First new boat advice, looking at X-45 Saltwater Series

[dubsac]

I have been looking at boats for a while now and have narrowed down my choices. I live in Miami and whatever boat I buy will be in the saltwater 99% of the time I am using it. It also needs to be able to handle some chop at times since I will be taking it from Miami to Key Largo. It will only really be used in the bay though, not the ocean.

Anyways I have done a bit of research on this site and others, and was between buying a Saltwater Series Mastercraft or a Cobalt 240 with a tower and perfect pass. I am currently leaning towards the X-45 and am going to demo it next weekend. I would appreciate any opinions from owners and people who have ridden this boat as I am getting close to pulling the trigger and either way I go it is a lot of dough so I really want to make sure I make the right choice. Both boats are about the same price. I know the Cobalt, as an I/O, would handle better and ride smoother in the chop. However I would have to add lots of ballast to get a sweet wake as it is not a traditional wakeboard boat.

Here is a picture of the X-45 I am looking at right now, Yellow and Black and pretty much loaded.. I'd probably just swap the platform for a fiberglass yellow & black rubber one to match the boat.

Any opinions, advice, thoughts greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Wakeboarder700]

yummy! that looks like a nice boat.

Does anyone have pics of the salt water flush system in these things? ive never seen an inboard flush and i would like too see what they look like!

Thanks, o and btw that boat looks kick ass!

Oliver

[Natman]

heres the thing with the x-30, x-45. They handle like busses. As long as you not concerned in being able to rip a hair pin turn to pick up your rider... there extremely nice.

[Jmass03]

great boat bro. Had an xstar and I loved it. Basically, any 23+ boat will do fine in rough ocean water. You shouldn't have a problem. A cobalt is a tight cruiser boat. My parents had a 2003 Cobalt 24 footer, and that it was like a Mercedes on water. We tried wakeboarding behind it, but it wasnt that great. It did have the 26 footer tower on it and everything, but honestly, its not made for that. Get a wakeboard boat if you want to wakeboard. Granted, choppy ocean water (unless you find a nice cove) is pretty shatty to go wakeboarding in, but hell, you make do what you can. You'll be happy with that boat bro, and I see you're willing to spend the money on that Mastercraft, so go for it. If you want to go for a foot bigger, and probably get something a bit cheaper, go for maybe a Supra 24 SSV...also a great boat. Handles chop like nothing. Not sure if you want to go that route, but just a suggestion! Good luck!!

Jonathan

[dubsac]

There is a nice cove by the marine stadium here in Miami and there are many creeks where I ride in Key Largo. The run between here and there is in Biscayne Bay, I doubt I will ever go out into the ocean with this boat (certainly not for riding!)

[TP83]

i ride behind a malibu but my friends got a colbat and the wake is really good but its an IO so no wakesurfing and the tranny clunks alot. a boat i like for big chop and stuff is the new x80(5?). takes on chop and its got 2 motors so u can hairpinsteer just like the malibu we got. no idea on the wake tho. X-45

[PimpinD2]

dubsac - hook me up with a pull when i get home. i live in miami and ride in marine stadium all the time. im out there on the older pro star 205.

The X45 shoudl be fine for the bay chop and the ocean on calm days. You should not have a problem making it to elliot key and key largo.

anyways good luck and lemme know...

[dubsac]

PimpinD2 - I'd be glad to, just bring some hot chicks! Hit me up when you get back. I'm going to demo the boat Saturday and hopefully drive it home if all goes well.