Having a hard time with deciding

[broccoli2]

I have this MB F21 Tomcat all lined up with a deposit down, ready to go. For some reason I just can't make the deal final in my head, not sure if it's just because it's so much money or what.

[FunkyBunch]

I have looked all over these boats here in Texas and I love it. The interior is well made and put together, the gel coat might be the best I have seen on a wake boat. The controls are simple and easy to use, the storage is good for the size of boat. The PCM engines are said to be very reliable. The wake as I undestand is great factory and outstanding with a 400l lbl's in the nose. I would like to see one slammed though with 1200 in the nose and some 750's in the rear and see what you have. As of yet I have not been able to ride behind one yet which is a prerequisite for me to buying a boat.

The only concerns for me would be that MB is not a major player yet so if you had to sell the boat it might take a bit longer since it is not a recognized as some others. Dealer for service? We have a good one here in DFW that I know would be able to do service and warranty work but that does not seem to be the case every where yet.

I would love to see more of the wake boats adopt more freeboard but that just is not the case yet except " Tige / G23" but that is just MO.

[broccoli2]

Interesting, That is the only complaint from my wife.. The boat I just sold on saturday was a 24' Chaparral. The top of the windshield was at her eye level. This one is at her waist...

[FunkyBunch]

That's not exactly what I am reffering to but kinda of is a result at the same time also. Mb does have a short inside feeling but that is from the raised floor for the gravity feed tanks. They do not sit as low as some other boats but you feel like they do because of the raised floor height if that makes sense. Also any inboard is going to feel way different when driving it compared to your IO. The bow rise is way less, which could be a different feeling for your wife. My expeirence has been that people coming from IO's think the nose is dunking especially when the boat is weighted or when your power turning. "Which you should never do"

[broccoli2]

Got ya, kinda. So you like the freeboard of the mb or wish there was more ?(waterline to upper deck) and not all wake boats have as much.

The inside depth from floor to upper deck (totally diff from freeboard) is challenged on the mb because of the ballast..

hmmm.. going to look at a 2012 Centurion ENZO 211 tomorrow, but pretty sure it's way out of my price range

[Suprahunter]

From all the research I have done on MB it looks to be a pretty good boat. There are no dealers within 200 miles of me so I haven't been able to check them out personally. There are only 2 negatives I have seen so far .
First MB is not NMMA certified all other major brands are . I have not been able to get a clear answer as to why but I think it has something to do with the ballast system. Which leads me to the second . As far as I know the ballast system basically fills the lower hull with water . You cant select right, left or forward , back . If this isn't correct please let me know. I dont know if either would prevent me from buying one but I would like to know. My advice is to take your time and check them all out . Make sure you test drive and ride every boat with full ballast and empty lower the tower check the engine for maintenance issues . I bought my Nautique because of the way it performed on the water not the way it looked on the showroom. Every builder has its positives and negatives find the one that works best for you .

[FunkyBunch]

Suprahunter

The MB's have a left and right ballast tank. There is not a front or rear just left and right. Same for all the companies currently doing gravity feed systems "Centurion, Epic". The negative on the ballast is that it runs from the rear of the boat to just under the window so there is no weight in the bow. The other thing as I understand is that they can be finicky to adjust while filling so you are better off to fill all the way then let water out to adjust the wake once on plane.

broccoli2 as Supra and I have mentioned I would test drive multiple inboards before buying anything it is well worth the investment in time to do so.

[buckthis]

How much is it? what is your interest rate? There are Good used boats out there that you will not even be under water with if you buy used, this should really make it easier to purchase.

[broccoli2]

So I just took my deposit back on the MB, I looked at the 2012 Centurion ENZO 211 (used) and it feels and looks so much better but it defiantly has less seating inside but the seating feels so much better. I don't have a pic but I built the exact one on the Centurion web site (see below)

[ridininmd]

wake is not so great on the ENZO, surf wake is nice though.

[STANG KILLA SS]

agreed. if i remember right your a pretty good rider. id go with the MB.
if you wanted to buy a boat that to use your words "looked and felt good with lots of seating" you wouldnt be buying a WB boat. your buying a WB boat to WB.
a 2012 is a huge chunk of change. spending on whats going to give you the best return on your investment for what YOUR investing in it for. ie wakeboarding.

[broccoli2]

STANG KILLA SS, haha you remember incorrectly, I am not good at all as a matter of fact just learning. That being said my understanding is the MB's wake might be a bit aggressive for me. I have never owned a wake boat. Just bigger cruisers
Question about the Enzo. It seams like it will sit low in the water, internal quick fill ballast 1000lbs 2 450's (1 on each side mid) 2 450's up front (1 each side)
Am I going to have a problem with water over the Bow, if I drop the throttle?

[FunkyBunch]

Keep the weight in the close precentage wise front to back and watch slowing down in to rollers and you should be ok. Always keep your head on a swivel when driving a heavy boat. The only centurion I have driven or ridden behind was an enzo 240 and it was not an issue.

[ridininmd]

The MBs that I have been behind have have a really nice beginner wake with the ballast empty. The Enzo wasn't very impressive wake wise, ballast or not, it did have a great surf wake though.

In the end though, at your level, wake isn't going to make a lot of difference and you're not going to be held back regardless of wake. It's really going to come down to how they drive and how well the interior is laid out. You really need to get in these boats with the group you generally go out with. See how they feel, are you stepping over each other constantly? Can you get to the cooler easily? If there are kids involved, hows the freeboard? How about storage areas under the seats? Spend an afternoon with your crew on the boat and you'll probably find one of the boats is better for you than others.

[broccoli2]

Good info everybody, Keep it coming
ridininmd, Very good points and not much storage under the seats of the Enzo because of the sacks, but ton's next to the motor
BTW the Enzo has the PCM 409hp

[broccoli2]

So I have come to the conclusion that both those boats are way to expensive!!
going to look at an 04 Mastercraft X10 on Friday. My understanding is the wake is fine for our skill level.
Any body have one? How is the Surf wake?
Thanks again everybody for your comments this is really helpful to a newbee
This forum ROCKS

[Chattwake]

Have you looked at the axis line? You should be able to find a used A22 for a pretty good price. Just wondering.

[broccoli2]

Chattwake, I have not. I looked at the X10 and didn't really like it. I did come across a used 2010 Malibu Vride 21. Very simple and about 10k cheeper. and seams to have all the options I want and none of the fancy stuff. I am kinda over this whole boat buying experince

[STANG KILLA SS]

your screen name always reminds me of this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVGi7h2NTOg

[broccoli2]

That's kinda funny

[vastyle]

[broccoli2]

Just put money down on a 12 V-Ride 21... This should be a great boat for me and my fam

[mgs917]

broccoli2, That's awesome, I love the look of the vride. I havent ridden behind one yet. Post some pics when you get it and let us know what you think of the wake. Was it new or used?

[broccoli2]

It is new, I pick it up on Saturday. I guess I will be the guy that buys a new boat and eats 10+ grand the second I tow it off the lot. The problem with every single used boat I looked at was, it wasn't perfect! and for 40+ grand i just couldn't deal with that.. My wife calls it Anal But now I have a beautiful brand new boat with a warranty and I will know where every single ding, scratch and stain came from, I guess this is also one of the problems of a new boat
Here is one as the shrink wrap was coming off, White on White, With the "Ride" Decal on the side (not yet applied)

[broccoli2]

This is not my boat but it will look like this

[vastyle]

Sweet looking Ride man! Congrats!

[FunkyBunch]

Congrats, I love this boat, really fun wake when weighted. Did you buy it from waterski america or just a picture you found?

[jgriffith]

Congrats!

[broccoli2]

[STANG KILLA SS]

since you have the opportinity, leave the ride logo off. that would look SO sick. you can always put in on if you want in a year or two. and that will be two less years the decal will have been in the sun.

id LOVE to see a full pic of the boat with no logo. so fresh and so clean!

[broccoli2]

Funny, They just email me and asked again and I said put them on... I will see if they can get a pic with them off

[anw7405]

another vote for leaving the decals off. It would look way better imo.

[ridininmd]

another for leaving it clean, looks way better.

[broccoli2]

Not a fan, They are putting it on.. and I asked to change out the wheels to round hole. I don't mind the plain steel wheels but not the 1980 special. I asked if they could get round hole.. we will see

[STANG KILLA SS]

damn. i love the all white clean look.
yeah ive got chrome steelies too, but the round hole versions. those are definatly "classics"

damn i wonder what that would look like with a white trailer...