To some, watersports means high-flying action, like that which occurs when expert wakeboarders catch big air behind your boat. To others, it means water skiing in all its forms, from trick to slalom to the most generalized carving with family and friends. The hottest ticket, these days, is wakesurfing. Wakesurfing is fun, easy to do, and so easy on the body that everyone from young children to seniors find themselves getting in on the action. These boats are among the best at producing the various waves and wakes required for these sports.
Axis A24
Axis Wake Research, a spinoff of legendary builders Malibu boats, aims to provide buyers with a killer wake at a more affordable bottom line. Such is the case with the Axis A24, which proved to shape one of the best wakesurfing waves we’ve ever ridden.
Centurion Ri217
The new, popularly sized Ri217 from Centurion combines world-championship level tow-boat performance with posh seating for up to 14 people. Upholstery work is second to none.
Centurion Ri237
The new Ri237 reflects the latest wakeboarding and surf innovations from Centurion. State-of-the-art design and craftsmanship result in championship-level performance for the most discriminating riders. Plus, sleek lines and a stylized transom will turn heads before you even leave the dock.
Centurion Ri257
The Ri257 represents the pinnacle of the Centurion line. This 26-foot tow boat seats 18 people in luxurious and innovative interior accommodations that include the Centurion Slide Seat with four different positions, available backrests and a table.
Heyday WT-2
The beauty of the new Heyday WT-2 is this watersports boat’s absolute devotion to function. The Heyday mission is to deliver maximum wakesports performance for minimum dollars; in that regard, the new 22-foot-6-inch WT-2 picks up right where the brilliantly innovative WT-1, Heyday’s debut, left off.
Malibu M235
Malibu calls the M235 its alpha boat, meaning it’s the top dog in its tow-boat lineup. Does it live up to its billing? The short answer is yes.
Malibu Response TXi
Professional-level skiers don’t ask for much — just a boat that tracks as straight as a ruler on a slalom course and throws the smallest, softest, flattest wake known to mankind. The Malibu Response TXi delivers on all counts. Look a little closer, and you’ll find that it delivers even more.
Malibu Wakesetter 20 VTX
Malibu calls its Wakesetter 20 VTX the Crossover King, which is another way of saying it’s versatile enough to cover all your watersports bases with aplomb. Here is a V-drive boat capable of producing a great wake as well as flattening out when it’s time to water-ski.
Malibu Wakesetter 20 VTX Review
Malibu Wakesetter 21 VLX
Surf? Skate? Wakeboard? Even ski? The Malibu Wakesetter 21 VLX is designed for the watersports enthusiast who wants a boat that can do it all.
Malibu Wakesetter 21 VLX Review
Malibu Wakesetter 22 MXZ
Looks don’t always tell the whole story. Sure, the Wakesetter 22 MXZ has the signature pickle-fork hull shape that Malibu made famous with its wakeboats. Only the 22 MXZ had a hull redesign for 2017 that, combined with the Integrated Surf Platform technologies, helps it produce even larger and more consistent surf waves.
Malibu Wakesetter 22 MXZ Review
Malibu Wakesetter 22 VLX
When you add “Wakesetter” to the name of your boat, you’re pretty much declaring that your mission statement is all about crafting a killer wake. In the case of the Malibu Wakesetter 22 VLX, it’s easy to say mission accomplished.
Malibu Wakesetter 22 VLX Review
Malibu Wakesetter 24 MXZ
The Wakesetter 24 MXZ had a complete redesign for 2017, from the hull up. This new hull was designed to maximize wake and wave size. Did it work? We think so.
Malibu Wakesetter 24 MXZ Review
Malibu Wakesetter 25 LSV
With Malibu, it’s all about producing the perfect wake, whether you’re surfing, skating or wakeboarding behind one of its boats. The Wakesetter 25 LSV, Malibu’s biggest boat, strives to provide this — with a large, clean wake.
Malibu Wakesetter 25 LSV Review
Sea Ray SLX-W 230
Though Sea Ray’s history building watersports boats goes back — experienced boaters will recall the vaunted Ski Ray line of the 1970s — the SLX-W 230 is the first design to focus on the sport of wakesurfing. But, as Sea Ray spokespeople are quick to point out, “This is a Sea Ray you can wakesurf behind, not a tournament-level wakesports boat.”
Starcraft SCX 231 Surf Edition
The SCX’s single-console, deck boat-influenced design might not seem like the typical surf-and-wake boat, but its open, passenger-friendly layout works for this more-the-merrier crowd.
Starcraft SCX 231 Surf Edition Review
Supra SA 550
There’s a lot to be said for boats that can serve multiple missions and perform those roles at the highest levels. So one of the first things we’d like to note about the 2017 Supra SA 550 is that when it’s time to surf, you don’t need to switch any weight around after your wakeboard session.
Supra SE 550
Supra’s SE 550 shows that luxury and performance are not mutually exclusive. We found it loaded with the features and technology that we think will impress riders, captains and onlookers at the dock alike.
Supra SR 450
The sleek Supra SR 450 boasts 14 seats and measures 21 feet long, so it’s ready to take a big crew out on big water en route to the watersports action. It’s also a versatile boat, allowing skiers, wakeboarders and wakesurfers alike to carve, catch air or shred.
Supreme S202
Some lakes have imposed length restrictions, and the new Supreme S202 is sized to meet those regulations while still offering a top-of-the-line riding experience and a great value. It’s also one of the first dedicated tow boats built completely through the vacuum-infusion process.
Supreme S211
The S211 gives families the ultimate experience in wakeboarding and surfing fun, cool styling and essential features at a price that won’t break the bank. This compact Supreme model exudes quality, beginning with the unibody reverse-shoe-box construction fit between the hull and liner. Double and triple-stitched upholstery work ensures years of durable comfort.
Supreme S226
With a pickle-fork-style bow, custom vinyl wrap and upgraded interior design, the Supreme S226 turns heads before you even leave the dock. Once you’re out on the lake, serious wakeboarders and surfers will appreciate the V-hull design and Stinger Wake Plate for creating some of the tastiest waves on the water.
Supreme S238
The flagship of the Supreme tow-boat lineup, the S238 can accommodate as many 16 people. The chop-taming, wave-generating V-hull works in conjunction with the QuickFill ballast system, Plug and Play ballast and the available QuickSurf system to fine-tune the wake and wave to every rider’s desire.
Tigé R21
The Tigé R21 boasts a long list of features not typically found aboard most value conscious entries in the watersports boat category. Yet, our extensive evaluation did not reveal any shortcuts in construction or rigging, nor did the boat’s performance lack for joy, despite its attractive MSRP.
Tigé RZX2
We put a team of riders from a sister publication, Wakeboarding, aboard the Tigé RZX2, and these experts concluded that the RZX2 stands as one of the best boats in the entire Tigé lineup. It’s a star that shines for wakeboarding, wakesurfing and even water skiing.
Tigé RZX3
The RZX3 is the Tigé boat that competes with the big boys. Coming in dry at 6,000 pounds with a 65-gallon fuel tank and 3,000 pounds of under floor ballast, the RZX morphs into a 5-ton wake monster with the press of a button.
