I need to decide between the X-Star and the X-80. I know these are two very different boats, but I am going to be using the boat in “rough” water. Any suggestions…

Man I must be doing something wrong! I didn't have that kind of choice when I was 19. Heck, I don't have that kind of choice today!

Rough water? I think both boats can handle it. It depends how rough? If you are dealing with 4ft waves, then maybe you should find a different spot to wakeboard. Otherwise, both hulls are huge and can handle a lot. Both boats are the tanks of wakeboarding.

If you can choose,I'd go for the 80 just because people have them less therefore you'll be more original,plus if you wake surf x-80 would be a clear choice!

I gave a deposit for a X-Star about a week ago, but have not placed an order for the boat yet. I am still working out minor details. I am pondering the idea of getting the X-80. I like the X-Star more, but I just want to make sure it will do what I need it to do. <BR> <BR>In the summer, the boat will be in Maryland. I am going to be wakeboarding in a river, but in order to get to the river I have to go out into the bay, which can be rough. <BR> <BR>During the winter, the boat will be kept in Florida, and I want to be able to use this boat to travel on the water. For example, I want to be able to go from Naples Florida to the Florida Keys. <BR> <BR>I know the X-80 is a bigger boat, which means it has more storage and is able to hold more people, but I have a few issues with it. First, it does not have perfect pass. Second, having that it has twin engines, when I am riding behind the boat and I have a friend driving I am a little worried about him bringing back the “shifters” while the boat is still in gear. I could blow my transmission, which could be expensive! An X-Star has a single engine, which is much easier for someone to drive who is an inexperienced boat driver. In addition, how is the wake behind the X-80? I hear it is wide… <BR>

The XStar is plenty of boat. The X80 eventhough it has the wakeboard package it is not a wakeboard boat. That boat is for boating only especially with the two engines. When you are on the river in the summer you will be glad that you have the XStar not the 80. If the water is to rough for the Xstar then it is too rough for the X80. I am a Mastercraft fan. I have had 3 of them and love all of the boats. With the two engines on the 80 you are right. People will have problems driving it and the wake will be real wierd to ski behind with the two engines. Another thing. If you are being pulled by guys who are not to familliar at driving you want the perfect pass trust me <BR> <BR> <BR>hope that helps <BR> <BR>Preston

Maybe its worth checking out the X-45--thats my favorite MC. It also holds 18 people, 3 more than the X-80, if that matters to you. That's what I'd go with. Seems like the perfect mix between wake characteristics and originality. The X-80 also looks like a yacht to me.

I dont think that you will be at all disappointed with the way that the X-Star handles in rough water. I would stick with your choice of the X-Star.

ABUN DIGA...just where do you get your info? Pardon me the X-80 has a YACHT RATING. 25 is acceptable if you can make them fit.

TJK, <BR> <BR>I think you made the point as to why he should get the XStar if he is concerned about wakeboarding. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/wink.gif" border=0>

it all depends on what you are going to use the boat more for. if you are going to want to wakeboard more often then get the x-star, it handles rough water the best of any boat out there IMO, and if you want to travel more on the water from Naples to the Keys then the x-80 would be much better for the type of water, even though you could be lucky and get smooth water all the way down x-80 would be a more comfortable ride, overall i would go with the x-star because you can wakeboard and it handles water well, and the x-80 the wake is very wide but it can handle any type of water. i also agree with abundiga, you should check out the x-45 it is suppose to be good for wakeboarding and could handle the water well.

If your going to use it for long open water trips, get two boat for the cost of your x-80. Get a $40k wakeboard boat and tow it behind your $60k cruiser <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0>

Ryan, check out wakeboarding Mag's website. They have about a 3-4 minute video of Zane and a bunch of others in Florida taking an X-80 out from Miami to the Florida keys (I think those were the desinations). <BR> <BR>It's worth a look.

I thought that someone demo'd an x-80 on this thread a short while ago and said the wake was outstanding even with twin screws.

Ryan, I'm from your area. Where are you traveling over the bay, like from where to what river and when. On a saturday an X star would get pounded to hell around sandy point. give me some details. Most people who say that a inboard can handle rough water are not talking rough like the bay (2-3 ft seas on breezy day). an x80 would most likely be the better choice.

Ryan, <BR> <BR> I would go for the X-80 with the twin 375hp motors. the ultimate BLing machine!!! that boat is so over the top, and then I would get a matching tow vehicle, like a lifted superdually(find my truck pic for an idea) <BR> <BR>good luck! <BR>henry

I noticed one thing with both the x80 and the x45. The drivers seat is not comfortable. The back is real right and I personally do not like it. The Xstar rides nice, throws a killer wake and who would want more bling that an Xstar with matching Chevy/GMC 3500 Duramax. That HOT <BR> <BR>p

TJK, I am looking in the MC catalog right now and it has the seating listed as 15 for the X-80 and 18 for the X-45. I would hope thats right. <BR> <BR>However, I wouldn't be surprised if the X-80 did have a yacht rating...

The twin engine X-80 also retails for $121,000 so he would have to ask his parents for more than 100k just to get a stock boat

Both these boats are AWESOME! My rents would prefer that I got the X-80 over the X-Star. Having that I am going to be wakeboarding more then “cruising” I think the X-Star would make more sense. My dealer called me today, and told me that I am now able to get perfect pass on the X-80 with twin engines. <BR> <BR>If I ended up with the X-Star, would I be able to bring it to the Keys form Naples. <BR>

I am sure there are a ton of people who drive their X-80's through the ocean on this board. A boat that's only 3 ft deep on the ocean?? Why the hell not?? I am sure their are a ton of deep sea recovery services down there in Naples, you may want to get the larger bilge pump option and a zodiac to tow along behind it "just in case". I was thinking of buying a Porsche GT-2 to do a little off-roading and mud bogging. <BR> <BR>Seriously though, I know that the bay can be relatively calm as can the ocean between Naples and the Keys, but how often is that?? No doubt you can find some inlets and such where the water is good and you can ride. I was in a lake where the wind was blowing and there were 3 ft swells, we had a loaded boat and became a little scared when the waves came over the bow. We could have easily been swamped, but we were able to cruise very slowly the 1/2 mile back to shore. We never went back to that windy ass lake ever again. <BR> <BR>Will it make it?? Sure, on a calm day with 1-2 ft swells max. On a less than perfect day you will be pushing it a bit. 5 miles of open water in a boat designed for wakeboarding and smooth lakes?? Logic is fading on that one. <BR> <BR>120k at the bottom of the ocean??

Hold on Ryan. I just mapquested your epic journey. <BR> <BR>Let me get this straight. <BR> <BR>You want to drive your X-whatever in the ocean from Naples, all the way down the coast next to Everglades national park either by sticking to the coast or crossing over 20-40 miles of open water to get to the keys?? Seriously, that's like 150 miles in the ocean in a wakeboard boat?? I am considering also that the Everglades National Park is a fairly deserted coast line without gas stations, so you will probably need an extra 50 gallon drum on board to even have enough fuel. <BR> <BR>I could be wrong about logistics and such, but this sounds pretty rediculous. Please post pictures of the coast guard rescue when they find you floating around the gulf in you wakevest.}

About as ridiculous as a 19yr old discussing buying a $100k+ boat? lol <BR> <BR>Must be nice...

Yea, your crazy to make that journey from Naples to the Keys. I live and wakeboard in MD also, and there is no way I would take my boat out in the bay. If you can get the x-star, and trailor it to a river then do it, but I do not recommend driving it through the bay or the ocean. If you need info on places to ride let me know.

I'd just buy a couple Nautiques...<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/wink.gif" border=0>

kris... you would not take the about in the Chesapeake bay? Maybe from Baltimore harbor to Annapolis…

boat*

Ryan, As I noted in the email, I second kris. The Bay would be silly for a x star or any inboard except maybe the X80 or 25ft BU.

Hell, buy eight Nautiques that are ten years old. Same boat as the 05.

how is the wake behind the X-80?

From my experience with it the twin engines make it have a funky lip with a lot of turbulence, but this was on a less than ideal day.

Ouch, that was harsh SoCalrider... <BR> <BR>I hate to say it but you gotta lot to learn about Nautiques!lol <BR> <BR>(Message edited by abundiga909 on March 08, 2005)

Speaking from experience in the nautique area. the one i had spent more time in the shop than the water. and i dont think the new one are any different

if you got the x-star then i don't suggest on taking in the bay or ocean, i have been in some rough water with my x-star, it handles well but you have to go slow as f**k so that you don't bounce all over the place and for the bow to stay high and dry.

Like what? How to get out of the seat to turn valves to fill the ballast? <BR> <BR>Sorry.. I'm just not a fan of Nautiques at all. I feel they are the most overpriced wake boat on the market. More so than the Xstar. How they can get off charging close to 60g for a boat that has not changed in years blows my mind. They must hire the best salesmen out there.

Ryan, I'm sorry, but based on this post and the others you've made over the last few weeks you have my vote for the most annoying poster I've ever seen on this board. You can't get one boat to do what you want. <BR> <BR>

I would have to agree with the others that an X-star would be in a less than ideal situation for the crusing that you want to do. I am suprised that the trip the pros took in the X-80 was so smooth. I would vote for the biggest boat you can get if you are wanting to do some Florida Keys trips. About a year ago we took a private cruise on my grandparents boat a we got rocked to hell going from Ft. Lauderdale through Miami and all the way down to Duck Key, which is almost all the way down to key west. This was in a 72' Cheoy Lee yacht and some of us had to do all we could to keep our lunch down. I can't imagine doing that in a 28' boat, granted you could probably run closer to shore, but different weather conditions could produce enormous swells even up close to shore. <BR> <BR>Here's an idea...buy the X-star and save the difference in the X-80 to charter a boat to cruise from Miami to the keys. You will be okay with either of the boats if all you do is stay in the intercoastals. Again, this is speaking from NO experience being on either of these boats, just from my experience we had down in the keys. <BR> <BR>B

By Ryan (blue_malibu) on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 3:37 pm: <BR> <BR>I just test drove the X-star and the X-80. Both are AWESOME BOATS! i think i might end up with a X-Star. <BR> <BR>Ok, here is my BIG questions. You said you demoed the X-80 and X star on Feb 26th in your last thread on Malibu vs MC. Now you are asking us how the wake is? Most people on here have not even seen an X-80 on the water and here you are asking them how the wake is after you demoed it. Come on man, tell us the dealer your dealing with...By Ryan (blue_malibu) on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 8:27 pm: <BR> Your post! <BR>I gave a deposit for a X-Star about a week ago, but have not placed an order for the boat yet. I am still working out minor details. I am pondering the idea of getting the X-80. I like the X-Star more, but I just want to make sure it will do what I need it to do. <BR> <BR>In the summer, the boat will be in Maryland. I am going to be wakeboarding in a river, but in order to get to the river I have to go out into the bay, which can be rough. <BR> <BR>During the winter, the boat will be kept in Florida, and I want to be able to use this boat to travel on the water. For example, I want to be able to go from Naples Florida to the Florida Keys. <BR> <BR>I know the X-80 is a bigger boat, which means it has more storage and is able to hold more people, but I have a few issues with it. First, it does not have perfect pass. Second, having that it has twin engines, when I am riding behind the boat and I have a friend driving I am a little worried about him bringing back the “shifters” while the boat is still in gear. I could blow my transmission, which could be expensive! An X-Star has a single engine, which is much easier for someone to drive who is an inexperienced boat driver. In addition, how is the wake behind the X-80? I hear it is wide… <BR> <BR> <BR>By the way what are you going to be pulling the boats with? <BR>

It's not as wide as the x-star's wake.

Easy guys, Why don't you all let ryan use these boards the same as you. Calling him the most annoying poster or laughing at him because he's only 19 is silly. At least he's being honest, his profile could say 37 if he thought it would get him taken more seriously. <BR> <BR>His problem is stemming from not knowing everything about wakeboats while being hampered by parents who can afford to make his dreams come true. I'm sure he didn't get to ride behind either boat to properly test the wake since its been about 28 degrees on average in MD over the last 2 months. <BR> <BR>In talking with him privately he told me the dealer told him the Xstar could handle such duties but the X80 would be better. Wouldn't that make you skeptical a little if you were new to the game.

"Speaking from experience in the nautique area. the one i had spent more time in the shop than the water. and i dont think the new one are any different" <BR> <BR>One lemon and everyone should right of a brand. Great Idea. <BR> <BR>What about the people who have had 5 CC's and never a problem? do they ever wash out your experience? <BR> <BR>Face it, all boats can have problems. I have a friend whos brand new 2002 X star was a broke So much that MC dealer had to work a deal to get him a 03' X2 for basically nothing. HE then sold the X2 and got a BU. MY CC's have always been fine, but I have a friend who boat was a lemon. it happens. Cars, Boats, RVs, ATVs, jet skis, etc. <BR> <BR>Good luck finding that company where nothing ever goes wrong.

Ryan, if I were you and were in your comfortable financial situation, I would bag the thought of an X-80 and get the X-Star...and with the difference in price, buy nice SUV or Truck to use a tow vehicle (Range Rover, Z71 Tahoe, etc.) At only 19 years of age, you want the baddest of the bad wakeboard boat and not some yacht with a tower that someone would mistake you for some old guy going through a midlife crisis coming down the lake. Go for the X-Star and be content with being fortunate enough to have the best boat on the lake at only 19 yrs of age...I had to work my ass off for 2 years out of college to even afford a used 2000 X-5 and a new house to garage it in. So you're living the life...enjoy it!

I still think he should get an X-Star and go on his epic journey from Naples to the Keys. We could even start a pool to see how many miles from Naples he makes it until the most expensive wakeboard known to man arrives at the bottom of the ocean. <BR> <BR>We can do it in 5 mile increments, I get 0-4 miles. <BR> <BR>Seriously though, that's the way people get killed. Some folks lost their lives in Lake Tahoe in a sport wakeboard/ski boat. They got swamped by rollers and then probably died of hypothermia in the water. You may not go hypothermic in the gulf, but your X-star won't make the swells. <BR> <BR>I will agree with some folks here that if you want a serious bling boat for boarding, buy the X-star and a nice tow vehicle and tow it to your spots.

Ryan...one last thing...at 19 your main concern should be chicks. Not test driving and contemplating every wakeboard boat out there and then asking us about each one of them. Do yourself a favor...buy the bling X-Star, bling tow vehicle, and then work what you've got on girls. I would be willing to bet not many 19 yr olds around where you are can walk up to a group of chicks and say "I've got a boat...I'll pick you up in the morning for a day on the lake". So play to your strengths, enjoy your youth, and consider yourself lucky.

Wow, Andrew...honestly the best advice all thread.... <BR> <BR>Buy X-star, Range Rover, work the ladies, all day wakeboarding plus a little quite time in a cove....rinse, repeat until your 25 and the real world puts the smack down.

BT (Patoloco) nailed it...right on! Case closed.

Ryan, <BR> <BR>Ahhh.. the classic MORE MONEY MORE PROBLEMS.. <BR> <BR>You cannot get one boat to accomplish ALL of your goals.. Trans-Atlantic crossings and wakeboarding don't go hand in hand.. If you want to Wakeboard and have the greatest wakeboarding boat get the X-Star. If you want to cruise to the Keys get something much larger than the X-80 with your 110K +. The X-80 will NOT get your there safely or have enough go go juice to even allow it. From the sounds of it your want to wakeboard.. get the x-star and a phat SUV and put your mind at rest young man... More money more problems... good luck!

<a href="http://www.wakeboardingmag.com/index.jsp" target="_blank">http://www.wakeboardingmag.com/index.jsp</a> <BR> <BR>Go there and click "MasterCraft X-80 STS"

Pretty interesting, but still seems just like marketing. Even they said they're lost, have no clue where they are, (even though they had gps), just hit some pretty rough waves--10 ft, and need gas and need to find a place to eat. <BR> <BR>Is it practical? No. Is it possible? Yes.

Definately take the advice of a guy wearing a "NO FEAR" T-shirt. <BR> <BR> <BR>Looks like that boat is a step up from normal wakeboats with the engines and the crapper and the wet bar. I seriously would not think of crossing any open water in less than perfect conditions though. Check the video, that was a calm day for the ocean and bays. Also consider that the salesman would love to sell you the most expensive boat they have. <BR> <BR>thing is, if you wan't it and can get it, then do it. <BR> <BR>PS- If you get an X-star and a tow vehicle, you should get a Deisel pickup, F-250 SD comes to mind. <BR> <BR>Send us pics when you are all done, wanna see some serious air off your 6 figure setup and some hot Florida girls sunbathing on the bow. <BR> <BR> <BR>

I will GUARENTE you pictures of the both the boat(X-Star or X-80) and some hot girls!!! All I need to do is decide which boat I am going to get…

Hey Ryan, <BR> <BR>tell the truth, your name is really Warren Buffet the 3rd right? <BR> <BR>anyway I'm pullin for you, either way you go. if you got the means enjoy. don't forget the pic's. <BR> <BR>