wake at slalom speeds), but I want it for
wakeboarding.

Does this boat make a decent wake at slower speeds? With or w/o extra
weight in the back? Can it do an adequate job, or is it hopelessly
always a "ski" boat?

I have a beat-up 1980 Nautique which makes a fine wake, but the cost
to get it running again is only slightly less than this newer
MasterCraft.
Wondering if I should make the switch, and if anyone can recommend the
best ballast system or other wake-adjustment technology for it...

Many thanks,

mj