MasterCraft Revives a Classic

By Capt. Vince Daniello

Test Captain

The X-30 is the largest pointy-nosed wakeboard boat in MasterCraft’s line up. At nearly 22-and-a-half feet long, even with this sleek design, the X-30 still has plenty of room for a full crowd and all their gear.

The X-30 is built on the same hull as the company’s Maristar 230, with inboard V-drive propulsion and wraparound seating. This keeps all the action, at least inside the boat, centered around the helm, as opposed to traditional ski boats with the engine in the middle, which separates the seating.

Handling and Performance

Our X-30 was equipped with a 350-hp MasterCraft MCX which pushed our test boat to a top speed of 42.3 mph. We found she cruised most economically at a comfortable 3000 rpm, which produced a speed of 23.7 mph. At cruise she burned 9.5 gph with a total range of 137 miles.

As for action behind the boat, the X-30 plays the dual role of ski boat and wakeboarder well. Since much of what happens in the wake starts at the helm, I should emphasize the performance and handling of the X-30. There really is no comparison between the handling of a typical multi-purpose inboard/outboard, and a performance-tuned inboard propulsion ski boat. Since it is only turning a rudder, not an entire outdrive and propeller, the steering wheel is smooth and tight, a lot like rack and pinion steering on a sporty roadster as opposed to power steering in a family car. Turns are smooth, tight, and controlled, and having the propeller tucked under the boat is certainly safer than sticking it out behind like I/Os do.

Skiing and Wakeboarding Features

As for its wake, the X-30 starts out smooth for skiers and novice wakeboarders, but with MasterCraft’s three-tank ballast system, she quickly converts to a monster-wake machine, with individual pumps and gauges for each tank for infinitely adjustable, repeatable wakes.

In keeping with its dual abilities, the X-30 comes with a removable ski pylon which inserts just behind the aft bench seat, along with MasterCraft’s folding wakeboard tower that features really slick swiveling board racks. Combining the swivel design with convenient locking levers to hold the boards in place makes these racks extremely easy to use.

Optional Equipment

Options for the tower include halogen lights and 150 watt JL speakers to augment the boat’s standard Clarion / JL sound system. Other accoutrements include an electric soap dispenser gun to help slide into tight bindings and an oversized rear view mirror so the driver can see behind the boat. Finally, skiers and wakeboarders alike will appreciate the optional Perfect Pass cruise control system and the forced-air cockpit heater that’s great for those chilly morning rides.

Test Results

The X-30 proved a capable performer too, even with the slightly upgraded 350 horsepower small block V-8. In our tests, we planed out in 3.6 seconds and hit 30mph in only 7.1 seconds. Top speed was a little over 42 mph turning 5050 rpm. With the optional 450 horsepower big-block, the X-30 must be a rocket ship; about like Carroll Shelby’s famous 1967 big-block Mustang GT.

• Top speed for the MasterCraft X-30 (2006-) is 42.3 mph (68.1 kph), burning 26.7 gallons per hour (gph) or 101.06 liters per hour (lph).


• Best cruise for the MasterCraft X-30 (2006-) is 23.7 mph (38.1 kph), and the boat gets 2.49 miles per gallon (mpg) or 1.06 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 137 miles (220.48 kilometers).


• Tested power is 1 x 350-hp MasterCraft MCX.