engines for X45

[X45owner]

I'm curious to find out what other X45 owners are putting in their boats. I put the LQ9 in ours. So far I have plenty of power with the boat loaded. Its a little stiff when loaded and turning. However, my local dealer is working on a solution with a new type of rudder and a different size prop. Apparently my dealer said there is more power to gain with a different size prop.

Does anybody know who I can contact at MC to see how many X45's were sold with the LQ9 vs. MCX and L18?

[badams]

I have an X45 with the LQ9. It seems to have plenty of power. The boat came from the factory with a 13.5 X17.5 prop. They are switching it out tomorrow because the recommendation in the owner's manual says we should have the 13.7 X 19.5. With the smaller prop my boat seemed to hesitate if we had a tube behind it. I guess we'll see what happens tomorrow. I'd like to hear what your dealer has in mind regarding the different rudder.

[erkoehler]

What kind of top end do you get out of it?

[WakePowell]

I have the X-45 with the L-18 engine and a 14.5x22 prop. We boat primarily at elevations between 3,600 feet and 6,200 feet and the performance at speeds below 30 mph are great. I feel like the engine is turning too many RPM’s to cruise though. At 3,800 RPM the boat runs 27 MPH which seems slow. How does this compare with your boats?

[badams]

What kind of top end do you get out of it?
Right now about 46 mph. The dealer tells me that should jump to close to 50 mph w/ the new prop.

[aprgriggs]

big boat needs a big engine....8.1 all the way. The LQ9 seams like it needs more on this big boat. If you are going to spend the money on anX45 then spend it.

Good Luck.

[zberger]

supercharge it :D

[X45owner]

Thanks to everyone who resonded! I picked up our boat today from the dealer with a new 13.7 X 17 OJ prop. My old prop was a 13.7 X 19.5. and it ran 46 in less than ideal conditions. The owner of my local dealer was out on the lake with me last week and felt I had more power to gain with the new prop. He also changed out my rudder to the 06 model to improve the turning. With the boat loaded it was bit stiff to turn at moderate speeds. However, it's a bigger boat than I have ever had.

As for the L18, I love the power and torque it says it has on paper. However, I chose not to purchase it because many mechanics told me that Indmar "had not worked the bugs out of that engine yet." I had a few friends that owned Ultra's and their engine blew up the first week out. My final decision was when the dealer told me that the L18 will burn oil, and I would have to keep an eye on it. They also recomended carrying a few qurts of oil during break in. Too many unanswered questions for me to spend that kind of many. The LQ9 block is heavy duty and used in all the racing engines. I was told this by mechanic friends, something to due with having 4 bolts rather than two etc... Let me know how your engine are working, burning oil etc.

[WakePowell]

My L-18 consumed one quart of oil in the first twenty hours. I then changed the oil and switched to straight 40-weight oil as suggested by Mastercraft (MYMC). I now have 56 hours on the boat and have had no oil consumption.

[X45owner]

Maybe the weight oil is the cure. Like I said this is a powerful engine best of luck. Regarding your previous comment about cruising 27mph at 3700rpm, this doesn't seem right. I would ask a tech about changing your prop. I would stay away from your upper RPM limits. Again, mechanic friends told me the 8.1 liter engines don't like to be "red lined."

[WakePowell]

I agree with the cruise speed and RPM’s on my boat not being correct. When I took delivery of the boat the dealer installed the 13.7x19 prop on the boat and as you would suspect the speed was even slower at a cruise. I have since had them swap props and I am now turning a 14.5x22, which I believe is the largest pitch available. The boat will top out in the high 40’s but that is turning close to 5,000 RPM. It seems like the boat develops too much of its speed at high RPM’s. I would like to be able to cruise 30 MPH at 3,000 RPM if that is possible.

[badams]

I have an x45 w/ the LQ9. I just the boat up from the dealer yesterday after changing out the prop. Originally from the factory I had a 13.5 X 17. We changed the prop because the boat would hesitate with a tube behind it. After installing the new prop by bot cavitates at 30 mph. This is even when going in a straight line. I know it needs to go back to the dealer but I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this?

[X45owner]

I have an x45 w/ the LQ9. I just the boat up from the dealer yesterday after changing out the prop. Originally from the factory I had a 13.5 X 17. We changed the prop because the boat would hesitate with a tube behind it. After installing the new prop by bot cavitates at 30 mph. This is even when going in a straight line. I know it needs to go back to the dealer but I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this?

My original prop on my X45 w/ LQ9 was a 13.7 x 19.5. I do remember once I was taking off with the boat slightly turning I felt like/heard the boat cavitate just as it planed. It didn't do it for long and I can't remember at what speed. It was probably close to 30mph since it was just as the boat planed. I never complained about power. I had the owner of the local dealer ship in the boat and he said this new prop (13.7 x 17) would give me more power. He changed it out at no charge!
Does your X45 cavitate consistantly? Does it go away if you speed up?

[badams]

I don't have any problems coming out of the hole. Even when the rpm's get up close to 5000. But once the boat hits 30 mph it starts to vibrate pretty hard. I didn't take it any higher for fear that there might really be something wrong. I'm contacting the dealer today to discuss this with them and have them come pick up the boat.

[X-45]

I have a X-45 with an MCX 350HP engine. When turning the prop tends to cavitate, makes me nervous. I'm afraid the engine will over rev. With about 1/2 tank of gas the boat will run 27mph @ 4000 rpm. I'm hoping to get some help from Mastercraft on the prop size.

[X45owner]

Okay, I just got back from the lake and I have to say my new prop (13.7 x 17) impressed me. My old prop (13.7 x 19.5) did fine, but I noticed a slightly better hole shot with my new prop. Little changed at the top end except my RPM's top out at 5300 vs. 5000 witout a load. What impressed me was the shape of my wake seemed to change for the better, much cleaner. Also, the wake for surfing improved tremendously. It's much bigger wiyh more vert, we can cruise without having to pump up and down to keep up with the boat. My 10 year old son went approx. 400 yards without effort, just stayed in the "pocket." The only other item I can contribute the changes to is the new rudder that was installed. If you don't have the updated rudder, it is a MUST HAVE. It is day and night difference in steering. My boat turns as easy and as sharp as my old jet boat. I believe this will be the new rudder for the 06 models so your dealer my have to do some research to get it.

[badams]

I talked with my dealer today. They want to take the boat this weekend and make sure the drive shaft is straight and aligned correctly. Once we have determined that everything is correct on the boat they are going to look into getting me the new rudder and I'll probably go back to the 13.7 X 17 prop. Thanks for your input. It really helped.

[X45owner]

I have a X-45 with an MCX 350HP engine. When turning the prop tends to cavitate, makes me nervous. I'm afraid the engine will over rev. With about 1/2 tank of gas the boat will run 27mph @ 4000 rpm. I'm hoping to get some help from Mastercraft on the prop size.

What prop did you end up getting? Did it help the performance? What did it do to your wake?

[X45owner]

I talked with my dealer today. They want to take the boat this weekend and make sure the drive shaft is straight and aligned correctly. Once we have determined that everything is correct on the boat they are going to look into getting me the new rudder and I'll probably go back to the 13.7 X 17 prop. Thanks for your input. It really helped.

Good luck! Let me know how things work out with your Prop and rudder.

[X45owner]

Good luck! Let me know how things work out with your Prop and rudder.
Hey badams, how did your prop situation work out?

[badams]

Our dealer finally got the update for the new rudder and have put a call in to order. We will probably have to go back to the smaller prop for the boat to run perfect.

[BUSSTUFJ]

I have the X 45 with the new rudder, hydraulic steering, and have run it with both the 14.5 x 22 prop and 14 x 22 prop. I get over 5000 rpms with bot props with the boat full of fuel. No real performace difference in props.

The new ruder was supposed to improve steering but the improvement was minimal. I think the big block 8.1 engine has plenty of torque but the extra weight seems to force you to run with more trim tab than desired.

[X45owner]

I have the X 45 with the new rudder, hydraulic steering, and have run it with both the 14.5 x 22 prop and 14 x 22 prop. I get over 5000 rpms with bot props with the boat full of fuel. No real performace difference in props.

The new ruder was supposed to improve steering but the improvement was minimal. I think the big block 8.1 engine has plenty of torque but the extra weight seems to force you to run with more trim tab than desired.

With hydralic steering did you still need the new rudder

[BUSSTUFJ]

My dealer chose to try both. The hydraulic steering reduces steering torque but not steering or turning reponse. The bigger ruudder was supposed to help the boat turn better, or in a smaller radius.

[badams]

With hydralic steering did you still need the new rudder
MC told my dealer that with the LQ9 we don't need the hydrolic steering. They were only recommending it for the 8.1. I saw the notice that was sent to my dealer from MC and they said the new rudder makes a huge difference with the LQ9. Have you found that to be the case?

[BUSSTUFJ]

I did not think the rudder made any noticeable difference with my boat

[X45owner]

MC told my dealer that with the LQ9 we don't need the hydrolic steering. They were only recommending it for the 8.1. I saw the notice that was sent to my dealer from MC and they said the new rudder makes a huge difference with the LQ9. Have you found that to be the case?

Yes!!!! After my dealer changed out my rudder the steering with a load is considerably easier. I believe the change for the L18 rudder is different. My dealer said they were installing hydralic steering and experimenting with "bigger" rudders on boats with L18's. Again, I love the power of the L18, but this is a good example of many unanswered questions mechanic friends had warned me about. "They haven't worked the bugs out of that engine yet."

[Buster]

Busstufj,

What kind of steering problems are you having? I am looking to go with the X-45 with the L18 engine package but I am concerned that it might not be the way to go if you are having serious issues.

[X-45]

What prop did you end up getting? Did it help the performance? What did it do to your wake?
I still have the original 13.7 x 17 prop. I'm trying to get Mastercraft to divulge there prop sizing data. Not having any luck yet.

[X45owner]

I still have the original 13.7 x 17 prop. I'm trying to get Mastercraft to divulge there prop sizing data. Not having any luck yet.

Try calling MC Las Vegas. They were very helpfull on a recent trip to Lake Mead. Their customer service was second to none. During conversation they explained some issues they were trying to solve regarding X45's with L18's. I don't remember the particulars, but the resolution had to do with trying many different prop sizes. It might be worth a call. Best of luck.

[badams]

Hey badams, how did your prop situation work out?


I'm picking the boat up today. :banana: The dealer is putting the smaller prop back on along with the new rudder. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for the info on the new rudder.

[jimjohn]

What prop did you go with?

[badams]

We went back to the 13.5 X17. We went with the 19 prop and it didn't have a positive effect.

[Buster]

Badams,

What differences did you notice between the two props? Why are you going back to the smaller prop?

[jimjohn]

Smaller prop means more torq.

[Buster]

jimjohn,

I appreciate your response, but I wantend to find out what difference Badams noticed in steering and wholeshot response in his X-45 with the different porps.

[badams]

Hey badams, how did your prop situation work out?


WOW! :banana: Talk about a huge difference! I couldn't believe the difference that they new rudder made. My dealer put the smaller prop back on with the new rudder and it's almost like I have a new boat. 45 mph with no vibration was great. With the old rudder and the larger prop I wasn't able to go above 30 without serious vibration all the way up through the steering line. I talked with the mechanic about this and he said it was due to my rudder actually being loose. So when the prop would send water past it it would cause it to vibrate. I thought it was cavitation but he said it wasn't. My boat doesn't cavitate at all now. The only thing I did notice was that it was a little squirrelly above 40 mph and it porpoises a little in the mid 30's but nothing that the trim tab didn't fix by playing around with it a little. It seems like it comes out of the hole much quicker now also. I'm not sure if it's any better than it was when I had the smaller prop on before or if it's just the fact that I don't have any vibration or cavitation now so I notice it more. Anyway, the boat drives great now.

[X45owner]

Glad to here you're as happy as I am. Have fun!

[badams]

Glad to here you're as happy as I am. Have fun!


Here's the good news. My wife and I bought a new house on a lake. Here's the bad news. It's a private lake and has a 20' boat restriction so we have to sell our boat. The good news is our dealers has secured us a slot for a brand new X2 to be here before springs. So if you know of anyone interested in an X45 just let me know.

[Buster]

badams,

I am looking to buy one, please tell me about your boat

[badams]

badams,

I am looking to buy one, please tell me about your boat


It's a 2005 X45 all yellow with the light gray interior.It looks like the boat they use on the MC website. It's got the LQ9 engine. It has all the options except a shower. Tower, 4 speakers, 1600watt amp, two of the speakers are docking lights, 6 disc CD changer, 16 speakers, black bimini, black cover, jump seat, table, bow filler cushion, heater, transom remote, boot slick sprayer, pretty much everything let me know if there's something you want that I may be missing.

[X45owner]

Were did you buy? My wife and I are looking for lake front property. I like the idea of a private lake. However, I'm not sure I'd be willing to give up our X45. It might be worth a look though. We may use it as a second home.

[badams]

Were did you buy? My wife and I are looking for lake front property. I like the idea of a private lake. However, I'm not sure I'd be willing to give up our X45. It might be worth a look though. We may use it as a second home.

Lake Winnebago, MO. We are in the metro Kansas City area. The lake is about 500 acres and there is usually only about 7 to 10 boats out at any given time. Because of the restrictions on the lake we can only have a 20'0" boat. We (I) was having a very difficult time coming to grips with the fact that I had to sell my boat. Luckily, MC introduced the X2 earlier this week. Our dealer has already secured a build spot for us. It's in early November. I hate to sell my X45 before the end of the season but I don't want to end up with 2 boats all winter long if I don't have to.