MasterCraft NXT22 (2020-)

Brief Summary

The new generation of MasterCraft’s NXT Series includes the 23’10” (7.26 m) model, the larger of the two new boats. It’s intended to tow all forms of wake sports and has the passenger space to carry the crew that enthusiasts like to bring along with horseshoe-shaped seating in the cockpit and a wide picklefork design in the bow.

Key Features

• Spacious cockpit
• Convertible aft seat
• Pre-loaded wake settings
• Picklefork bow
• Spacious bow seating

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	23'10" 7.26 m
Beam	99" 2.48 m
Dry Weight	4,213 lbs. 1,911 kg
Tested Weight	5,112 lbs. 2,319 kg
Draft	28" 0.71 m
Weight Capacity	2,312 lbs. 1,049 kg
Person Capacity	14
Fuel Capacity	49 gal. 186 L
Total Weight	5,112 lbs. 2,319 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	3.4 sec.
0 to 30	7.0 sec.
Ratio	1.57:1
Props	15 x15 MW
Load	3 persons, full fuel, no water, 50 lbs. of gear
Climate	61 deg., wind: 10-15 mph; seas: <1

Engine Options

Tested Engine	1 x 373-hp 6.0L Ilmor MPI V8

Captain's Report

By Capt. Martin Frobisher

Mission Statement

The updated MasterCraft NXT22 is designed for wakesports versatility. She comes pre-programmed with settings for skiing, boarding, and surfing the left and right sides of the wake. An optional Gen 2 Surf System is available for added wake shaping and her horseshoe-shaped cockpit seats and bow lounges have space for family and friends.

Major Features

• 4.3” (10.92 cm) touchscreen
• Pre-programmed wake settings
• Custom aluminum tower folds down more easily than previous version
• Available more powerful Ilmor engine
• Available Gen 2 Surf System
• Spacious cockpit seating with convertible aft lounge
• Wide bow design creates more seating area

Features Inspection

The Cockpit. The cockpit is the focal area for passengers on the NXT22. Lounges basically encircle the entire area, starting abaft the driver’s bucket and wrapping around to the port console. The aft center bottom cushion pulls forward to create an aft-facing seat for optimum viewing of the action behind the boat. There are beverage holders, and most likely, lots of charging ports, in the gunwales, plus storage under the bottom cushions, including dedicated space for an Igloo carry-on cooler.

The Stern. Abaft the cockpit, a full-width sun lounge is atop the Ilmor engine that is installed with a V-drive transmission that allows for the rear positioning of the motor. There are storage compartments outboard on each side. A shorter raised step is between the lounge and the water-level teak swim platform.

The Bow. MasterCraft uses its trademark picklefork design to create the NXT22’s bow, which has more space and seating capacity than a conventional V-bottom. Angled backrests on the console fronts make forward-facing the most likely seating position and the area appears to be deep enough for adults to feel secure. There’s storage beneath the starboard bottom cushion and to port, the backrest lifts up to reveal spacious ski and board storage that extends aft beneath the port cockpit lounge. Grab rails are forward on each side of the bow with speakers just below. All the way forward is a nonskid boarding step in the foredeck.

The Helm. The NXT22’s helm has been updated for 2020 with a new driver’s seat, billet styling inserts and a 4.3” (10.92 cm) multifunction screen that includes factory wake profiles installed for skiing, boarding, and surfing on the left or right side. Above the steering wheel, there’s a cluster-style gauge with the tachometer up top and fuel level and volts down low on the left with a speedometer to the right. Down low alongside the wheel, the Klipsch stereo is to the left with the ballast system switches and aforementioned screen to the right. The shift/throttle is on the starboard gunwale with a padded armrest alongside and above. The new seat has wraparound back supports and a fold-up bolster. A glovebox is in the port console.

Engine / Gen 2 Surf System

Performance

The MasterCraft NXT22 has an LOA of 23’10” (7.26 m), a beam of 99" (2.48 m), and a draft of 28” (0.71 m). With 49 gallons (185 L) of fuel and three people aboard our test boat, we had an estimated test weight of 5,112 lbs. (2,319 kg). Weight is listed at 4,213 lbs. (1,911 kg) and when the boat is equipped with the Gen 2 Surf System, her ballast capacity is 2,150 lbs. (971 kg) while fuel capacity is 49 gallons (185 L). Her carrying capacity is 2,312 lbs. (1,049 kg).

With a single 6.0L Ilmor MPI V8 with a 373-hp engine turning a 15” x 15” MW propeller, we hit a top speed of 40 mph at 5200 rpm. We found our best cruise speed at 3500 rpm at 25.5 mph. With a fuel burn of 11.6 gph, which translated into 1.9 nmpg and a range of 84.7 nautical miles, all while holding back a 10 percent reserve of the boat's 49-gallon (185 L) fuel capacity.

At wake speed, we recorded a speed of 15 mph at 2800 rpm. The boat planed at 13 mph in 3.4 seconds and we reached 20 mph in 5.3 seconds and 30 mph at 7.0 seconds.

Handling

When it came to her overall handling capabilities, we found the NXT22 to be incredibly responsive. We started off with long gradual turns, followed by tighter serpentine patterns. She handled all the turns well with little grab or chine walk.

We put the NXT through some wake crossing activities over our camera boats wake and thanks to her pickle fork bow, she drove through wakes with very little hull shock. At speed, we felt the bow just push its way forward through the water, leaving a calm path behind her. And slowing down to tow speeds, we really started to see the Gen 2 Surf System go to work.

Retail Price

• Base boat: $74,995
• Well-Equipped Package: $84,995

This includes Ilmor 6.0 MPI engine, ZFT2 tower with swivel board racks, Klipsch S70 tower speakers, Klipsch Advanced Audio Package, tandem-axle trailer, convenience package, Gen 2 Surf System with side-to-side switching, dual battery switch, and Bimini and mooring cover.

Warranty

• The MasterCraft NXT22 has a warranty of five years.

Observations

The towsports segment has been one of the fastest-growing in the recreational boating industry for the last few years, and the NXT22 is an affordable option for towsports enthusiasts.

That the NXT22 has been designed and pre-programmed to tow a variety of watersports enhances the boat’s value and makes it easier to talk to a spouse who is on the fence into making a substantial investment.

Additionally, whether it’s MasterCraft partnering with Ilmor or another wakesports boat manufacturer teaming with an engine builder like Indmar or Pleasurecraft Marine, it’s a closer collaboration than builders have with a large company like Mercury or Volvo Penta. That should result in more customized overall performance of the boat.