MCX45 vs. BU247 - Page 3

(jcv) · (jcv) **Join Date: Oct 2005** 02-01-2006, 11:16 AM

well, on waterskimag.com, the msrp of a 2005 x-2 is $60,000 and the msrp of a 2005 vlx is $51,835. i'm going to assume that's a typo on the x-2 though...i hope no one paid that even for a completely loaded x-2. it probably meant to say $50,000. for the record, when i was shopping, the quote i got for a new '05 vlx was slightly lower than the one i got for a new '05 x-2, but the difference was neglible and both were under 50k. it was a very very difficult decision with, thankfully, no wrong choice.

how many of you guys actually sit in the bow of a boat regularly? it seems like, at least in my experience, that the bow is for the girls to go to get their tan. maybe it's different in the x-star sitting backwards, i don't know. personally, the only time i venture up front (granted, i'm usually driving) is to drop a few lame pick-up lines on the girls we brought along.

(psudy) · (psudy) **Join Date: Dec 2003** 02-01-2006, 11:53 AM

Your right about girls in the bow. Throw them up there and head for ruff water! When I am not driving, I sit in the bow some if the water is nice. Having an xstar/x2/x1(this is getting complicated), the hull is awful in chop.

(fox) · (fox) **Join Date: Jul 2002** 02-01-2006, 1:44 PM

...open pot...hmmmmmm, not boiling enough....

If I win the powerball tonight, the boat I would go for would be a Nautique 226. It has a great wake, handles well, has plenty of room for a moderately sized crew, has great resale potential, is priced pretty competatively with an X-star and a 23LSV.

There, that's enough stirring!!! ;)

(toyotafreak) · (toyotafreak) **Join Date: Sep 2003** 02-01-2006, 4:27 PM

For Eric...

Stirring the pot

(jcv) · (jcv) **Join Date: Oct 2005** 02-01-2006, 4:29 PM

(standing in applause)

(cyclonecj) · (cyclonecj) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 02-01-2006, 6:27 PM

Hey Fest,
Quit being a wuss and buy this. End of all arguements

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mastercraft-x80-Twin-Engine-Red-White-Wakeboard-Boat_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ63686QQitemZ460883 8862QQrdZ1

(jcv) · (jcv) **Join Date: Oct 2005** 02-01-2006, 6:47 PM

what's the gas mileage on that bad boy?

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 02-01-2006, 8:17 PM

that rocks! I don't think there is a body of water in the Denver area that would hold that guy. I was talking to our mc dealer, he said that they have sold 3 of those. Did you know that MC doesn't even make the trailer? Something about it would screw up the assembly line at the factory. It is an Extreme trailer. If I lived near the ocean or a good sized lake, that'd be a serious contender. I did look a little at the BU25LSV, but the wake reports weren't as good and it is a heavy bugger. I don't even want to think what that x80 weighs.

(cyclonecj) · (cyclonecj) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 02-01-2006, 9:19 PM

its not a boat its a yacht

nota

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 02-01-2006, 9:22 PM

Go check out my S22. I listed it one the sale page. It's an '01
s22

(fox) · (fox) **Join Date: Jul 2002** 02-02-2006, 9:48 AM

Derek...there's a spoon that would never be used again!!

(whit) · (whit) **Join Date: Feb 2001** 02-02-2006, 10:26 AM

The bow of the X-Star is the best seat in the house...

If you have to take your wakeboarding boat in rough water... Well that sucks to be you. I really can't speak for how well the X-Star does in rough water. In this area of the country, we tend to wakeboard on the glassy stuff.

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 02-02-2006, 7:38 PM

demo is on for manana, both boats......

(getssum) · (getssum) **Join Date: Jul 2005** 02-03-2006, 8:35 AM

PLEASE SURF THE 247!!!!!!

SO JEALOUS!!!

(psudy) · (psudy) **Join Date: Dec 2003** 02-03-2006, 9:32 AM

Sweat. Post pics of the 45 please, especially the wake.

(malibupilot) · (malibupilot) **Join Date: Nov 2005** 02-03-2006, 11:46 AM

Can't wait to hear your opinion Fest!

I heard the MC turns real big..... the 247 spins like a top!

(krejciman from epic)

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 02-03-2006, 4:43 PM

So, here is the verdicto....with picture proof. Let's look at the players....I don't have a pic of the 247 in the water, I was in the boat the whole time, and besides, there are already pix on here of it in the water.
x45

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 02-03-2006, 4:52 PM

First, overall impressions. I loved, loved, loved the way the X45 handled in the water. It was surprisingly nimble and turned on a dime. I hit the corners hard to see what the lack tracking fins would do to the handling...it didn't slide at all. I guess the V in the hull is adequate for tracking. It handled the chop smoothly and even though it was windy, there was only a few drops of water in the windshield. The bow was plenty high in the water. The hole shot was great. I didn't think a 24 ft boat would pick up like that, but the performance was terrific.
The 247 was about what I expected. Solid. I didn't feel it handled chop quite as well, but it is about 800lbs lighter (w/o any ballast) so that may have something to do with it. Both of these beauties had the 8.1, but the Malibu felt more sluggish. Could be the prop. It cornered very nicely. I really liked the Malibu precision speed control better than the MC control, but again, that could have been the prop and the subsequent engine rpm's.
I tried to get the best surfing wakes that I could, with the help of both sales guys. The 247 was nice, a little foamy on top (see pics). The x45 was better. clean lip and a little taller. The below pix- the 247 is the top pic, the X45 on bottom.
247 surf wake

(wakestar8878) · (wakestar8878) **Join Date: Oct 2003** 02-03-2006, 4:52 PM

So what did you decide on, inquiring minds want to know?

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 02-03-2006, 5:00 PM

AS far as the wakeboarding wake goes, pretty much 6's. Check out the below pics, again, the 247 is on top and the X45 on bottom. I filled up all tanks on both boats, both filled quickly less than 5 minutes. It was obviously a little windy, so the wake is probably a little cleaner with better conditions. There were 4 adults in the X45 and 3 in the 247. So there it is. The interior was a big BU win. The huge cockpit area in the 247 was great. On both boats we completely closed off the bow due to wind and cold. This was a big deal on the X45, a lot of the interior space was immediately gone. Who wants to sit in the wind and freeze. The heater outlets were in the wrong places on both boats. It would be nice to be able to use them in the rear area. Post any questions of the day, I'll be here to answer what I can...
247 wake

(big_ed_x2) · (big_ed_x2) **Join Date: Jul 2004** 02-03-2006, 9:02 PM

Why did you decide to try the wake surf on the wrong side of the Malibu?
I believe it would have been better on the other side like the X45.

(big_ed_x2) · (big_ed_x2) **Join Date: Jul 2004** 02-03-2006, 9:02 PM

So what did you choose???

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 02-03-2006, 9:30 PM

I didn't decide which side, I agree it would have been better on the port side, this is where the sales guy put it.

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 02-03-2006, 11:19 PM

I ordered the 247 due mainly to the large rear seating area. With a large family and always having friends along, being able to gather in one area was a huge factor. I've been thinking about Big Ed's question regarding the surf wake...I am sure it would have been better on the port side. I'll have to ask the sales guy why he chose the wrong side...Also being able to custom order the 247 instead of buying the X45 that the dealer had in stock. The X45 had good colors on it, but I hope to do better than the stock JL system in the X45 by building one myself in the 247 (think NVS) I ordered it with nothing but prewire. I went exterior black and white, interior grey and black. Dual batteries, 8.1L, halogen docking lights, depth finder, 3 outlet heater, shower, power wedge, bow ballast, fiberglass swim platform, 3x trailer with custom rims, heated drivers seat, billet chrome glove box door, carpet insert, 8 tower bullet lamps, and a custom ski (sky ski) illusion x rack. I am going to wait for the NVS Arsenal wakeboard rack for the other side of the tower. I will add a custom bimini and full snap-on covers when I take delivery. I want a larger bimini than the stock offering. Does anyone have pix of an Illusion X bimini that covers more than the driver's seat? I am planning a pretty sic audio system...details to follow.
boat

(big_ed_x2) · (big_ed_x2) **Join Date: Jul 2004** 02-03-2006, 11:29 PM

That looks GOOD bro,congrats on your purchase.looks like you got that baby LOADED.

(jarrod) · (jarrod) **Join Date: May 2003** 02-04-2006, 10:31 AM

excellent choice. That boat looks SICK!

(xsmini) · (xsmini) **Join Date: Dec 2005** 02-04-2006, 12:59 PM

congrats on the purchase

on the Surf wake where was the wedge located on the gauge? TO get the biblical surf wake in the pictures you need to dial the wedge to about 1/2

Funny you ordered Black and White, So did I. Just a bit different

Da2-ebony
DB-white
DM-ebony
HA-Ebony
HB-White
HM-Ebony

(Message edited by xsmini on February 04, 2006)

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 02-04-2006, 2:01 PM

zach, I think the wedge was all the way down for that pic. The sales guy was at the helm, so I am not sure. I'll be sure to try it at all levels when I can, (in April).
zach- is yours the standard progressive color scheme? I went with the standard classic.

(pc_sledge) · (pc_sledge) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 02-06-2006, 5:20 AM

Thanks for the info, especially the pictures. The photo of the X45's wake looks awesome. I think it looks better than the 247, cleaner,nicer shape and narrower- just my personal opinion. Both wakes are big for just factory ballast and I can't wait to ride behind both of those beauties. Congratulations on your purchase, and I thought I was anxious for spring.

(xsmini) · (xsmini) **Join Date: Dec 2005** 02-06-2006, 6:38 AM

Standard Progressive

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 02-06-2006, 7:47 AM

I agree with the wake thoughts, Brett. It does look a little cleaner. I think the BU can be tweaked a bit to spiff things up. The wake photo on the 247 thread looks a lot cleaner than the one I posted. No doubt about it though, the X45 is a great boat with a sweet wake. Just needed more rear cockpit seating. And yeah, spring can't get here fast enuff.

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 02-09-2006, 9:17 PM

I spoke with the dealer again today, he says he did some research and the surf wake should be pretty much the same on either side, is that right? I would think the port side would be better...

(madchild1) · (madchild1) **Join Date: Mar 2005** 02-09-2006, 9:37 PM

i don't see why it would make such a big difference. i mean, you'll be adding extra weight for surfing either way right?

(rson) · (rson) **Join Date: Jun 2002** 02-09-2006, 10:16 PM

Due to prop wash...the passanger side is a tad better

(toyotafreak) · (toyotafreak) **Join Date: Sep 2003** 02-10-2006, 7:20 AM

Man, I could look at boat-building pics all day. Keep 'em coming.

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 02-10-2006, 12:02 PM

I'll post mine when they come in, prolly in in March

(mbrown) · (mbrown) **Join Date: May 2005** 02-10-2006, 9:28 PM

Sorry to high jack just want to give derek a show.
I love these types of pictures too!!

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 02-11-2006, 9:52 AM

Rich- when do you take delivery? Your pictures make me anxious...My sales guy said it'll be March before my pics are sent out. Nice colors, by the way...

(rson) · (rson) **Join Date: Jun 2002** 02-11-2006, 3:07 PM

Don't now the delivery date....It is the Dealers demo boat that I will be behind this year.

All you need is the PO number and Ellery's email to get pics.

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 02-11-2006, 3:34 PM

The dealer should have the PO number? How about Ellery's e-mail?

(rson) · (rson) **Join Date: Jun 2002** 02-11-2006, 4:27 PM

Yeah, when your dealer orders a boat from Malibu they generate a PO to pay for that boat.

ellerys@malibuboats.com

Good luck!

(toyotafreak) · (toyotafreak) **Join Date: Sep 2003** 02-11-2006, 6:23 PM

Thanks for those!

I spent like an hour looking over/through the Correct Craft fence last year :-)

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 02-11-2006, 9:37 PM

thanks rich. Have fun riding behind that beautiful arse on the 247...

(auto) · (auto) **Join Date: Aug 2002** 02-12-2006, 6:58 AM

i think i will be seeing that boat soon

should look good next to my VLX

(rson) · (rson) **Join Date: Jun 2002** 02-12-2006, 8:39 AM

I bet yours is louder :-)

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 02-16-2006, 1:04 PM

how long after ordering till production pix show up???

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 03-03-2006, 2:57 PM

Finally some pix from BU. I'm sure all manufacturers send production photos, but excuse my excitement, this is my 4th boat, but first custom ordered one.

Upload

(iagainsti) · (iagainsti) **Join Date: Apr 2004** 03-03-2006, 3:01 PM

Looking good Fes !! My Bu picks should start rolling in within a couple of weeks. Im envious !!

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 03-03-2006, 5:25 PM

KG- What model did you order?

(jcv) · (jcv) **Join Date: Oct 2005** 03-03-2006, 8:44 PM

that second picture is ridiculous. i wish my apartment was as spacious. congrats, i bet you're pumped

(depoint50ae) · (depoint50ae) **Join Date: Jul 2005** 03-03-2006, 10:08 PM

I love how big the 247 is. congrats on the new boat.

(toyotafreak) · (toyotafreak) **Join Date: Sep 2003** 03-05-2006, 9:27 AM

Hey Fest, check out that gas tank. And you thought your S22's 47g was a big one. No more going all weekend on a single tank. JK, all love for you buddy. But, hey, make sure they get that homeless dude out from your cubby (second pic).

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 03-05-2006, 11:36 AM

I figure I can go about the same amount of time b/n fill-ups from the 47g Epic to the 87g 247. It'll just a little more $$$ at the pump. Also, I don't I have to run premium???

(iagainsti) · (iagainsti) **Join Date: Apr 2004** 03-05-2006, 2:47 PM

Fes- I ordered a VLX - red/black combo, it slated for sometime in March.

(jcocci) · (jcocci) **Join Date: Feb 2006** 03-05-2006, 4:03 PM

Festivus - we talked last week. I ended up going with a black/red/white 247 that Croft had on their floor. Very excited to get it out.

jayp 03-05-2006, 6:33 PM

Congratulations on your new boat!

I want the rights to this post. You could almost make it in to a major motion picture. Interesting cast of characters. And the subplots between those characters was very entertaining. I really liked the way the suspense built up as you got closer to demoing the boats. Kept me on the edge of my seat. I was rooting for the MC but there is nothing wrong with the BU. Both are great boats. Sounds like the BU fit your needs better.

Have fun with your new ride. I know I would.

(festivus) · (festivus) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 03-05-2006, 9:33 PM

Jeremy- post some pix of that 247! Did Kevin treat you right? He seemed great on the phone, but I have never met him in person. What prop are they running on that 247? When is the first run?
Jayp- The MC was great-you are right. It just came down to butt space in the cockpit. I have read in other posts that when ordering or buying a new boat, you should be so excited you can hardly sleep. So I think I made the right decision for me. I eagerly check my e-mail daily for more prod. pix.