Need help comparing the wakes for skiing between the x-2 and x-9!

[Shep]

Looking for info from anyone that has skied both wakes. My wife and I board and waterski, but this year she's giving up the board (two blown knees!). Anyhow, I know what the x-2 is like between 30-32mph, but have know idea what the x-9/209's wake is like. I'm looking for an educated opinion before I dump my x-2. thanks
Shep

[Jim@BAWS]

keep the X-2. Best all aroung wake in the INDUSTRY Bar none.
Based on the OLD 205 Hull from 1994 and improved upon. Pro
wake for wakeboarding. All around fantastic wake for slalom at speeds
over 32 MPH.

Jim K Bay Area WaterSports

[east tx skier]

The 1994 205 hull, really? The rest of it looks like a later model 205? So Jim, does that v-drive X-2 really have a better ski wake than the direct drive 209?

[Stritt]

I had a 2000 205v and a 2003 209. The skiing on the 205v was better than the 209. Can't really explain other than my opionion. The 205v did not the handle the course as well as the 209 due to the v-drive. The 209's width was a little tricky through the course. The 209 handled more like a old maristar 225 direct drive. Both were great boats but for skiing the my 197 is the ticket. If I had it to do all over again, I would still have my 1996 205. The x2/205v/205 were all based on the hull design starting in 1996.

Side note...the 205v with 310 hp had a better holeshot than the 209 with the 350hp and the 197 with 375hp. The fastest top-end was the 209 until the boat had more hook sprayed to stop the porpoising, then the all three of the boats ran 47-48's.

Jim, why is the 197 rated for 6 people this year? My 2003 197 states 12 or 1620 pounds.

[G-man]

Doug my guess on the X-9, 209 hull being not as nice for skiing is that is based on a maristar hull. X-2 is a 205 hull with a few minor changes. The 205 hull is going to have the hook in the rear for lift. The X-9 doesn't have this.

[east tx skier]

George, how drastic is the hook on the 205. Mine appears to have a little bit of one just aft of the rudder, but not so drastic as the newer boats seem to have.

[G-man]

It doesn't need to be drastic if your have a good years hull. It also doesn't need to be real wide. Yours of course is an example of a good year.

[Stritt]

x9/209 's do have hook starting mid year 2003. My 2003 209 was manufactured in Sept 2003, it did not have any hook. It was obvious, once you were in the 40's (footing speed) the boat started jumping out of the water. Once the hook was added, it brought the nose of the boat back down and everything was good. The wakes on the x9/209 are WIDE. It almost seemed to have a doubled wake due to the design of the hull. Look closely at a 92-97 Maristar hull from the rear and compare to a 209. Like George said, almost identical.

[MYMC]

Go with the X2/205V...it has old school wakes i.e. a little tall but very narrow and not too hard. X9/209 is WIDE and hard, though not as tall.

[east tx skier]

Here are the skiing speed wake pictures from the MasterCraft Website (www.mastercraft.com) for the 209 and the 205V.