WaterSki Magazine

The X-30 is better than ever. That was our consensus after our first official test since MasterCraft revised the X-30′s hull. This big but not super-big V-drive is slightly shorter and wider than before, with enhanced wakeboarding performance and great handling in open water. Thankfully it’s cooler than ever, too, with new hammered-metal-look vinyl in the interior and some of the freshest exterior graphics we’ve seen.

The X-30 kicks out a no-lip wake with a smooth transition that you can charge without getting swallowed for a full spectrum of moves. The wake is on the wider side, so lower-level riders will want to shorten up one to two lengths.

The vented-step hull with extra deadrise means the X-30 is ready to cruise over bigger water. Of course, it’s also a very stable machine at the slower wakeboard speeds, which you can easily hold with the standard MasterCraft Cruise. This boat deserves the upgraded Indmar MCX 350-horsepower engine.

The extra width let us stretch out across the rear of the wraparound lounge, and we were fully extended on the sun pad. The upholstery is designed to look and feel great now and, just as important, years down the road.

Base price: $65,110

Length: 22 ft. 5 in.

Beam: 102 in.

Seating capacity: 16

Fuel capacity: 65 gal.

Test prop: OJ 13.7 x 17 4-blade

Test engine: Indmar MCX 5.7L, 310 hp

Top speed: 42.8 mph 5,000 rpm

Accel. to 30 mph: 7.1 sec. 165.7 ft.

Accel. to 36 mph: 9.6 sec. 289.8 ft.

Noise Levels (db): Neutral 61 D 59 R, 36 mph 83 D 90 R