Mastercraft commentary

[large farva]

Hello, I'm not yet a nautique owner, but a long time forum stalker. I've been narrowing down boats for a while and I have pretty much narrowed my target boat to a G23. This was of course just from online specs, reviews, videos, and pictures. I got to climb around one at the great upsate boat show yesterday in Queensbury, NY and it was exactly as great as I'd imagined in person. I've also been very interested in seeing a mastercraft x46 or x55 to see how they stack up. They had a x46 at the boat show and it was so disappointing. Of course their fit and fionish was inpeccable, but that layout seemed to waste a ton of space. The rear side seats backrests recline so much that I was staring into space when I leaned back, same with the back rests in the bow if you are facing towards the rear. The profile of the boat seemed extremely low for a 24 ft boat.
I'm curious if I am crazy for thinking these things? I have three kids so layout is very important to me, and the way that x46 is laid out made it seem so much smaller than a G23. How does anyone spend a couple grand extra on a x46 rather than buy a G23 or G25? I'm aware that not everyone shares my tastes which is totally cool, but I just can't find one thing I like about that MC that I like better. (ok, the aluminum throttle lever is pretty cool) Maybe since I'm a wake boat newbie there is something I'm missing, anyone care to comment?

[scottb7]

You are probably already doing this, but if I was you I would post on mastercraft team talk to ask what current owners of x46 or x55 say about your concerns and what they compared to before purchase.

When I snowboard I always ask my buddy if i can hit this or that feature before I do. And he always answers with, "do you want me to talk you into it, or out of it?"

Sure seems like you want people here to talk you into a Nautique. Which is fine, go buy one! You will love it. But maybe if you get some response on team talk you can objectively review what they say and feel better about the purchase.

PS...many people have voiced concerns about taking water over the bow in g23....and my friends 2009 mastercraft has way better fit and finish then my 2008 nautique. That being said, I would not give up a 2008 210 super air nautique for anything but a g21.

[vision]

Both are good boats with different interior feel.

I owned several master crafts before buying my G23. What sold me about the G23 was not so much the wake, but the logic of the interior. Some one with my same tastes clearly designed the interior. The placement of storage cubbies, drink holders, the software user interface, the hinged seats with drainage vents, etc, all just seemed a better fit for me than my previous MCs and the newer ones I reviewed.

But it is all personal taste.

While the one thing I would prefer about my G23 is that it had 3 inches less of gunnel, if you have smaller kids, it is an amazing safe boat.

Did you look at the MC X-30. Layout is at least better. But it still feels more cramped than a G23.

[nyryan2001]

farva-

some of your thoughts are shared by a lot of folks... not sure there is a space design issue with the X46 as far as wasted space... others would call that tons of storage. Yep its low slung to the water compared to a G.

yes both have terrific fit and finish, inside and out. Both are great companies with great service.... not like Malibu's Dealer network refusing service and hackjobs. PCM still does have a better reputation than does Illmore.

The one thing you left out surpringly was performance... how do you use a wakeboat?

Lastly... to get the performance out of an X46 you need their 7.4L 550HP motor....as compared to a 450hp G23..... theG23 on a PCM 450 on the 17" prop will straight smoke an X46 with their 450 equiv. that new G tranmission is equal to a full 75-100hp upgrade. So a 6.0L G23 will beat a 450 X46 etc etc.

Whichever boat you go with you better have a big 1/2t -3/4t truck, G23s are 8-9000lbs on trailer.

[large farva]

farva-

some of your thoughts are shared by a lot of folks... not sure there is a space design issue with the X46 as far as wasted space... others would call that tons of storage. Yep its low slung to the water compared to a G.

yes both have terrific fit and finish, inside and out. Both are great companies with great service.... not like Malibu's Dealer network refusing service and hackjobs. PCM still does have a better reputation than does Illmore.

The one thing you left out surpringly was performance... how do you use a wakeboat?

Lastly... to get the performance out of an X46 you need their 7.4L 550HP motor....as compared to a 450hp G23..... theG23 on a PCM 450 on the 17" prop will straight smoke an X46 with their 450 equiv. that new G tranmission is equal to a full 75-100hp upgrade. So a 6.0L G23 will beat a 450 X46 etc etc.

Whichever boat you go with you better have a big 1/2t -3/4t truck, G23s are 8-9000lbs on trailer.

Performance absolutely matters, while my family is small now, I know they will be large one day and wanting to bring their friends with. I knew from others' posts that the 450 with the model year 2014 transmission was more than sufficient with stock ballast and a decent sized crew, but I didn't know that the mastercraft required that much more power.

Also, I think my chrysler town and country should be able to handle the tow, so no problems there.
(he says with a wise a$$ grin on his face)

[nyryan2001]

ya, you'd drop the tranny out of the Chrysler towing a G lol

for perfomance, I am getting about capabilities for surf and 23mph wake.... not just acceleration. the X46 does have a great surf wake, but I think the G23s is better. and the 23mph wake is a no brainer.

For the power 450/550 engine reqs I was referring to above.... thats when heaviliy ballasted..... an X46 with a 450 would do fine unballasted... but will it snatch 10,000lbs 0-23 in 9 seconds?(answer is no, more like 12-15 seconds) we KNOW the G23 450hp with 17" prop will yank 10,000lbs total 0-23 in 9 seconds. <--- THATs what I am getting at ... that 17" prop and tranny are equiv to a full engine upgrade when ballasted heavy.

Good luck with your decision, both are terrific boats.