WaterSki Magazine

WATERSKI Magazine
2006-12-13 15:00:00 | 883 views | 0 Comments

BOAT REVIEW
To discover what the water-sports lifestyle is all about, try the MasterCraft X-45. The interior ranks as one of the biggest in terms of passenger space and storage, meaning entire families and all their friends can hang out on the boat. The versatility of the hull and amenities mean riding behind it is a blast whether wakeboarding or wake surfing or some version thereof. And the style from the double-pronged bow to the redesigned tower to the stainless-steel air vents is a guaranteed head-turner out on the big lake.

PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
If you’re an experienced wakeboarder, you can imagine the size of the double-ups that the X-45 can generate. The wakes are already big, but when the sharp entry of this boat knifes through its own wake to smash two of these swells together in one steep, solid mountain, well, it’s not for the faint of heart. Yet as the X-45 powers through the turbulence, the wide hull and extra deadrise keep the ride smooth and stable for the people on board. The width and size of the wakes, though, mean that more novice riders will want to go very easy on the 1,000 pounds of factory ballast, if they use it at all. Those swells become especially pronounced at the very slow wake surfing speeds, which more and more people are taking advantage of.

The X-45 also excels as a family cruiser, thanks to its interior and handling. The chop of larger bodies of water gets minimized under the modified step hull as the X-45 races on plane.

SPECS
Passengers: 18
Dry weight: 4,950 lb.
Draft: 28 in.
Load capacity: 2,928 lb.
Fuel capacity: 90 gal.
Storage capacity: 127 cu. ft.
Bow: 13 cu. ft.
Center: 58 cu. ft.
Rear: 56 cu. ft.
Platform: 14 sq. ft.
Interior gunwale height: 32 in.
Sun-pad area: 23 sq. ft.

STANDARDS
Base price: $76,220
Engine: Indmar RTP-1 5.7L, 310 hp
Prop: OJ 12.5 x 12 four-blade
Cruise: MasterCraft Cruise
Ballast: 1,000 lb. total
One bag: 300 lb.
Two rear tanks: 350 lb. each
Tower: ZeroFlex
Racks:  Swivel, clamp
Wake shaper: Attitude-adjustment plate
Pylon: Swivel, removable, stowable
Mirror: Tower-mounted
Stereo: AM/FM/CD Clarion deck with MP3 input, four JL Audio speakers, amp, subwoofer, armrest remote
Driver’s seat: Swivel, bolster
Gauges: 2.25 in., 4 in. and 5 in.
Gas fill: Dual
Cooler: 36 qt., under portside seating
Cup holders: 14, stainless steel
Rub rail: Stainless steel
Platform: Teak
Graphics: X Series
Colors: 21 exterior choices in five color ways; two base interior colors and 11 accents

OPTIONS
Engine: Indmar MCX 5.7L, 350 hp; Indmar LY6 6.0L, 400 hp; Indmar L-18 8.1L, 450 hp
Cruise: PerfectPass
Stereo: CD changer, transom remote, swivel speaker cans
Platform: Fiberglass with rubber
Trailer: Tandem axle with disc brakes
Misc.: Heater, shower, bow filler cushion, Bimini top, Saltwater Series package

Also in this line: Maristar 245
For families not looking for the whole X-Series package, this version is a terrific cruiser with great performance.

Phone: 800.482.BOAT
Web: MASTERCRAFT.com