Daddyodaman

Let's face it, if the only way to ski was behind a $170k boat, there wouldn't be many people interested in the sport, let alone participating.

Is that $170k for a ski boat, that only holds 7 people, and only 4 when you're actually using it as a ski boat? No wonder on Boatsales it only says "Get price". I don't think ANY tow boat is worth that much money, ski OR wake. That's mental.

I'm in Melbourne Australia, and we have a Malibu plant here, so almost all Malibu's you see are Australian built, and from what I see, options cost a lot more here than they appear to in the states. A lot of imported Malibu's here have showers and heaters etc, but not many locally built ones do. If I want front ballast I'm looking at newer ones (2012 onwards) and they are more like 75-80k plus here. ?

If people are saying the VTX has a better wake with the front tank full, and currently there's no boats for sale in my budget with a front tank, wouldnt throwing an adult or a couple of kids up the bow have the same effect?

One thing to ad about my current boat (the xti) is that the three things it doesn't have that would be nice are fuel injection, cruise control of any sort, and a wedge. The motor doesn't really struggle at all, I just know EFI offers easier cold starts/warm ups. I'm debating whether to put perfect pass in it, or just spend (a lot!) more and get a newer boat with all the bells and whistles. I haven't really needed a wedge so far, but if I was to get into surfing it would help a lot I'm sure.

Thanks for the input guys. I had a friend who's a good skier swing behind my xti and he said it wasn't much different to his 05lxi, so that's why I was wondering just how different the VTX would be. I love the idea of more versatility, but definitely don't want to go backwards with the ski wake. I'm still trying to learn to cross the wake more on edge, as I know that helps, but it takes more balls than I've currently got to cross at that speed. I'm not sure if get the wife over the line (unless I can find a more pretty colour ?) but I'm loving learning, for just in case. Maybe for now I should spend my cash on more ski lessons. Having said that, the local ski/wake school boat is a 21 VLX with a diamond hull! ? (They claim it's not bad for skiing, but I can't imagine)

Just chasing people's opinions on skiing behind an 07 VTX with the cut diamond hull. I'm just fantasising about a boat to upgrade from my 04 wakesetter 21xti (diamond hull) and wondering how different the VTX would be to my boat at 15 off and 32-34mph. I ride a 2016 radar senate graphite. Never been through a course, not that serious, just want a boat that I can ski hard behind and advance my skills, whilst having the versatility to wakeboard and even surf. Having tried surfing it's a great fun, low injury alternative to slalom for every other day. I know the VTX is a v drive ?, but it's also a foot shorter thany current boat. Thoughts?

Speed 32-33mph

Standard TX. Graphite senate

I guess my real question should be: how should a 67" senate compare to a 67" TX?

You're probably right andjules, I might be over thinking it. I tend to do that with most things! My 67" TX feels ok (although I don't know any different), so I'm sure the senate wouldn't feel like an oil tanker under my feet. The worst part is at the moment the river I ski on is badly affected by blue green algae, so it's safer to look at it than go in. Not happy about that!!

Hi again, I just turned 40, and for my birthday I was lucky enough to be given a brand new Radar Senate Graphite by all my friends who chipped in together. Super excited about that naturally, but the only thing I'm unsure about is the length. It's a 67" and the guy in the ski shop who sold it to my wife said "get him to call me about making sure it's the right length for him as we can exchange it". I haven't spoken to him yet, but wanted some opinions. According to the radar website, the 67" senate is suited to guys weighing between 160-200lbs. I'm approx 155lbs, 5'9". That puts me in the upper limit of the 65" which is recommended for up to 170lbs, which makes me ask, which size should be better? My current HO TX is a 67" but now I ski at 31-33 mph and I'm trying to get more aggressive with my skiing as I improve. I've read conflicting advice regarding length, and some sites have said longer is better, I'd just love to see what you advise. I only free ski on a fairly well protected river where conditions are very good most of the time. Any thoughts?

No, it's a mid mount. It's effectively the same hull as the response LXI but slightly longer and with more freeboard, so it's a little heavier than a response, but it's still got a pretty good ski wake. It's a real all rounder, which is what I needed. I was just looking into prop options for when the boat was loaded or pulling a heavy skier. I'd love to know the difference three and four blade props make to the wake size/shape if any

Just to clarify Bill, the wakesetter name is a bit misleading, it's really just a Sunsetter with factory ballast and tower. Diamond hull, mid mount, 1:1 gearbox. It's more a "fakesetter". :)

I was out in my 21 xti wakesetter on the weekend, and we had the boat loaded up with seven adults and a few kids, and the wakeboard wake was great, naturally, but I really noticed the extra weight getting onto plane. Its the 310 carb Indmar motor, and have no problems with it, but I've heard that changing the prop is one of the biggest performance mods one can do. The standard prop is the ACME 515, and certainly when the boat isn't loaded it is more than fine. Pulling a heavy skier out or getting onto the plane loaded up takes a fair bit more throttle of course. What I'm asking is, what are my options, (I've read the 525 is a common replacement) however what difference would a 4 blade make? I don't want the ski wake to suffer, and top end doesn't really matter in a towboat in my opinion. Currently the boat sits on about 3200 rpm at 32-33 mph. I've heard some props can reduce the rooster tail. I ski at 15 off, any closer you're right in the tail which is hard to cross (at my level). Has anyone had any experience with this boat and different props?

04 Wakesetter 21 XTI (diamond hull)

Thanks for the replies guys. I was just worried that I was a little too light weight for the ski, given that it's marketed as "easy to get up on for bigger guys", and I'm neither big or struggle on a regular width ski. At least now I know with a couple of lessons and lots of practice I can make the most of it. I guess we all upgrade eventually....

Hi all, I posted earlier in the year about a new ski, and after weighing up between the radar p6 and the HO tx I went for the HO. Now don't get me wrong, I love the ski, and have felt a large improvement in my skiing in the last few months to the point i haven't got my wakeboard wet for ages. On the weekend my friend was with me skiing, and after breaking the binding on his old EP, he managed to get two demo skis to try out, a radar senate alloy, and a radar vapor (graphite I think). Naturally, I wanted to try them too, as they are higher end skis than mine. They were both 67" skis, like mine. Now, my friend weighs approx 85kg (185lb) and I weigh approx 71kg (155lb). I found the senate to be fun and fast, and not bad to get up on or control. The vapor felt like it didn't want to go straight when I needed a rest, but then it is a course ski. The main reason I'm asking is I've found myself wanting to ski much more aggressively (still no course ambition), and I just want to make sure I'm not too light to make use of my ski. I run at about 31-32mph. I'm having a lesson in a few weeks so I'll ask the instructors opinion too, but I'd love your thoughts. I Thought the TX would be my last ski for a long time, but I'm a little worried (as is my wife!) that I might be better on something more advanced (and pricey!). Sorry for the long post!

After many months of research, and speaking to you guys as well, I've finally put a deposit down on a very clean 2004 malibu wakesetter 21 xti. Now before you say "you can't ski behind that!", it's on the diamond hull, and the owner never fitted a wedge, as he mainly used it for his wife to slalom and kids wakeboard, so it should be the all round boat I need. I pick it up next week, and I can't wait, as the weather is starting to warm up here, so it'll be just in time! I'd like to thank you all for your advice and thoughts on the various boats I've discussed, and look forward to hopefully getting back out on the ski soon!

Thanks for the replies. There is only one 216 for sale in Australia at the moment, and I've driven a 2000 Sunsetter lxi, and I can see why they are so admired. The only problem was this one was in a bit poor condition, and there aren't many for sale yet. I'm really hoping a few more pop up now that the weather is warming here, as I really want a boat before summer hits. It seems any malibu with a diamond hull holds its value well, or people just keep them. I like the style and finish of nautiques but they definitely aren't as common here, at least not anywhere near my budget!

Thanks, yeah I'm gathering from all my research that the x9 is not super popular, especially compared to say, a malibu Sunsetter lxi. Wakeboarding certainly is a big part of our intended usage, but I don't need a huge wake to have fun, hence where the diamond hull comes in on the sunscape. There is an x9 I'm still planning on looking at next weekend at a dealer anyway, although I'm beginning to think its gonna have to impress me a lot to get me over the line! My criteria has to be: 1. Family boat, 2. Skiable for intermediate level, 3. Capable of making an intermedite wakeboard wake (no surfing), 4. Reasonable amount of freeboard for when the river is busy.

I'm glad it's better than a response or 197 in chop, as those things are damn near submarines! That's the main reason I don't just buy a response lx, as there are so many available. I want to put my kids up the front, but I'm not keen on any boat that sits only a few inches free of the water, neither is the wife of course!

Ok here's another angle: what has the better ski wake; an X9, or a Sunscape 21 lsv? Ski speed approx 32mph. Both 04 models. Not looking for tournament wakes, I'll never go in a course. Just for family use and a mix of board/ski. These are the only two boats I'm interested in that are available at the moment. The malibu needs a tower added and has no wake inhancement, and the Mastercraft Has that stuff standard of course. Which boat would you buy and why?

How does the x9 go handling other boat wakes etc? My only concern is there doesn't appear to be a lot of freeboard, especially at the bow. I know driving technique can avoid water over the bow usually, but I'd prefer not to be constantly worried about it when picking up skiers etc. The river I'm on can get pretty washy in parts when it's busy. This is where the malibu sunscape I'm also considering is at an advantage. Also, does the x9 observers seat fit two people? I know the Sunsetter and responses do. This is fairly important to the wife, and the main reason I've had to pass on an air Nautique. I'd rather not block the walkway with a jump seat if possible