MasterCraft Boat Company, a MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc subsidiary and the world’s best-selling towboat brand, today unveiled impressive new upgrades and enhancements to its 2025 model year lineup. With the industry’s most expansive lineup, MasterCraft delivers unrivaled performance in driving waves and wakes, superior comfort, unmatched quality and reliability, and industry-leading technology across its diverse range of models.

For 2025, MasterCraft has taken the industry’s top towboat lineup to an entirely new level – further driving innovation and making the best even better. Boasting a new dash for XT and X models, MasterCraft delivers a superior driving experience through a redesigned helm. Additional upgrades and enhancements include the all-new MasterCraft MyDrive rotary encoder, NXT FasterFill ballast and standard underwater exhaust for the NXT lineup. Ilmor’s 5.3L GDI High Output Engine comes standard on the NXT and XT, delivering powerful performance and improved fuel efficiency.

“Our team is dedicated to creating high-quality, high-performance boats that become the heart of unforgettable moments with friends and family,” said Greg Miller, Vice President of Global Sales at MasterCraft. “The 2025 lineup offers the most extensive selection in the market, with each model showcasing our commitment to reliable craftsmanship, impeccable fit-and-finish, and delivering the unparalleled MasterCraft performance that our customers expect.”

Read Next: Learn About MasterCraft and Surf to Save Lives

Industry-Leading Technology

With industry-leading technology, MasterCraft continues to lead the way in innovation. For 2025, the helm area of the X and XT family has been completely redesigned with upgraded screens and software. The X lineup now comes standard with a dual screen configuration, with both screens being larger than the previous generation. This new setup features a sleek 15-inch panoramic center display and a massive 12-inch touchscreen off to the right side of the helm. Meanwhile, the XT lineup will feature the large 12-inch touchscreen (also on the right side of the helm) standard. A completely updated software interface powers these screens to make them more intuitive, immersive, and customizable.

Additionally, the all-new MasterCraft MyDrive will be standard on XT and X models. MyDrive is a rotary encoder that puts key controls at the driver’s fingertips, making on-the-fly changes easier. The hot keys and the rotary dial allow for effortless adjustments while keeping eyes focused on what’s ahead. Available on all 2025 MasterCraft models, standard telematics capabilities and the MasterCraft Connect App provide users with more connectivity with boat health diagnostics, tracking behind-the-boat activity, locating nearby fuel spots, and a remote battery switch.

Unrivaled Performance

All MasterCraft boats deliver unrivaled behind-the-boat performance. Available in all MasterCraft models except the ProStar, MasterCraft’s SurfStar system provides the best and most customizable waves for any rider at the touch of a button. Riders can quickly create the perfect wave to accommodate everyone’s riding style through the factory-tuned Rapid Surf interface. The Custom Surf interface offers complete control of speed, ballast, and surf device position for riders wanting even more customization.

For 2025, the NXT family continues to receive enhancements, delivering customers the best boat at an attainable price point. All NXT models will now come standard with NXT FasterFill Ballast. FasterFill comes with an extra ballast pump, resulting in fill times under 9 minutes, allowing for less waiting and more time riding. Also new for 2025, the NXT lineup now comes standard with underwater exhaust, substantially reducing noise in and behind the boat and improving air quality for riders by minimizing exhaust fumes.

Additionally, all NXT and XT models will now come with Ilmor’s all-new 5.3L GDI High Output engine, which utilizes the latest in automotive technology to deliver 380 HP, 407 lbs of torque, a 4-star emissions rating, improved efficiency, and approximately 15% less fuel consumption over the legacy 6.0L engine. For even more performance beyond the naturally aspirated 6.2L engine, the XT24 and XT25 have an optional upgrade to the 6.2L Supercharged Engine that produces 630HP and 665 ft-lb of torque, which has previously been available exclusively on the top-of-the-line X and XStar S models. Not only that, but all models will come with a new fresh-air intake, which means more power, better efficiency, and improved performance even on the hottest summer days. Finally, a new rudder position sensor has been added on all models except the NXT and ProStar for 2025, providing an enhanced driving experience. Also, stern thrusters are now optional on all XT models.

Superior Comfort, Quality and Reliability

Exemplifying superior design and build quality, MasterCraft designs all models to deliver a smooth, dry ride that surpasses industry standards for towboats by using the best materials to ensure an incredible, comfortable, on-water experience, even in rough conditions.

In addition to the dash and software upgrades to the helm, the captain’s seat on XT and X models has an all-new design for 2025 that offers unmatched ergonomics and comfort as well as beautiful, modernized aesthetics. A convenient storage cubby and phone holder have also been added behind the steering wheel. Along with improving aesthetics, this redesign allowed MasterCraft to maximize space between the top of the dashboard and the windshield header, providing a larger viewing window for the captain. In addition, NXT models receive an all-new transom walkover, as a non-slip Seadek across the back sunpad allows boaters to walk from the swimpad into the cockpit without stepping on upholstery.

For even more comfort onboard, optional CoolFeel upholstery stays up to 30% cooler than standard marine vinyl. This means there’s no reason to shy away from richer, dark colors complimenting each custom design. For 2025, new optional vinyl Bowmore replaces the current Odesssa and Genesis to provide a new look and texture. Additionally, new exciting gel coat options round out the MasterCraft palette and provide unmatched levels of customization for the consumer, including Stone, Sunset, Laguna Blue with a flake option, and Magnetic Blue with a flake option.

Every boat built directly reflects MasterCraft’s legacy, power, precision, and progression. MasterCraft aims to ensure that customers can rely on MasterCraft’s award-winning dealer network to deliver the best customer experience throughout the building, buying, and boating experience. Every MasterCraft comes standard with MasterCare, the industry’s best warranty on the water, featuring a 5-year, 500-hour comprehensive warranty with minimal exclusions. MasterCraft engines are backed with an unrivaled warranty—7 years or 1,000 hours.

Along with the boat, MasterCraft offers custom trailer options that are designed to fit the hull of the specific boat model to ensure the hull remains clean and secure in transit.

Having already begun shipping, the new features and enhancements for 2025 are now available at MasterCraft dealers around the U.S. For more information, visit MasterCraft.com and follow along on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

About MasterCraft:

MasterCraft is a world-renowned innovator, designer, manufacturer, and marketer of premium performance sport boats. Founded in 1968, MasterCraft has cultivated its iconic brand image through a rich history of industry-leading innovation, and more than five decades after the original MasterCraft made its debut, the company’s goal remains the same – to continue building the world’s best ski, wakeboard, wakesurf, and luxury performance powerboats.

About MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc.:

Headquartered in Vonore, TN, MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCFT) is a leading innovator, designer, manufacturer and marketer of premium recreational powerboats through its three wholly-owned brands, MasterCraft, Crest and Balise. Through these three brands, MasterCraft Boat Holdings has leading market share positions in two of the fastest-growing segments of the powerboat industry – performance sport boats and pontoon boats. For more information about MasterCraft Boat Holdings, please visit Investors.MasterCraft.com, MasterCraft.com, CrestPontoonBoats.com, and BalisePontoonBoats.com.

The post New Features and Enhancements for 2025 MasterCraft Boats appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Here’s a completely new kind of boat. We’ve run electric watersports boats and we’ve run gas-powered watersports boats. We even once tested a watersports boat powered by a diesel engine. The Genesis Marine Technoolgies 24 is being billed as the first hybrid-powered wakesurf boat.

The drivetrain of the Genesis Marine Technologies 24 is certainly unique. Called the Trident Hybrid System, it consists of a battery pack, a race-bred electric motor, and a gasoline-powered auxiliary-power unit, referred to as the APU. Here’s the main thing about this system: Run it electrically or power it in hybrid mode with the APU. This provides this boat with the quiet and eco-friendliness of electric power, without the limited run time or range anxiety of pure electric vessels.

Genesis claims this boat is “designed by riders for riders,” and in talking with its team, we believe them. Rated for 16 people and a maximum horsepower of 530, it puts out 500 foot-pounds of maximum torque. It offers 4,500 pounds of ballast that is said to fill and drain in four minutes. The computer-developed Genesis Gen X Hull Design reportedly captures the essence of natural waves, producing a 4-foot high 20-foot long wakesurf wave, It comes standard with the Genesis Command Center, a 12-inch display that’s intuitive to use and controls all functions, including the exclusive Genesis Launch Control System. Service is handled via app-based telematics.

Read Next: Arc Sport Electric Wake Boat Makes Debut

Some Key Points:

• The boat is said to produce a 4-foot wakesurfing wave that is 20-feet long.
• In Hybrid Mode, the company says you can surf  all day and the battery charges as you run.
• In Electric Mode the makers claim three hours of wakesurfing or one hour of wakeboarding before needing to run in hybrid mode, or recharge.

Genesis is offering two years of free maintenance to the first 100 buyers to reserve a build slot ($500) Price starts at $184,995. Deliveries commence spring 2025.

Specifications

The post Genesis Marine Technologies 24: Our First Impression appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

It’s long been a given that a high-performing marine engine requires a higher-octane fuel in order to deliver its rated performance. The engines needed to power the largest of today’s watersports boats are a case in point.

Now, that’s changed. With the introduction of its ZZ8R and ZZ8S, Pleasurecraft Marine (PCM) offers two supercharged marine engines that can produce maximum power and torque without needing 93 or higher octane gasoline. In fact, the ZZ8S is the first supercharged inboard tow-sports engine over 600 hp to run on Rec 90.

This milestone is important for several reasons. For one, it allows boaters who require high-performing supercharged engines to choose the Rec 90 gasoline blend. Rec 90 is pricey, but it contains no ethanol, and so alleviates the problems associated with ­fuels such as E10. Also, the 93-octane fuel that most high-performance engines require for max output is not available at waterfront fuel docks in many markets. Boaters in those regions thus gain the convenience of using a readily available fuel grade if their boat is powered by these new PCM powerplants.

For the 2024 ZZ8S and ZZ8R models, PCM developed a new ground-up marinization system featuring a custom supercharger cooling circuit to provide the engine with lower intake air temperature and higher performance. Utilizing this marinization system along with custom calibration for engine optimization and protection, the mandate for using premium fuel in supercharged boat engines exists no longer, according to PCM.

Typically, higher-octane fuels have been required to prevent “knocking,” a phenomenon in which the fuel-air mixture ignites at the wrong time, sending destructive shock waves through the engine. “The engines have been calibrated to, and certified with, Rec 90-octane gasoline,” says Kevin Finney, PCM engineering manager. “Using fuel with a lower-octane rating isn’t recommended,” Finney advises, adding that, “additional performance may be gained with 93 octane.”

The ZZ8R is rated at 570 hp and 600 pound-feet of torque and features a new Super Duty transmission coupled with the PCM Power Plus V-drive in a 1.5-to-1 ratio, offering ­supercharged performance for midsize inboard watersports applications. For reference, this engine powers Nautique’s S and GS models (20 to 25 feet, ­respectively), according to PCM.

Read Next: Mercury Marine Intros MerCruiser T8200 Tow Sport Inboard

The ZZ8S “crushes the performance mold,” according to PCM. At 630 hp and 665 pound-feet of torque, it features the new Super Duty transmission and a new Super Duty V-drive in a ratio of 1.7-to-1 to power the industry’s largest wave- and wake-making machines. The ZZ8S can be found powering Nautique’s G Series Paragon and ­Centurion’s Fi245 and Fi265 models, ­according to a PCM spokesman.

Both the ZZ8R and ZZ8S are available as complete OEM powertrain packages. Neither is available for repower projects. That means performance and convenience might just be your incentive to shop for a new boat. 

The post Pleasurecraft Marine’s New ZZ8R and ZZ8S Engines appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Centurion’s all-new Fe22 was designed and developed to be more affordable while still ­offering the wakesurfing and wakeboarding performance for which Centurion has become famous.

Centurion markets the Fe22 with a Surf Ready package that offers a lot of performance technologies and creature comforts, with an advertised price of $139,995. This consists of Centurion’s QuickSurf Pro system, Ramfill 2 ballast system (plus extra ballast, for a total of 4,350 pounds), a Roswell Battle Advance tower with board racks and Bimini top, and more. The Fe22’s angular style lines and signature badging give it a look that fits right in with its Centurion siblings. It also inherits the acclaimed Opti-V Hull—a deep-V-shaped design that creates added water displacement and a smoother, more comfortable ride in windblown chop.

What makes the Fe22 unique as a price-point model in the ­Centurion line is that you don’t immediately see it or feel it upon stepping inside, and you definitely don’t notice it when it comes to the wakesurfing performance. While many other entry-level boats can feel like stripped-down versions of preexisting models or molds (and they often are), the Fe22 does not. Like other Centurion models, it features a comfortable, sturdy Spradling vinyl interior with plenty of padding both in the seats and bolsters. The only knock might be the lack of a reversible rear seat for better watching the action on the water. It’s common in many V-drives at all price points but is by no means a deal-breaker for the Fe22. Flooring throughout is GatorStep, and even the storage areas underneath the seats are Rhino-lined, giving this boat a nice, finished feel, even in the unseen areas. The ­22-footer is rated for 13 passengers and has a listed dry weight of 5,100 pounds, so add in some friends and the 4,350 pounds of ballast, and you’re ready to create serious wakes and waves for riders of all levels.

The QuickSurf Pro, Ramfill and ballast systems are all easily controlled from the large touchscreen at the helm. While other ­Centurion models feature dual side-by-side touchscreens, the Fe22 is limited to the single, but it doesn’t take away from any functionality or aesthetics. QuickSurf Pro features port and starboard plates mounted at the transom for surfing either side (and quickly being able to switch on the fly), while the center-mounted plate helps adjust the characteristics of the wakes and waves. The ability to fine-tune waves through ballast and plate adjustments means the Fe22 is capable of serving ­mellow waves for new riders or steeper, “lippier” ones preferred by advanced riders. At 22 feet, the Fe22 is easier to displace than its bigger Centurion siblings, and with all that ballast, it quickly kicks out pro-level wakes and waves.

The captain is treated to a swiveling ­Cobra Racing seat that is as comfortable as it is stylish. To the left of the steering wheel there is a stereo head unit and a wireless phone-charger cradle. Behind the steering wheel are dual paddle-shifter controls, which control the center wake plate and the speed control for on-the-fly adjustments. An all-new windshield designed to flow with the lines of the Fe22 wraps the cockpit in style. In the floor of the walk-through is a convenient built-in cooler, and above is a hatch to a trash bin integrated into the storage behind the OB seat. The Roswell tower integrates seamlessly with the boat, and comes in white or black colorways, with side panels that can be upgraded to a custom color of your choosing. With the Surf Ready package, the tower is equipped with two WetSounds speakers, which complement the seven additional speakers (including a subwoofer) throughout the interior.

Read Next: Centurion Ri265

For power, a 6L 409 hp PCM Crusader comes standard, and provides plenty of giddy-up to get on plane, especially when the QuickLaunch system is engaged, which utilizes the surf plates to assist with planing while making bow rise almost nonexistent. Accessing the swim platform is both easy and convenient, thanks to a transom walk-through and a step pad built into the rear bench. This keeps foot traffic off the upholstery—always a plus. At the transom, a large rear locker conveniently stows several boards and all the requisite gear, but it also is upgradable to hold additional ballast.

In terms of shopping, buyers will want to look at the Moomba Craz ($116,300 well-equipped), a fellow 22-footer with a lot of similar specs and options, including 4,500 pounds of ballast and a 70-gallon tank. The Craz also offers a passenger rating of 16.

As buyers in the watersports market have become inundated with bigger boats with price tags to match, it’s refreshing for Centurion to create the Fe22 with the sole purpose of making it more affordable relative to the market while still delivering great performance. This model not only does that, but top to bottom, it also is a good-looking, well-built, comfortable and really fun boat. For buyers who don’t need every bell and whistle, or who don’t need anything more than 22 feet, the Fe22 should make the shortlist. 

How We Tested

• Engine: PCM Crusader 6L 409 hp
• Drive/Prop: V-drive/Acme 2829 16.5″ x 15″ 4-blade nibral
• Gear Ratio: 1.72:1 Fuel Load: 70 gal. Crew Weight: 350 lb.

High Points

• Comfort—the Fe22 feels much bigger than other similarly sized boats, plus the interior materials are top-notch.
• Ease of use—the onboard systems make getting out and riding a breeze.
• As part of the Surf Ready package, the Champ sound system, with its nine speakers, sounds great everywhere in the boat.

Low Points

• The Fe22 lacks customizable seating often found in many other V-drive wakeboats.

Pricing and Specs

The post 2024 Centurion Fe22 appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation, recently introduced the all-new MerCruiser® T8200 Tow Sport inboard. The engine is built on Mercury’s successful 8.2L V8 big-block platform and includes Smart Tow® digital control systems to transform the biggest watersports boats into the ultimate adrenaline machines.

The T8200 joins the T6200 in the Tow Sport lineup, reinforcing Mercury’s commitment to providing marine propulsion solutions for all recreational boaters and activities.

“Watersports such as wake surfing continue to grow in popularity, with today’s boaters demanding bigger boats with more features and amenities,” said John Buelow, Mercury Marine president. “To deliver what boaters in this segment want and power a new generation of fun seekers, we created the T8200 Tow Sport inboard, backed by 50 years of engineering excellence that have made MerCruiser the legend it is today.”

The T8200 Tow Sport inboard will be available with Varatti Z2272, Z2373 and Z2474 wake boats to complement the existing T6200. Varatti Boats, a division of Floe International, Inc., occupies a 150,000 square foot facility in Cambridge, Minnesota. Varatti boats are available with Mercury Joystick Piloting for Inboards, delivering unparalleled control.

“As a longtime Mercury partner, we are thrilled to add the T8200 Tow Sport inboard as an option on all of our Varatti Z surf boats,” said Wayne Floe, CEO of Floe International. “MerCruiser is synonymous with quiet, powerful and efficient performance, and this new engine allows our customers to power larger vessels and enjoy all of their favorite watersports with ease and confidence.”

T8200 Tow Sport inboard features include:

High-Horsepower Performance

Available in 380hp and 430hp high output models, the T8200 is built on Mercury’s successful 8.2L V8 big-block engine platform and runs on 87-octane fuel. It can handle tow sport boats up to 26 feet long.

Class-Leading Torque

Tow sport performance is all about torque, and the T8200 generates more torque than any engine in its class. The torque enhances control of heavy tow sport boats loaded with gear, ballast and people, while helping to generate surfable wake at speeds down to 8 mph. The engine is paired with a 1.73:1 gear ratio transmission that’s optimized for tow sport performance.

SmartCraft Technology

The T8200 leverages Mercury Smart Tow and Surf Control technologies to combine speed, ballast and wake management on a VesselView display. Rather than having to coordinate multiple control systems, boaters get one fully integrated, easy-to-use system from Mercury that delivers a better experience for the driver and rider.

Engine Guardian

Boaters can stay out longer with confidence knowing that the Mercury Engine Guardian system is at work. The system monitors engine performance with more than 40 sensors to detect potential problems early. If necessary, Engine Guardian automatically adjusts engine functions to help get boaters home safely.

Corrosion Prevention

MerCruiser® Tow Sport inboards feature premium corrosion-preventive technologies to help keep equipment looking and performing at its peak. The inboards are backed with an industry-leading 4-year corrosion warranty. 

More information about the T8200 Tow Sport inboard can be found here.

About Mercury Marine

Headquartered in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Mercury Marine® is the world’s leading manufacturer of recreational marine propulsion engines. A division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), Mercury provides engines, boats, services and parts for recreational, commercial and government marine applications. Mercury empowers boaters with products that are easy to use, extremely reliable and backed by the most dedicated customer support in the world. The company’s industry-leading brand portfolio includes Mercury outboard engines, Mercury MerCruiser® sterndrive and inboard packages, Mercury propellers, Mercury inflatable boats, Mercury SmartCraft® electronics, Land ‘N’ Sea marine parts distribution and Mercury and Quicksilver® parts and oils. More information is available at MercuryMarine.com.

About Varatti Boats

Headquarters in McGregor, Minnesota, Varatti Boats by Floe Craft is a division of Floe International, Inc. Floe International, established in 1983 operates just over 300,000 square feet of manufacturing of Boats, Trailers, Docks, Lifts and Accessories in McGregor, Hoyt Lakes, and Cambridge, Minnesota. Varatti is the vision of CEO Wayne Floe, with a goal of designing and engineering the highest performing multi-sport luxury towboat. The new Varatti Z-Series boats, represent a lifelong dedication to watersports and commitment to innovation and a passion for designing products that make life more rewarding and enjoyable for our customer. Our passion to invent a better way drives everything we do.

The post Mercury Marine Intros MerCruiser T8200 Tow Sport Inboard appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Electric watercraft have historically had poor range, lacked power, or been prohibitively expensive. By comparison, the Arc Sport’s battery design enables performance that blows gas boats out of the water — and does so at a competitive price. During the research and development (R&D) phase, engineers considered a variety of battery chemistries and configurations for the Arc Sport packs. The end result is a monstrous 226 kWh battery pack that’s intelligently integrated with the hull to deliver a ton of power without sacrificing range.

The Arc Sport’s motor has a rated output of 570 hp, enough to move a semi-truck — literally. Through propeller testing, integrated system testing, fault tolerance and longevity testing, Arc arrived at an integrated system delivering 500 hp to our riders. With snappy acceleration and thrilling holeshots, the Arc Sport’s performance is exciting for new and seasoned boaters alike.

Another key objective to balance was delivering an impressive wake — something that requires considerable power — without compromising range. Arc Boats is doing that in part with its choice of propeller size. At 18-19 inches, the propeller surpasses the industry standard of 13-16 inches. Opting for a larger propeller allows the Arc Sport to translate the motor’s power into the water more efficiently. That translates to a battery that provides enough range for a full day on the water.

Read Next: Arc Sport Electric Wake Boat Makes Debut

The Arc Sport’s large propeller also allows more of the electric motor’s instant torque to make its way into the water. The result? Acceleration gas boats can only ever dream of.

The Arc team approached R&D on the Arc Sport committed to creating a 100-percent electric-powered boat that delivers an unforgettable experience on the water. Arc is now exiting R&D and are physically revealing the full power of the Arc Sport to the world.

Get ready to experience the future of boating. 

Look for our test of Arc Boats coming soon!

You can learn more and reserve the Arc Sport now, or sign up to test drive an Arc Sport this summer.

The post Arc Boats Optimizes Electric Power appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

The XT line of boats from MasterCraft is one of the builder’s most popular, largely because of the many customization choices. Now MasterCraft brings back the biggest: the 25-foot XT25. Boasting room for 18, a robust 92-gallon fuel tank, and the comfort and performance for which ­MasterCraft is acclaimed, the XT25 is a must-see for buyers seeking a big V-drive watersports boat.

As mentioned, the XT line can be tweaked and adjusted to accommodate a variety of budgets and preferences. Add on nearly every option, and an XT25 comes close to the specs found in the higher-level X series. Conversely, keep the options trimmed back, and buyers can still get signature MasterCraft styling and performance while keeping the overall cost of acquisition lower. One of the biggest of those options, physically and visually, is the tower. MasterCraft offers three: the Z6, Z8 and Z10. 

The Z6—standard on all models—comes with clamping board racks and now also offers the option to upgrade to power board racks. 

The Z8 tower—an upgrade on XStar S, X and XT models—comes with options for black or silver tower legs; black, titanium or silver tubes; and silver or black clamping board racks. It also features patent-pending Hydro-Lock technology, making it one of the easiest manual towers to operate that we’ve tested.

Our test model featured the powered Z10 tower, which quickly and easily lowered at the push of a button. Clamping board racks are standard, and the oversize Bimini shade features wakesurf- and foil-board storage both above and below. Customize the Z8 and Z10 with colored inlays to add a unique look to your boat

Of course, the calling card of the XT25 is its size. With 3,200 pounds of ballast and room for 18 family and friends, the XT25 stands large and ready for you and your whole crew to have loads of fun on the water. MasterCraft’s SurfStar system, along with its included factory presets—which now include settings for beginner and advanced wake-foil riding—can have you up and riding in no time. The built-in Rapid Surf software allows for quick, intuitive adjustments to the wakesurf waves, where riders can choose from seven different settings between mellow and steep. An intuitive diagram of a wave on the display at the helm makes it even easier to ­understand how changes you make to the ­settings will affect the characteristics of the wave. It’s easy to transition from a brand-new rider to a pro, all with a couple of finger taps on the display. Riders will be stoked to find a large, clean wave that offers a great transition and tons of push; once a perfect wave is dialed in, the rider can save all the settings to their own custom preset.  

All the space aboard the XT25 leaves plenty of room for passengers and gear. Storage is ample throughout, including some cool, new webbed baskets that hang in the bays on each side of the engine—great for letting wet ropes and life jackets drip down and not get in the boat. ­MasterCraft’s upholstery is tops for comfort, with plush padding and solid stitching. The ­convertible rear bench is one of the easiest to operate in the segment—simply pull up from the top with an integrated handle and allow the bench to flip into place. The attention to detail continues with the scalloped seatbacks at the rear of the wraparound area, which add comfort and a high-end look. Opt for the CoolFeel interior, and upholstery temperatures stay lower, even on hot summer days, thanks to the high-tech vinyl used in the upholstery. In the lounge area, cellphone-holder trays are purposely placed above the inset cup holders to keep them out of the sun—and the trays can be optioned with wireless-charging capabilities. At the transom, comfy seat pads above the swim platform are standard, and flip-up backrests can be added to make it a great lounge area. The swim platform itself can also be optioned with a flip-down step, to make for much easier boarding.

Every system on board the XT25 is quickly and easily controlled from the helm, whether you opt for the dual-screen setup—featuring an 11-inch touchscreen to the captain’s right and a 12-inch display above the steering wheel—or go with the standard 7-inch touchscreen. One nice touch from MasterCraft is that even with the large touchscreen, there are still soft-touch analog switches to the side for added convenience and redundancy if ever needed.

Shop the XT25 against the Malibu 25 LSV ($207,232 starting MSRP), which has a much different look than the lines of the MasterCraft, but is a fellow 25-footer with room for 18 and lots of options.

Overall, the return of the XT25 to the ­MasterCraft line is a great option for buyers who like the look of a traditional bow, want as much room and comfort as possible, and prefer ­customizing their boat through a variety of optional upgrades. Of course, the killer endless waves and fun times on the water come ­standard.

How We Tested

• Engine: Ilmor 6.2L GDI 430 hp/470 lb.-ft. torque
• Drive/Prop: V-drive/Acme 16.5″ x 17″ 4-blade nibral
• Gear Ratio: 2:1 Fuel Load: 88 gal. Crew Weight: 370 lb.

High Points

• The XT25 is equipped with telematics, so owners can monitor the boat’s vitals and location through the MasterCraft Connect app, as well as remotely switch off the battery.
• Optional dual-screen display makes navigating the XT25’s functions a breeze.
• Klipsch audio throughout, along with four speakers on the tower, provide killer audio experience.

Low Points

• Rear-facing bench doesn’t offer multiple positions like several competitors do.

Pricing and Specs

The post 2024 MasterCraft XT25 appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

KYMA Boats - 2024 Water Sports Boat Buyers Guide

2024 KYMA K7

2024 KYMA K7

Length: 23'
Maximum Length: 25'6"
Beam: 102”
Draft: 17.5"
Deadrise: 20.5 deg
Fuel Capacity: 80 gal.
Ballast: 3,000 lb.

The post 2024 Watersports Buyers Guide – KYMA Boats appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

The Regal 38 Surf is unique in the boating world—a model unlike anything else on the water. So versatile is the 38 Surf that not even the title of world’s largest wakesurf boat does it full justice. It also entertains, hosts overnights and fishes. Read on to learn how.

The magic in much of the 38 Surf stems from the integration of twin Volvo Penta ­forward drives. Working closely with Volvo Penta, Regal designed the 38 Surf to make it easy to use. In surf mode, the drives work in tandem to offset each other and create a wave on either side of the 38 Surf. Simply push a button, and this boat is ready for endless-wave fun without having to worry about ever adjusting ballast tanks (there aren’t any) or micro-plate-position shifting. By adjusting the trim of the drive units, the shape and size of the wave can be customized to suit different riding styles and preferences. The pictures tell the story: This boat creates great waves. A rear-facing camera in the 38 Surf’s hardtop gives the captain a view of the action on the helm display, so monitoring when a rider falls is easy. (Still assign a spotter though!) Just note, because the 38 Surf is so much bigger than other surf boats, its waves are longer, and a normal-length wakesurf rope often isn’t long enough. ­Lengthening your rope will make it easier for riders to get into the pocket of the wave.

With its center-helm design, the 38 Surf features steps leading to the bow area on the starboard side. Eliminating a true center-console’s walk-through on that side makes for more cabin space below. Here we found a well-appointed air-conditioned cabin with a full head and walk-in shower. Both the forward and midberth areas quickly convert from settees into a queen-size berths, providing comfortable room for four adults. There’s a skylight, and the trim and finishes are top-notch, making this Regal a more-than-comfortable overnight-capable vessel. 

Back up at the helm, the captain is treated to dual 22-inch Volvo Watersport Garmin displays. Every system is controlled from here, including the wakesurfing functions, thanks to Volvo Penta’s integrated software. Dual throttles and joystick piloting, bow thruster, trim-tab controls and a wireless phone cradle round out the dash. Helm seating takes the form of four-across captain’s chairs. This proved comfortable, and the two outside seats swivel 180 degrees to allow viewing the on-water action. Plus, all four seatbacks fold down, turning the area into extra tabletop serving space.

Aft of the helm, you’ll find the aptly dubbed “­refreshment island,” complete with all the amenities to keep everybody on board well-fed and entertained. Above the sink and grill is a separate MFD, giving the grill ­master control of nearly any system, including ­audio, lighting, the powered lounge and swim ­platform, and more.

For even more lounging and entertainment, head aft. Unlike an outboard-powered boat, Volvo Penta’s forward drive allows for a wide-open transom to swim, fish or do anything else. The large lounge bench can face forward, face aft, and convert to a sun pad. Plus, with the push of a button, it slides out over the swim platform to extend cockpit space. Can you say dance party?

Speaking of party, the lounge is also equipped with four optional JL Audio ­speakers and two JL Audio “wake subs,” which bring up the entertainment factor of the 38 Surf’s transom even more. Need shade? A PowerShade is integrated into the hardtop. And those who like to fish can opt for ­Regal’s unique rocket launchers, which also ­feature tow points for the wakesurf rope. Dual dive doors make boarding the 38 Surf easy, and ­giant insulated storage lockers to both the port and starboard add to the versatility. These can be used for general storage or as coolers. 

Captaining the 38 Surf isn’t just ­comfortable, but it’s also a lot of fun. It rides solid and handles responsively, with plenty of power. Even for captains accustomed to much-smaller wakesurf-specific V-drives, the 38 Surf is nimble in tighter spaces thanks to joystick control of the forward-drive units and the independent bow thruster. Sightlines are clear through the large windshield, and the added sunroof in the hardtop is a nice touch. 

You can’t really comparison-shop ­Regal’s 38 Surf. There isn’t anything like it on the market. Aviara’s AV28S ($298,625 with a single 430 hp MerCruiser Bravo 4S) offers ­luxury, performance and wakesurfing, but that single-engine boat won’t fish or handle overnights, and it’s 10 feet shorter. Or you might consider a center-console, such as ­Formula’s 387 Sport  ($1.22 million with ­triple 300 Mercury outboards), which can fish, entertain a crowd in luxury, and weekend a couple in comfort. But it won’t wakesurf. 

If I had to choose one word to describe the 38 Surf, it might be “unbelievable,” because if you look at all the capabilities on paper, it seems hard to believe. So, “versatile” seems to be the most apt descriptor, because this special boat is just that. You can cruise on it, fish on it, entertain on it, wakesurf behind it and, when the day is done, sleep on it. For ­big-water boaters who want to easily and comfortably do all those things, the 38 Surf is a must-see.

Read Next: How to Set Up Your Boat for Wakeboarding With Taylor McCullough

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin 380 hp Volvo Penta forward drives
• Drive/Prop: Forward drive/K4 stainless-steel propset
• Gear Ratio: 2.3:2 Fuel Load: 231 gal. Crew Weight: 360 lb.

High Points

• This innovative boat offers luxury, fishing, wakesurfing, diving and overnighting.
• The world’s largest wakesurf boat delivers waves that live up to that name, and does so without ballast or complex systems.
• Power platform below the swim platform extends, providing a convenient board step or underwater lounge seat.

Low Point

• Some wakesurfers might have reservations at wakesurfing at higher speeds (12 to 12.5 mph) due to the 38 Surf’s size, but after a set or two, you can easily adjust.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Regal 38 Surf: World’s Largest Wakesurf Boat appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Los Angeles based manufacturer Arc turned boater’s heads a few years ago when it came onto the scene and announced the Arc One, an all-electric, luxury cruiser with sleek looks and a slew of unique features. Arc was founded by former Tesla and SpaceX employees, and it now employs many others from those tech-forward realms. Their mission has been to bring forward-thinking and radical development to the boating world. Today, Arc is taking things one step (ok, a lot of steps) further with the announcement of the Arc Sport, an electric wake-making machine designed to keep riders stoked and waterways emissions-free.

The Arc Sport is a 23-footer that, like the Arc One, boasts clean looks and a ton of technology. The heart (and guts) of the Arc Sport is a 226 kWh battery pack, designed and built in-house, which provides the power for a 570hp motor, along with an advertised 5-6 hours of usage time. For comparison’s sake, Ingenity’s Nautique electric GS22e (which won Boating Magazine’s coveted Boat of the Year award in 2021) uses a 124 kWh pack with 2-3 hours of run time.

While the Arc One was unique with its aluminum construction, the Arc Sport is all fiberglass. This helps reduce the weight some, while also allowing for more streamlined manufacturing, as Arc plan to take the Sport to mass market. With all that battery power, the listed dry weight of the Arc Sport is 6,900 pounds. About 3,000 of those pounds are from the batteries, which have been strategically placed in the transom of the boat to help with enhancing the wakes and waves. With ballast (around 2,100 pounds), the Arc Sport clocks in at 9,000 pounds. The Arc Sport will utilize transom-mounted plates and custom software to shape all that displaced water into endless waves for wakesurfing fun.

For a tower, the Arc team leaned on its engineering and design background to create a unit that not only matches the boat, but is highly functional. Featuring a rigid hard top, with storage above and below for a variety of boards, the tower can auto-retract with the push of a button, allowing the tow point to be adjusted to any height (or allowing the hard top to provide more protection from the elements). The Arc Sport’s high gunwales and deep floor allow for the tower’s telescoping action as a portion of the tower lowers into the boat’s frame. The higher gunwales also help provide space for ample storage underneath all the seating areas.

When it comes to features, the Arc Sport is being built and offered with a lot of bells and whistles in the starting MSRP, including both bow and stern thrusters, which will be controlled via a helm-mounted rotating puck device. JL Audio speakers throughout the boat will keep everybody entertained with powerful tunes, and three cameras offer both fun and functionality. The transom-mounted camera can be set up to record your wakesurfing session, then immediately transfer it to your mobile device for uploading. Arc also offers regular over-the-air (OTA) updates for the Sport’s software, which ensures top-level performance at all times. The integrated telematics also offer remote monitoring, from both Arc HQ and the user via a forthcoming Arc app.

With an advertised starting price of $258,000, the Arc Sport is positioning itself to offer a ton of performance at a price lower than many other similarly equipped watersports boats. Should its performance and listed capabilities live up to its good looks and price, it will definitely make serious waves for both buyers and the competition. Of course, the proof is in the pudding, so stay tuned to Wakeboarding as we’ll have a full test of the Arc Sport in the coming months!

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