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Articles & tips

Wake Surfing 101
Water lovers with ocean envy are getting hooked on wake surfiing and creating their own mini-waves with their MasterCraft boats. Here's the low-down on the basics: Read more.

Basic Wakeboarding Guide
Find out the wakeboarding basics you need to know from speed to line length, driving tips and getting up for the first time: Read more.

Boat Steering Rules
Any time two vessels on the water meet one another, one vessel has the right-of-way. It is called the stand-on vessel. The vessel that does not have the right-of-way is called the give-way or burdened vessel. Read more.

Check The Ballast Pump Impeller
This applies only to boats equipped with some type of ballast system. The number of ballast pumps varies from system to system. You may need guidance from your Dealer to locate any and all pumps. Read more.

Change The Engine Oil
In order to thoroughly drain all the old oil, you will need to run the boat engine long enough to reach at least 140 degrees F (approximately three minutes in most applications), before changing the oil. Do not run your engine without it being in water, unless you have the appropriate, professional hook up available to protect the engine and drive train components. If this is not available to you, have your MasterCraft service technician perform this service. Read more.

Reading Buoys & Markers
The waters of the United States are marked for safe navigation by the lateral system of buoyage. The markers and buoys you will encounter have an arrangement of shapes, colors, numbers and lights to show which side of the buoy a boater should pass when navigating in a particular direction. Read more.

Lubricate The Shift & Throttle System
Because this process should be completed while all moving components of the drive train are not in motion, we recommend you do this while the boat is out of the water. Read more.

Multi-Function Gauge
This gauge provides several functions of interest and support to the boater. Read more.

Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge indicates the cooling water temperature inside the engine as measured in degrees Fahrenheit. The normal operating temperature will range from 140 degrees to 190 degrees. Engines with electronic fuel injection also have a control circuit inside the engine control module that will cause the engine to run at reduced speeds if the module senses that the engine is running too hot. Read more.

Oil Pressure Gauge
The engine oil pressure gauge indicates the pressure of the lubricating oil inside the engine. The average pressure ranges are between 6 pounds-per-square-inch (PSI) at 1000 RPM to 40 PSI or more at cruise-range speeds. A reading of pressure below 5 PSI at 1000 RPM may be caused by a low oil level Read more.

Check Engine Light
The red malfunction indicator Check Engine light is operated from an on-board computer that monitors the operation of your fuel, ignition and engine control systems. On some models, the Check Engine light should come on when the key is in the ON position and the engine is not running. This is a check to show you that it is working. If it does not come on at all, have it repaired by your MasterCraft dealer right away. Read more.

Throttle Operation
A one-hand, single-lever control operates as both a gear shifter and a throttle. The lever automatically locks in the neutral position (straight up and down) for safety. The lever can be moved from neutral only by raising the lifter under the ball knob. Shifting is accomplished by moving the lever into the first 45 degrees of travel. Read more.

MasterCraft Cruise Control System
On boats equipped with a Cruise Control System, it is possible to review various functions by toggling to the cruise control read-outs on the multi-function gauge. Note also that the throttle position must always be greater than the speed set on the cruise control. For example, if the cruise was set at 35 mph but the throttle position is equivalent to 25 mph, the boat will not reach 35. This is also true of the RPMs. Also, the cruise control cannot be engaged when the boat is at idle speed. Read more.

Alcohol Modified Fuels
We do not recommend that you use alcohol-modified fuels in your MasterCraft boat because of the following side effects: Read more.

Before Leaving Your Boat
1. Check for fluid leaks. Read more.

Basic Boat Maneuvering
Steering response is dependent upon three factors: rudder position, motion and throttle. While high speed maneuvering is relatively easy and takes little practice, slow speed maneuvering is far more difficult and requires much time and practice to master. Read more.

First 50 Hours Of Operation
The first 50 hours of operation are the most important to your boat. Proper break-in will ensure maximum performance and the longest possible power-train life. The break-in period allows moving parts within the engine and transmission to wear-in properly. All MasterCraft boats are lake-tested on the water before leaving the factory, but the break-in must continue for the first 50 hours of your ownership. Read more.

Bilge Pump Switches
A three-position rocker switch activates the bilge pump. Push the top half of the switch to turn the bilge pump to the manual ON position. Press the switch down to activate the bilge pump for automatic mode while the boat is underway. When the switch is centered, the bilge pump is OFF. The bilge pumps on all V-drive models will be in the automatic mode when the ignition key is turned ON. Read more.

Leaving The Stereo ON With The Boat Not Running
In the event that the stereo has been functioning when the boat is not ON and running, the voltage drain on the battery can result in difficulties in re-starting the boat. It can also cause intermittent erroneous or fluctuating gauge readings. To avoid this situation, when the voltage level reaches 11.5 volts, the system will shut off the stereo system and sound the alarm for a period of two minutes to give boaters ample time to adjust. Read more.

Fuel Gauge
The readings are only approximate. The gauge is activated with the ignition switch. Rocking motion of the boat during normal operation will cause fluctuation of the fuel gauge. For a more accurate reading, make sure that the boat is level and at rest. When the boat is placed into initial operation, do not run the boat below a quarter of a tank until you have refueled several times and have a sense of how long you can operate the boat on the fuel available. Extending usage beyond the known capability may cause the boat to run out of fuel and strand you away from the shore. Read more.

Carbon Monoxide Safety
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless, odorless and poisonous gas that accumulates rapidly and can cause serious injury or death. Exposure to carbon monoxide can be fatal in a matter of minutes. Exposure to even low concentrations of carbon monoxide must not be ignored because the effects of exposure to carbon monoxide are cumulative and can be just as lethal as at high concentrations. Read more.

Towing Safety
Do not tow more than two persons at one time on a tow tower. The tow tower should be used only for water skis, wakeboards, or recreational towables and not for parasailing, kite flying or towing other boats. Do not add any attachments that are not installed by MasterCraft. Do not climb on, sit on, stand on, jump off or dive off the tower. Never allow passengers to sit behind the tow rope attachment point. Never allow loose tow rope ends to dangle. Always be certain that all bolts are in place and tight before and during use. When the tower is up, watch for low obstacles such as tree limbs, bridges or power lines. Read more.

Operation Checklist
Before Each Operation: Read more.

Unleaded And Leaded Fuels
Unleaded gasoline should meet the specifications ASTM D4814 in the United States and CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. Read more.

Loading Your Boat
Never overload your boat. The maximum weight capacity as listed on the certification plate includes all items added to the boat (persons and gear). Also, proper distribution of weight is critical to boat performance. Allocate the load as evenly as possible. Read more.

High Speed Boat Operation
Your MasterCraft boat was designed to be a high performance ski boat. You may have seen professional drivers with advanced operating skills perform high speed maneuvers and on a dime turns. DO NOT attempt to duplicate or simulate these feats. Paid, professional drivers log thousands of hours on the water and carefully choreograph every move. Plans are made in advance in the event the routine must be aborted. Maneuvers of this nature could cause serious injury or death, as well as damage to your MasterCraft that will not be covered under warranty. Read more.

Lifting Eyes And Slings
Lifting Eyes: Read more.

Having A Tune-Up Performed
A complete engine tune-up, including replacement of the PVC valve, spark plugs, distributor cap, rotor and ignition wires (if needed) should be performed annually. Also, some engines require adjustments for spark, dwell and idle. All of these functions require special knowledge, tools and test equipment. Read more.

Safety Lanyard
The emergency engine safety switch, called the lanyard, is an ignition cut-off switch designed to stop the engine in the event of an operator being thrown from position or moving too far from the helm. Read more.

Tower Safety
Do not tow more than two persons at one time on a tow tower. The tow tower should be used only for water skis, wakeboards, or recreational towables and not for parasailing, kite flying or towing other boats. Read more.