wake differences between the X-2 and X-Star- do you agree?

wrgodsend · Newbie Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 17

This is what I've gathered so far:

The X-2 wake is a very vertical wake but it is also more narrow between wakes. This allows for great vertical pop, but air time between the wakes is also shorter. Because the boat is smaller, the ballast forces it to leave a bigger "footprint" in the water creating a vertical wake. One thing I did notice is that the wake seems large toward the rear of the boat, however, when you got 70 ft. of rope it doesn't seem nearly as large and less vertical. Incredible wake for wake surfing too!

The X-Star wake at first appears not nearly as vertical as the X-2.
But it's not how vertical the wake is, it's the shape that makes all the difference. This wake has a longer transition that takes your momentum through the wake. This transition or rampier wake gives you greater air time allowing crazier tricks to be pulled. This wake is also much wider than the X-2's wake of course because the boat is much bigger.

With that being said, just wondering what you guys thought about my assessment. Anything to add?

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

OK oversimplification of the terms. Here's a picture as I understand the terms. Not saying this is exact but close enough for these purposes.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Nor*Cal, Pat should sticky that pic.

wrgodsend · Newbie Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 17

I'm not going to pretend I know more than you guys cause i probably don't. But one thing I don't understand and maybe you can explain to me, how come all the pros are saying that they can do crazy wake to wake tricks on the new x-star that they could only do before behind a double-up. And I'm not talking about just Mastercraft sponsered riders, it seems that this is an all-around consensus.

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

wrgodsend, they add extra weight in specific spots in order to give the wake vert. My comments are based on riding an X-Star with only the factory ballast. Large and solid but pretty much a ramp without vert.

My beef with the X-star is that the factory ballast does not create a wake that is worth the price tag on the boat. The X-2 on the other hand does.

Bruky · Guest

Who knows what an $80k wake looks like. You're paying $80k for the boat, not JUST the wake.

Seriously people...

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

Bruky · Guest

Hasn't the price of everything gone up? These high end boat companies all have HUGE R&D programs, HUGE factories, and HUGE labor forces to make it all happen. Throw on a little overhead to keep the dealerships afloat, and there you have it.

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

Bruky, take econ when you get to college. The rate of inflation is not double in the last 5 years.

DRAGON88 · Posted: May 13, 2005 8:07 pm Post subject:

I always thought that the X-2 is still rampy, From rampiest to most vert I've always felt that it was X-star, Sanger, X-2, VLX, SAN. eh? Question

Bruky · Guest

Nor*Cal, no, but the fellows engineering boats won't accept minimum wage, either. More boats, and more change than there was 5 years ago.

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

Bruky, you really have no concept of how business or economics work. Don't pretend you do. Mastercraft is selling boats at inflated prices and can do so because demand allows it.

Ralph · Posted: May 14, 2005 9:29 pm Post subject:

Bambamski · Posted: May 15, 2005 7:59 am Post subject:

Nor Cal

Maybe you should take Econ? Don't they teach supply demand in that class?

It has nothing to do with inflation and everthing to do with how much someone will spend.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

Bambamski, that's exactly what Nor*Cal said.

It is simple supply and demand. If MC is selling out all of their boats every year with increasing demand they will raise the price. And they will keep raising the price until they stop selling out all of their inventory. That's what we've seen with all of the wakeboat manufacturers over the last couple years. Yes they have spent money on R&D for the new boats (x-star, x-80 etc) but profit margins are definitely increasing because of S&D. Part of the reason why I will always buy used.

Bambamski · Posted: May 15, 2005 8:07 am Post subject:

Your right, sorry I misread. Carry on Very Happy

Bambamski · Posted: May 15, 2005 8:10 am Post subject:

Dragon88 you think the VLX has more Vert than the X-2 and Sanger? The VLX's I've ridden behind are more like the X-star, very rampy

wrgodsend · Newbie Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 17

Inflation discussion aside, if you could buy a 2004 X-star for 53k would you?

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

wrgodsend, possibly. Mastercraft has the market name to the non-wakeboarding public. As such the resale will be higher on a Mastercraft than on most regional names. That's a great deal on an 04 X-star. What options are on the boat? Might be too good to pass up.

Wakebrad, thanks for clearing that up.

wrgodsend · Newbie Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 17

I guess it's easier to say what it doesn't have. No binding blaster, no tower speakers or tower lights. Other than that, the thing is upgraded all the way. My only concern is that this one has the 350 MCX engine. We only had three people in the boat and all the ballasts full, and the engine did well. I found it had the same bottom end as the 385. But with the boat full of people, I'm concerned how it's going to drive. I love the way it rides in rough water, but I don't want it to be a slug either.

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

wrgodsend, I agree it rides great in rough water. Loaded up it's a tank. I thought the low end acceleration was good and very smooth. I'm impressed with the boat as a whole just haven't found the right weight combination to get a wake that I like. For 53K it's a great deal even without speakers and lights.

absolutofft · Outlaw Joined: 12 Oct 2003 Posts: 162 City: Langley

With stock ballast I think the X2 wake is better than the X-star wake. However when you start adding 2000-3000lbs of weight the X-star wake becomes insanely huge and delivers a lot of the pop which is lacking with just the stock ballast.

Bruky · Guest

Nor*Cal, everything is sold at inflated prices.

oshensurfer · Posted: May 16, 2005 7:00 am Post subject:

As far as the original question goes...

X2 - The wake is great and is a really nice combo of vert and ramp. You don't want to load the boat too much in the front or it ends up being too rampy. The HPG on the X2 is superior with the MCX.

X-star - The boat in and of itself (fit and finish wise) is very nice and roomy. We could fit an entire person in the storage locker for wakesurfing. Laughing

HA!. Like was said above, the wake is rampy with stock ballast..

Other items to consider are the fuel economy and agility. The X really sucks gas. At least the engine that was in the one I drove and rode did. The other thing to look for is agility and how easy the boat is to maneuver at slow speeds when trailering or when retrieving a downed rider. These boats are completely different in that respect.

Brit Rider · Posted: May 16, 2005 9:36 am Post subject:

Bruky, That point is far too vague.. what are you actually trying to say?