'06 Rudder on '05 X-30

[WakeSeeky]

Last week our dealer installed the '06 rudder on our '05 X-30. What a difference! The boat is much more responsive, especially at low speeds. Makes it feel like a smaller boat (except with storage!). The X-30 is such a great boat for us, we've been willing to accept the trade-off in handling. No more! The boat is officially perfect. Fair warning, the boat now pulls a bit even though the rudder is NOT filed. It's not a big deal, but you do need to keep a hand on the steering wheel at all times now. I sure don't care, I can circle to pick up a rider with one finger again!!

Just wanted to share in case anyone was wondering about this. Our dealer wasn't sure how much of a difference the new rudder would make on the larger boat, so we were kind of a test case for them. Big thanks to MasterCraft of Las Vegas for taking care of us again!

[erkoehler]

Thats awesome news, glad it is working out for you!

[prostar205]

Wakeseeky -

I am also looking for better handling and a tighter turning radius (closer to my '95 PS205). I was told by the dealer I purchased the boat from that the '06 rudder was definately an improvement in handling for my year (2002) X30. Then, conversely, I was told by the dealer that does all of my service work (there has been alot) that the '06 rudder sucked and that my '02 rudder was the best I could get for that boat. I assume your 2005 X30 had the same rudder that mine currently has. I would love to get a picture of your old rudder and compare it to my 2002 version.

Also, about how much did this change cost - if you don't mind me asking. You can PM me this figure if you don't want to post it here.

Thanks,

Tom

[WakeSeeky]

Unfortunately, I didn't think to take a picture of the old rudder specifically... I'll look through the photos I do have and see if I can find one that shows it. The old rudder was square-ish, the new one is more rounded. I *think* they are the same, but I really don't know for sure.

I hear ya on the confusion... we were not at all sure that it would make a difference, so we were thrilled to find that it did. We also had a ProStar 205 previously, so I know what you mean, loved the handling on that boat. The new rudder makes the X-30 handle much more like the ProStar did, IMO. Of course, it's still a bigger boat and still a V-drive, so it isn't the same, but... I nearly ran over the rope the first time I turned to pick up a rider, the boat whipped around so fast and I wasn't ready for it, I'd gotten used to a more, er, sweeping turn.

Sending you a PM...

[bigmac]

Also, about how much did this change cost - if you don't mind me asking. You can PM me this figure if you don't want to post it here.

Thanks,

Tom

I'd be curious to know that too. I'm interested in that rudder for my '04 230VRS.

I wonder how much is involved in replacing the rudder? Does the whole plate have to come out, or is it a matter of just sliding the new rudder into the plate?

[WakeSeeky]

I wonder how much is involved in replacing the rudder? Does the whole plate have to come out, or is it a matter of just sliding the new rudder into the plate?

Sorry, I don't know about that. Up until a couple days ago, the boat was under warranty & we just decided to let the dealer do any work at least while the warranty was in effect. Maybe someone who's replaced a rudder will chime in?

[MYMC]

It is in a drop in fit for any 2005. Past that you may need to change the rudder port...I dont know yet as we have not done this for older boats (except a 2002 PS197 which did require a port change).

So far every boat we have tested has shown vast improvment with the rudder change.

[bigmac]

It is in a drop in fit for any 2005. Past that you may need to change the rudder port...I dont know yet as we have not done this for older boats (except a 2002 PS197 which did require a port change).

So far every boat we have tested has shown vast improvment with the rudder change.

Thanks for the info. I love my 230VRS, but I do find the handling a touch on the ponderous side. I just got off the phone with my dealer asking him to look into the rudder port differences between the '04 and '05 Maristars and see if I can just drop on '06 rudder into an '04 rudder port. This sounds like it could be a very cost-efficient upgrade.

[Jerseydave]

Like Bigmac, I also have a 230VRS (2003) which is lacking in the handling dept. Would be nice to make it handle a bit better in turns. I would be interested to find out what rudder update is available for mine and what's involved in its replacement.

MYMC, if you find out anything, please let me know. Thanks.

Dave W.

[bigmac]

Like Bigmac, I also have a 230VRS (2003) which is lacking in the handling dept. Would be nice to make it handle a bit better in turns. I would be interested to find out what rudder update is available for mine and what's involved in its replacement.

MYMC, if you find out anything, please let me know. Thanks.

Dave W.

FWIW, my dealer just called back. They quoted me $219 for the rudder. He called MasterCraft and was told that the rudder would drop in, same as on the '05's, without changing out the rudder port. He guessed it would also be two hours labor, intentionally guessing on the high side in the event they'd need to pull the exhaust to get to the rudder (he didn't think so, but I was talking to the parts manager and he wasn't sure). As mentioned here before, MasterCraft said it would fit, but they couldn't comment on what it would do to handling on non-2006 boats.

It appears that changing out the rudder involves pulling the cotter pin on the post, releasing the pinch bolt on the tiller, sliding it off the post with the key and dropping the rudder. Installing the new rudder is the reverse, except for the two or three shots of white lithium grease to the post channel. Anyone know if I am close? (I hate not having a service manual...)

[WakeSeeky]

I knew I couldn't be alone! The handling has been the one downside of switching to the X-30, it just wasn't as nice, but we figured that was the sacrifice for all the other great things about the boat.

No more! Did I mention I love my boat??

[prostar205]

I just called my dealer and asked him if the '06 rudder will fit in my '02 rudder port or do I need to get a new one. Does any one know off the top of their head?

I wish I new about this 2 months ago - I just had the rudder, rudder port and everything associated with the rudder out of the boat so the transome could get re-fiberglassed and gel coated. I could of had this upgrade installed at no cost (other than the cost of the parts) since the fiberglass work was under warranty.

[MYMC]

As soon as we get an older model 210/230 in I'll try it and let you know.

[WakeSeeky]

Well, every picture I have of the back of the boat is in the water. Sadly, this is the only picture I have that even kind of shows the old rudder, don't know how useful it is.

[prostar205]

Hey MYMC - I'll be right down so you can experiment on my boat - I wish!!!!

Wakeseeky - I think that looks like mine - very geometric, no curves, alot of straight and perpendicular edges.

Maybe MYMC can verify if the '02 X30 and '05 X30 had the same rudder geometry?