Question for MB owners ???

We are seriously considering ordering a 2009 MB F21 Tomcat. We are dead set on getting the ZR-409 (410hp) motor and possibly the two speed tranny. We do live and ride at an elevation between 8,000-5,000 feet. We primarily wakesurf, some airchair... and slalom ski when we get Lake Powell glass.

How many of you have the 2 speed tranny?
Have you had problems with it?
Is it worth it?
Is it overkill with the ZR-409 and the 2-speed?
Do you wakesurf with it in the low or high gear?
Does the 2-speed give you better fuel economy when cruising (30ish mph)?

Thanks for your input!

I did not order it on my 2008 Tomcat last year with the ZR6. In a 21 foot boat, I don't think you'd need it. There are two replies for you on www.mbboatowners.com as well.

The 21 Tomcat is a sweet boat! All the cabin space of the 23 foot tomcat, tons of ballast, features. You'll love it!

I'd get the two speed. I've only rode behind one Tomcat but it was very slow to plain when weighted and that was at sea level.

I would skip and reprop the boat. The two speeds I rode in seemed really unnatural. I'm sure there is a knack in shifting but I couldn't get over the transmission "clunk".

Yours coming with the pure vert? Sweet system. I'm liking the B 52 widebody!

what is the pure vert?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYhawR_IU-E

Oh, didn't know that the new ballast system was called pure vert. Yes. I think all 09 MB come with the pure vert.

i'd say with the Zr you will not need the two speed tranny, especialy if you are not slamming it for wakeboarding. I never have any issues wake surfing, but wakeboarding completely slammed is slow to plane. I'd change prop too before considering the tranny. I'm surprised they still offer it actually.

I would second the above statements. The only time we use the low gear is when we have all 2500lbs of ballast for wakeboarding (only for a couple of riders that can actually use that wake). This is with only the 330 in the 23 footer. Shifting does take some finesse to avoid the awful clunk. Get the larger engine and you will be fine.

Why not get the new B52 Wide Body? According to MB, it holds 16 people whereas the F21 Tomcat only holds 14 (still amazing for 21' boat).

Same length, same beam, looks like same size in the pics. How can the B52 WB hold 2 more? I would think the advantage would go to the pickle fork boat.

I have a 21 Widebody with the 390 ZR6 and I would not even consider a 2 speed. It already planes faster that almost anything else on the water. Last time we were out we had 6 people, full ballast, and an additional 500 lbs on top of the 2000 factory. However, I am at sea level. I think a re-prop would be a good option too. My boat runs just a little bit over 50 mph according to Zero-Off, that leaves plenty of room to re-prop, IMHO. Good luck with your purchase.

Here are a couple of shots from the day Alan mentioned (since you are into surfing):

Very nice!

Please don't ask about the shoes and grip tape....

I am surprised you didn't have gloves on.

Thanks for the input guys.

MB V23 330 hp with the 2 speed tranny. I would not reccomend the 2 speed with the engine you are getting. I learned to shift nicely but when it was my turn to ride it drove me crazy when I heard the clank clank when the driver didn't know what he was doing. You do not need the 2 speed tranny. Good luck and congrats

You'll have no problem with the standard trans on that boat fully loaded. Onlyinboards' 23' foot did just fine with full ballast and about 10 people in the boat. And that was pulling up approximately 200 pound riders.

I have the 2 speed trans and i never use it!! I think it was a waste of money! we just about sink my baot and it does just fine.