230 vs. XStar... How to Choose?

[horsinaround]

I am looking at two different boats. One is a 2000 230 VRS and one is a 2002 X Star. Both are in nice shape and about the same price.

I will use the boat to pull the kids and friends, so I expect space to be important. I think the 230 would have a fair amount more space so that makes me like the 230. The tower and ballast makes me like the X Star. I have not been able to see the two boats side by side to really compare space inside, so I have questions for those that have.

How much more space does a 230 really have than the XStar? Does it hold two more adults comfortably? I can't really afford to get the 230 and add a tower and ballast for the best of both worlds.

Any advice on which one would be best, assuming condition is equal? An watchouts?

Thoughts from those who know would be great.

[Ole Miss Rebels]

i used to own a '99 205V (same hull and essentiall the same boat). it is the old xstar and if you weight it down it is a killer wakeboard boat.....KILLER. it skis moderately well at 30-36 mph. it handles like a european sprts car. it is a little tight inside if you are gonna try to take a large group out. my guress is that you will get more on a trade/re-sell later, especially with it being two years newer and haing a tower and ballast. that boat will ALWAYS be highly desirable. if you are gonna just cruise and know for a fact that you will never wish you had a worldclass wakeboat that also doubles an adequate all-purpose boat then look further into the 230. i know absolutely nothing about the 230 other than it is a mc and is clearly a good product. still, youhave to weigh hours, engine, repair history, past issues, etc.

[mccobmd]

I have the X1 which is same setup as the 2002 X-star. Great boat. plenty of room for 8 if 4 adults and 4 kids. Does all watersports well including surfing. If you have any that want to ski the 230 will be really hard on them. Definitely more room in the 230 so if lounging, cruising and tubing are most likely it would be best. Agree, 205V hull will always be desired towboats.

[dummy]

I own a '00 Maristar 230VRS. I don't have a tower or ballast. We wakeboard behind it all the time. I don't really do many (well, none that are successful) inverted tricks, so the factory pylon is fine for us. The wakeboarding wake is beautiful - especially with a full tank of fuel. I don't have ballast, but with a full fuel load and a few adults you can surf behind it nicely.

I hear those X-Stars are phenomenal boats in every regard, but I've never been on one. Knowing the surf and board wakes are on par or better than the 230, the only thing you'll have going for you with the 230 is the added room. We load 4 adults and 6 kids on my boat regularly and it never feels tight. You also have to consider that in addition to the tower and ballast on the X-Star you'll probably be getting Perfect Pass (or whatever cruise control they come with), and a 3-piece sundeck. The '00 230 will have a single-piece sundeck, which makes getting in and out of it frequently a chore. It's also harder to load up if you make beach camp every day 'cause you have to load from the sides or interior. Not ideal if you're hauling sandy beach chairs and easy-ups.

My wife is getting okay working the throttle of our boat, but I wish for Perfect Pass at least once ever time I'm on a board behind my boat. A tower to get the boards up out of the V-drive area, Perfect Pass Star Gazer, and ballast are high on my wish list. They all add up fast.

Other stuff to consider between the two:
Engine- I have the 330hp LTR and am really happy with it.
Hours - which one has more?
Bling factor - if that's important to you, the X-star doesn't have the old-fashioned wood veneer around the gauges and a sleeker interior

[horsinaround]

Thanks... So a 230 can take 4 adults and 6 kids comfortably and a XStar can take 4 adults adn 4 kids. How old are the kids.

I hear you on the perfect pass, and that is certainly on th e list. I think both boats have the 330 LTR. The 230 has about half the hours of the XStar, which has about 400. I don't think 400 hours is any concern, as long as they have been taken care of.

How does the single piece sundeck make it harder to get in and out of? Either the three piece or the single piece needs to cover that back area of the boat that has to be climbed over to get in from the ski platform.

[Jerseydave]

I can comment because I had an '03 230VRS and my friends have an '01 X-star and an '06 X-1.

Pros- the 230VRS has more space, storage, better rough water ride than the X-star.
Cons- the 230VRS does not handle/turn half as well as the X-star, even after changing the rudder to the newer style (although that did help alot) It also porpoises at speeds over 40, very annoying. You will not have a tower or board racks so that to me is a big negative. I feel a 2000 230VRS should be worth alot less money than a 2002 X-star. Resale value will suffer in the future on that boat.

The X-star is a great wake machine, and decent slalom/barefoot boat too. 6 adults/2 kids is no problem but 8+ adults gets a bit crowded. Your kids will most likely twist your arm to get a tower, so why not have it right away? The tower is great for racking your boards, plus you can have speakers up there too.
I use to be a die-hard skier/barefooter but today I could not live without a tower on my boat. 90% of the people I hang with are wakeboarders.

Unless you're boating in rough water alot, I'd lean toward the X-star.

Here's a pic of my buddy's X-1 loaded with people. It can be done, but 6 is a better number.

55400

[Jerseydave]

Just to add after re-reading your last post:

Perfect pass will cost you $1300 to add on, keep that in mind (You will want PerfectPass)
I forgot the 2000 230VRS has that one-piece sundeck that lifts by electric. I'm not a fan. If you keep all your vests back there, you have to lift the whole sundeck everytime instead of just lifting one side to get a vest, dock fenders, lines, etc.

Got any pics of these boats? They both sound nice, you just have to figure out which one suits your needs the best.

[dummy]

Sorry, poor choice of words. Getting in and out with either sundeck isn't a big deal. It's getting STUFF in and out of it that's the pain. I keep my boards in there and some of my beach gear in there. You can't load up your stuff while standing on the swim platform - you gotta load it from the sides or from the interior. With a 3-piece you can load from the swim platform. Or, just grab your boards and go. But board storage with a tower is a moot point 'cause they'll most likely be on a rack on the tower.

This past summer I ditched my full-size EZ-up and bought a cheapie from Wal-Mart that fits inside the ski locker. Now I can fit the sun shade, chairs, and a few other odds-and-ends in the ski locker, which is nice, but you've still got really watch it during loading to make sure you get all the sand off your gear.

Kids are anywhere from couple months up to 5-6 years. We both have newborns, 3-, and 5-year olds. One thing with the kids as opposed to having just adults - you pack heavier with kids, I think. We have bouncy chairs, pack & play, diaper bags, etc. Never wanting for floor space or storage in the 230. It's nice and big. Can't imagine going to a smaller boat, but the amenities of the X-Star sure would be nice.

(edit - just read the post about turning. Just FYI - the '00 230s have the large rudder, so no need to swap it out. Don't know when they went to the smaller rudder, but the '00 shouldn't need a rudder swap. Still won't handle like an X-Star, but handles better in stock trim than the '03 njskier is talking about)

[horsinaround]

Thanks for all the input. Keep it coming.

I don't have any more diaper bags, pack n play's or swings any more, but I do have 5 kids from 3 to 14. So with that, I am sure there will be plenty of tubes, boards and skis. Maybe a tower is the way to go...

[mccobmd]

I have 17,15, 9, we take another couple and their 9yo. In my X1 you can have 2 adults on the passenger side, 2 in back and 1 driving. One adult and 2 smaller kids in bow and not crowded. More than that and you bump into each other a little. Would echo the handling. The only boat I've been in that turns close to as well was a 19 foot sea doo jet boat I had before this one.

[MariStar-Man]

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/boa/1584889348.html

230 VRS with Tower... $22,000 in Dublin, CA about 12 miles from my house...

http://images.craigslist.org/3k63oa3p05O15Pc5Rda2346c1350535a7133c.jpg

http://images.traderonline.com//img/6/dealer/748174//96188237_1thumb_550x410.jpg

Or an x star:

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8717/085800x800kl7.jpg

[horsinaround]

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/boa/1584889348.html

230 VRS with Tower... $22,000 in Dublin, CA about 12 miles from my house...

http://images.craigslist.org/3k63oa3p05O15Pc5Rda2346c1350535a7133c.jpg

http://images.traderonline.com//img/6/dealer/748174//96188237_1thumb_550x410.jpg

Or an x star:

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8717/085800x800kl7.jpg

So If I buy it who pays shipping? Isn't there some benevolant person who pays shipping?

[MariStar-Man]

So If I buy it who pays shipping? Isn't there some benevolant person who pays shipping?

I'd never buy a boat Sight Unseen...Doh! I actually do it all the time...lol :D

But, and that's a Big But... I tell everyone else to always start it, and test drive it. I would make it a trip and take the wife to a nice bed and breakfast. She would at the least, be able to say something other than...No! lol

good luck on your choice. Which Boat are you leaning towards these days?

[MariStar-Man]

With the 1999 Maristar V210, would it be a "Good" idea to purchase The sack's and pump to get the bigger wake?

I mean is the Hull going to perform after installing the weight?

[Chicago190]

With the 1999 Maristar V210, would it be a "Good" idea to purchase The sack's and pump to get the bigger wake?

I mean is the Hull going to perform after installing the weight?

ummm...what are you trying to do with your boat? Yes, weight is a good idea if you want a bigger wake. No one here can tell you if you want a bigger wake.

Again, the hull might "perform", but I have absolutely no idea what that means in your context. Will it:
1. Sink? No.
2. Handle as well? No.
3. Get on plane as quickly? No.
4. Throw a better wake for water sports? Maybe, depends on if you ski, surf, board, tube, air chair, etc.

Edit: saw your other thread, I think you might have meant to post in that. You don't need weight to learn to wakeboard - if anything weight makes it harder to learn.

[MariStar-Man]

ummm...what are you trying to do with your boat? Yes, weight is a good idea if you want a bigger wake. No one here can tell you if you want a bigger wake.

Again, the hull might "perform", but I have absolutely no idea what that means in your context. Will it:
1. Sink? No.
2. Handle as well? No.
3. Get on plane as quickly? No.
4. Throw a better wake for water sports? Maybe, depends on if you ski, surf, board, tube, air chair, etc.

Edit: saw your other thread, I think you might have meant to post in that. You don't need weight to learn to wakeboard - if anything weight makes it harder to learn.

Thanks Chicago190, I was rushing out the door when i hit Send...

I guess you kinda answered my question. I know that different hulls throw different wakes. Some are better for wakeboarding. I was wondering if my Maristar hull was a good one to spend some money on.

As far as lerning, I hope to progress quickly...lol My Wife say if I can do 360's she'll let me buy a better boat. And, since her pockets are deeper than mine... :D

[horsinaround]

Thanks for all the input... I am leaning towards an XStar. I need to stumble across the right deal.

[dummy]

Thanks for all the input... I am leaning towards an XStar. I need to stumble across the right deal.

If it's not down to those two particular boats why not just look for an X-30?

[ksdaoski]

looking at the Xstar in Anderson, IN for $24.5?

[horsinaround]

If it's not down to those two particular boats why not just look for an X-30?

An X-30 would be fine too, but from what I have seen they run more than the X Star. If I stumble into the right one, I certainly would look.


looking at the Xstar in Anderson, IN for $24.5?

That one looks great, but it is sold. I was going to go see it yesterday, but the guy said it sold on Wed.