'02 Xstar wake comparison vs '11 X1

[Tristarboarder]

So the classic 205v hull, the same, besides little changes like the tower and other options. With that being said, is a 2002 Xstar wake exactly (when weighted exactly the same) as say, a 2005 X2 or a 2008 X1, to a 2011 X1? I know the available engine options changed over the years, but what would the advantage be in buying a 2011 X1 vs a 2002 Xstar or 2004 X2? Aren't the hull and seating arrangement, etc basically the same?

[tcmercil]

Plenty of information here regarding these hulls, short answer / hull is the same/seating the same. Difference between buying a 2002 - versus 2006-2011? Well..... obviously hours/years/etc.... the big difference is 1999 no wrap around seating & 1 piece rear area.... 2000 with wrap seating & 1 piece rear area..... and 2001 with wrap seating & 3 piece rear area.... find a 01 to 05 - 205V or Xstar or 2003-2005 X2 - or a 2006-2010 X1/205V - all the same... give or take years and model years.... MC and their naming between the early Xstars, X2's, & X1's is confusing...

[snork]

All the same wake characteristics only difference is whats in the boat

[jafo9]

03 starts the MCX run, 05+ get swivel racks.

[Eagle]

05 got drive by wire, too, IIRC.

[Bambamski1]

(are the wakes exactly the same) actually no they aren't exactly the same which is weird when it comes to the wake cause it's the same hull.

The hull is the same, however the rudders are different on the older 205v hulls. It's weird but it changes the wake just slightly. My buddy still has a 2000 xstar (205v) and the wake was slightly different then my 2005 x-2 (205v). One other thing that changed was the tower obviously. The 2000 star vs the 2001-2004 205v vs the 2005-2009, the tower tow point was in different spots. So if you rode with a 75 foot line the wake would be different because you would be hitting different areas of the wake. I know it sounds strange but 3-4 feet makes a difference in the wake and speed you need to go sometimes.

Overall, yes wakes are very similar but if you ride behind these different years on a regular basis you needed to change line lengths, weight ect ect to maintain the exact same wake that you would be used to....

If you're just looking at buying one of these different years and are wondering if they are pretty much the same, the answer is yes. But there are some subtle differences...

Boat wise, 2000 205vs only had the front sac plumbed in for standard ballast. Crappy tower that cracks.

2001-2004 205v had the three ballast tanks, the pumps kind of sucked though as you had to back up to prime the pumps. Not very fast to fill.

2005 205v changed pumps and pickup so they filled pretty fast, tower not very sturdy though, started the throttle by wire. Swivel racks. ( i had this year and loved the boat)

2006-2007 x-1, went as a budget boat, so most of these years are stripped down a bit. NOt as much bling as the 2005

2008 onward x-1, slightly different towers I believe except beefier back legs on the tower so you didn't get quite the side to side sway...

[JRW160]

I think the ballast pump change was in 2002. My 2003 has reversible pumps.

[Tristarboarder]

Thanks fellas! That's exactly the info I was searching for (and yes I have read like a 1000 threads in the 205v hull etc) just couldn't find a breakdown of the subtle differences between the years besides the obvious tower.....I have narrowed my boat search down to the xstar/x2/205v for the classic and ever popular hull/wake....It is in my budget, I/we mainly wakeboard, and I know that it can surf, although not spectacular...fits the bill...now to find one. The Tristar is just too small, its a ski boat (don't ski), and don't want a bunch of water balloons taking up limited space to improve the wake...

[dvsone79]

At some point after the '99 205v, they raised the level of the swim platform by about 5 or 6 inches. When my '99 205v is weighted down (2 750s in the rear, 350 ski locker sac and another 750 in the bow) my platform sits about a foot underwater. I don't think it's effecting the wake much, but it may be a little. JR's '03 X2 has the higher platform and his wake is slightly different than mine. His wake has more peak and gives a little more vertical pop. Although he runs more weight in the bow than I do so that might be part of the reason.

[wheelerd]

Thanks fellas! That's exactly the info I was searching for (and yes I have read like a 1000 threads in the 205v hull etc) just couldn't find a breakdown of the subtle differences between the years besides the obvious tower.....I have narrowed my boat search down to the xstar/x2/205v for the classic and ever popular hull/wake....It is in my budget, I/we mainly wakeboard, and I know that it can surf, although not spectacular...fits the bill...now to find one. The Tristar is just too small, its a ski boat (don't ski), and don't want a bunch of water balloons taking up limited space to improve the wake...

You're a man after my own heart. You can never go wrong with the 205v hull. Take your time, be patient, and you'll find just what you want.

[sallen]

So a 04 X2 would have crappy ballast pumps, non-throttle by wire, and a different steering system compared to a X1? The fold forward tower looks easier than the X1 tower?

[MC25]

The fold forward tower doesnt fold as low as the newer towers if im not mistaken. The 04 x2 should be relatively similar to the x1 because they have the same power plant.

[wheelerd]

Drive by wire was introduced in 2005, at least for the MCX.

Not sure about the ballast. I have the stock pumps in my 05 -- don't know if they'd be the same in o4 -- and they are just fine for us. I have the IBS and two rear 750s and everything can be full in under 10 minutes. We just swim, or eat, or lounge while they fill. You could always retrofit with updated pumps and 1' rather than the 3/4" hoses. (Tank fittings would also need to be replaced.)

Steering should be the same as on the X1.

[JRW160]

2004 x2 has the jabsco ballast puppies, same pumps the x1 uses. I think they switched over to those in 2002. The 2004 tower is much easier to fold than the 2007+ tower, but you will have to unhook hook it from the truck and lower the jack all the way to fit it under a 7' door.

[sallen]

Guys, Thanks for all the information. Helpful as always! I will have to go see this boat before someone snatches it up.