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

[MGoMike]

Whatever you design you better make sure it make so it's not so personalized that you can't sell it down the road. This boat was at a dealership I visited, it was a customer ordered boat and he is a University of Michigan fan. This thing was ugly.

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That’s a nice looking boat!

 

[haknslash]

This winter I think I’m going to install a ladder under my swim deck. What are some mods y’all plan to tackle in the offseason?

 

[OrangeTJ]

This winter I think I’m going to install a ladder under my swim deck. What are some mods y’all plan to tackle in the offseason?

I installed a Garelick EEZ-IN 3 step ladder under my platform a couple of years ago. Great mod.

 

[Chevyguy2021]

This winter I think I’m going to install a ladder under my swim deck. What are some mods y’all plan to tackle in the offseason?

I heard it rattles while under way. That's why we don't plan to install one. Idk, just a heads up

 

[OrangeTJ]

I heard it rattles while under way. That's why we don't plan to install one. Idk, just a heads up

Mine does not at all. It is locked under spring tension when stowed. Very solid.

 

[haknslash]

If you get one that uses a spring or a rubber latch like the Yamaha's use I think made by Westline they don't rattle. The ones I know of that can rattle are the ladders that just slide into a groove. I'd never own that type regardless since I want to make sure it stays put in rough waters or rollers.

 

[InmyElement]

Whatever you design you better make sure it make so it's not so personalized that you can't sell it down the road. This boat was at a dealership I visited, it was a customer ordered boat and he is a University of Michigan fan. This thing was ugly.

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Awesome color!!!

 

[Brad460]

Found some pictures online of the exact same boat we ordered. (I originally spec’ed a grey floor, but changed to tan today) Tomorrow I will get the final build to approve.

 

[haknslash]

Looks good. Did you try to see how platinum interior gel would look too? It would be a little darker than the white constant if you wanted it to blend a little without eh dark theme more IMO. Below is a pic of platinum gel on my buddies interior vs the white you showed above. The online boat builder doesn't do the true colors of the honey brown right as you can see compared to reality.

 

[MGoMike]

That’s a nice looking boat. You are going to love it.

I agree with @haknslash. The darker dash would be real nice with your color choices.

 

[DavisAR195]

The Mondo uses up a lot of storage to get 3700lbs of factory ballast.

Here's what I put a deposit down on today, fits our needs perfectly, wanted a dual axle trailer but it would make it too tall to for my garage and it was an extra 3500.00. I have to wait for them to order and install a few things that I had them throw in for free. Our boating season is done and I was going to wait until spring to take delivery but
they are going to winterize it at no cost and I'm going to bring it home so I can start my stereo build. I was originally going to order a boat but after spending hours on the build we didn't feel there was anything we liked better than this, especially since we wanted the black top deck. I'll have to go bring the boat back in the spring so they can go through an official delivery that they said takes about 4 hours since the salesman and the service manager both go over the bost with you.

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Good looking boat! I have a NXT22 and I would highly recommend the Wakemakers 710 lbs piggy back ballast bags. I’m also running an additional 600lbs of lead. I put 200lbs under each rear bag and 100lbs on each side at the base of the tower.

 

[Brad460]

Looks good. Did you try to see how platinum interior gel would look too? It would be a little darker than the white constant if you wanted it to blend a little without eh dark theme more IMO. Below is a pic of platinum gel on my buddies interior vs the white you showed above. The online boat builder doesn't do the true colors of the honey brown right as you can see compared to reality.

Yes we are doing the platinum interior..The picture above was the closest “real” interior tan picture I could find (just so happens to have the white interior).

 

[anmut]

I keep building these boats and looking at the market and keep getting disappointed. I'm already OK with losing the 50mph speed on the jet boat, taking the prop-strike risk, and taking on the additional maintenance and winterizing needs. However every time I look at one online it's either missing one of the features I currently have or it's 2x the cost for the same features. Lots of features out there that I'm not sure we'd ever use (heater and heated seats?)

My last bitch is that, unless you're into a 200k boat, wtf is with the cheap ass sound systems. Even the four year old Nautiques can be found with full Polk systems that were factory. Really, Nautique? POLK? *grumble grumble probably just pissed it's cold out and boating season is over grumble grumble*

 

[ripler]

Good looking boat! I have a NXT22 and I would highly recommend the Wakemakers 710 lbs piggy back ballast bags. I’m also running an additional 600lbs of lead. I put 200lbs under each rear bag and 100lbs on each side at the base of the tower.

Thanks, we wanted the NXT22, but it will not fit in my garage and garage storage is a must. We love the looks of Mastercraft boats especially with the redesigned NXT line. My dealer said I can upgrade the existing bags for a few hundred dollars, I'm not sure what size the upgraded bags are and I'm already planning on some hard ballast. I don't have the boat yet, I'm waiting on the dealer to install some upgrades that I negotiated for free.

 

[haknslash]

I keep building these boats and looking at the market and keep getting disappointed. I'm already OK with losing the 50mph speed on the jet boat, taking the prop-strike risk, and taking on the additional maintenance and winterizing needs. However every time I look at one online it's either missing one of the features I currently have or it's 2x the cost for the same features. Lots of features out there that I'm not sure we'd ever use (heater and heated seats?)

My last bitch is that, unless you're into a 200k boat, wtf is with the cheap ass sound systems. Even the four year old Nautiques can be found with full Polk systems that were factory. Really, Nautique? POLK? *grumble grumble probably just pissed it's cold out and boating season is over grumble grumble*

Didn't you mention earlier your lake is really shallow and only about 15' deep? If so you don't need to be looking at wake boats. Prop strike wouldn't be an issue at that depth but making a consistent and powerful wave would most certainly be affected. Were you planning on going to a deeper lake?

What features or options are you referring to that is equally the same as your Yamaha? Like I mention earlier your Yamaha has "baked in" cost as you go up in size or model. You're paying for it one way or the other. It's just that Yanaha sells it as a cookie cutter layout so there is no ala crate like you can do on a wake boat.

As far as the stereo goes most of the newer wake boats can come with pretty decent stereos. If you want the really loud and thundererous bass you're likely not going to find it in a budget level boats and you'll need to step up to a newer premium level. The Supra's come with a JL system that is very loud, very clear and has tons of bass. The MB I looked at had Exile audio and it sounded good. Mine I optioned with the Wet Sounds package so it's hardly junk IMO even though I would prefer the newer Max system that comes with a ported box instead of the free air sub I have. Again the good thing about these boats is if you're not happy with the audio they offer, you can simply order it without a stereo and have your own stereo you do like installed at either your house or your local stereo shop. You can't do that with a Yamaha.

 

[anmut]

Didn't you mention earlier your lake is really shallow and only about 15' deep? If so you don't need to be looking at wake boats. Prop strike wouldn't be an issue at that depth but making a consistent and powerful wave would most certainly be affected. Were you planning on going to a deeper lake?

What features or options are you referring to that is equally the same as your Yamaha? Like I mention earlier your Yamaha has "baked in" cost as you go up in size or model. You're paying for it one way or the other. It's just that Yanaha sells it as a cookie cutter layout so there is no ala crate like you can do on a wake boat.

As far as the stereo goes most of the newer wake boats can come with pretty decent stereos. If you want the really loud and thundererous bass you're likely not going to find it in a budget level boats and you'll need to step up to a newer premium level. The Supra's come with a JL system that is very loud, very clear and has tons of bass. The MB I looked at had Exile audio and it sounded good. Mine I optioned with the Wet Sounds package so it's hardly junk IMO even though I would prefer the newer Max system that comes with a ported box instead of the free air sub I have. Again the good thing about these boats is if you're not happy with the audio they offer, you can simply order it without a stereo and have your own stereo you do like installed at either your house or your local stereo shop. You can't do that with a Yamaha.

RE: our lake - we don't have "one lake" as we travel a lot in the area to find the best boating of that day. We're anywhere from 80' deep to, on the river, 5-12' deep. Lots of flooded "lakes" in this area too, so prop strikes are always a worry - one of the reasons I went with a jet originally.

I agree that some things are baked in with Yamaha - but stuff like a bimini, transom audio controls, depth finder, should really be standard on any 70k+ boat, IMHO. Sure the vinyl and fiberglass on these tow boats might be better quality, but in the end, it's still a vinyl and fiberglass boat.

RE: the stereo - yes, that's what I'm finding. Either step up to a Supra / Nautique / Centurion which all come with very nice stock systems or plan on additional $$$ for an install later. My head scratcher is, I'm buying a 100k boat, it should come with at least a quality JL or similar system in the tub. I put 8 JL M6's, a 10" sub and 2 8.8's on our Yamaha for 7k, and that includes a professional install, which was about half the cost. When building a new boat, just put quality in it to begin with!

I'm just annoyed that it's getting cold out... don't mind me.

 

[haknslash]

Lol there is no "might be better" quality. Yamaha makes a decent boat but trust me once you crawl around in these things and feel the details you can easily tell where Yamaha falls short by comparison. I mean you can't even safely run your hand along any storage compartment on a Yamaha without getting splinters from unfinished work from the robot but not a single person bothers to go behind the cut edges and sand them smooth to remove burrs. The fabric is a much higher quality and the gel coat is also on a whole different level. Yes in the end it's just vinyl and gel coat but there is a difference in overall quality for sure and it's something you can feel and experience when you drive one and crawl around them.

Just like stereos go not everyone wants what is offered from the factory. There are a lot of guys that prefer to have a custom bimini made for increased shade or simplicity. A guy recently did this with his Max as he is getting one with a custom rear shade made into a custom bimini which I wish I had in mine. I think that is the point you're kind of missing with a wake boat. You get to choose every single option you want and the reason it's done that way is to allow a customer to spec out what fits in their budget or offer them complete customization so if they don't like what they offer you can get it without and make it truly how you want.

Sounds like you just need to take some demos next season to decide if these are the kind of boats you're interested in. That will ultimately give you the best impression than any boat builder website can offer you. These Yamaha's go for a steep price these days too and are in the same price range as other true wake boats. If surfing is truly what you're after a vdrive surf boat just does it all better for close to the same price Yamaha is wanting.

I hear ya on it starting to get cold. It sucks and means we only have a few trips left before the boat goes for a long sleep . I'm contemplating getting a wet suit to extend the season since it was so busy on the lake this year with all the new boat owners it sucked for good surfing conditions. No fun surfing in white cap chop so I'm looking forward to these last outings when most people will be off the water.

 

[ripler]

You can always order with no stereo. I'm lucky that the boat we are buying has the lowest optioned stereo, I'm planning on using the speakers and receiver and adding my own sub, tower speakers, amps and EQ.

 

[DavisAR195]

Thanks, we wanted the NXT22, but it will not fit in my garage and garage storage is a must. We love the looks of Mastercraft boats especially with the redesigned NXT line. My dealer said I can upgrade the existing bags for a few hundred dollars, I'm not sure what size the upgraded bags are and I'm already planning on some hard ballast. I don't have the boat yet, I'm waiting on the dealer to install some upgrades that I negotiated for free.

I have been very happy with mine and it’s been fun dialing in the surf wave over the season. The rear piggyback ballast bags are 400lbs and Wakemakers makes a 710lbs bag that fills up the entire storage compartment. Just make sure you also the engine bag reinforcements to support the added weight. Those bags are a game changer as they help place additional weight as far back as possible.

What additional upgrades did you get?

 

[ripler]

I have been very happy with mine and it’s been fun dialing in the surf wave over the season. The rear piggyback ballast bags are 400lbs and Wakemakers makes a 710lbs bag that fills up the entire storage compartment. Just make sure you also the engine bag reinforcements to support the added weight. Those bags are a game changer as they help place additional weight as far back as possible.

What additional upgrades did you get?

I had him throw in surf sleeves for the bimini and the walk through door. I was able to get it for 30% off of MSRP, which I don't know if that's good or bad. The new hull design for the 20' is supposed to surf really good. I don't have the freeboard that you do so I only have about 6 inches more in the storage compartment before it's full.