I've owned a 98 Maristar 225 with ballast added under the front bow seats for 5 years and ride 75ft line length (including the handle) at 22mph, the wake is super wide on the Maristar but this setup works. I am now buying a 2009 X-Star and I'm assuming the wake is narrower foot for foot on the line length.
What line length and tow speed are X-Star riders riding (preferably GPS tow speed as my 22mph on the Maristar is via GPS) as I've seen some guys going slower than us on an X-Star and effortlessly going big so guessing they don't need the speed??
My experience is when loaded with factory plus pro ballast you prob need to ride a min of 22mph. Might have to bump it to 23. I ride 73' at 22.8 and it seems to work good for me.
intermediate riders 68-72' at 22.5-23.5mph depending on rider and conditions; if there casing the wake speed up 0.5mph, slow down if there landing in the flats. factory ballast plus a 400# in the walk way
newer riders 60' from 20 to 21.5 no ballast
me 80' at 25mph lots and lots of ballast.
I've seen riders go effortlessly big(seemly) , but image they'd do it behind an i/o too!
Cheers,
DC