So here is what i am looking at: <BR> <BR>1997 TIGE 2050 PRE 20' 6" MERCRUISER 350 LOW HOURS (240) SINGLE AXLE TRAILER WAKEDESIGNS TOWER WITH 4 WAKEBOARD RACKS TAPS SYSTEM POP-UP CLEATS TEAK REMOVABLE SWIM PLATFORM SPARE TIRE BUILT IN COOLER TILT WHEEL, DUAL SPEEDO SONY MP3 CD W/TRANSOM REMOTE AND ALPINE AMP GARAGE KEPT. <BR> <BR>$14,900 <BR> <BR>or <BR> <BR>1998 Mastercraft X Star, 21' competition ski boat, 308 hp Direct Drive, only 370 actual hours removable teakwood swim platform, custom trailer, bimini top, and storage cover 18,000

308 might not be enough horsepower, if you are going to load it with ballast and surf <BR> <BR>just a thought <BR> <BR>what is the horsepower rating in the Tige'

The 308 will be enough with a good 4-blade prop.

Xstar

Are these boats V drives or direct drives? I thought that all X Stars were V drives.

the 350 on the Tige is likely a 350 cubic-inch (rather than horsepower)... My Avalanche has a "Mercuiser 350" and is 315hp, 350ci. <BR> <BR> <BR>That having been said, get the Mastercraft. I have friends with both, and work on both in my shop... Mastercraft is one of the best-built, best-engineered I have been in/on/around. You cannot possibly go wrong with the Mastercraft. The 205 hull that the X-star is built on is one of the best hulls ever produced(in my opinion): fantastic wakeboard wake, <b>extremely</b> versatile , narrow (great for loading it down with ballast), not too big or too small. <BR> <BR>If the hours are a concern, I have found that more hours <i>generally</i> means the engine is going to run better... more use=less opportunity for things to break down and deteriorate.

MC..

tige

MC, no question.