XStar or X2

[Zak]

I am looking at purchasing either a X2 or an X Star. Both have a 350 hp engine. I am looking for some feedback from owners of the two models. We are a family of four. My kids are 14 and 12, both wakebaord and started surfing. Comments, suggestions, opinions

Thanks

[Jerseydave]

I am looking at purchasing either a X2 or an X Star. Both have a 350 hp engine. I am looking for some feedback from owners of the two models. We are a family of four. My kids are 14 and 12, both wakebaord and started surfing. Comments, suggestions, opinions

Thanks

First of all welcome! Are you looking at used boats I assume? If so, what year?
I have an '05 X-star with the 350hp MCX. It's been a great boat for us. I can barefoot behind it @ 40 mph, wakesurf for miles, ride the skyski behind it and of course the wakeboard wake is great. The only advantage the X-2 may have beside initial cost is a better holeshot, more manuverability, more top speed and it's easier to fit in some garages. It's most likely a better ski boat too, but neither boat is going to excel at that.

The X-star has more seating, more storage, a better wake, better resale value.
You should water test both boats before you buy.

[Dad 2 3]

I have an '09 Star and my buddy has an '09 X2. NJSkier hits it on the head with driving them both especially if they're used. I love my Star and nearly everything about it except three things. The surf wake on the X2 is a little better, the trim adjustment plate on the X2 is nice for rougher water, and I wouldn't be looking to extend my garage another few feet with the X2. However, if I was to do it all over again, I'd buy the Star.

[Zak]

Thanks for the info. I had a Fourwinns H200 SS. I am looking at a 2009 X Star 350 MCX or a new 2010 X2 with a MCX as well. I have been in an X2, not an X Star. Do you find the MCX enough power for the X Star?

Thanks Again

[Jerseydave]

Thanks for the info. I had a Fourwinns H200 SS. I am looking at a 2009 X Star 350 MCX or a new 2010 X2 with a MCX as well. I have been in an X2, not an X Star. Do you find the MCX enough power for the X Star?

Thanks Again

The correct prop makes all the difference. I run the OJ 14.75 X 15.5 most of the time and it works great. I run 2000# of ballast with 4-6 people in the boat on most days. If I need a little extra low-end power I run my OJ 14.25 X 14.5. I lose some top speed with this prop so it's not the best for barefooting or cruising around the lake/river. I think your '09 should have the 14.75 X 15.5 prop. If it has a 13.7 X 17 prop swap it out.

But to answer your question, yes it has enough power, unless you're in higher elevations or you want to overload your boat with excess ballast.

[Jerseydave]

I have an '09 Star and my buddy has an '09 X2. NJSkier hits it on the head with driving them both especially if they're used. I love my Star and nearly everything about it except three things. The surf wake on the X2 is a little better, the trim adjustment plate on the X2 is nice for rougher water, and I wouldn't be looking to extend my garage another few feet with the X2. However, if I was to do it all over again, I'd buy the Star.

For wakesurfing try filling the port ballast and KGB ballast, then add a 750# fatsac to the port locker and add another 400# sac on the port side seat. Awesome wave!

[Dad 2 3]

Zak, I have the LY6 in my Star and it's plenty. My buddy's X2 has the MCX and it does the job fine. The 750 pound difference in weight, 2 plus feet in length, and 4 inches in width seem to be a wash for the 50 HP difference in motors. However, again, I agree that the prop is the key to it all. Both the Star with the LY6 and X2 with the MCX come standard with the OJ 14.75X15.5 and it's a fantastic prop.

NJ, I'm goofy footed and I have tried what seems like a million different setups. I usually run KGB and SB side ballasts filled plus a 750 lb fat sac in the locker. Then I have 200 lb fat buddy additionally in the locker on top of the 750 lb, and second 200 lb fat buddy under the rear SB side seat. The wake is good, but I can't drop the rope. I set my GPS zero off anywhere from 11 -13. I ride a IS Blue Lake. On my buddy's X2 I can drop the rope with a just the 750 sac, KGB, and SB side ballast. PLEASE tell me where I'm going wrong!!!!! I would love to drop the rope on my boat and not only be able to do it on my buddy's. NJ do you have a FG or Teak swim platform? I've noticed the FG is longer and has an adverse impact on the surf wake.

[BTV]

I would agree with above about prop. I run a acme 541 and it is much better than the prop that came on my 07 X2. Between these two depends what you will primarily do. We can easily free ride surf with 450# in port locker and factory port and kgb full. If you plan the wakeboard more def go with the star. As we have improved at wakeboarding we are less satisfied with the X2 wake. I ride 70' at 22 to 24 mph. When we add alot of weight to boat (either additional fatsac ballast or bodies) the wake gets very steep. I am looking to upgrade to either the X15 or X25. I would suggest you consider them as well. Good luck.

[jbkriss]

For wakesurfing try filling the port ballast and KGB ballast, then add a 750# fatsac to the port locker and add another 400# sac on the port side seat. Awesome wave!

How many passengers do you have when you run with this setup?

Thx.

[Jerseydave]

Zak, I have the LY6 in my Star and it's plenty. My buddy's X2 has the MCX and it does the job fine. The 750 pound difference in weight, 2 plus feet in length, and 4 inches in width seem to be a wash for the 50 HP difference in motors. However, again, I agree that the prop is the key to it all. Both the Star with the LY6 and X2 with the MCX come standard with the OJ 14.75X15.5 and it's a fantastic prop.

NJ, I'm goofy footed and I have tried what seems like a million different setups. I usually run KGB and SB side ballasts filled plus a 750 lb fat sac in the locker. Then I have 200 lb fat buddy additionally in the locker on top of the 750 lb, and second 200 lb fat buddy under the rear SB side seat. The wake is good, but I can't drop the rope. I set my GPS zero off anywhere from 11 -13. I ride a IS Blue Lake. On my buddy's X2 I can drop the rope with a just the 750 sac, KGB, and SB side ballast. PLEASE tell me where I'm going wrong!!!!! I would love to drop the rope on my boat and not only be able to do it on my buddy's. NJ do you have a FG or Teak swim platform? I've noticed the FG is longer and has an adverse impact on the surf wake.

We never tried the starboard side, no goofy riders here. I think prop rotation might be hurting you, but not sure on that. 11.2 mph seems to work best for us with the weight I mentioned. BTW I have a FB platform, water hits it but it does not seem to matter. Try riding close to the rooster tail for more "push"

[Jerseydave]

oops, deleted

[MLD004]

I just test drove the X2 and was disappointed in the wakeboard wake. It seemed really small. How does the Xstar compare.

[HMF007]

Im my opinion the xstar is by far the better boat. There is more room, it handles the rough water, and the wakeboarding wake is perfect. Afterall it was designed specifically for wakeboarding and is the same boat that tows the pro riders.

[MLD004]

I really liked everything about the X2 untill I rode behind it. I'm going to try and get out behind a Xstar.

Thanks for the info.

[SteveO]

I really liked everything about the X2 until I rode behind it. I'm going to try and get out behind a Xstar.

Thanks for the info.

IMO most of the MC boats stock wakes are average to marginal and require the added sacs to get a thick and meaty wake (I hear that the 25 and 35 may be exceptions). The X2 stock is very marginal, but add the sacs and you will be very pleased.

[ttu]

have to agree with steve, both the x star and x2 are so so untill you add more ballast. i went with the x2 for two reasons, first $$$ and second size.

i have a 07 x2 and run stock ballast along with plumbed two 400 lbs fly high ballst in the back. i also have 400 lbs of pop-products under the bow seats. wake is great solid with a good kick.

ps, do love the look and size of the x star but usually it's just a few of us so i really didn't need the extra size.

[MLD004]

The X2 that I rode had the additional fly high set up. IMO the wakeboard wake was small and the surf wake was not that impressive. I loved the interior and the size of the boat. But, now I think we are looking for an X-Star. Has anyone been behind both an Xstar and X2 that was weighted and can give a fair comparison.

Thanks

[willyt]

MLD,
I have been behind both weighted,
Xstars - 2004, with 3k of ballast, 08 with 2200 lbs, 07 with 1500lbs, 05 with ~2,200.
X2's - 2009 with 1800lbs + 6 people, 2008 with 10 people.

Mastercraft once marketed the X2 as the Xstar's little brother, however I think they are completely different boats. First, let’s check out the wakeboard wake.

Wakeboard – both boats require a lot of extra ballast. The 2004 star I rode behind with 3k of ballast was SCARY… (IMO intermediate rider). Sooo much fun when I finally got used to it later in the day though. As my one buddy says, it was scaryfun. As I’m sure you can find, the wake it really rampy and requires you to wait a lot on the pop. If you hit it right, no smoother landing than landing on the other side of that wake though. Oh… it tows the pros too, so that’s about all you can say about that.
06 and newer X2 – a lot of people are down on this wake, and I personally really like it (that’s coming from an older X2 owner… I have the 05). When WEIGHTED (which means it needs the fly high additional ballast plus about 6 people) it’s really poppy, and pretty large IMO. It’s not quite as wide as the star’s wake, so it’s a lot easier to clear for beginners.
Would I buy an X2 for the wake? Sure, I’d buy a lot of extra sacs though. Would I buy a star for the wake? Of course. I’d buy a lot of extra sacs though. Either way, weighted I really don’t think you can go wrong here… just depends on what type of wake you like hitting (poppy vs rampy). Personally I like the star’s wake a little more.

Surf – I’ve seen a star weighted right for surfing, and the wake is huge. Not a great shape though. Can you have a lot fun on it? Of course. Is it the surf boat of the pros? No.
X2 – this is one of the best surf waves I’ve seen, weighted correctly.

Clear winner in this category is the X2.

A lot of the other aspects have been covered… size, interior etc. For me it would come down to the price, options, distance to pick it up, colors, condition.

I’m happy with my 05 X2 now, but I will say if things for me continue to go well for me financially I’ll be looking to upgrade in about 3 seasons. Then, it will probably be between a 25 and a star (wink wink brent Jason and bill) (been behind both). Another one of those situations I can’t go wrong with.

Get on both weighted… and go with your gut. Either way you can’t go wrong, it’s a MasterCraft

[MLD004]

Thanks for the info. Surfing is fun, but usually done after you have taken your licks wakeboarding and looking to enjoy some beverages. Looks like the X-star may be the way to go.

Thanks again!