40 Hours On The New XT23

[DocPhil]

It is not in between NXT and X. Xt=traditional bow. Confirmed by factory reps.

That makes a heck of a lot more sense

That sure wasn't clear in the initial promo videos nor was it clear to my old dealer.

Perhaps it was an evolving concept that even the factory wasn't set on? IDK.

Whatever the case, they need to make the marketing more clear next time for sure.

[JBaker]

I'll try to help here, even though I honestly didn't care what they called it. From my understanding, MC is making an effort to make their model nomenclature more intuitive, particularly to those consumers who aren't as familiar w/ the MC heritage as we are. It made no sense to many consumers that the X30 was a 23' boat, and the X23 is more expensive than an X30 at approx. the same length. How many consumers realistically care about the Maristar 230 lineage being reflected in the name of the X30/XT23? Simply put, outside the Star "series", the length should be in the name, as is common place with the overwhelming majority of other boat brands. Think about it, this is apparent in all of MC's latest intros: the X20, X23, NXT20, NXT22, X26, and now the XT23. As models that still don't fit this are updated or replaced (X2, X10, X46), I think you'll see all MC models ultimately reflect their length in the name. Of course this creates an issue when you have multiple boats in the lineup at a given length. I believe the XT series nomenclature was created to address this conflict.

I think we can also acknowledge that the newest X series models (X23, X26) are to some extent more richly contented than an XT23 (or the outgoing X30), in part due to their depth. I'd love to have bow arm rests and the aft lounge on my XT23, but the inability to realistically ski behind an X23 made the XT an easy decision.

Time will tell if the XT series remains traditional bow only. I'm skeptical. I think MC would have marketed it as such if it didn't want to leave the door open for pickles.

[JBaker]

172K MSRP? It is an absolutely beautiful boat but that is 20K more than the MSRP on my 2015 and I had every box checked except the power tower PLUS I had the 7.4. Add the 7.4 to this boat and you are nearly 190K MSRP!!!!!!

Yep. Good news for used value of Gen2 X30s I'd imagine.

[ap77]

I'll try to help here, even though I honestly didn't care what they called it. From my understanding, MC is making an effort to make their model nomenclature more intuitive, particularly to those consumers who aren't as familiar w/ the MC heritage as we are. It made no sense to many consumers that the X30 was a 23' boat, and the X23 is more expensive than an X30 at approx. the same length. How many consumers realistically care about the Maristar 230 lineage being reflected in the name of the X30/XT23? Simply put, outside the Star "series", the length should be in the name, as is common place with the overwhelming majority of other boat brands. Think about it, this is apparent in all of MC's latest intros: the X20, X23, NXT20, NXT22, X26, and now the XT23. As models that still don't fit this are updated or replaced (X2, X10, X46), I think you'll see all MC models ultimately reflect their length in the name. Of course this creates an issue when you have multiple boats in the lineup at a given length. I believe the XT series nomenclature was created to address this conflict.

I think we can also acknowledge that the newest X series models (X23, X26) are to some extent more richly contented than an XT23 (or the outgoing X30), in part due to their depth. I'd love to have bow arm rests and the aft lounge on my XT23, but the inability to realistically ski behind an X23 made the XT an easy decision.

Time will tell if the XT series remains traditional bow only. I'm skeptical. I think MC would have marketed it as such if it didn't want to leave the door open for pickles.

This makes a lot of sense...thank you.

[JBaker]

I should have also added that I wish there was a little more sound filling the non-driver cockpit at cruising speeds, even with the top audio option. To each his own, but one pair leaves me wanting more.

Has anyone thoughtfully added a pair of cockpit speakers on an X30 (or even X10)? I did a search that returned nothing, and at this point I'm spitballing a winter project.

[Mastercraftdave]

I swear, it exists!

As you can tell, many of these are from the delivery day...and my wife is still more interested in pics of the pup than the MC. Eventually I'll remember to take some better photos and vids of the wake.

(nothing short of terrifying ordering the jet stream blue flake without seeing it in action prior, but we ended up loving it in person)

great color choice. I know that was the hardest part for us too when getting an X23.

[JBaker]

great color choice. I know that was the hardest part for us too when getting an X23.

Thanks Dave (and all the others). We're still honeymooning...hope to love it as much after 400 hours as we do after 40.

[CottagerGreg]

Great thread, great read on your write up too! Glad you see you are putting on the hours and enjoying the new purchase!

[gambier]

I'll try to help here, even though I honestly didn't care what they called it. From my understanding, MC is making an effort to make their model nomenclature more intuitive, particularly to those consumers who aren't as familiar w/ the MC heritage as we are. It made no sense to many consumers that the X30 was a 23' boat, and the X23 is more expensive than an X30 at approx. the same length. How many consumers realistically care about the Maristar 230 lineage being reflected in the name of the X30/XT23? Simply put, outside the Star "series", the length should be in the name, as is common place with the overwhelming majority of other boat brands. Think about it, this is apparent in all of MC's latest intros: the X20, X23, NXT20, NXT22, X26, and now the XT23. As models that still don't fit this are updated or replaced (X2, X10, X46), I think you'll see all MC models ultimately reflect their length in the name. Of course this creates an issue when you have multiple boats in the lineup at a given length. I believe the XT series nomenclature was created to address this conflict.

I think we can also acknowledge that the newest X series models (X23, X26) are to some extent more richly contented than an XT23 (or the outgoing X30), in part due to their depth. I'd love to have bow arm rests and the aft lounge on my XT23, but the inability to realistically ski behind an X23 made the XT an easy decision.

Time will tell if the XT series remains traditional bow only. I'm skeptical. I think MC would have marketed it as such if it didn't want to leave the door open for pickles.

^^^^^ exactly

This is my first Mastercraft but I've owned many boats of many types. The line-up nomenclature was/is virtually un-intelligeable when I started looking. Every other boat company has the length in their name. An X-35 is a 35ft boat right? I still think it's ridiculous even having been around this forum long enough to know what the models are.

Also agree that defining your category within the length based on traditional (XT) or picklefork (X) may not be the smartest decision but at least the name reflects the size now. As a marketing guy, I'm sure they had no end of conversations on what the categories should be. Quite sure they threw around the idea of Ski vs Surf vs Wakeboard vs Crossover but the issues around doing that are quite significant too.

[JBaker]

^^^^^ exactly

This is my first Mastercraft but I've owned many boats of many types. The line-up nomenclature was/is virtually un-intelligeable when I started looking. Every other boat company has the length in their name. An X-35 is a 35ft boat right? I still think it's ridiculous even having been around this forum long enough to know what the models are.

Also agree that defining your category within the length based on traditional (XT) or picklefork (X) may not be the smartest decision but at least the name reflects the size now. As a marketing guy, I'm sure they had no end of conversations on what the categories should be. Quite sure they threw around the idea of Ski vs Surf vs Wakeboard vs Crossover but the issues around doing that are quite significant too.

Right on. I'd say outside the Prostar they are all multi-purpose to some extent...albeit varying extents.

[jbmccul]

Right on. I'd say outside the Prostar they are all multi-purpose to some extent...albeit varying extents.

The Prostar with a mini-tower is wakeboardable

[JBaker]

The Prostar with a mini-tower is wakeboardable

Fair point. Afterall, I surfed my DD for awhile.

[JBrew]

Since Jbaker never came through with video of the surf wave I guess I'll have to since we are proud owners of it! REALLY cool finding this thread I must say.

[XC500mod]

Jbaker hasn’t posted in a while. Always appreciated his insight. Congrats on the boat! What boat is he now getting?

[Tookeymonster]

Great review but I cant help but LOL at your laziness on opening your Bimini, but for $170k everything should work with a press of a button.

fyi just bustin chops, beautiful boat and thanks for the review. I will probably pick one up in 4 years used.