Help me choose a boat

[rkaplan1836]

Thanks for all the replies. The salesman at Miami Nautique claims the G21 has an excellent slalom wake. It's difficult for me to believe that. I'm not looking to improve the slalom wake, simply not to compromise it any while improving the wake for sufing.

[vision]

I did pull a slalom skier with my G23 once. While the wake at 32mph was smaller than I would have guessed, I do not think you would want to ski it on a regular basis. I would think the G21 is not that different, but I have not been behind a G21 at 32mph.

The best compromise boat I have been in/behind that had a decent slalom wake (similar to or better than what you have now), a great wakeboard wake, and a decent surf wake was the MC 205V.

[seth]

Yes im sure the G21 has an excellent slalom wake for a wake boat! If you are at all serious about slalom skiing you will never be in a vdrive boat. I would say get an older ski nautique and use the rest of the money for surfing vacations!!

[Brichter14]

Werent the original super sports/210 pretty much made for skiing but ended up having a sick wakeboard wake? I have never skiied my 210 but I would say a 05-06 210 would be a great all around boat.

[swc5150]

LOL, no a G21 does not have an excellent slalom wake, unless compared to a day yacht.

[swatguy]

Again which hull Maristar200 are you coming off. The pre 06 or the 06-present and what is you budget. You looking to go used or new?

There are not a ton of options to achieve what you are looking for, but there are some.

200v, sv211. Mastercraft X2 , x15, X14v. Malibu VTX, 21LSV with diamond hull.


It really depends on what you are coming from and what you are looking for.

[rkaplan1836]

Sounds like a G21 would not provide an adequate slalom wake. I currently have a 2000 Maristar 200 and would like a boat under 3 years old. Any comments about the Mastercraft X2?

[swatguy]

I didn't realize they made that boat all the way to 2000.

Coming off that particular hull and boat your range is wide open on wakeboats with ski wakes. The G21 is def not going to get you there.

You are going to have to compromise here just a bit. If space isn't a huge deal There are some nice 20ft'r in the Nautique 200v the Mastercrfat x2 and the Malibu VTX. All of which I have personally driven inside of the course. Of the 3 I would say the Nautique has the flattest ski wake followed by the VTX with the X2 being last. The X2 a"tracked the worst out of all 3. The 200v out handled the VTX for me. Maybe it's just due to its traditional feeling shape but I didn't feel as much bow ride or lean with the 200v as I did the VTX. The X2 doesn't have tracking fins til an option in 2014 I believe. This for skiers is a nightmare. Anyone cranking turns behind the boat will cause the driver to have to make huge corrections in the steering wheel at ski speeds. The X2 is just not a fun boat to drive compared to the others. It's probably one of the worst handling 20ftrs out there IMO. However it has the most useable seating. The boat really feels humongous inside. The VTX is a close second in space with the 200v being at the bottom in space.

The surf wake. I can't comment on the 200v surf wake as I have never surfed one, but VTX and X2 are both about the same. The pocket is just a tad longer on. The VTX with the wake being a tad steeper on the X2. It's really personal preference

Wakeboard wakes, I would rank the VTX and the X2 a tie with the 200v being behind. The 200v is more slalom oriented the other two more wakeboard oriented.


On to the 21ft'rs
The 07-13 210 isnt a terrible slalom rig, but it isn't necessariky the best either. The X15 is a step ahead in the slalom category and that is most likely due to the fact you can really adjust its riding angle with the optional(but must have for any slalom skier) wake plate. It flattens out nicely. The Malibu 21lsv (with the diamond hull) is going to give you the flattest ski wake in this category. It's hull has some strakes n chines that aid in lifting more of the boat out of the water at ski speeds. Some marketing hype there but it does actually work. All 3 boats are pretty spacious. The 210 has the most useable seating with its convertible rear lounge, but that's at a price of costing storage. It's ranks last in storage. The x15 has the most useable storage out of the 3 and the largest cockpit and sun deck

As far as surf wakes I think the 210 pulls ahead. It has one of the longest cleanest transitions of the 3. It's a little more on the steeper side tho. The x15 and 21lsv are pretty close to identical but I feel the 21lsv wins out purely on surfable area between the X15

Wakeboard wakes again 210 comes ahead. They are really well defined the 21lsv and the X15 are just a step behind their transitions are a bit shorter. And the 21lsv is just bit mellow for me. That's a personal preference tho.

There is a new hull x10 out started in 14. It surfs awesome. The wakeboard wake is mediocre at best but I can't comment on the ski wake. That may be worth a look as well

So all in all there you have it from my experiences. All I will say is this. Do not buy a 2012yr model MC. Their electronics are a nightmare and the boats go completely haywire. You can do a search and read til your eyes bleed on that. While some have the magic answer most boats and deerships are still trying to get that he model working right.

The 20ft option for me would be an easy decision. It's either 200v or VTX. Decide if the ski wake is more important or if the surf wake is more important and that gives you the answer

The 21ft choive is bit tougher tho.
Good luck in the seach

[swatguy]

I did leave one MC boat out and that was the x14v. I just haven't spent enough time in it to give it an honest review. It is designed to be a v drive ski boat so it really doesn't have the gunwale height in my opinion to make it worth being a surf boat too.

It was more a boat geared towards a dad or guy who drove and skied behind closed bow ski boats his entire life but now has some young kids starting to board. It gave you some entertaining space while not sacrificing too much on the slalom wake. Not really something I considered to have decent surf capabilities compared to the other above.