MasterCraft X-Star: Justified

In the war of words these days, it seems everyone says they have the “best boat.” But at the end of the day, most of it comes off as purchase justification – unless, of course, you own an X-Star. It lets everyone else do the talking. As the official boat of the X Games, Pro Wakeboard Tour, IWSF World Cup, Parks Double or Nothing, Supercross and Dew Action Sports Tour, what else is there to say? How about that it is the boat of choice for top brands like Hyperlite, Oakley and CWB as their official clinic and event tow vehicle? Or, that wakeworld.com named the X-Star “Rider’s Choice, Boat of the Year,” three years running? With cred like that, it’s easy to see why the X-Star is the only wakeboard boat easily justified, and obsessively envied.

The 22’3” X-Star is definitely the undisputed king of the industry, with a unique design that is still far out front -- literally. The inimitable SuperFly bow tapers to two points rather than a single point, giving it the “pickle fork” moniker - a hammerhead shape that dramatically increases the bow’s occupancy and makes it accessible from the front. Progressive design is also the hallmark of its hull design - four terraced chines on the X-Star’s AP-1 (Anything’s Possible) hull chisel and shape the biggest and cleanest wake on water.

While the shape and size of the wake are paramount to riders, the X-Star has lots of other revolutionary, emulated, enhancements that continue to make it a next generation wakeboard boat. The X-Star has a liner ballast system as opposed to conventional storage compartment ballast tanks; three tanks are located beneath the floor. Topped off, the X-Star can hold 850 lbs of water weight and 500 lbs of octane, transforming beginner wakes into Grade-A tsunamis at the flip of a switch. And, you don’t have to worry about burning up pumps – the X-Star’s onboard computer has an auto shut-off feature that turns the system off when it is completely full or empty.

In the cockpit, the X-Star’s nerve center stems from the X-Pod, wired with the latest control area network (CAN) technology and digital speed control with standard MasterCraft Cruise. This bullet shaped configuration of new billet aluminum, white faced gauges elevates the speedometer, tachometer and Perfect Pass cruise control in full view of the driver. The remainder of the dash is constructed of carbon fiber and houses all other essential instrumentation. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather, with a chrome center. The molded armrest incorporates a billet aluminum throttle knob and a new digital AM/FM CD stereo remote.

Amidship, there is wrap-around seating (covered in heavy duty 38-oz vinyl with new hammered metal vinyl accents), 4 stereo speakers with separates, a subwoofer and 8 more drink holders. Underneath each of the seats there are open cavities for storage totaling just under 90 cubic feet. The observer’s seat opens from amidship or the bow to form a dual access compartment large enough to fit 2 wakeboards and loads of supplies. Above the observer’s seat, there is also a carbon fiber glove box that houses the Clarion receiver, a 12V outlet and room for +/- 30 cell phones.

Above the cockpit is the acclaimed and re-designed ZeroFlex tower with new tight-clamping and rotating board racks that hold boards firmly in place while swiveling them inside or outside the boat. Tower speakers are capable of projecting greater distances to the rider, making sure everyone enjoys the sonic ride.

The stern is nearly as gorgeous as the stem, with a triple hatch sun pad and large removable swim platform for launching riders. It gets a power upgrade, with MasterCraft’s multiport 310 hp, 5.7L, RTP-1 powerplant under the center hatch. The RTP-1 offers more response, torque, and power in a multi-port injected package.

The X-Star, with its undeniable history and futuristic design, is excuse and guilt free – unless, of course, you don’t own one.

Length
22'3''

Length Of Boat With Platform
24'5"

Width Amidship
100"

Overall Length with Trailer
25'5"

Overall Length with Swing-Away Tongue Folded
24'

Overall Width with Trailer (Single Axle)
n/a

Overall Width with Trailer (Tandem Axle)
n/a

Single Axle Trailer Weight
n/a

Tandem Axle Trailer Weight
1,240 Lbs.

Fuel Capacity
53 Gallons

Depth at Transom
30"

Depth Amidship
32"

Draft
28"

Tow Bar Height to Waterline
n/a

Capacity
12 Persons or 1,770 Lbs.

Model Name Length
22'