Vonore, TN – For the last 2 years MasterCraft has been involved in an abundance of bizarre X-Series experiments. Our laboratory engineers have been splicing pro wakeboarder genes and combining them with X-Star DNA to create the most advanced wakeboard boat mankind has ever seen. The result is the 2003 X-Star; a next generation wakeboard boat.
At first glance it is glaringly apparent that the X-Star’s bow and hull shape have mutated. The bow tapers to two points rather than a single point, giving it a hammerhead shape that dramatically increases the bow’s occupancy and makes it accessible from the front. While the X-Star’s advanced bow design mimics that of a tri-hull, the boat’s hull actually recedes to a single V. Dramatic hull shape mutations have also occurred to the animal’s stern. Four terraced chines have developed for manipulating and enhancing wake shape, creating the AP-1 (Anything’s Possible) hull.
“I remember sitting in the bleachers at Cypress Gardens in 1996 discussing the birth of a wakeboard boat with John Dorton,” said X-Star co-creator, tester and pro wakeboarder, Zane Schwenk. “MasterCraft has always had the best wakeboard hull in the world and now it’s even better. It’s crazy. I did the biggest raley I’ve ever done in my life when we were testing this boat. It has the smoothest transition to a bigger, thicker ramp, with a perfect lip. If you’re not a pro and cut your hardest into the wake you might land yourself in a gurney.”
The X-Star has also evolved in other ways. An autopsy reveals that the evolution of the species is more than just gelcoat deep. Scalpel. Remove the epidural deck and you’ll notice only a single center ballast bladder. While the 60-gallon bladder is noticeably larger, the absence of sidesaddle rear ballast tanks is haunting. Where did they go? Peeling back the liner tissue you’ll notice a peculiar adaptation. The X-Star has developed a set of cellular glands. Forward of the engine organ, two 36-gallon ballast glands have developed on either side of the creature’s 57-gallon fuel cell. These glands are noticeably larger as well. Topped off, the X-Star can know ingest in excess of 1000 lbs of water weight and 500 lbs of octane.
The adaptation of a liner ballast system leads to what MasterCraft calls the “Big Bang Theory.” Based on increased ballast volume and higher wake amplitude, MasterCraft hypothesizes that wakeboarders will achieve higher altitudes and remain suspended longer. As a result of this “Big Bang,” the evolution of wakeboard riding is expected to accelerate at an exponential rate.
There are also a multitude of other anatomical improvements that make the X-Star more attuned to the needs of riders and their growing gangs. In addition to being larger, the bow is also accessible by a folding ladder that retracts from an open and close anchor box. The bow also contains 2 Clarion stereo speaker separates, 6 drink holders, draining cooler and 2 rising seat backs for extra storage. The floor also has 40 oz. snap in carpet for easy cleaning and drain plugs for wash waste disposal.
In the cockpit, the X-Star’s nerve center stems from the X-Pod. This bullet shaped configuration of billet aluminum gauges suspends the speedometer, tachometer and Perfect Pass cruise control in full view of the driver. The remainder of the dash is constructed of carbon fiber and houses all other essential instrumentation. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and has a chrome center. The molded armrest incorporates a chrome throttle knob and digital AM/FM CD stereo remote. There are also 3 drink holders within reach of the driver’s fully adjustable MasterView seat.
Amidship, there is wrap-around seating (covered in dense 34 oz vinyl), 4 stereo speaker separates, a subwoofer and 8 more drink holders. Underneath each of the seats there are open cavities for storage. The observer’s seat, opposite the driver, also flips up for storage, forming a dual access compartment accessible from the bow or amidship. It’s large enough to fit 2 wakeboards and loads of supplies. Above the observer’s seat, there is also a carbon fiber glove box that houses the Clarion receiver, a 12V outlet and room for +/- 30 cell phones. At floor level there is also a ski locker, which houses one of 3 KGB ballast glands, and a high-density plastic hinged windbreaker.
The X-Star’s interior is so far advanced, it makes other wakeboarding boats look like Neanderthals.
Above the cockpit is a totally transformed Zero Flex Flyer tower. Whereas the X-Star’s ancestor had 2 narrow polished aluminum tubes that supported board racks, speakers and lights, the new X-Star tower has evolved into a single tube thicker in diameter. The X-Star’s new board racks also clamp boards rather than strapping them and optional 55-watt floodlights are recessed into the tower’s optional speaker cans.
The stern is almost unchanged above the water line. The X-Star still has a triple hatch sunpad, a large removable swim platform for launching riders and a 310 hp, 5.7L, standard Predator powerplant under the center hatch. However, underneath the starboard and port hatches the X-Star’s interior storage space has expanded in the absence of ballast tanks. The X-Star also has 2 bilge pumps, 2 batteries and 2 gas caps, as opposed to one.
The X-Star has also dramatically increased it’s futuristic physical attractiveness, adding stainless steel rubrails, stainless steel windshield stanchions, custom billet aluminum badges, billet aluminum vent covers and redesigned hull graphics. These pheromone like features will no doubt entrance wakeboarders and continue to make the X-Star more desirable than its competitors.
At first glance it is glaringly apparent that the X-Star’s bow and hull shape have mutated. The bow tapers to two points rather than a single point, giving it a hammerhead shape that dramatically increases the bow’s occupancy and makes it accessible from the front. While the X-Star’s advanced bow design mimics that of a tri-hull, the boat’s hull actually recedes to a single V. Dramatic hull shape mutations have also occurred to the animal’s stern. Four terraced chines have developed for manipulating and enhancing wake shape, creating the AP-1 (Anything’s Possible) hull.
“I remember sitting in the bleachers at Cypress Gardens in 1996 discussing the birth of a wakeboard boat with John Dorton,” said X-Star co-creator, tester and pro wakeboarder, Zane Schwenk. “MasterCraft has always had the best wakeboard hull in the world and now it’s even better. It’s crazy. I did the biggest raley I’ve ever done in my life when we were testing this boat. It has the smoothest transition to a bigger, thicker ramp, with a perfect lip. If you’re not a pro and cut your hardest into the wake you might land yourself in a gurney.”
The X-Star has also evolved in other ways. An autopsy reveals that the evolution of the species is more than just gelcoat deep. Scalpel. Remove the epidural deck and you’ll notice only a single center ballast bladder. While the 60-gallon bladder is noticeably larger, the absence of sidesaddle rear ballast tanks is haunting. Where did they go? Peeling back the liner tissue you’ll notice a peculiar adaptation. The X-Star has developed a set of cellular glands. Forward of the engine organ, two 36-gallon ballast glands have developed on either side of the creature’s 57-gallon fuel cell. These glands are noticeably larger as well. Topped off, the X-Star can know ingest in excess of 1000 lbs of water weight and 500 lbs of octane.
The adaptation of a liner ballast system leads to what MasterCraft calls the “Big Bang Theory.” Based on increased ballast volume and higher wake amplitude, MasterCraft hypothesizes that wakeboarders will achieve higher altitudes and remain suspended longer. As a result of this “Big Bang,” the evolution of wakeboard riding is expected to accelerate at an exponential rate.
There are also a multitude of other anatomical improvements that make the X-Star more attuned to the needs of riders and their growing gangs. In addition to being larger, the bow is also accessible by a folding ladder that retracts from an open and close anchor box. The bow also contains 2 Clarion stereo speaker separates, 6 drink holders, draining cooler and 2 rising seat backs for extra storage. The floor also has 40 oz. snap in carpet for easy cleaning and drain plugs for wash waste disposal.
In the cockpit, the X-Star’s nerve center stems from the X-Pod. This bullet shaped configuration of billet aluminum gauges suspends the speedometer, tachometer and Perfect Pass cruise control in full view of the driver. The remainder of the dash is constructed of carbon fiber and houses all other essential instrumentation. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and has a chrome center. The molded armrest incorporates a chrome throttle knob and digital AM/FM CD stereo remote. There are also 3 drink holders within reach of the driver’s fully adjustable MasterView seat.
Amidship, there is wrap-around seating (covered in dense 34 oz vinyl), 4 stereo speaker separates, a subwoofer and 8 more drink holders. Underneath each of the seats there are open cavities for storage. The observer’s seat, opposite the driver, also flips up for storage, forming a dual access compartment accessible from the bow or amidship. It’s large enough to fit 2 wakeboards and loads of supplies. Above the observer’s seat, there is also a carbon fiber glove box that houses the Clarion receiver, a 12V outlet and room for +/- 30 cell phones. At floor level there is also a ski locker, which houses one of 3 KGB ballast glands, and a high-density plastic hinged windbreaker.
The X-Star’s interior is so far advanced, it makes other wakeboarding boats look like Neanderthals.
Above the cockpit is a totally transformed Zero Flex Flyer tower. Whereas the X-Star’s ancestor had 2 narrow polished aluminum tubes that supported board racks, speakers and lights, the new X-Star tower has evolved into a single tube thicker in diameter. The X-Star’s new board racks also clamp boards rather than strapping them and optional 55-watt floodlights are recessed into the tower’s optional speaker cans.
The stern is almost unchanged above the water line. The X-Star still has a triple hatch sunpad, a large removable swim platform for launching riders and a 310 hp, 5.7L, standard Predator powerplant under the center hatch. However, underneath the starboard and port hatches the X-Star’s interior storage space has expanded in the absence of ballast tanks. The X-Star also has 2 bilge pumps, 2 batteries and 2 gas caps, as opposed to one.
The X-Star has also dramatically increased it’s futuristic physical attractiveness, adding stainless steel rubrails, stainless steel windshield stanchions, custom billet aluminum badges, billet aluminum vent covers and redesigned hull graphics. These pheromone like features will no doubt entrance wakeboarders and continue to make the X-Star more desirable than its competitors.
