Equal Mix
The Perfect wakeboard and slalom blend starts here.
Click on the link below to view the boat video shot during the WaterSki Magazine 2001 Boat Test.
Keep in mind that these are Mpeg videos and if you are running a slow connection speed, the video might skip on the initial play. Just hit the play button after your initial viewing and the video should play without interruption the second time around – Enjoy!
WSM: Who should buy this boat?
MasterCraft: This is the same design as the 195. It is aimed at an entry-level to mid-range wakeboarder looking for a high-quality boat ? someone who is not going to buy a $22,000 boat. He wants a MasterCraft ? something with great resale value and fuel injection standard. This boat is about $6,000 to $10,000 less than an X-Star because you have a slightly smaller boat.
Even though this boat appears as a wakeboard-only boat, it?s versatile enough to ski behind. You can slalom well behind this because it is the same hull as the 19 Skier. It is probably one of the most versatile boats we have and is good for small families who want an equal mix of wakeboarding and slalom in a mid-priced boat.
What makes it a wakeboard package compared to the 195?
This boat comes stock with a tower, CD stereo with four speakers and a rear ballast system which provides about 300 pounds between the fuel tank and the rear seat. You?ve got the graphics on the side which certainly distinguish it as something different ? all standard. You can really trick this boat out with an amp and subwoofer, and you have the Binding Blaster soap pump for pumping binding lube. You can get the shower and any of the other options, but the above features designate it as a wakeboard-style boat.
What makes MasterCrafts hold up to the rigors of wakeboarding?
It starts with the way the boat is built and designed to handle punishment. MasterCraft uses more flotation than any other boat of similar size. When we install the floor and adhere it to the hull and stringers, we inject foam underneath the floor. That dampens a lot of the vibrations through double-ups and rough water. With all the foam this boat is able to take more abuse; it?s not going to want to buckle in because it always has a force trying to push it out. Other manufacturers, with no foam under the floor, only have a thin layer of fiberglass keeping the boats shape. Wakeboarding also calls for a rigid boat. Our rigidity comes from the way we put our floor liner down and adhere it to the floor. The floor has about a 3-inch lip, which goes all the way around the hull on the inside and prevents the hull from twisting or deforming. The floor and liner system helps retain the shape of the hull over time.
Super Specs
Length: 19ft. 6in.
Beam: 85 in.
Fuel capacity: 31 gal.
Seating capacity: 8
Test prop: 13 in. OJ 4-blade
Test engine: Indmar 5.7L EFI 1:1 TBI Predator
Base price $37,930
On the Water
Performance
Top speed 43.3 mph 4,600 rpm
Accel to 22 5.2 sec.
Accel to 36 7.4 sec.
Accel to 30 to 36 3.1 sec.
Noise levels (db)
Idle 61 D 60 R
22 mph 81 D 88 R
Comments:
Wakeboarders can pull up to any beach in style knowing they are in an X-series. For pure riding, it lacks the ability to really weight the boat down. Its ballast system gives the wakes adequate size for intermediate to advanced riders. Where the boat really excels is with smaller advanced riders due to the narrow beam.
Shape/Transition:Clean but a little steep and kicky
Ability to hold speed: Excellent
Driving Double Ups: Good
Ballast fill time: 3 min. 10 sec.
Ballast Balancing Qualities: No
| | Wake
| | Unweighted
| | Factory Weight
| | Weighted
| | Wake Size
| | 4.5
| | 4
| | 2.5
| | Lip
| | 4
| | 1.5
| | 1.5
| | Tracking/Stability
| | 1.5
| | 2
| | 3
SCALE: 1 World class, 2 Tournament quality, 3 Suitable for experts, 4 Suitable for advanced recreational use, 5 Suitable for recreational use.
Chill Factor:
Creature comforts are good for a smaller boat. The fingertip stereo remote is nicely positioned near the throttle. Although this isn?t a huge boat by wakeboarding standards, you can buff it out with racks, lights and tube speakers to make the X-5 as good for hanging out as for riding. The Clamshell engine cover is convenient for keeping your gear from slipping under the engine hatch.
Summary
This is a great multi-purpose family boat disguised as a wakeboarding machine. It truly is one of MasterCraft?s most versatile boats and comes at a cost that is easy to deal with. This stylish package has great handling, looks, features and construction. Built on the same platform as the ProStar 195, it?s a little small to handle the weight and passenger load of big-time wakeboarding. On the other hand, the size gives it handling and real slalom viability not usually found on boats with towers. What it adds up to is the ideal all-around boat that wakeboarders will love being seen in and slalom skiers will love swerving behind. With the X-5, you enjoy a true MasterCraft X-line wakeboard boat with all the proven MasterCraft construction and design elements found in their more expensive boats.
Contact Information:
MasterCraft
100 Cherokee Cove Dr.
Vonore, TN 37885-2129
Phone: 800-482-BOAT
Fax: 800-392-6287
MasterCraft Website
