Surf wake comparison of MB B52 V23 vs F23 Tomcat?

Between the MB Sports B52 V23 and F23 Tomcat, can I get any opinions on which has the better surf wake (without reducing the wakeboard wake)? I've never wakesurfed before, but it's something I'd like to learn next year.

I've read that the F23 Tomcat wake was improved from 2007 to 2008, but haven't seen a comparison on the V23 vs Tomcat.

(The Tomcat's pickle fork bow is not a problem for me, but I'd like to hear other opinions of why one boat is better than the other.)

Thanks.

I am pretty sure you'd get a better surf wake out of the V23. I had an 08 Tomcat and the surf wake was pretty darn good (especially on the goofy side) with stock ballast. But I have seen some pics of a V23 loaded down and it looked pretty amazing.

On another note, I absolutely loved the Tomcat. The bow is HUGE, the boat rides amazing, the new ballast system is incredible, the wakeboarding wake is LEGIT, tons of storage, extremely high quality... i could go on. I think you will be extremely pleased either way.

Are you looking at that red/white one at Southern?

I rode the V23, and observed the tomcat F23 - the V23 wake looked bigger and more manipulable to me. The vid of the F21 looks pretty good too, but its a smaller boat.

If you can get the quick fill/release ballast system, get it. I don't have it and I wish I did.

Last I looked Shadrack had a couple of V23's.

I love the boat and company - they have some quality parts and are easy to work with.

-Dave

> Are you looking at that red/white one at Southern?

If you mean the F23 Tomcat for $68k, that is way out of my range. $50k is my absolute max, including the trailer.

which Tomcat are you looking at? You are in VA right?

Yes, I'm in Northern VA.


This is the Tomcat, now at $65k + $5k trailer:

http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=740789

The wake was small & close to the boat the B52 is better

Thanks J.L.

Any thoughts between a 2007 B52 V23 Team and a 2008 B52 V23?

The 2008 is $3k more.

The 2007 has 50 hours. The 2008 may have zero hours (checking on that... dealer not currently open).

The 2007 has 330HP and 2500lbs of ballast.
The 2008 has 343HP and 2000lbs of ballast.

Other than that, the options seem the same. Neither one has the quick-fill ballast as far as I can tell.

If the 2008 is brand new, that would probably make up my mind. But assuming they both had the same amount of use, how would a 2007 "Team" version compare to the 2008 "regular" version?

Also were there any major B52 V23 changes from 2006-2007 (I see some 2006's for less than $40k)?

John,

I think the swim platform is a different shape (more rounded on the 08), the tower *may* be different. I think 08's have a collapsable Skylon made tower.

At some point between 07 and 08 I think they "upgraded" to an eel skin type fabric for the accent pieces.

One of the main differences may be the engine. PCM upgraded the HP and the Cat/engine mgmt in 08, but some of the 08 MB's have the older version engine. Not a whole lot of difference but it might change resale value.

-David

Thanks.

The 2008 V23 turns out to be new. I won't be looking at the 2007 since MB says the warranty is not transferable.

So now I'm probably gonna be choosing between the MB V23, Supra 24 SSV, or Moomba XLV 23.

Is it this one?
http://www.iboats.com/sites/southernski/site_page_10958/images/l_c3442.jpg

If so, that boat is beautiful. If not, post up which one it is

That green boat is sick.

BTW the '07 & '08 V23's are completely different boats. The '08 has a totally different windshield, Tower, interior layout, and a few other things.

The Green Boat has a ZR6

> If not, post up which one it is

http://www.boattrader.com/find/listing/2008-MB-SPORTS-B52V23-92909891

looks like a great buy for a brand new boat!

I have the 06 b 52 23 and our wake is big! I love it!

I ended up buying a 2009 B52 V23. It looked great on the demo ride - I'm eager for spring to get here!

Congrats John!! Sweet boat! Is it the one in the profile pic?

Yup.

Congrats on the purchase. Always looking for people to WS with. We are also in Central VA and have a Orange and White MB, usually on Chesdin or James. Holler!

You're actually over 3 hours away from me... I'm up north.

Congrats John. Have fun on it this summer.

John, did you compare the wake of the F23 Tomcat with the 2009 B52 V23? Can you please tell me why you chose the 2009 B52 V23? We are looking into both as well.

Nikko,

I never saw the Tomcat in person. I decided against that mainly for its price (was out of my range, and I got a great deal on a V23). That, combined with the opinions expressed here that the V23 wake is better, made me not worry about getting an inferior boat. (Wow, I see that the F23 Tomcat I linked to back in November has gone down in price $10k! I guess that will make the decision harder.)