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WATERSKI MagazineMasterCraft X-7
OVERVIEW
MasterCraft decided to let you have your cake and eat it too when it took the direct-drive handling of the ProStar 197's five-event-approved EVO hull and equipped it with the wakeboarding amenities of rear ballast and a ZeroFlex Flyer tower with thumping JL speakers to create the water-sports crossover known as the X-7.
Aside from the performance versatility of this do-it-all ride, you get ample interior space for a boat that's less than 20 feet long, with open-bow seating and a transom-wide convertible rear bench that doubles as a ballast cover. MasterCraft even managed to give you a little more wiggle room around the engine box. Subtle touches like stain-resistant upholstery also enhances the X-7's value as an all-around family boat. With the stereo/CD remote located on the starboard gunwale, the driver can attend to the throttle and crank up the volume at the same time.
SKIING
With empty ballast bags and two people on board, skiing wakes are phenomenal at both tournament and recreational speeds, giving 15- to 28-off skiers as much to grin about as shortliners. The hull's 30-degree entry point eats up the bumps and scatters the froth.
WAKEBOARDING
If your first love is slalom skiing, but you enjoy the occasional wakeboard session, the X-7 is the boat for you. The transitions are smooth with soft landings, and the wakes are firm and crisp with respectable launch capability. Getting a rider up with full ballast isn't a problem when you've got the standard fuel-injected horses of the RTP-1 power plant.
LOWDOWN
• Ideal for serious slalom skiers who like to moonlight on the board.
• Cockpit ballast switches give the driver fingertip wake-size management.
• Optional Garmin GPS with lake maps capability lets you wander in search of the perfect spot for your session without leaving a trail of breadcrumbs.
• A spacious aft-facing observer's seat is big enough for a trio.
PERFORMANCE
Top Speed 42.5 mph 4,700 rpm
Accel. to 30 mph 5.1 sec. 122.8 ft.
Accel. to 36 mph 6.9 sec. 215.9 ft.
Noise Levels (db) Neutral 62 D 62 R, 36 mph 88 D 90 R
SPECS
Length 19 ft. 8 in. Beam 91 in.
Seating Capacity 6
Fuel Capacity 30 gal.
Test Prop OJ 12.5 x 12 4-blade
Test Engine Indmar RTP-1 5.7L,
310 HP
