Thoughts and demo rides of wake / towsports boats: Moomba Max, Axis A22, MB Sports

[OrangeTJ]

Speaking of toons - last weekend on Lake Tahoe we saw one with twin 400 outboards! 800 hp tri toon. Just damn. Each of those engines goes for about $33k.

 

[2kwik4u]

Speaking of toons - last weekend on Lake Tahoe we saw one with twin 400 outboards! 800 hp tri toon. Just damn. Each of those engines goes for about $33k.

Saw this guy at Lake Cumberland for the poker run last year. Didn't see him again all weekend, but was hoping to chat with him about what kind of speed it would run.



This guy was there too.....obviously a different class of boat, but still impressive!

 

[swatski]

One of the things I like about all the freeboard besides the storage space is that you feel very secure and safe inside. This is important to me with kids and adults on board who aren't familiar with being on a boat. You sit inside the boat rather than feel like you're sitting on top of a deck if that makes sense.

On the larger lakes the waves can get pretty steep with short intervals and I have to keep the bow high and plow on my boat to keep from dipping the front if I try to go slow. Seen a lot of wake boats also struggle going through areas like that where it can get pretty rough. Even if I keep the bow up to not take a shot over the bow I'll end up getting sprayed sometimes. Just sitting in a cove my boat has been rocked and about took water a few times just from boats passing by. I just like a dry, comfortable ride. With all the space and wiiiiide bow layout the boats just works for me on a lot of aspects. I know it's not for everyone and it may not even be for me when it's all said and done but that's why they make a ton of different boats out there for everyone's own preferences.

I don't wakeboard so not really worried about staging areas although there is a small step area you can sit against on the Max. It's not as big as others but I think it would be large enough to use and get staged. Idk I don't wakeboard so this area isn't that important to me so long as there's cup holders lol but a Bayliner this boat is not.

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For the most part all Moomba look about the same at the stern. The Max sits the highest obviously but overall they all share the same general look as most other Wake boats. Some have larger steps or staging areas and the higher end premium boats will have rear facing seating or something more elaborate. Below are pics of the Craz and Mondo for reference. About the same look and small step area for boarding and whatever.

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Sure.
I'll just leave this here, lol



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[haknslash]

Ok? I don't get it lol. The Yamaha swim deck is a great feature.

BTW this is Bayliner Capri. Doesn't look anything like a Moomba. If anything I'd say it looks like Yamaha closely resembles it in some areas, does it not?





If you're really wanting a swim platform transom similar to a jet boat you're going to need to look into a Nautique GS series, Mastercraft X series or something like that but those boats are premium grade boats and cost $$$$. The swim platform area is nice but it isn't that nice $$$. YMMV how important that is to you over surf and watersports performance.

Nautique GS series..



Mastercraft X series which BTW I love how the storage and seats are used on the transom seating area (take note Yamaha)....







Random cool pic from an X24 lol...

 

[haknslash]

Supreme rolled out 2 new models for 2019. They are called the ZS series, short for Zeus. They have a 21' and 23' length with some interesting angles incorporated into the design of the hull and interior. I really like the wide bow. The dash is a bit ....interesting in layout. I also like the extra rear wet storage lockers that also gives you an extra seat surface to lounge on or prepare before getting in the water!

Here's the ZS212...

 

[haknslash]

Here's the larger ZS232...

 

[haknslash]

I snagged the stills from their videos.

 

[MattFX4]

I like em. Dash is meh, but looks like a nice option for a cheaper wake boat. No frills, but gets the job done.

 

[haknslash]

For those with deep pockets the 2019 G23 has it all! So many details in their design and tech you can see where the money goes. This all red with tan interior looks amazing!

 

[2kwik4u]

There is a Supreme on our local lake. Looks like a nice boat, but haven't really been close enough to get a good detailed look at it. They're the "base model" Centurions right?

I still think all of these wake towers look like hammered dog crap. Very "over industrialized" in the look, and complicated for the sake of being different. The forward swept AR towers are a much better looking design, and in operation much more laterally "stable" when cruising. Riding on my buddies Centurion, his tower is NOT confidence inspiring at all because it moves around and flexs so much. The design is not good looking and not laterally stiff at all. On a $100k+ boat I would expect better.

What are the little ports in the floor for on the Supreme? Ballast bag access?

I do like how the windshield doesn't come back on the sides. Not sure if I would like it in practice when on the water, but the look is good, and it makes sense to not have side windows on something that doesn't move that fast.

 

[haknslash]

Correct the Supreme boats are the entry levels Centurions basically and are made at the same factory in CA. The are hand built and vacuum bagged during the fiberglass hull process just like the more expensive Centurions.

I agree some of the towers on these boats aren’t that attractive. To me the tower design isn’t as much of a deal though and I tend to look past it. Most are made to be pretty robust as they are made to hold a lot of speakers and heavy racks. Both the Momba and Axis I drove had towers that seemed to not rattle or move around. Of the two I preferred the Moomba Max tower because the Axis tower has a side plate you have to deal with and it’s nist not as easy to put up and put down. The nice thing about these towers is almost all of them are counter balanced making them easy to operate even if hiding one hand. You can’t really do that with our towers lol. The majority of the tow boat towers are forward swept meaning the lean and fold forward. Just depends what tower comes with that specific year boat as they like to change them up every few years with a refresh.

Those little compartments in the floor are usually for the drain plug(s). Many of these boats come with several drain plugs along the center of the hull/keel as well as a transplant bulge drain plug.

I like the windshields that don’t wrap all the way around like on the Axis, Supreme, MB etc boats. It offers an unobstructed view to the side with no window coping in your way and it also allows you to easily bend over to deal with dock lines and cleats.

 

[2kwik4u]

Yea, I was amazed at home much the tower moves around on the Centurion. I'm sure it's not helped by the 10+ speakers and dual board racks that were full. There is some considerable weight there. I've either been on the rope in the water, or in the bow on that boat until a few weeks ago. Rode in the cockpit area for a quick run back to the dock to pickup a friends forgotten item in the truck. Water was rough, but not terrible, and that tower was easily moving 2-3in side to side as we encountered waves. Somewhat unnerving with that much weight overhead.

 

[spatty99]

I just did a demo of a 2018 Moomba Helix, including about an hour in the water wakeboarding and surfing, as we're deciding on jet vs inboard for our next boat. The Moomba wake was absolutely insane, there is literally no comparison. I had to hit the Moomba wake at 50% of my normal speed/edge and was still getting 4x higher and landing too far out in the flats (and we only used about 50% of the available ballast). It literally ruined wakeboarding behind the Yamaha (2008 212X) for me.

 

[haknslash]

Speaking of Moomba, their website was finally updated yesterday so hat you can build and spec out a new 2019 including the Makai. Such an awesome boat for the money.

 

[MattFX4]

Speaking of Moomba, their website was finally updated yesterday so hat you can build and spec out a new 2019 including the Makai. Such an awesome boat for the money.

I played around with the builder yesterday. Makai is nice, but man it’s big. Almost too big. It looks really long from above looking down in to cockpit. I really like the craz pro with the exception of the pointy bow.

 

[haknslash]

For sure she’s a big boat! I have no need or enough friends to ever fill that boat lol. It’s a sexy beast though and you gotta love the subfloor ballast! Also like the new gel changes to the Max and entire lineup.

 

[MattFX4]

Well, it was only a matter of time before a surf pontoon arrived...

https://boatingindustry.com/news/2018/10/08/minnesota-based-montara-boats-introduces-surf-pontoon/

 

[MattFX4]

 

[swatski]

Well, it was only a matter of time before a surf pontoon arrived...

https://boatingindustry.com/news/2018/10/08/minnesota-based-montara-boats-introduces-surf-pontoon/

DO you have any pics? - of the stern/hull!

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[swatski]

Is it full-time or "on-demand" surf mod of the stern? - is it just really a big deck boat re-branded?

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