Date: 11/27/02
Author: Andrew Adkison

Related Items:
2003 X-Star Promotional Video (7.8 mb)
MasterCraft Riders/X-Series Promotional Video (15.7 mb)

The 2003 X-Star from MasterCraft is not only going to bring the Pro Tour to new heights, but everyone who rides behind it as well. For the stats on the '03 X-Star, go to MasterCraft.com, but for my first-hand assessment of the new wake shape and performance, go no further than this page.

In mid July, I had a chance to help with a little research and development on the new X-Star. The MasterCraft engineers let me loose on Lake Tellico with a full tank of gas to take as long as I wanted to ride, I mean research, the new wake. As I set out looking for good water, I started eyeing up the wake. This only made my anxiousness grow because, from the boat, I could tell it was big, very big.

Minutes later as I watched the boat plane off in front of me, my expectations were not let down. Some of my more technical tricks, which I only do on the double up, were now wake tricks. I even hit my first Crook (whirlybird rewind) behind it.

The reason for the ease at which my tricks were flowing was unquestionably the unique shape of the wake. With stock ballast and three passengers, the wake was large. The wake has a very distinct lip at the peak with a long transition allowing you to take all of your momentum through the top of the wake without being slowed down. This gave me an extra kick off the top of the wake that made all the difference.

The shape of the wake is accommodating for a very wide range of riding styles. If you like to take a shorter approach and take your tricks more vertical than out in the flats, the distinct lip at the top boots you straight up. If you like to go up and way out into the flats, the long transition into the lip will allow you to take your edge full speed through the top of the wake.

Not only is the 2003 X-Star accommodating to a wide range of riding styles, but also a wide range of skill levels. The new Pure Vert liner ballast system allows you to increase or decrease the wake size within a matter of seconds to fit each rider. The extra kick at the top of the wake will make learning many tricks that much easier.

Even though I took a two-hour set behind the new X-Star, I left with anticipation for my next chance to ride behind it. Whether you are doing your first wake-to-wake jump or a 900, the 2003 X-Star from MasterCraft will take all of us to new heights. The last time I talked to MasterCraft they said the boat was close to production. So it should start showing up at dealers and boat shows in the spring. That way you don't have to take my word for it. You can try it yourself.

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