New boat time (first time):)

[Gtsum2]

Stopped by the MC dealer today and took a closer look at the x star. Beautiful boat with dark grey cool touch interior with orange accents. Sharp for sure. Might take it out on a water test as they claim (??) the wave is extremely adjustable and can go down to 17mph for kids learning to wakeboard. I still don’t like their towers and I swear it flexed when I grabbed it and shook it....but it’s a sharp boat and obviously a much newer design than the g23....seems like it has more freeboard also? Wasn’t crazy about the rear seats and they don’t have a surf exhaust (seems odd to me). Anyways, I need to decide quick as these boats are sitting long at the dealers. Both are down to last of 2020 models and can’t get anymore until 2021’s in late July... I know this is nautique forum but anyone have thoughts on the the x star?


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[scottb7]

yep, the cool touch is still something nautique hasn't done, and g23 is same design as 2013...

you definitely want to add the surf exhaust as a lot of boats are much noisier then nautique.

i don't have any thoughts specifically to xstar, but my experience was fit and finish of mastercraft every bit as good as nautique. just a matter of what style you like.

try going through the water with no ballast and see if the the boat leans real bad, cause nautique g series sure does...

[jjackkrash]

I know this is nautique forum but anyone have thoughts on the the x star?

I don't have any feedback on this specific boat. But take a close look at the gelcoat in the sunlight and look flat down the gunwale (gunnel if you are new school) and see if the gel is perfectly flat or slightly wavy (you can really tell by the way it reflects light). And take a look from the bow down the lines of both the port and starboard side at whether the different gel highlight colors are symmetrical on both sides like you expect on a premium boat. And look really close and the fit and finish details in the boat including all the hardware and the through fittings and the way the insides of the compartments are finished. The specific boat you are looking at might be great, but I have been crawling around in some new Nautiques and Mastercrafts looking closely at build quality details since the boat show and there are observable build-quality differences between the brands that I have noticed. I was seriously considering going a different direction this year based on price and a few features I like on Brand B but every time I really look close I remember why I go with Nautique.

[jjackkrash]

i don't have any thoughts specifically to xstar, but my experience was fit and finish of mastercraft every bit as good as nautique.

This used to be my experience, but this year I have seen more than a few head scratchers on some new boats. Maybe it was just a bad run I was looking at, but man I was pretty surprised.

[Gtsum2]

Thanks again for the insight and info. Slept on it and kept looking at both of them and while you can tell the G design is a bit dated with its blocky styling, I keep coming back to it...the colors work (white and Victory Red), it has every available option except for seat heaters, and the storage is fantastic. I have been looking at some of Greggmck's posts on weight placement and how to lengthen the wave, and think the wave is likely more adjustable than I originally thought. I dont like the rear seats on the x star and I dont like the colors on the available x24....so, the G it is! Already texted the dealer to put a deposit on it this morning...should be into it soon...excited to join the Nautique family!

[Wayward]

I don't have any feedback on this specific boat. But take a close look at the gelcoat in the sunlight and look flat down the gunwale (gunnel if you are new school) and see if the gel is perfectly flat or slightly wavy (you can really tell by the way it reflects light). And take a look from the bow down the lines of both the port and starboard side at whether the different gel highlight colors are symmetrical on both sides like you expect on a premium boat. And look really close and the fit and finish details in the boat including all the hardware and the through fittings and the way the insides of the compartments are finished. The specific boat you are looking at might be great, but I have been crawling around in some new Nautiques and Mastercrafts looking closely at build quality details since the boat show and there are observable build-quality differences between the brands that I have noticed. I was seriously considering going a different direction this year based on price and a few features I like on Brand B but every time I really look close I remember why I go with Nautique.

Just out of blind curiosity...…… What did you find inferior about one from the other? I have been through both factories on multiple occasions as well as owned all 4 boats in question (G21, 2 G23s, X24, and 2 new XStars).

I find both to be a little stronger in certain areas...…. Nautique in utility, and MC in the little details and comfort. But when it comes to actual build quality, I don't find many head scratchers with either brand, like I do in a Bu, Supra, or some others.....

[Gtsum2]

Picking up the new whip today, anyone have some base recommendations to start for the kids? I am guessing for boarding, ballast empty and go from there? For surfing, should I start out with ballast at like 50-70% in all tanks? Looking forward to experimenting and having some fun with this thing

[twinhueysar]

Congrats Gtsum2. Here are settings I am starting to sort out... I've put about 35 hrs on mine.

General running down lake: I find that I have to add 15-25% port ballast to counter prop torque on my '19 g23, pending crew weight and seating arrangement. We usually have 6 souls scattered onboard, from 140# - 180#.

Surf: For kids surfing, I'm running NSS 0, NCRS 1 (0-2 depending on fuel, crew weight, etc), and speed 11.5-11.8 (depending on kid weight and which board they are on). They have used those settings from 50-100% ballast, though they also surfed w/no ballast until they got accustomed to wake shape and push. I weigh 180 & seem to like NSS 0, NCRS 3, speed 11.7-11.8, & full ballast on a carbon Phase 5 board. NCRS above 3 starts to shorten wake a bit, but I don't need that much push either. Seems like NSS 0-1 is required to keep a clean surf wake. W/10 souls onboard, I had to drop back to 75% ballast. All this is in water deeper than 20'.

Wakeboard: I only add enough aft port side ballast to balance boat, no other ballast, and still run 19-19.5mph w/65' line & NCRS 0. Daughter said I was jumping higher than the boat this weekend but I am still dialing in amount of pullout & cut toward wake. I try to not land beyond the 2nd wake b/c of a hurting knee but am not consistent w/that goal yet. There is plenty wake to do 1-wake maneuvers from inside or outside the wake. Seems like I can get it good for kids & wife down to around 18, I couldn't get 17 to quite clean up, also pulling them w/NCRS 0, but on 70' line so son doesn't have to worry about slamming 2nd wake, or on 60' line so he can clear 2nd wake.

Haven't toyed w/my stick behind her, but have ridden my trick ski, right behind the massive rooster tail.


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[Gtsum2]

Congrats Gtsum2. Here are settings I am starting to sort out... I've put about 35 hrs on mine.

General running down lake: I find that I have to add 15-25% port ballast to counter prop torque on my '19 g23, pending crew weight and seating arrangement. We usually have 6 souls scattered onboard, from 140# - 180#.

Surf: For kids surfing, I'm running NSS 0, NCRS 1 (0-2 depending on fuel, crew weight, etc), and speed 11.5-11.8 (depending on kid weight and which board they are on). They have used those settings from 50-100% ballast, though they also surfed w/no ballast until they got accustomed to wake shape and push. I weigh 180 & seem to like NSS 0, NCRS 3, speed 11.7-11.8, & full ballast on a carbon Phase 5 board. NCRS above 3 starts to shorten wake a bit, but I don't need that much push either. Seems like NSS 0-1 is required to keep a clean surf wake. W/10 souls onboard, I had to drop back to 75% ballast. All this is in water deeper than 20'.

Wakeboard: I only add enough aft port side ballast to balance boat, no other ballast, and still run 19-19.5mph w/65' line & NCRS 0. Daughter said I was jumping higher than the boat this weekend but I am still dialing in amount of pullout & cut toward wake. I try to not land beyond the 2nd wake b/c of a hurting knee but am not consistent w/that goal yet. There is plenty wake to do 1-wake maneuvers from inside or outside the wake. Seems like I can get it good for kids & wife down to around 18, I couldn't get 17 to quite clean up, also pulling them w/NCRS 0, but on 70' line so son doesn't have to worry about slamming 2nd wake, or on 60' line so he can clear 2nd wake.

Haven't toyed w/my stick behind her, but have ridden my trick ski, right behind the massive rooster tail.


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Thanks for the great info...much appreciated! My 12 year old is picking it up pretty food for the second day doing it. We r running 11.4-11.6 as anything slower and it felt like we were crawling. Tried 70/70/(50 front )ballast nss 0 and ncrs 4. Wave seems short and steep to me but IÂ’m a novice. He did shoot himself into the swim platform twice today. Guess we need to work on getting back on the wave and riding it downs an such. Will try 1-2 ncrs. Visually, the wave seems short and steep...but like I said, IÂ’m totally new at this so I might be confused. Thanks for the wakeboard info also...we r trying that tomorrow


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[Gtsum2]

One more thing. Starting the kids off wakeboarding, should I start em at 60’ and about 18mph? I was guessing zero ballast to start


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[twinhueysar]

One more thing. Starting the kids off wakeboarding, should I start em at 60’ and about 18mph? I was guessing zero ballast to start


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I kinda remember a 12-yr old is pretty light so slower than 18 won't hurt and will help them learn techniques and crash lighter. When my son was younger, I pulled him in the 16-17mph range, and would bump him up a 1/4-1/2mph at a time if he was progressing and depending on what he was doing. He also spent some time at 15-16 mph behind our direct drive 196 so wakes were still clean for him. As for line length, I set it to prevent slamming into 2nd face, help them clear wakes, help get them in a clean part of wake, etc. You can try 60' and be willing to go 65' if wake is still good back there at whatever speed you are running. I don't like them to have to deal w/a washy wake, but sometimes at those slow speeds, it can't be helped. You could also list the boat a little to one side to clean up the wake they are working on.


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[Gtsum2]

Thanks for tips. Kid got up on his first try on the wakeboard (likely because he got up surfing the other day). The wake was pretty nasty imo. Ncrs 1-2, no ballast, and speed 18-19. 19 cleaned up a bit but the port side (I think...I can’t remember exactly???) was frothy...wasn’t clean at all...the other side was nice and rampy and smooth...I was surprised as I expected nice even ranps on both sides!?!?! 19 seemed better than 18 but I expected better honestly. Me, wife, 9 year old and 13 year old on the boat. Do I need ballast to clean up the wakes? From the drivers seat and not having wakeboarded in 20 years, I was disappointed.


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[Gtsum2]

This is a screenshot at 18mph, I think 100lbs port ballast to offset me, ncrs at 1-2 I think. Rope is 60ft. This was his second day so he is catching on quick and doing well. But the wake DoesnÂ’t look good imo. Advice or recommendations?




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[jphdrake]

To clean the wake at that speed add more port weight or have your kid sit in the port seat behind the windshield. You should clean up the wake. You can shorten the rope as well which will also help. Remember if he is working on Heel side jumps a washy toe side wake is a good thing.


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[Gtsum2]

To clean the wake at that speed add more port weight or have your kid sit in the port seat behind the windshield. You should clean up the wake. You can shorten the rope as well which will also help. Remember if he is working on Heel side jumps a washy toe side wake is a good thing.


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Ok thanks! I’ll try a bit shorter rope today and also a bit more ballast port side. I don’t have any lead.

I was reading the posts that show locations for lead bags for surfing....would that pertain to wakeboarding also? I for sure do it want to move lead bags around from place to place switching from surfing to boarding etc.


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