MASTERCRAFT XT21

MasterCraft’s XT21 is the longest of the boats we’ve reviewed, although its 8-foot2-inch beam and traditional V monohull make it look sleeker than some of the others. With that, it has a large 51-gallon fuel capacity and is capable of holding 14 passengers.

Powered by a 6.0L Ilmor engine made exclusively for MasterCraft, the XT21 tracks true in slalom runs, with a minimal wake when at higher speeds with no ballast. When a wake is needed, MasterCraft equips its boats with its Gen2 Surf System, which is customized for each level of boat in its lineup.

For the XT21, the Gen2 Surf System has an integrated ballast system that provides 2,640 pounds of ballast, with 900-pound tanks placed near the transom to both port and starboard, and a 600-pound tank built under the console’s walk-through to the bow seating. The system also incorporates tabs, which MasterCraft calls shaping devices, to help sculpt and shape the wake or wave to each rider’s preference. All of these aspects can be controlled at the push of a button with the in-dash Murphy touchscreen system.

MasterCraft boats are highly customizable in terms of creature comforts, colors and options. One of the coolest options is the Dockstar Handling System, an innovative flanking rudder system that takes away the pain traditionally associated with handling single-engine inboard boats. Opt for it to make maneuvering in tight spots and around the dock or launch ramp a no-sweat situation.

Supra’s SR is also a heavier, beamier boat, with a larger 45-gallon fuel capacity and the ability to seat a crew of 14. Supra bills it as its crossover model, suited for both water-ski and wake-sports duties.

Key to the SR, and any Supra boat, is the AutoWake system. AutoWake is a proprietary autopilot system that goes beyond any other—it utilizes onboard sensors to control the boat’s pitch and roll to optimize the shape of wakes and waves. Updated for 2020, AutoWake now includes an auto-leveling feature that utilizes the surf tabs at the transom to keep the boat level, no matter where passengers are seated during surfing, skiing or just cruising around the lake.

The Swell 3.0 Surf system is another engineering feat. This technology deploys inclinometers to measure the boat’s movements, and adjusts the ballast and Supra Launch settings to get the boat aligned with the boat’s pitch and roll to optimize each rider’s preset wake or wave. The system includes vertical stainless-steel blades to each side of the transom, and the aforementioned center tab deployed on the transom just beyond the prop flow.

AutoWake and Swell 3.0 Surf can be controlled at the dash with the Vision touchscreen control system. The driver will find it easy to use in order to focus on giving the skier, surfer or boarder the ride of his or her life.

The Supra SR is powered by either a 400 or 450 Raptor by Indmar 6.2L V-8 engine that will propel the boat to speeds in the high 30s for skiing or cruising, and can also produce the slow-speed torque necessary for surfing.