Given the growth of the inboard watersports boat market over the last decade, it should come as no surprise that the trend of offering bigger and bigger models has only—for lack of a better term—grown. Manufacturers such as Centurion, Malibu and MasterCraft all offer models 26 feet or longer. But does bigger always mean better? Not necessarily. Fortunately, for prospective buyers who need something smaller, there are still plenty of options to choose from. Most brands offer at least one model 21 feet or under, and several offer multiple. While the advantages of larger boats specific to wakeboarding and wakesurfing are fairly obvious, such as more room for friends, larger ballast systems for superior waves, etc., there are a lot of benefits to smaller boats.

The most obvious advantage is the purchase price. Generally, a 20- to 22-foot model is going to cost significantly less than a 25- to 26-footer. The second biggest economic advantage for smaller boats is fuel efficiency. Less fuel consumed means more wallet savings. Plus, if you’re a boater who needs to trailer your boat to and from your favorite riding spots, a smaller boat means better gas mileage for the tow vehicle (and quite possibly a cheaper ­vehicle that doesn’t require such a large tow rating).

Along with being easier to tow, smaller boat models are much easier to store, especially if you need to keep one in a standard-size garage. Every model listed in this roundup features a collapsible tower, making it ideal for storing in tighter places. The ­smaller size also presents an advantage when it comes to handling. A 20-foot boat is going to be easier to maneuver than its ­26-foot sibling. MasterCraft’s XT20 is 6 feet, 5 inches shorter, 2 inches narrower and 1,800 pounds lighter than the Yacht ­Certified X26, so you know it’s going to be less demanding to handle in tight quarters.

With all the advancements in hull design and wave-shaping technologies, the smaller boats in the watersports segment are able to produce better wakes and waves than ever before. In years past, buyers who wanted clean surf waves with plenty of push for all the riders in their family often had to go for the bigger boats that displaced more water. In 2024, that’s not always the case. All the boats in our list can create waves that cater to all types of different riding levels and styles. You won’t be able to bring 16 or 17 of your closest friends; however, you can have a blast on the water with everybody you can bring, and you’ll likely save some money while doing it.

Here’s a look at eight of the best wakeboats under 21 feet.

Check out our list of eight great small, inboard-powered watersports boats. If you’re seeking easy stowage and lower costs, your next ride may be on this list.

MasterCraft XT20

The MasterCraft XT20 has undergone a complete overhaul, and MasterCraft spent a lot of effort making sure this 20-footer has the power of larger versions. The updated SurfStar technology allows the XT20 to produce smooth, symmetrical wakeboarding wakes as well as large waves with lots of push. Everyone onboard will be comfortable thanks to the convertible rear bench and transom lounge seats, which were made with triple-density foam and incredibly plush vinyl by MasterCraft. Customers can choose to go more simply with a new build or take this 20-footer to the next level with all the bells and whistles MasterCraft has to offer. The XT line is one of the most customizable on the market.

Pricing and Specs

Heyday H20

The Heyday H20, which is brand-new for 2023, builds on the success of its larger sibling, the H22. Heyday has established a strong presence in the market by providing excellent performance at a very competitive price. The H20 is the only boat in the lineup without an automatic surf system, but it isn’t required because it still produces a good wave that can be enhanced with an additional wave shaper that can be attached on a suction cup. The rear-facing transom seats, which are unmatched by any other manufacturer’s chairs, and the power-folding swimstep are two things we adore about the H20. This makes storing the H20 in a garage or other small locations much easier.

Pricing and Specs

Moomba Mondo

Buyers can now enjoy reliable performance at a more affordable price because of Moomba’s constant improvements to the models’ abilities and performance. The 20-foot Moomba Mondo is the smallest in the fleet, but it produces some very entertaining wakes and waves thanks to an amazing 3,700 pounds of ballast, the Swell Surf System plates, and AutoWake technology. The Mondo’s AutoWake system is essential since it uses onboard sensors to track the boat’s running attitude. The Swell Surf System and ballast will automatically adjust as necessary to maintain the wake or wave at the ideal location. This takes a ton of the guesswork out of setting the Mondo up, which is great for new users or veteran riders alike, because it means less time trying to figure things out and more time on the water having fun.

Pricing and Specs

Axis A20

Since the brand’s beginnings, the Axis A20 has been a mainstay in the range, and in 2020 it had a significant update. The A20 is a fantastic choice for families looking to get into the watersports scene thanks to a better running surface and a more comfortable ride. It is impossible to emphasize how simple the Surf Gate and Power Wedge III systems are to use for wakeboarding and wakesurfing. Because of its adaptability, the A20 is excellent for riders who are just learning to stand up or who want to expand their repertoire of tricks.

Pricing and Specs

Malibu 21 LX

The Malibu 21 LX, introduced in 2022, is a model that draws inspiration from a number of previous Malibu models and transforms them into a multisport, family-friendly vehicle. One obvious example of this is the hybrid bow, featured on the 21 LX, which has lines that are similar to those of a traditional bow but an interior portion that is shaped like a larger pickle fork bow, providing greater space for passengers. Wake Plus and Diamond are the two hull styles available to buyers. While Diamond is designed for customers who also wish to water ski more aggressively behind the 21 LX, Wake Plus is intended for those leaning more toward wakesurfing and wakeboarding performance. As for the wakes and waves, the combination of Surf Gate and Power Wedge III ensure the 21 LX can be quickly and easily tweaked for all different levels and styles of riding. Opt in for the Surf Band remote and the rider can control those systems from their wrist while riding.

Pricing and Specs

Nautique GS20

For 2023, the Nautique GS20 has undergone a total makeover and is all-new. It is hailed as a true crossover performer since it can tow a skier around the slalom course in a matter of minutes after pulling a great wakesurf session with good waves. The GS20’s hull borrows design influences from its Super Air Nautique and Ski Nautique G23 relatives, enabling it to perform better in both extremes than you’d assume for a 20-foot V-drive. The Nautique Surf System plates that were tooled into the boat’s transom enable the GS20 to produce wakesurfing waves that can be adjusted for both novice and experienced riders. NSS plates are also much smaller than other surf system plates on the market, allowing for quick transfers from side to side when wakesurfing.

Pricing and Specs

Supra SR

The 20’11” Supra SR provides the sporty, aggressive appearance for which Supra has grown renowned, along with all-around performance that is suitable for both novice and experienced riders. The SR, which is the largest boat on this list at just under 21 feet, is rated for 14 passengers, more than any other vessel. If you invite some friends along, the 3,300 pounds of ballast and Supra’s Swell Surf System will produce huge, entertaining waves. The standard AutoWake technology from Supra makes the on-water experience easier and more enjoyable for both the captain and the rider.

Pricing and Specs

Tigé 20 RZX

Even though it is exactly 20 feet long, Tigé’s pickle-fork-shaped 20RZX can accommodate 13 people and 3,000 pounds of ballast. The 20 RZX keeps things simple and organized by placing the Clear Screen, which is positioned vertically, as the only screen in the cockpit. The 20 RZX’s systems can still be swiftly and simply managed with a few finger taps thanks to the single screen on the right of the steering wheel, which gives the captain a clear line of sight and minimizes distractions. The 20 RZX is a snap to set up and ride thanks to preset settings for surfing, wakeboarding, and water skiing, and the TAPS 3T surf plates make it simple to adjust the waves for different types of riders.

Pricing and Specs

Three More to Check Out!

• ATX 20 Type-S
• Malibu 20 VTX
• MasterCraft NXT20

The post Eight Great Small Wake Boats 2024 appeared first on Boating Mag.

It is the rare person among us who wants to do one thing and only one thing all the time. Even the professionals who excel at wakesurfing, wakeboarding or water-skiing still enjoy trying their hand at other disciplines. The problem? Each type of boat needs different attributes to help tow-sports enthusiasts enjoy their day on the water. But what if there was one type of boat that could work well for all three? Enter the crossover boat, a style of inboard-powered boat equally capable of flattening the wake for a slalom run, ramping it up for a boarding launch point, or sculpting it for a surf session. Here are five crossover boats to consider. Is one of them right for you? Read on.

Malibu 20 VTX

Malibu designed the 20 VTX to be a boat that can do it all, calling it the “crossover king.” The key to accomplishing this lies in its hull design, which Malibu calls its Diamond Hull. Specially shaped, it helps generate respectable wakeboard and wakesurf waves, yet still allows for slalom skiing. It is able to offset the displacement needed to generate wakes and waves at slower speeds, with hard reversed chines and lifting strakes to help generate lift at the higher speeds required for water-skiing. In our sea trial of this boat, we noted that without ballast, the boat produced a soft, readily crossable wake at tournament slalom speeds.

Hardcore skiers will want to option for the center-mounted ski pylon and TXi Performance Tower, the mounting geometry of which allows a slalom towline to swing across the cockpit. With the center-mounted ski pylon, the boat will track straight and true while a skier carves through a course.

Time to wakeboard? Deploy Malibu’s Power Wedge III—a hydrofoil that adds a response equal to 1,500 pounds of ballast—and watch the wake grow. The standard ballast system fills to 765 pounds, but you can option the ballast capacity up to 3,575 pounds.

When the crew is ready to surf, engage Malibu’s Surf Gate—vertically mounted trim tabs that help shape waves—to sculpt the waves to the rider’s preference behind the boat. The waves are clean and long, and can be ridden as long as there’s enough fuel to power Malibu’s proprietary M5Di or M6Di engines.

Key Features

• Power Wedge III hydrofoil creates displacement equivalent to an additional 1,500 pounds of ballast.

• Surf Gate vertically mounted tabs shape the waves for surfing.

• Optional center-mounted ski pylon puts the skier’s pivot point in the cockpit, as found in traditional ski boats.

• Malibu’s Surf Band allows the surfer to adjust the boat’s wave settings while riding behind the boat.

• Fold-down swim step on the swim platform makes it easy to get in and out of the water.

• Command Center touchscreen featuring mOS (Malibu Operating System) has a higher resolution and is even more intuitive.

Malibu Boats – Loudon, Tennessee; 865-458-5478; malibuboats.com

Nautique Super Air GS20

Many recognized world records in water-skiing have been set behind Ski Nautique models, and the builder’s G Series boats produce excellent wakes for boarding and surfing. For the rider who wants to do it all, even on the same day, Nautique offers the Super Air GS20. In its hull design, the builder features the Nautique Configurable Running Surface (NCRS), which includes an adjustable plate that automatically moves according to user settings in the in-dash Linc Panoray control system. Sensors in the NCRS help it electronically adjust to the ride conditions, similar to auto trim tabs found on many recreational boats.

With that, whoever is driving the Super Air GS20 can flatten the wake for a slalom run behind the boat and use the Linc system to set the boat for pinpoint direction and speed control. Nautique offers a pop-up ski pylon as an option to set the towrope at the lower angle preferred by skiers. (It also serves as a safer towpoint for tubing; we do not recommend using a tower to tow tubers because the angle makes the tube more prone to flying into the air and flipping.)

When you’re ready to surf or board, adjust the NCRS plate in the Linc settings and fill up the 1,850 pounds of internal ballast. While the wake and wave are smaller than those made by pro-level Nautique wakeboats, the GS20 produces a clean, quality wake for boarding or a wave for surfing. Nautique powers its boats with PCM Marine engines, and the Super Air GS20 can be rigged with a 355 hp ZZ5, 400 hp ZR4 or 450 hp ZZ6.

Key Features

• Surf pipe on the transom sends exhaust into the propeller stream and away from the surfer.

• Pop-up ski-pylon option brings the rope’s tow point down, providing better control for skiers and even for tubing.

• Ballast capacity is 1,850 pounds.

• Linc Panoray system includes Ski Assist feature.

• Flight Control tower for boarding tow point.

Nautique Boats – Orlando, Florida; 800-346-2092; nautique.com

Tigé 20RZX

Tigé‘s 20RZX is heavier and beamier than the typical 20-foot crossover, so it is naturally up to the task of producing big wakes. Because of its dimensions, Tigé is able to build in a 46-gallon fuel capacity and create comfortable seating for up to 13 people. That means plenty of spotters for every session.

The first thing to consider is the 20 RZX’s patented Convex hull, a cathedral-style hull that curves upward at the transom and can produce a slalom-ready wake with no ballast and at tournament skiing speeds—around 34 to 36 mph. When it’s time to wakeboard, the driver can press a button on the in-dash Clear touchscreen to fill up the 3,000 pounds of ballast in a matter of minutes. Use the 11-inch screen to control Tigé‘s TAPS 3 System.

For surfers, the TAPS 3 system is a combination of three extended trim tabs on the transom that can operate independently from one another. These tabs help control three aspects of the boat to optimize the wave to the rider’s liking: pitch, list and yaw. For example, by working the tabs to either side, Tigé drivers can help the boat list to 7 degrees to port or starboard to help shape the wave, rather than adjusting the ballast to either side.

Tigé powers the boat with Raptor engines from Indmar, paired with a V-drive. The power options range from the smaller Raptor 440 up to the Raptor 575, a 6.2L V-8 inboard.

Key Features

• Wider beam and deep freeboard allow for increased fuel capacity and storage space.

• Internal ballast system allows for 3,000 pounds of ballast that can be filled in minutes.

• TAPS 3 system allows the driver to adjust the boat’s pitch, list and yaw to optimize the surf wave.

• Alpha 2 tower is a great design for handling all watersports.

Tigé Boats – Abilene, Texas; 325-767-7777; tige.com

MasterCraft XT21

MasterCraft’s XT21 is the longest of the boats we’ve reviewed, although its 8-foot- 2-inch beam and traditional V monohull make it look sleeker than some of the others. With that, it has a large 51-gallon fuel capacity and is capable of holding 14 passengers.

Powered by a 6.0L Ilmor engine made exclusively for MasterCraft, the XT21 tracks true in slalom runs, with a minimal wake when at higher speeds with no ballast. When a wake is needed, MasterCraft equips its boats with its Gen2 Surf System, which is customized for each level of boat in its lineup.

For the XT21, the Gen2 Surf System has an integrated ballast system that provides 2,640 pounds of ballast, with 900-pound tanks placed near the transom to both port and starboard, and a 600-pound tank built under the console’s walk-through to the bow seating. The system also incorporates tabs, which MasterCraft calls shaping devices, to help sculpt and shape the wake or wave to each rider’s preference. All of these aspects can be controlled at the push of a button with the in-dash Murphy touchscreen system.

MasterCraft boats are highly customizable in terms of creature comforts, colors and options. One of the coolest options is the Dockstar Handling System, an innovative flanking rudder system that takes away the pain traditionally associated with handling single-engine inboard boats. Opt for it to make maneuvering in tight spots and around the dock or launch ramp a no-sweat situation.

Key Features

• Gen2 Surf System.

• Convertible transom seat.

• Optional Dockstar Handling System makes bringing the boat into the dock, typically a challenge for watersports boats, a real breeze.

• Opt for the ZFT4 or ZFT7 Power Tower.

MasterCraft Boats – Vonore, Tennessee; 423-884-2221; mastercraft.com

Supra SR

Supra’s SR is also a heavier, beamier boat, with a larger 45-gallon fuel capacity and the ability to seat a crew of 14. Supra bills it as its crossover model, suited for both water-ski and wake-sports duties.

Key to the SR, and any Supra boat, is the AutoWake system. AutoWake is a proprietary autopilot system that goes beyond any other—it utilizes onboard sensors to control the boat’s pitch and roll to optimize the shape of wakes and waves. Updated for 2020, AutoWake now includes an auto-leveling feature that utilizes the surf tabs at the transom to keep the boat level, no matter where passengers are seated during surfing, skiing or just cruising around the lake.

The Swell 3.0 Surf system is another engineering feat. This technology deploys inclinometers to measure the boat’s movements, and adjusts the ballast and Supra Launch settings to get the boat aligned with the boat’s pitch and roll to optimize each rider’s preset wake or wave. The system includes vertical stainless-steel blades to each side of the transom, and the aforementioned center tab deployed on the transom just beyond the prop flow.

AutoWake and Swell 3.0 Surf can be controlled at the dash with the Vision touchscreen control system. The driver will find it easy to use in order to focus on giving the skier, surfer or boarder the ride of his or her life.

The Supra SR is powered by either a 400 or 450 Raptor by Indmar 6.2L V-8 engine that will propel the boat to speeds in the high 30s for skiing or cruising, and can also produce the slow-speed torque necessary for surfing.

Key Features

• FX1 Folding Power Tower is well-equipped for sports and entertainment.

• Wireless phone charging pad at the helm is a nice touch.

• Vision control system at the helm puts every function at your fingertips.

• Swell 3.0 Surf system and AutoWake make prepping for any sport as simple as pushing a button.

• Supra Smart Plate can be adjusted to shape the waves or wakes and to flatten out rough water.

Supra Boats – Maryville, Tennessee; 865-983-9924; supraboats.com

The post Five Top Crossover Watersports Boats appeared first on Boating Mag.

In my dreams, I’m in the middle of nowhere. In a boat. “In solitude lies solace,” said someone famous—possibly, once upon a time. And so, a longing for solitude, plus fatigue from the rat race of Los Angeles, drove me to pursue a favorite pastime: wakesurfing. But it had to be on a lake that is remote, glassy, deserted, and did I mention serene?

There is such a place. Nevada’s Pyramid Lake is an hour’s drive north of the state capital, Carson City, situated in the afternoon shadows of the Sierra Nevada. Owned by the Paiute tribe, Pyramid is as vast—nearly 190 square miles—as it is remote. Visually, it looks like a sky-blue body of water that’s been helicoptered into the center of Death Valley. Except for a few cottonwood groves and desert scrub, Pyramid is as barren a place as you’ll find—which is fine by me.

The lake’s desert environment and undeveloped lakeshore mean special opportunities—and some challenges—for boaters. While a concrete launch ramp and several acres of paved parking exist here, boaters yearning for solitude can launch from the dirt shoreline in various more-secluded places. As such, for someone interested in getting off the grid and away from the back beat of daily life, heading off-road seemed the way to go.

But how do you do that with a wakeboard boat? Thankfully, Ford and Tigé let us try. Ford chipped in a 2019 F-150 Raptor 4×4 SuperCrew powered by a high-output, twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 rated at 450 hp. Tigé provided a 20-foot 2019 RZX20 powered by Indmar’s 6.2-liter Raptor V-8, rated at 350 hp. The coincidence here is more than name: Indmar is Ford’s official marine engine partner, and the big Raptor V-8 in the Tigé boat is a derivative of Ford’s previous SVT Raptor truck V-8.

Leaving Town

The way out of LA is I-5, the long, hot interstate running the nearly 800-mile length of California. With its turbo power, 10-speed transmission, 8,000-pound tow rating, and comfortable heated and cooled seats, the Raptor proved a worthy tow rig for four adults and our gear. Fuel economy on the recommended 91-octane unleaded hovered just above 12 mpg for most of the trip, until after 490 miles, when we began climbing into the Sierras northeast of Sacramento. In that elevation, the rolling average dropped to 9.9 mpg.

Nightfall brought the soft, sweet smell of pines as we steered onto I-80 and climbed to 7,227 feet (1.4 miles high) to Donner Summit, north of Lake Tahoe, then we leveled off and began a gradual descent into Nevada’s Carson Valley. A key advantage for the twin-turbo Raptor V-6 is its comparable performance to a normally aspirated V-8, little loss of performance at altitude, and improved fuel economy in everyday city and highway driving. Our only substantive criticisms of the Raptor are its growling exhaust note and choppy ride quality, a function of the big -17-inch off-road wheels and tires, and firm suspension.

And as for the Tigé trailing behind, with the stout F-150 equipped with electronic sway control, it registered only moderately as a big load in tow, and the four-wheel disc surge brakes on the trailer did a fine job helping slow and stop the rig. Made by Boatmate, the trailer features a handy built-in front ladder, letting us climb to the bow from street level easily when parked.

Into the West

After a pit stop in Reno, we joined Nevada Highway 445 toward Pyramid. Here, the terrain changes dramatically. Flanked not by the lush pines of the nearby Tahoe Basin, the highway to Pyramid Lake is a desert route out of the Old West. On the east side of the highway are pens for wild mustangs—direct descendants of horses that covered the West during the cowboy era—which are now up for adoption. We pulled over to look and found a .45 shell casing. Wild West, indeed.

More miles along the gently undulating road brought us to a winding climb, atop which affords a first view of Pyramid Lake. As I steered the Raptor-Tigé rig onto a shoulder just over the summit, the truck’s big LT315/70R17 all-terrain tires crushed gravel like a giant smashing cornflakes onto concrete. All was still, the air temperature hovered in the mid-80s, and the lake yawned before us like a blue-eyed beauty. And the surface looked like plate glass, with nary a ripple nor boat wake extant.

The cost for a day’s boating at Pyramid is as reasonable as you can get—just $13. We skipped the closest launch site, the formal concrete ramp at Pelican Point, and headed north along the perimeter road, searching for solitude. And we soon found it because, in several miles, a gravel washboard jeep track replaced pavement. And while the truck could handle it, decency for the new boat and trailer—despite its four-wheel independent torsion-bar suspension—decried transiting very far along such a road. So we found a broad turnaround and backtracked, eventually vectoring onto a meandering jeep track—and then slowly rounding desert shrubs, ruts and rocks—to find Warrior Point, a modest crescent of shoreline reaching like a church spire into the lake, offering both windward and leeward sides.

On the windward shore, visible to a keen eye, were telltale hollows about 5 feet across: truck and trailer tracks pressed into the desert soil. Following them on foot brought us to the lakeshore, where previous boaters had created a rudimentary underwater support network of flat rocks. We decided to give launching here a try.

Except for one small problem: The Boatmate wouldn’t back up. As mentioned, the trailer features four-wheel hydraulic surge brakes. When the truck’s brakes are applied while driving, the mass of the boat and trailer continue forward, activating a master cylinder in the trailer-brake actuator to apply stopping power. This simple, effective and well-proven system requires no electrical connection to the truck to activate the brakes. However, backing up the trailer on flat, uphill or uneven surfaces can also activate the trailer-brake actuator, literally locking the trailer in place.

That’s why trailers with surge-activated disc brakes come with a fifth blue wire in the trailer pigtail/plug. When fed 12 volts by the vehicle’s reverse-light circuit, this wire energizes a solenoid that locks out the disc brakes so you can back up. However, a trailer’s electrical plugs with the fifth wire require a special adapter to plug into the F-150, and we failed to get one for this trip.

Fortunately, there’s another solution. Such surge-brake trailers also come with a simple lockout clip that can mechanically disable the disc brakes. Unfortunately, we did not have one of those either. But remember that .45 case? One of our crew had saved it, and now, jury-rigged into place with tape, it substituted for the factory lockout clip, permitting backing the boat across the bouncy terrain toward the lake.

Getting in Deep

Engineered boat ramps are great inventions for several good reasons: 1) They’re steep and get boats to floating depth in as short a distance as practical, which means less of your truck needs submerging; 2) their concrete surface (usually) has a nonslip texture to idealize tire grip and keep rigs from miring; and 3) when possible, they’re built in an area with natural protections from wind, waves and current.

Warrior Point had none of these, and as we set out to try our inaugural Raptor-Tigé immersion on a natural lakeshore, I developed a strategy to not lose nearly $200,000 worth of truck ($72,785 as tested), boat and trailer ($126,754 as tested), thereby becoming the wrong kind of YouTube sensation. And it went like this: Position two teens in the water at the rear corners of the boat trailer, helping me back in straight and watching for any sudden listing of the boat or trailer that would indicate an underwater drop-off. The third teen, stationed adjacent to the truck’s rear wheels, would watch for burying or digging-in of the drive wheels, and the water level at the rear doors.

The primordial ooze of the lakeshore and the shallow bottom contours were nerve-racking because they meant significant risk of sinking the truck while also requiring backing way into the lake to allow the Tigé to float free. As such, I adopted a final strategy for a safe launch (and retrieval): Reverse 3 feet; spotters check for sinking; pull forward 3 feet in 4×4 Low to test retrieval capability; and then reverse 6 feet. By intent, then, each short trial successfully backed boat, trailer and truck 3 feet farther into the lake until, numerous cycles later, the Tigé floated free. Blower on, engine started and gearbox in reverse, the Tigé RZX20 backed serenely into the chalky blue—and still beautifully deserted—Pyramid Lake.

Soon after launching the Tigé, we immediately dived into the wake functions on the big 11-inch touchscreen. These consist of a Surf setting that lowers a center plate at the stern to pull down the rear of the boat, increasing wake height; the TAPS (Tigé Adjustable Performance System) 3 SurfSystem, which operates a combination of port, starboard or center plates to pull one corner of the boat down farther while also yawing the craft; and five ballast tanks, which can hold up to 3,000 pounds of water when full. Experimenting with different presets and then doing our own tailoring for rider, water conditions and passenger count gave us a pretty clean wake of about 2 feet high. Riding perhaps 4 to 8 feet behind the swim platform, it was a nice experience thanks to the best sound system I’ve heard on any vehicle and the quiet underwater tailpipe that Tigé calls “fresh air exhaust.” And the boat’s Raptor engine pulled riders up almost instantly, making it more fun for experts and easier for beginners. The 10.8 mph computer-controlled surf speed was a godsend because keeping a boat exactly between displacement and planing attitudes can be extremely challenging, even with a practiced throttle hand. But the computer did a fine job of it. Well done, Tigé.

Even at Pyramid’s 3,800-foot elevation, the normally aspirated Indmar V-8 had tons of acceleration for pulling up wakeboarders and surfers. We got riders up in just a few heartbeats. Other niceties included the aforementioned B&O Wet Sounds audio system, which is rider-adjustable on a swim-platform control panel, tunable LED interior lighting, a rear-facing camera, touchscreen controls for virtually every system on the boat including GPS navigation, presets for wakesurfing, wakeboarding and skiing, a large storable Bimini, Tigé’s Alpha E2 powered tower that pivots forward for towing or garaging, and a huge 85.8 cubic feet of storage. We surfed all day until the wind kicked up and we ran out of calm water to set a course.

The Load-Out

As experienced boaters know, winds can be both friendly and finicky, predictable and pernicious—sometimes all on the same day. In true “wind west” style, in the hour or so it took to retrieve the 4,975-pound Tigé, offload our gear, wipe Pyramid’s calcium-rich water off the boat and trailer, tighten the ratcheting transom tie-downs and prep for departure, we noticed yet another change in the winds. Only this time, they were abating instead of blasting. As the sun tracked, degree by degree, toward the 7,000-foot Virginia Mountains, we watched in amazement as Pyramid began settling. The distant lightning vanished, whitecaps gradually ceased, the ruffled surface smoothened, and then, just before sunset, what had been a cauldron of chaos returned to silky blue glass. We could scarcely believe it.

Read Next: Colorado River Boating Adventure!

And yes, we seriously discussed taping that .45 case back in place on the trailer and backing along our proven jeep track right back into the lake for this unexpected evening serenity. But it’d been a long day already, including many hours since lunch. While there are few things better than evening glass, from the teenagers’ perspectives, an In-N-Out Burger in Reno called even louder than my appeal to stay.

“You already got your solitude,” they chorused. “Now we want food!” And that’s the way it goes sometimes when you’re in the Wild West.

Raptor Power

The Ford F-150 Raptor and Tigé RZX20 both carry Raptor powerplants. Aside from their Ford engineering roots and the Raptor name, though, they’re significantly different animals.

Ford’s turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 truck engine replaced the original 2010-14 SVT Raptor’s normally aspirated V-8 several years ago, to improve fuel economy and emissions without sacrificing performance. The twin-turbo setup builds boost faster than a single large turbo, and helps ensure the powerband matches that of a grunty V-8. The engine is flexible, working well in a variety of conditions, from rock-crawling in 4×4 Low to city traffic to rushing down the interstate and, naturally, towing and launching.

Decidedly understressed compared to the Raptor’s truck engine, Indmar’s 6.2-liter marine V-8 is designed to pull hard literally from idle—and then run, and run, and run some more at fairly constant speeds. Using Ford’s Super Duty truck block, the Indmar metamorphosis to a Raptor marine engine includes tuning to deliver peak torque from 2,500 to 3,500 rpm—ideal for sportboat duty—and a deep-scavenging oil pickup to maintain oil pressure during extreme hull attitudes.

Here’s the numeric lowdown on the Raptor siblings.

The post A Raptor-Powered Boat and a Raptor-Powered Truck appeared first on Boating Mag.

California Kid
Allison Sos has been climbing the ranks the past few years. She finished third at the 2015 World ­WakeSurfing Championships.

How I Utilize Standard Ballast
While it is nice to be able to weight a boat down evenly and be able to switch sides automatically with the touch of a button, I always like a boat that has a small degree of list better. For instance, I will fill the entire boat to 100 percent and then fill the offside to only maybe 75 to 80 percent (it will usually depend on the amount of people in the boat). I enjoy riding the wave like this better because it gives the wave more push and doesn’t heavily affect the offside wake if I need to switch sides.

How I Utilize Extra Ballast
I usually don’t add any extra ballast, just a boat full of friends.

Custom Settings
I like the wave at about TAPS 4 because it keeps a nice transition and also allows for my air-based tricks.

Boat Speed
Usually 11 to12 mph. The faster you go, the harder the wave is and the ­longer the wave becomes, so it’s all up to ­personal preference.

I Usually Surf
Frontside. I like riding the boat a little more slowly when I ride switch so I have a little more push.

Preferred Board
I ride a custom Soulcraft board; you can find my pro model in production, called the SOS Pro.

My Favorite Single Feature On My Boat Is
The interior. It’s a smaller boat, but the lounge area is still massive with the rear-facing seats and all of the storage space it offers. Plus, it looks fantastic.

Search the Industry’s Leading Watersports Boats

The post Tigé RZX2 Wakesurf Review appeared first on Boating Mag.

Supreme S226

The Supreme S226 creates a fun wave that can be adapted to suit riders of all ages and skill levels. Besides that, with its pickle-fork bow and custom ­vinyl wrap, it’s a boat that will turn heads on the water.

The Supreme’s V-hull design and Stinger Wake Plate help create the wave. Thanks to the QuickFill ballast system, this Supreme is ready to be surfed in mere moments. QuickFill floods the ballast using gravity, and it takes the stress out of a chore that’s usually time-consuming. It produces 1,000 pounds of ballast in minutes. Toss in Supreme’s Plug and Play ballast bags, which add another 1,100 pounds of ballast, and you’re looking at a boat that has awesome displacement for generating waves. You can also opt for QuickSurf on the S226, which lets you craft and fine-tune impressive waves on either side of the boat. The Supreme S226 also features the Pro S4 Tower and Supreme Altitude Control System at the helm.

We surfed the S226 with three people on board, the QuickFill ballast and Plug and Play bags full, and the bow tank empty. The boat created a lengthy wave with good power and a good-size lip that made for fun carving.

The boat is well-suited for those on board too, with room enough for 14 people and all their gear. The swiveling helm seat with flip-up bolster puts the driver firmly in command. A Clarion stereo resides in the glove box with a MW3 remote on the dash to control the six-speaker system. Forty-ounce marine carpet offers posh comfort ­under bare feet.

Malibu Wakesetter 22VLX

Our in-house surfing consultant ­described the wave behind the Malibu Wakesetter 22VLX as “ridiculous.” By employing Integrated Surf Platform (ISP) technologies, the Wakesetter produced a super-tall wave with a clean face that extended far back behind the boat. This gives the surfer a lot of room to play and shred.

Malibu’s ISP consists of its hydraulic Power Wedge II, a hydrofoil that, when deployed, creates enough drag to simulate an extra 1,500 pounds of ballast. The internal ballast system can be rigged to add up to 3,800 pounds of ballast. Malibu’s Surf Gate, a pair of vertical surf tabs, helps sculpt that clean wave face. If the rider is wearing the Surf Band around his or her wrist, he or she can tweak the wave on command while surfing behind the boat.

What are some other important amenities? The stainless-steel G3.5 tower quickly raises and lowers, and it comes with swiveling board racks, Wet Sounds speakers and LED lighting. This is key for towing on a trailer, lowering for bridges and storing the boat in a garage. A standout feature new for 2017 that can’t go without mention is the side pull point on the tower, perfect for those learning to wakesurf. It allows the surfer to be pulled up and over to the correct side without getting caught up in the center wash.

During our testing, we recorded a top speed of 36.7 mph and noted its crisp ­handling during tow-sports maneuvers.

Heyday WT-2

When Heyday introduced the original WT-1, it announced to the watersports world that you can generate a killer wave behind a boat that doesn’t cost six figures to buy. The WT-2 is the brand’s follow-up — it’s 3 feet longer than the WT-1, and the helm console now sits to starboard rather than in the center. You’ll note the helm is located farther forward in the boat than is typical; this is to enhance the driver’s vision while operating at the slow speeds required to build a surfable wave.

The Heyday still looks different. The truncated sponson bow resists swamping when picking up a downed rider and ­reduces overall boat length for easier trail­ering. The transom is molded at a ­117-degree vertical angle to create a natural curl and push effect at wake speeds. Because of this, the WT-2 does not need additional wake- generating devices to produce an outstanding surf wake. The helm itself is bare bones. Heyday figures you own a smartphone or a tablet, which is also where you store your music. Bluetooth makes the connection to the engine and the Wet Sounds sound bar.

The interior is still meant to please a surfing crowd. Adjacent to the motor box are the new “hot tub” lounges, with curved bottoms designed to cradle a pair of observers as close to the wake action as possible. The WT-2 is equipped with a speed-control system, tow towers and an 1,800-pound ballast system. A 350 hp ­V-drive powertrain is tuned and propped to deliver a mountain of towing torque that popped us on plane in 1.5 seconds. It’s engineered to plow a huge hole in the water at low speeds — and the wake is thick and powerful — but the WT-2 is also a pleasure to drive at cruising speed, comfortable and predictable with razor-sharp reflexes.

Tigé RZX3

Tigé designed the RZX3 to carve large, clean surf waves and also create pro-level wakeboard wakes during every session. The key component is the Tigé Clear touchscreen in the dash, software that allows you to customize the boat’s ballast, wave shaping, and rider profiles. Coming in dry at 6,000 pounds with a 65-gallon fuel tank and 3,000 pounds of underfloor ballast, the RZX3 morphs into a 5-ton wake monster with the press of a button.

From the helm, Clear controls Tigé’s TAPS 3 system, which consists of three hydraulic tabs underneath the transom. When engaged, the plates generate yaw, list and draw on the preferred side of the boat to create a sculpted wake. For our test, we pumped the Tigé RZX3 full with 3,000 pounds of ballast, invited a crew of six on board, and easily set the TAPS 3 system to our liking. For wakeboarding, our test rider quickly noticed how big the wake was at 23.7 mph and 75 feet. (We tested this boat at 75 feet back.) Then she noted how firm it was, sporting a long transition leading to a peaky lip. TAPS truly lives up to its promises. Because of its sheer weight, the RZX3 handled well too. It did not list when pulling hard on the tower, thus keeping the wakes consistent and clean. The same proved true while slowing down to surfing speeds for a session.

The Raptor by Indmar 440 engine propelled this boat to a respectable top speed of 37 mph, and it posted 2.6 mpg efficiency at cruising speed.

The RZX3 boasts a roomy cockpit, unique features, and an awesome wake and waves. We were mightily impressed by the intuitive control provided by the Tigé Clear touchscreen and other features, such as the electric Alpha E2 Tower with its swiveling board racks.

Centurion Ri237

Centurion optimized the Ri237’s ­running surface to accommodate the highest level of watersports enthusiasts. The modified V-hull smooths the ride to maximize performance on choppy days. The Ramfill ballast fills in 45 seconds to create huge walls of water. Fine-tune the wake and waves with the Centurion Articulating Tracking System (CATS) and the Stinger Wake Plate. With the QuickSurf Pro, you can move the surf wave from one side to the other in just two seconds.

Interior accommodations include a three-position Slide Seat and a Side by Side (SxS) HD Touch Vision dash that puts the driver in control of all onboard systems at the helm. Seating upholstery is crafted from soft, resilient Comfort Strong ­vinyl from Spradling.

Our test team surfed the Ri237 with three people in the boat and the Ramfill and Plug and Play ballast systems full. The bow and center tanks were empty, the QuickSurf system was in the default mode, and the adjustable CATS was set to zero. The 5,100-pound ballast is an industry-leading number. The wave it generated was powerful and had a ton of push, allowing for a really fun, clean ride.

Axis A24

The Axis A24 produced one of the best wakesurfing waves our test team has ­ridden to date.

The pocket was incredibly long, and the face of the wave had a ton of steepness and power to it. From the start, we could easily configure and tweak the wake to our liking. For crews of varying ability and style, the Axis A24 is an excellent watersports boat.

While the A24 is slightly larger than the other boats here, we included it because it comes in at a lower price point than most other boats listed. That’s the mission of Axis Wake Research, a spinoff of Malibu boats — to provide buyers with a killer wake at a more affordable bottom line.

The A24 sports a wake-shaping hull and shares surfing features found on ­Malibu boats, such as the Surf Gate. With Surf Gate, the A24 creates a huge, ­consistent wave that has a ton of push and power, and it’s equally impressive on either side without having to move weight around. And now for 2017 the Surf Band is also an option. With the push of a button, the surfer in the water can change the speed and transfer sides, and adjust the volume of the stereo as well. For wakeboarding, the Autoset Wedge, a hydrofoil, helps shape sizable wakes without any input from the man at the helm.

While not as tricked out as some of its pricier competitors, the A24 has a large, open-bow seating array filled into the ­pickle-fork design. Combined with the wraparound bench layout in the cockpit, the boat holds up to 17 people. With the ballast tanks drained, we climbed onto plane in just under three seconds en route to a top speed exceeding 37 mph, on par with most inboard surf and tow boats of this style.

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The RZX3 is the Tigé boat that competes with the big boys. Coming in dry at 6,000 pounds with a 65-gallon fuel tank and 3,000 pounds of under floor ballast, the RZX morphs into a 5-ton wake monster with the press of a button. And that’s easy to do with Tigé CLEAR, a touchscreen software system that provides customizable control of ballast, wake shaping, rider profiles and audio.

The Tigé RZX3 is designed to proficiently carve large, clean surf waves and create pro-level wakeboard wakes during every session. The experience of our test team from a sister publication, Wakeboarding magazine, who rode behind the RZX3 proved it could do both.

For our test, we pumped the Tigé RZX3 full with 3,000 pounds of ballast, invited a crew of six on board, and easily set the TAPS 3 system to 3. The first thing tester Emily Dale noticed was how big the wake was, at 23.7 mph and 75 feet. (We tested this boat at 75 feet back.) Then she noted how very firm it was, sporting a long transition leading to a peaky lip. TAPS truly lives up to its promises. Because of its sheer weight, the RZX3 handled great, too. It did not list when pulling hard on the tower, thus keeping the wakes consistent and clean.

So the wake was great, but how long did it take to get there? Well, with the Tigé CLEAR, we pressed the button, and a few minutes later, all ballast was filled. The Raptor by Indmar 440 combined with the TAPS 3 system handled the rest, getting us on top of the water with great efficiency. That engine also propelled us to a top speed of 37 mph, and it posted 2.6 mpg efficiency at cruising speed.

The RZX3 boasts a roomy cockpit, unique features and awesome wake and waves. We were mightily impressed by the intuitive control provided by the Tigé CLEAR touchscreen and other features, such as the electric Alpha E2 Tower with its swiveling board racks. Wakeboarding, wakesurfing — and yes, even skiing should the mood strike — the Tigé RXZ3 is one versatile tow boat.

High Points
* Tigé CLEAR touchscreen is as intuitive to use as a smartphone. We could easily read it in daylight as well.
* Electric Alpha E2 Tower lowers to the level of the windshield and includes swiveling board racks.
* Big, tech-filled and versatile towboat that morphs into a 5-ton wake monster with the touch of a button.

How We Tested
Engine: Raptor by Indmar 6.2L 440
Drive/Prop: V-drive/15″ x 12″ 4-blade Nibral
Gear Ratio: 1.5:1
Fuel Load: 40 gal.
Crew Weight: 1080 lb.
Ballast Tanks: Empty

Price
$123,425 (base)

Contact
Tigé Boats Abilene, Texas; 325-676-7777; tige.com

The post Tigé RZX3 appeared first on Boating Mag.

We put a team of riders from a sister publication, Wakeboarding, aboard the Tigé RZX2, and these experts concluded that the RZX2 stands as one of the best boats in the entire Tigé lineup. It’s a star that shines for wakeboarding, wakesurfing and even water skiing. Let’s discuss this boat in more detail.

The RZX2 is an all-new model for 2017 and is a smaller version of Tigé’s flagship model, the RZX3, formerly known as simply RZX. This boat offered a huge wave with a ton of push and a really substantial lip that every top-level wakesurfer would appreciate. The wave’s heavy and powerful characteristics are in large part due to Tigé’s innovative surf system, TAPS 3. Since last year’s debut, TAPS 3 has become a desirable feature, earning nods of approval for creating massive, consistent swells behind the boat.

Consisting of three plates that can be independently manipulated, TAPS 3 makes for easy wave configuration and quick three-second transfers, all while keeping your boat evenly weighted. The wave behind this 22-foot powerhouse is definitely up there with the best wakesurfing waves in the world. It will tow you to great wakeboarding heights and allow the crew to enjoy slalom ski runs. If you’re looking for a boat that will help elevate your wakesurfing game, look no further than the RZX2.

Credit for a big part of the RZX2’s performance goes to the Ford Raptor by Indmar 6.2L 460. This brawny V-8 engine, a top-tier towsports power plant, shot our test boat to a top speed of 37.8 mph, while netting nearly 3 mpg efficiency in the cruising speed range — good efficiency to be sure, for a boat this size and packing this much torque and power under the hatch.

We were impressed by the RZX2’s long list of high-end standard features, highlights of which include the Alpha E2 Tower, Tigé CLEAR, a Yeti cooler, a rearview camera, custom floor covering, Zero Off GPS speed control and the ICEpower premium audio system. Check out this boat for powerful performance and versatility.

High Points
* Alpha E2 Tower with swiveling board racks is standard.
* Tigé CLEAR 10.6″ touchscreen is the biggest in the watersports boat industry.
* We say “Yay!” to the Surf + Wake XL Ballast option, which resulted in quick and precise wave and wake optimization for our riders.

How We Tested
Engine: Ford Raptor by Indmar 6.2L 460
Drive/Prop: V-drive/15″ x 12″ 4-blade Acme Nibral
Gear Ratio: 1.5:1
Fuel Load: 34 gal.
Crew Weight: 360 lb.
Ballast Tanks: Empty

Price
$114,521 (base)

Contact
Tigé Boats Abilene, Texas, 325-676-7777, tige.com

The post Tigé RZX2 appeared first on Boating Mag.

The Tigé R21 boasts a long list of features not typically found aboard most value conscious entries in the watersports boat category. Yet, our extensive evaluation did not reveal any shortcuts in construction or rigging, nor did the boat’s performance lack for joy, despite its attractive MSRP. It demonstrated versatility at a range of watersports and made an impact on members of our test team who rode behind the boat, like Emily Dale of a sister publication, Wakeboarding magazine.

“The R21’s wave was really substantial and had a ton of power,” Dale says, noting that this is something you won’t always find from a boat that falls into the 21.5-foot range.

Dale credits much of the wave’s awesomeness to TAPS 3, Tigé’s surf system that consists of three adjustable plates. Based on their orientation, these plates create powerful and clean waves on either side and allow for speedy three-second transfers. We were impressed that the TAPS 3 Surf System comes as a standard feature on the R21, a budget-friendly boat. It’s a must-have if you want easily configurable, high-level surfing performance. With TAPS 3, you’re getting one of the most progressive surf systems on the market today, without having to break the bank. Whether you’re talking about length, height, steepness or push, this wave is outstanding across the board, Dale says.

This boat was a blast to run, too. With the Indmar 360R engine, it rocketed onto plane at a time that averaged 4.4 seconds with the ballast tanks empty. We recorded a top speed of 42.8 mph, and the R21 proved efficient, netting a thrifty 3.6 mpg efficiency at 35 mph. Its patented ConvexV hull contributes to its wave shaping and its performance thanks to the way it curves up toward the transom. This continuous rocker harnesses the Coanda effect, which causes fluid to adhere to a curved surface.

If you’re in the market for a value-class boat that offers a ton of top-notch features and watersports capabilities, the R21 might just be the perfect boat for you.

High Points
* Patented ConvexV hull enhances performance, shaping wakes and waves like no other.
* TAPS lets you go from a wakeboarding wake to a slalom wake in seconds.
* Tigé Active Touch touchscreen is large, bright and intuitive, and works like a smartphone.

How We Tested
Engine: Indmar 360R
Drive/Prop: V-drive/14″ x 12″ 4-blade Nibral
Gear Ratio: 1.5:1
Fuel Load: 48 gal.
Crew Weight: 450 lb.
Ballast Tanks: Empty

Price
$63,996 (“watersports-ready”)

Contact
Tigé Boats Abilene, Texas; 325-676-7777; tige.com

The post Tigé R21 appeared first on Boating Mag.

The Tige 5 Warranty will give owners years of confidence. In addition to the Lifetime Hull Replacement Warranty that is already standard on all Tige boats, The Tige 5 will cover the parts and labor on every component of all Tige models. The closed cooled Raptor/360R engines, Tige Touch2/ActiveTouch screens, electronics, Wet Sounds audio system, and the Boatmate trailer are just a few items that the warranty encompasses. To see the full warranty, click here.

Customer satisfaction has been, and always will be, Tige’s #1 priority. Tige is the proud recipient of their 11th National Marine Manufacturers Association CSI Awards for Excellence in Customer Satisfaction. No other inboard manufacturer has won this award more. The Tige 5 Warranty allows Tige to continue to take a very strong position on ensuring the satisfaction of current and future Tige owners.

The Tige 5 Warranty will be retroactive for every 2016 Tige model, and is transferable to the second owner. The Tige 5 is sure to increase the resale value of every Tige, which is already among the highest in the industry.

Celebrating its 25th Anniversary, Tige Boats continues to place innovation and passion at the heart of their boats. Today, Tige keeps these values alive with one common goal in mind—to make your ride better than anything else on the water. From their world-class manufacturing facility and across the 2016 product line, Tige’s consistent design and quality driven mentality has refined the marketplace, while forever intensifying the love of life on the water. Become a part of it at Tige.com.

The post Tige Boats Announces the All-New Tige 5 Warranty appeared first on Boating Mag.

Tigé has a new flagship as well as a surf system, and we’re happy to say that this surf-minded company still generates waves just as solid as the ones that built its reputation.

Tigé was doing a great job with listed surfing for years, and their customizable curls are only improved with the new TAPS 3 Surf System. Tigé figured out a long time ago that their ConvexV hull worked best at a list of 7 degrees, and that number hasn’t changed in all the years they’ve been developing surf boats. Instead of adapting the way they made a wave to the current trends, Tigé made the TAPS 3 Surf System slightly list the boat, so it’s almost like you’re getting a listed wave from a surf system. The new surf system means you don’t need to move weight from side to side.

The real story, though, comes when you throw in Tigé’s industry-first Surf LinkTM Remote to control which side the wave is on, as well as its shape while you’re surfing. Tigé executed this system extraordinarily well, so it’s very intuitive to grab the remote before you surf and hit a button to make the wave switch. There’s no syncing or button confusion — it’s just instant fun. You can also hit the up or down buttons to dial in the wave. You’re doing it while you’re riding, so you’re getting instant feedback as it changes.

The wave tends toward a long, clean shape, with more drive than some competitors. It’s also thick, with a pronounced lip and a semi-steep rear pocket that transitions to near-vert at the rooster tail.

Top-Notch Trait: Tigé caters to surfers both inside and out of the boat, and it shows, not only in the wave quality but also the innovative rear surf locker. The compartment is perpendicular to the length of the boat and has padded walls to fit multiple boards, in what is still an unrivaled surf-storage innovation.

Stat: Tigé is providing only one level of ballast upgrade this year, and it’s for a good reason. Although a menu of ballast numbers sounds nice in theory, each Tigé is really only at the optimal surf experience when it’s loaded with enough ballast. With that in mind, the company sorted out what the ideal ballast numbers were and made only that level available for each boat. The RZX weighs in at a hefty 3,000 pounds of ballast.

Check this boat out in our 2016 Boat Buyer’s Guide >>

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