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

[haknslash]

Went to the Raleigh Boat Show today. Here is what seems like a good discount and price on a 2018 Max. Not sure if you can read it all but total cost of $79300 with $10k taken off. So $70k with almost $18k in options. Not sure if this discount is representative of other dealers.

@haknslash Want to come up here and buy it? I know you like them.
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That's a smoking deal considering every box on the options list is checked! G6 ballast, Autowake, the whole nine yards!

What did you think of the Max? Did you hop inside it to check out just how deep it is and how deep all the storage is? I swear I could fit my 192 inside the rear locker

 

[Scuba_ref]

I could afford half of one maybe someday lol.

I'll buy the other half!

 

[haknslash]

This blue, silver flake and black (or maybe graphite) Makai looks badass!

 

[Boosted89]

Went to the Charlotte boat show today, spent some time inside a Supra, several Moombas, and a MasterCraft NXT22. Loved the Supras and the overwhelming details, but I can't spend $110k unfortunately. Controversial looks aside, I liked the practicality of the Max a lot and I think it looks good and has a lot of bang for the buck. Out of everything my wife and I both fell in love with the NXT22 though. I know it may not be the best in specific categories or features, but I love the quality feel of it.

 

[96Pirate]

I did go inside the Max @haknslash . I was in one a few months ago at my local dealer as well. It is huge but i still prefer the Craz. My dealer was telling me they went away from the Mojo Pro this year because the Craz were so popular last year so that is why they are offering the Craz Pro this year. My dealer is getting a Makai this month but their Charlotte branch has one now and he said they have 2 people ready to buy it right now. He is letting me know when they are getting the one in Raleigh so I can go check it out. Not like I will buy it though. I hope to still get a chance this year to surf the Craz.

I also went in a couple Supras and a bunch of Mastercraft. The Mastercraft X Star is so sweet but way out of my budget. I liked the analog gauges in the 2018 Craz so interested to see what the 2019 will look like with the screen.

To put the Max’s size into perspective, here is a shot of the Max next to a Super Air Nautique 230. The Max is sitting a little higher on the trailer but jeez, the thing is huge.

 

[haknslash]

Wow great pic lol! She's a big girl for sure. When I see the Max on my lake it looks so big on plane with all that freeboard. I want to see what one looks like with 5500+ lbs. I bet it still wouldn't have the rub rail touching the water lol.

The Craz Pro is sweet and I still love the lines of it. The Makai is IMO the perfect blend of Max and a Mojo. I really wish I could afford one nicely equipped as I love the lines and layout. It can surf at 3100 RPMs and still get decent gph!

 

[2kwik4u]

Can these giant wake boats still be towed with a 1/2 ton pickup? I'm seeing 3 axles under some of the 24-26ft boats. They have to be climbing into the 7k lbs range or more dry.

 

[haknslash]

Can these giant wake boats still be towed with a 1/2 ton pickup? I'm seeing 3 axles under some of the 24-26ft boats. They have to be climbing into the 7k lbs range or more dry.

A lot of guys tow with a 1/2 ton. The ballers tow with a 3/4 ton jacked up diesel lol.

Btw here's another good size comparison of the Max vs older Moomba Mobius LSV

 

[Arcadyus]

I really like the max. I need to go see one next year so I can start planning on how to buy one in 3 years.

 

[96Pirate]

One of the biggest gripes I have against the Max is the huge step up from the swim platform. You can see it clearly in this pic. There is a little step more than half way up but it is only maybe 6” deep. Its a really tall climb once you get up there and i think I would get tired of it.

Saw a red Max on my home lake yesterday.

 

[sethman919]

That Max is a NICE boat. I was drooling on that thing at the Raleigh show too.

 

[96Pirate]

A lot of guys tow with a 1/2 ton. The ballers tow with a 3/4 ton jacked up diesel lol.

Btw here's another good size comparison of the Max vs older Moomba Mobius LSV

View attachment 81831

Just make sure you drain all the ballast before towing.

 

[PEARCE]

Just make sure you drain all the ballast before towing.

Or you do like a friend of mine does and tows his wake boat home with full ballast and hits the dump button while parked in his front yard. Bam! Lawn is watered for the week for free!

 

[OrangeTJ]

I'm not sure on the Makai, but on the Max, it sure doesn't look like there's a good spot to sit on the transom to get a wakeboard on your feet. It's pretty nice to have a good ledge about a foot above the swim platform to sit while you strap in. Also nice for hanging out when just floating. That Max is definitely a behemoth! Overall I would say I prefer the lines and proportion of the Makai, though. While the storage volume created by the massive height of the Max is immense, it can also be so deep that it is hard to get stuff back up out of. I really don't think that much freeboard is much of a practical benefit in any case, as my own boat carries 5000+ pounds of ballast despite being significantly less tall and never has come close to taking water over the side.

 

[swatski]

I'm not sure on the Makai, but on the Max, it sure doesn't look like there's a good spot to sit on the transom to get a wakeboard on your feet. It's pretty nice to have a good ledge about a foot above the swim platform to sit while you strap in. Also nice for hanging out when just floating. That Max is definitely a behemoth! Overall I would say I prefer the lines and proportion of the Makai, though. While the storage volume created by the massive height of the Max is immense, it can also be so deep that it is hard to get stuff back up out of. I really don't think that much freeboard is much of a practical benefit in any case, as my own boat carries 5000+ pounds of ballast despite being significantly less tall and never has come close to taking water over the side.

Glad I'm not the first to point it out, lol.
Looks like a... 1990s Bayliner, that stern...

--

 

[OrangeTJ]

I don’t think I’d go that far. I can see why people like it but to me it just seems like they really focused maybe a bit too much on making it really tall. I’m sure it is awesome, though!

 

[haknslash]

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.



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.

 

[OrangeTJ]

Those pics are helpful! I hear what you are saying. It just goes to show that I base my opinions on my own experience on the lakes I’ve been on. If you are on a really big lake or one that gets really choppy then I can totally see how that massive freeboard could be comforting.

 

[haknslash]

The ride quality wasn't as big of an issue on my smaller river but when I took my boats to some of the larger and deeper lakes the waves can get tiresome having to go slow to keep the wife and kiddo happy. I can't go too slow or we get rocked all over the place on busy weekends on the larger lakes. So I end up plowing about 15-18 MPH to use some of the v in the bow of he hull to help cut through it but even then it can be rough with spray. Wife would love a pontoon and she has tried to talk me into one but not ready to go strictly party barge yet lol. I told her the only one I would like would be a trihull with twin engines and those are as expensive as Wake boats lol. So yea not going there and figure the Max gets you near deckboat level of seating and space while still being awesome for surfing and such.

I'd still love the idea of a used MB but reading some of the stories on the MB forum about MB being difficult to work with on some warranty items makes me a little apprehensive. Also didn't care for the interior not being quite as deep and the drivers seat being so low just like my 192 is. Still love the wave they make though!!

 

[2kwik4u]

.....Wife would love a pontoon and she has tried to talk me into one but not ready to go strictly party barge yet lol.......

We were CLOSE to pulling the trigger on a 24ft Tri-Toon with a 225hp on it. Dealer said it would run in the mid/low 40's pretty easy, and had SO MUCH SPACE.....They ride so smooth too......but suck for wakesports.

Just need to find a buddy with a Pontoon. We typically go raft up for an hour, eat lunch, then take the 190 out and ride the board for a few hours. That is of course after tossing the babies and wives onto the pontoon