Mastercraft Prostar Review

For several years now the watersports towboat world has been almost completely fixated on wakeboarding and, more recently, wake surfing as the focus of new product development – as evidenced by the plethora of wake-shaping technologies released to market. But for people who still prefer to waterski rather than wakeboard, and who want flat water behind the transom instead of towering waves, it’s been slim pickings indeed. No more, as the Mastercraft Prostar has a boatload of new updates and refinements to what was already an award-winning craft.

With its ability to deliver flat wakes, Mastercraft’s Prostar remains the top choice for serious waterskiers everywhere.

First, the good news – Mastercraft took the approach of tweaking and refining rather than reinventing the wheel, which is important because the original Prostar was a pretty good boat to begin with. Changes to the new Prostar are subtle, but important, and make a really good boat all that much better.

It starts on the bottom of the hull, where the new Mastercraft Prostar comes with a new tunable rudder, new hull rails, and four tracking fins that combine to give this boat much-improved handling and steering performance over the previous edition, and without compromising those elegant, flat wakes that have held this boat at the top of its class for years.

Among the new Prostar’s enhancements are  new, lower swim platform that makes it easier to get into and out of the water.

Second, there’s even more good news as the company has addressed all the things in the old boat that were crying for a refresh, bringing a classic ski boat thoroughly into the next generation.

At the transom, there’s a new, lower swim platform that makes it easier for skiers to get into and out of the water while helping to reduce cockpit noise from the engine exhausts. Inside a new, redesigned engine housing that provides better airflow to the motor further contributes to this boat’s quieter and more enjoyable ride.

The all-new helm puts all the controls in a 10-inch touchscreen display, mounted low and to the right of the steering wheel to minimize glare.

The Mastercraft Prostar’s interior benefits from a completely new deck design that gives the boat a fresher, more modern appearance. At the helm, a contemporary new dash profile is highlighted by a 10-inch touchscreen display with an anti-glare finish to the right of the sumptuous, black-on-brushed aluminum sport steering wheel. It’s a huge change from the bulbous rack of round gauges in the previous edition, giving the new boat a far more modern appearance.

Positioning the big touchscreen display low and to the right of the steering wheel wasn’t just a design element; this location was purposely selected to eliminate any chance of glare from the screen distracting the driver, and allowing more precise alignment when running on a ski course.

Gunnel ski racks provide secure storage without intruding into the passenger space.

Complementing the new display is an integrated Zero Off system with all-new software, and stereo controls now integrated into the screen.

Also new this year is an integrated phone holder with an integrated wireless charging pad, located just ahead of the throttle.

Look closely at the Mastercraft’s stylish, raked windshield and just in front of the driver you’ll note some discreet markings on the glass. This is part of Mastercraft’s Course Guidance System – drivers use the indicator lines to line up more accurately between the markers when running on a ski course, keeping the boat perfectly centered at all times.

Now you see them …

A flip down, aft-facing seat in the bow walk-through carries over from the previous generation Mastercraft Prostar. The new interior also retains the ballast tank on the port side of the boat, allowing the addition of 150 pounds of water to offset the weight of a driver and keep those wakes as flat and level as can be.

Now you don’t! The Prostar remains among the only boats available with the option of running with an open bow, or closing things up with a removable deck.

The tub-style interior layout allows Mastercraft to provide a range of seating options, including the addition of fully removable stern seats, as well as a flip-down transom walk-through. Integrated stainless steel drink holders throughout are a nice touch, along with the port-side gunnel ski rack.

Upholstery in the Prostar is Mastercraft’s Cool Feel vinyl which the company says feels 30% cooler to the touch than traditional vinyl upholstery.

Cool Feel vinyl is said to feel 30% cooler in the sun than traditional upholstery.

Rope storage compartments in the transom now open to the outsides of the boat, making them easier to access from either inside or outside the boat.

Bow seating is tight, but comfortable with space for two adults or a couple of kids. The Mastercraft Prostar is still among the only boats on the water to offer a true convertible bow with a removable hood, giving operators the choice of having the boat in open bow or closed bow modes.

With its fresh updates, Mastercraft’s Prostar remains a top choice for serious skiers everywhere.

Prefer to ski rather than board? Mastercraft’s all-new Prostar checks all the boxes as a fresh new take on an iconic classic. If you’re serious about skiing, then this boat delivers best of both world.