MasterCraft XStar Riders Choice?

[Hack]

My Nautique dealer in IN recently became a Master Craft dealer. I was checking out some of MC's literature and it said that in an independent survey of ALL (not just MC) pro riders, the boat of choice was the XStar. Do you guys know anything about this?

MC's are nice, lots of bling, but I really don't like the layouts as much as CC or Malibu's. Plus, they are expensive! I hear CC getting dinged for being expensive all the time. MC seems (based on my walking around the showroom) to be more expensive by quite a bit.

Just was wondering your thoughts.

Any reports on how the 220 is selling? I've been not able to log on for a while (work and all) so excuse me if these posts are outdated.

Finally, how is the dealer network for CC doing? I know Mid Ohio sold a LOT of boast and Culver seemed to as well. I just happen to know both of those dealers well so I was wondering if there was a negative trend happening.

[99ProAir]

RE: MasterCraft XStar Riders Choice?

Hack...did not know if you are aware but there is a new CC dealer in Culver. The name is Culver's Portside Marina. The guy that runs it is Tom and they do a very good job. He has been servicing my CC since I have owned it.

[craigb]

RE: MasterCraft XStar Riders Choice?

Hack, most of the folks that I know prefer the old X-Star before they went to the pickle fork as far as pure riding, wake shape and size. The new X-Star requires an addition 3k of ballast to make the wake big, then it's real nice but I prefer my 220 or the 210 or the old X-Star wake.

[Hack]

Thanks for Replies

Someone just handed me the Portside Marina card the other day. I haven't had a chance to get over there to check it out yet though. My second favorite boats are Malibus which I understand Portside aslo deals. Seems like a good fit. I hope I like what I see as it would be nice to have an alternative and a CC dealer.

[craigb]

Hack, the new VLX with factory ballast and wedge has a sick wake without adding any additional ballast. IMO, I go that way over a MC

[Sbt3]

i rode a x-star today and holy crap was the wake nice. Probably one of the best wakes I have ridden. It had around 2500lbs of ballast and was big running about 24-25 mph.

I ride with 2100lbs in my supersport and love that wake as well, but I have to say the x-star was sweet.

[clubmyke]

i am a newbie rider and nautique owner...

but i really like the big xstar's- beautiful line.... it is the cleanest boat line.. the boat is big, comfortable, lots of storage, huge rampy wake... if i could afford, tow, and stow a xstar - i would have taken it over my 211..

btw, there are some cons about the xstar - handles really bad, big wake for a big boat = lot of weight for ballast, really slow out of the hole, and the nose is really low to the waterline..

if they came out with a a x-15 pickle fork - that would be a killer ride..

[jhiestand]

Wouldn't suprise me from a straight rider's perspective. I've never ridden behind one, but I've heard from others that when weighted properly the big X's wake killz.

I'm not much into it's unconventional lines and I've READ that the nose is hard to keep out of the water. Also that they're a tad underpowered for their size. I personally think Malibu has the best all-around offering out there combining size and wake in its Wakesetter LSV. Awesome wake, awesome size, cockpit forward, beautiful ergonomics. Just a little large for our water and my garage.

[Sbt3]

I think they changed the prop according to the owner of the x-star this year and went to a bigger prop, she said it drives like a totally different boat from last years. It was very quick out of the hole even heavily weighted.

The other thing was we were also in deeper water than I run my supersport in. With the x-star we were in 25 feet of water, I usually run my supersport in about 8-12 feet of water but the weed bed is only about 5 feet below so I think that cuts into my wake quite a bit.

[craigb]

The wake is killer but it takes nearly 3000lbs and with the boat weighing over 4000+, you shouldn't have to add that much weight. The new 220 with 1000lbs of extra ballast has a sick wake!! The new Mailbu VLX, wedge and an extra 1000lbs has a sick wake. IMO, the new bigger boats shouldn't require an extra 3K of weight to make them nice. With gas prices like they are, the boat with the best wake with some to no weight added got my vote and money and that's the new 220. The VLX came in a close second, the Malibu dealer didn't come close on the trade in on my old 03 210TE

[Laptom]

I'm with you craigb. The new boats shouldn't need 3k extra ballast for a good wake. The VLX has a great wake stock. But that thing consumes still more petrol an hour then a 210 loaded with 3k extra ballast.

[craigb]

I agree Laptom, that's why I went with the new 220, the the wedge on the Maibu causes so much drag that it consumes a lot of fuel. I only have 800lbs of extra ballast with my new 220 and the wake is awesome!!!!

[tdc_worm]

i think what you can interpolate from that survey is this:

the pro tour is pulled by an X star. regardless of which boat sponsers which rider, any rider that wants to compete in the pro tour needs to train on an X star. to not do so would be handicapping themselves. it follows that the more you ride behind a certain boat, the more you will become accustomed to that wake, and consequently, the better you will ride that wake. when you spend less time behind the others, your performance on those wakes will suffer, leading to your conclusion that the X star is the most preferred wake. substitute any other flagship wake boat for the X star in the Pro Tour, and i think the results would be that brand C would be the most preferred boat...

[TURBOURBO]

Here is my "unofficial" survey of some of the pros I talked to.

Most LOVE the 210 wake because it gives you straight up vertical pop. The ones who loved it the most are the "Spinners".

There is a movement to the x-star wake fully loaded. The wake is much bigger than the 210 and gives a MUCH larger double up than the 210. I saw a picture of a junior pro tour rider a good 15 feet in the air off a x-star double up.

My personal preference.. I like a steep wake. 210 is where it is at with me. I've riden behind an x-star and liked the wake alot as well. considering the total package... 210 is the boat for me!

[BugHunter]

X-Star <-> 220.
- Handling (even when loaded to the gills) is as good or even better than the 220.
- Big solid wake when loaded with 2500lbs+, 1500 for the 220. Wake is bigger than the 220 but not as steep. Good riders can pull off any trick behind either.
- X-Star needs big block or another prop to pull that weight around. 220 is struggling, but making it with standard prop.
- Surf wake behind X-Star seems bigger but not as clean.
- X-Star has a problem with dipping the bow AND stern if the driver is not carefull. 220 only the bow, but not nearly as bad.
- Seating arrangement on X-Star is good but classic. 220 is just so cool because all people in the boat are watching the rider.