Top 5 Best Wakeboard Boats | Reviews (MasterCraft)
Wakeboarding, the now more popular brother of waterskiing, has evolved over the last 30 years since it was first introduced. No wonder it now has greater acceptance than the sport it originated from. Gliding above the waters is an absolute pleasure, and learning to ride the boat’s wake is a lot more exhilarating. However, it isn’t as simple as you might think. The fun in wakeboarding relies significantly on the wakeboard boat you use. It shouldn’t be just any boat. This article talks about the best wakeboard boats and what makes them the best to maximize the fun in the waters. What are wakeboard boats What boat is best for wakeboarding Is a wakeboard boat worth it What to consider in getting a wakeboard Should you get your boat an insurance What Are Wakeboard Boats? Generally speaking, wakeboard boats are vessels designed to create a large, specially manipulated wake for a wakeboarder to jump the wakes from side to side performing aerial tricks. Wakeboard boats are no ordinary boats. Moreover, they shouldn’t be confused with boats used for waterskiing. Just because both types tow the rider doesn’t mean they are the same. Waterskiing boats create a nice flat surface, while wakeboarding boats create bigger wakes. Going back to when the sport wakeboarding was still in its infancy, there was no such thing as a wakeboard boat. Instead, riders would push weight into the aft end of the boar. Not long after, companies started selling ballast bags to hold hundreds of gallons to weigh the boat down, shoving the aft end further into the water and generating more of the wakes. Eventually, V-drive inboard boats became a thing in the wakeboarding sport, and manufacturers jumped on the board, too—no more ballast bags to buy anymore. Instead, the wakeboard boats now feature built-in ballast systems. Top 5 Best Wakeboard Boats Reviewed Whether you’re planning to purchase your first wakeboarding boat after relying too much on rentals or your friends’ or you’re looking to replace the boat you now have, picking one can be consuming. The number of manufacturers and wakeboard boats in the market can drown you. To help you narrow down your choices, here are our top 5 best wakeboard boats you may want to consider: Mastercraft NXT22 Moomba Mondo Axis Wake A24 Malibu Boats 25 LSV Wakesetter Nautique Super Air GS22E 1. MasterCraft NXT22 Specifications Boat length: 22’ Fuel capacity: 49 gal Beam: 99” Seating: 14 people Boat weight: 4,300 lbs Ballast with surfstar: 2,150 lbs Engine: MPI Class V8 One of MasterCraft’s two value-leading towboats, the NXT22 is more of everything good. What MasterCraft refers to as your happy place features a ready 2,150 lbs of ballast with Surfstar, a spacious layout for 14, plus top-quality Klipsch audio for some endless waves and fun. The NXT22 comes with a standard manual-folding tower and a surf system. Its surf system has surf tabs to either side and a wake tuning plate at the middle of the transom. More importantly, it has a 4.3-inch display to the right of the steering wheel. Take note that the screen is for display only. The buttons under the screen allow the driver to toggle between the gauges, cruise and trim settings, and its full menu. Touch screen displays are one of the factors that make high-end tow boats expensive. The NXT22’s system is simple, but it gets the job done. The driver manages the ballast settings – forward, left, right, and rocker switches to the left side of the screen. The rockers located in a panel in the boat’s shape below the ballast switches actuate the tabs on the surf system. Overall, this boat offers bare essence and could almost be defined as primal. But, this is all well understandable since it focuses on delivering wakes and waves behind the ship more than indulging its passengers in lavish comfort. 2. Moomba Mondo Specifications Boat length: 20’ Fuel capacity: 39 gal Beam: 102” Seating: 13 people Boat weight: 4,000 lbs Ballast: 3,700 lbs Engine: Raptor V8 After a year of hiatus, the Moomba Mondo is back – now better than ever. This year, this wakeboard boat is redesigned to heavily resemble Moomba’s other premium boats in its lineup, like Makai and Kaiyen. Moreover, it offers premium features and performance at a price that won’t break your bank. While it is 2’ shorter than the MasterCraft NXT22, you should let its size fool you. The Moomba Mondo boasts 3,700 lbs of ballast. This counterweight means this boat has both bark and bite, making it one of the more all-around 20-footers in the boating industry – a simple multisport crossover machine. The wakeboarding waves it produces have a good amount of volume with a user-friendly shape. This means it is excellent for the whole family, including beginners and kids. All while having your group of about 13 people watch you from the boat. The Moomba Mondo maintains the separation in the interior with an innovative and carefully planned design that doesn’t add extra costs to the buyer. For instance, its cup and phone holders and USB charging ports are spread strategically throughout the cockpit. Moreover, its bow is deep and spacious, with a standard changeable filler cushion in the walkway with nonskid GatorStep flooring. Overall, the Moomba Mondo exceeded what was expected of a 20’ wakeboard boat. It is simple yet functional and is stylishly designed with the latest touchscreen technology and sound system. 3. Axis Wake A24 Specifications Boat length: 24’ Fuel capacity: 76 gal Beam: 102” Seating: 18 people Boat weight: 5,500 lbs Ballast: 5,320 lbs Engine: Malibu Monsoon M5Di The Axis Wake A24 is Axis Wake’s largest boat yet in their series of boats. It features the same patented Axis Wake technology that seamlessly creates pro-quality, clean, and customizable wakes and waves. The updated design had improvements on its hull design for smoother rides even in rough waters. Its higher freeboard and new design give the A24 a more streamlined look while maintaining … Read more