View Full Version : 2002 X-Star (now the X-2) Slalom Wake?
EdgeChange
06-06-2005, 05:43 PM
I just bought a 2002 X-Star (now the X-2) and I love everthing about the boat except the size and hardness of the wake when I'm trying to slalom ski. I now cut at the wake with fear in my eyes :eek:. Obviously, I do like the wake for wakeboarding. Can I not have my cake and eat it too :confused:
What are other slalom skiers feeling about skiing behind the X-2?
Does anyone have any suggestions to improve the wake for slalom skiing (i.e. best speed and line length, weight positioning in the boat, etc)? Please assume the ballast tanks are already empty. I like to ski at 34 mph.
mcprostar197
06-06-2005, 06:05 PM
trade it in for a smaller wakeboard boat like the X-7.
rodltg2
06-06-2005, 06:10 PM
wont get better until you get to shortline, then you'll have to worry about spray.
I'm bummed! It's a V drive and all, but I always believed the write-ups in WaterSki Mag that it was such a great cross-over boat. Do you have any pics of the wake at slalom speeds? I'd love to see some. Or if anybody with an X-2 wants to give me a pull that would be cool too. :D
EdgeChange - What were you skiing on before the X-2? I have an 2005 X-2. We fill the front ballast about 1/4 to 1/3 full. That gets it up to plane quicker. Not sure what the exact length is on the rope, but have taken 1-2 lengths off. Still trying to calibrate the speedos but, my guess is we are at about 34 mph. The wake is not at a sharp point, but round. I think we are having our cake and eating it too. :D
I'm bummed! It's a V drive and all, but I always believed the write-ups in WaterSki Mag that it was such a great cross-over boat. Do you have any pics of the wake at slalom speeds? I'd love to see some. Or if anybody with an X-2 wants to give me a pull that would be cool too. :D
Picture from the MC website of the 205V (same as the X2) of the ski wake.
Or if anybody with an X-2 wants to give me a pull that would be cool too. :D
If you are ever in the Sacramento/Bay area, let us know. We will pull you. :)
Here are a couple pictures of our ski wake. Not bad for a v-drive. :)
rodltg2
06-06-2005, 07:58 PM
after looking at those pictures , i would say shortline is out of the question. best wake looks like 15off at 34-36
H2OGirl
06-07-2005, 08:40 AM
We have an X-10 '05 and I think the wake is descent for skiing behind. I am not a good skier so maybe that is why I don't mind. Don't have any picts yet, but I'll get some of the wake. I have no idea what rope lenght either, but I only ski at around 26mph and I don't think the bump is too bad.
east tx skier
06-07-2005, 11:36 AM
The hull, as a general rule, ought to throw a decent ski wake. I ski the direct drive version of this hull all the time. While it's a little different than the wake behind my boat, it's very nice. The weight of the engine in the back is probably what's making it a little less desireable in your situation. Not much I can think of to do about that.
I had seen the pics on MC's site. Some wakes look sweet but are more firm...
EdgeChange
06-08-2005, 03:24 AM
I don't have any pics yet but I will try to get some soon. It's been rainy and cool here, so the tarp is on. The pics that other posters have posted in this thread look better than what I remember seeing behind my boat. The dealer has advised me to make sure that the ballast tanks are emptying properly and that no water is sitting in the hull of the boat. I think the wake should be better than it is so hopefully I can figure out a solution. Otherwise, it will be back to shopping (for a PS209, X-9 or X-7), because not skiing is not an option. Thanks everyone for the replies.
jkski
06-08-2005, 07:49 AM
If you do not get the results you want from the X2, and you want to stick with a v-drive, check-ou the X-10. The X-10 hull is pretty much the same as the PS209/X9, and surprisingly, the slalom wake is very good. I never would have believed it, especially since I ski a PS197, but I skied the PS209 and X-10 back to back one day and gotta admit, I liked it. The other thing is that both the X-10 and PS209 will give you that crossover to boarding and if you are in to barefootin' at all, you'll like them both.
MarkP
06-08-2005, 08:08 AM
If you do not get the results you want from the X2, and you want to stick with a v-drive, check-ou the X-10. The X-10 hull is pretty much the same as the PS209/X9, and surprisingly, the slalom wake is very good. I never would have believed it, especially since I ski a PS197, but I skied the PS209 and X-10 back to back one day and gotta admit, I liked it. The other thing is that both the X-10 and PS209 will give you that crossover to boarding and if you are in to barefootin' at all, you'll like them both.
Wow
That’s hard to believe, but good to know for when I look to upgrade my boat
H2OGirl
06-08-2005, 08:23 AM
If you do not get the results you want from the X2, and you want to stick with a v-drive, check-ou the X-10. The X-10 hull is pretty much the same as the PS209/X9, and surprisingly, the slalom wake is very good. I never would have believed it, especially since I ski a PS197, but I skied the PS209 and X-10 back to back one day and gotta admit, I liked it. The other thing is that both the X-10 and PS209 will give you that crossover to boarding and if you are in to barefootin' at all, you'll like them both.
I totally agree, I have skied behind both also, love it for doing both. That was one of the requirements when we bought a new boat, I had to be able to ski descent behind it too. I am the only one that skies. It isn't perfect for either, but for someone who is looking for an all around boat not strickly boarding or skiing (our X-10) does a great job for us.
But that wasn't the question was it? OOps sorry other than making sure ballast is completely empty, and water out of hull, not sure what else you could do to make better ski wake. Kick all your friends out :eek:
jkski
06-08-2005, 08:32 AM
Well, there is one thing to consider.......... I don't personally know of anyone that has done this, but you could look into having a "hook" added to the hull, that would provide lift at higher speeds. Now, the downside of this would be cost and you would produce a wider wake. OR.... talk to your dealer and see if you could try out a rudder from a 2002 PS197, that has a lifting wing on it. On the production 02 197, rather than putting a hook on, they had a lifting rudder to get the rearend out of the water higher, so maybe that would help on your boat. OR...... and this is the last one, I promise..., look into a single trim tab, similar to what they are putting on the new X45. I skied the X45 earlier this year, and the plate helps, it doesn't make it great, but it helps.
Diesel
06-08-2005, 09:46 AM
I don't have any pics yet but I will try to get some soon. It's been rainy and cool here, so the tarp is on. The pics that other posters have posted in this thread look better than what I remember seeing behind my boat. The dealer has advised me to make sure that the ballast tanks are emptying properly and that no water is sitting in the hull of the boat. I think the wake should be better than it is so hopefully I can figure out a solution. Otherwise, it will be back to shopping (for a PS209, X-9 or X-7), because not skiing is not an option. Thanks everyone for the replies.
Forget the PS209 for short line skiing as well. I have only skied once behind my PS209 so I have not had time to adjust to the wake, but the wake is much larger than my old PS205 or a PS197. I have not had a chance to play with ballast and speed but when I do I will give you a more detailed report of the wake. First impressions, for short line skiing were not that great.
With that said the wakeboard wake of the PS209/X9 is less than desirable as well. I have only had a few pulls behind my new boat but the width of the the wake presents some major challenges. In addition, the factory ballast does not seem to add enough weight to firm up the wake. I am going to be adding some weight next time out to see if the that helps. Not much you can do about the width except run shorter lines.
After skiing and wakeboarding behind both an X-2 and a PS209 I would stay with the X-2...........................