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Brief Summary
The X24 evolved from the X23, which was MasterCraft’s first dedicated wake surfing boat. It has updates to the bottom design and the GEN2 Surf System for surfing and wake sports. MasterCraft has also upgraded the interior with more amenities and cruising-oriented features.
Key Features
- Horseshoe-shaped cockpit seating
- Picklefork bow design for more passenger space
- Choice of towers
- Ilmor Marine 6.2-liter, fuel-injected inboard engine
- Aft-facing stern seats
Test Results
RPM | MPH | Knots | GPH | MPG | NMPG | STAT. MILE | NM | dBa |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
650 | 3 | 2.6 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 2.2 | 191 | 166.3 | 71 |
1000 | 5.2 | 4.5 | 1.6 | 3.3 | 2.8 | 249 | 216.2 | 72 |
1500 | 7.1 | 6.2 | 2.2 | 3.3 | 2.9 | 253 | 219.7 | 74 |
2000 | 8.8 | 7.6 | 3.6 | 2.4 | 2.1 | 186 | 161.7 | 81 |
2500 | 10.6 | 9.2 | 5.8 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 140 | 121.6 | 83 |
3000 | 15 | 13 | 8.6 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 133 | 115.6 | 84 |
3500 | 21.8 | 19 | 11.1 | 2 | 1.7 | 151 | 131.2 | 85 |
4000 | 27 | 23.5 | 13.1 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 158 | 137.1 | 87 |
4500 | 31.5 | 27.3 | 16.3 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 148 | 128.7 | 89 |
5000 | 35.1 | 30.5 | 20.9 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 128 | 111.7 | 93 |
5600 | 38.2 | 33.2 | 27.3 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 107 | 93.1 | 95 |
Specifications
Length Overall |
24' 2'' 7.37 m |
---|---|
Beam |
102'' 2.59 m |
Dry Weight |
6,100 lbs. 2,767 kg |
Tested Weight |
7,215 lbs. 3,273 kg |
Draft |
30'' 0.76 m |
Weight Capacity |
2,550 lbs. 1,157 kg |
Person Capacity | 18 |
Fuel Capacity |
85 gal. 322 L |
Total Weight |
7,215 lbs. 3,273 kg |
Acceleration Times & Conditions
Time to Plane | 3.2 sec. |
---|---|
0 to 30 | 7.2 sec. |
Ratio | 2:1 |
Props | 17.5 x 16.5 |
Load | 3 persons, full fuel load, no water, 50 lbs. of gear |
Climate | 61 deg., wind: 10-15 mph; seas: >1 |
Engine Options
Tested Engine |
1 X 430-hp Ilmor 6.2L MPI V8 |
---|
Captain's Report
By Eric Colby
Mission Statement
As the sport of wakesurfing and wake sports, in general, have evolved, the boats used to tow them have as well. The X24 is designed with upgrades to the bottom and the available GEN2 Surf System and a new ballast system, but MasterCraft has also enhanced the features and cruising amenities to make the boat more appealing for entertaining.
MasterCraft X24 Major Features
- Seating for 18 passengers
- New 4,300-pound ballast system
- Available GEN2 surf system
- Touchscreen at helm for wake system
- Available aft-facing bench seat in cockpit
- Choice of trailer options
MasterCraft X24 Features Inspection
Performance
The Wakes. MasterCraft says it has designed the X24’s bottom to be able to produce wakes to satisfy a variety of surfers and boarders. The ability to produce those wakes is enhanced when the boat is equipped with the GEN2 Surf System that is controlled by a 7” (17.78 cm) touchscreen at the helm or the optional premium audio and dual-screen package. There are four primary modes, Drive, Surf, Wake and Ski. Within the profile manager, additional adjustments can be made to more specific settings such as Surf Left, Surf Right.
The GEN2 system is made up of electrically-actuated Lenco surf devices mounted on the boat’s transom. The center tab controls bow rise and attitude while the outer ones help shape the waves on each side. MasterCraft’s Fast Fill ballast system consists of four hard tanks below decks, one forward, one midship, and two aft, plus removable soft bags in compartments on each side of the engine. The midship reservoir is called a Switchback tank and allows for the water to shift from side to side when a right or left riding position is chosen. The system consists of seven 30-gpm (113.56-liter) pumps and MasterCraft says the overall fill time is about 4 minutes.
For Beginning surfers, the surf devices can be adjusted to produce a longer, mellower wave that’s more forgiving. Hit the Left Steep profile and the system adjusts to produce a wave with a steeper barrel-like profile. For wakeboarders, the X24 has an advanced setting that riders say produces a “thick rampy wake” with a consistent top lip. The more ballast the driver adds, the bigger the wakes get. The X24 wakeboard wake can also be toned down for those just getting started by selecting the beginner wakeboard profile.
The Numbers. The X24 measured 24’2” (7.37 m) long with a beam of 8’6” (2.59 m) and a draft of 30” (76.2 cm). Empty weight is listed at 6,100 lbs. (2,767 kgs). With 85 gallons (322 L) of fuel, three people and test equipment onboard, we had an estimated test weight of 7,215 lbs. (3,272.67 kg).
Speed and Range. Our test boat was powered by a 430-hp Ilmor Marine 6.2-liter V-8 inboard engine and V-drive transmission turning a 17.5” x 16.5” (44.45 cm x 41.91 cm) four-blade Nibral propeller through a 2:1 reduction. Top speed was 38.2 mph at 5600 rpm. Best cruise came at 4000 rpm where the X24 ran 27.0 mph and burned 13.1 gph, which translated to 2.1 mpg and a range of 158 miles. In acceleration tests, the boat reached plane in 3.2 seconds. Then she ran through 20 mph in 4.8 seconds and through 30 mph in 7.2 seconds.
Endurance. A typical wakesurfing speed is around 10.6-11.4 mph, and at 2500 rpm, the X24 ran 10.6 mph and burned 2.6 mph, giving the boat an endurance range of 13.2 hours. At 3500 rpm and 21.8 mph, we recorded 6.9 hours.
Handling. At the helm, we counted 3½ turns of the steering wheel from lock to lock. Test day brought calm conditions and the X24’s sharp entry cut through wind chop and photo-boat wakes with ease. The 16” (40.64 cm) rudder is a good fit for overall maneuverability. Even when fully loaded with ballast, the boat tracked straight and responded as expected to steering input.
MasterCraft X24 Interior
The Helm. Staying at the helm, the X24 has a four-spoke rubber and brushed-aluminum steering wheel mounted on a tilt base. Just ahead are the analog tachometer, speedometer, and cluster-style gauges and to port is the 7” (17.78 cm) touchscreen for the optional GEN2 Surf System. A premium audio and dual-screen package is also available for those looking for the most refined helm experience. Adjacent to the screen are redundant switches for the ballast system, a smart backup plan. Alongside the ignition key switch are a cell phone holder plus 12-volt and USB plug-ins. Controls are on the starboard gunwale with a padded armrest for the driver’s throttling hand. Two beverage holders are down low to starboard with the activation for the fire suppression system just aft. The driver does his work from a high-backed bucket seat with a fold-up bolster.
The Port Console and Windshield. In the port console, there’s a locking glove. Inside, there’s a courtesy light plus 12-volt and USB plugs. Our test boat had the optional BTS windshield that has shorter sides than the wraparound version. The biggest benefit of this design is that the driver can pull up alongside an athlete in the water and have a conversation, instead of having to stand up and yell over the top of the full windshield. The windshield does have an opening center section to provide access to the bow and the passageway closes with an air dam. The driver also has his/her choice of mirrors that clamp to the windshield frame.
The Tower. For the X24, buyers can choose among three different towers. According to the MasterCraft website, they select the ZFT 4 tower, a $4,670 upgrade, 82.2 percent of the time. Our test boat had this tower, which includes a bimini top that folds down manually. It has two board racks, each of which holds two boards.
The Cockpit. In the X24’s cockpit, seating extends from abaft the driver’s seat all the way around to the port console that has a backrest on it for an observer to travel facing aft. To port, the midship bottom cushion can be raised on a ratchet to create a backrest for another aft-facing seat. In the aft corners, the backrests are contoured for passengers to lean back into a sideways position to watch the action behind the boat or recline into when traveling facing forward. There are cutouts in the gunwales with grab handles, cupholders, USB ports, stereo speakers and courtesy lights.
Cockpit Storage. The backrest and bottom cushion for the observer’s seat at the port console pick up to provide access to a 5’2” (1.58 m) locker inside which we found dual batteries, a tow pylon in a rack and a portable fire extinguisher, plus tons of open storage and a trash receptacle with a hinged flap in the passageway. Opposite, there’s dedicated storage for a 36-quart (34.07-liter) cooler under the center starboard seat with another locker forward.
The Stern. Abaft the cockpit, a center passageway covered in SeaDek decking is flanked by aft-facing single-lounge seats that have extendable backrests. A hatch in the walkway opens and underneath is a heated locker for life vests. The full hatch also opens to provide access to the engine compartment. On the transom, there’s a small upper area for sitting down with beverage holders and angled grab handles on each side. Below, the swim platform measures 5’10” x 2’1” (1.78 m x 0.63 m) and is finished in SeaDek. The trailing edge of the platform has built-in grab handles and on the underside is a 22” (55.88 cm) retractable swim ladder.
The Bow. At the opposite end of the X24, the picklefork hull design creates more spacious bow seating. The area is set up with angled backrests on the console fronts. Outboard lounges measure 3’8” (1.12 m) long and the median width of the bow seating area is 4’9” (1.45 m). Matching gunwale cutouts have a single speaker and dual beverage holders with twin USB plugs to port. For storage, the side lounges are hinged at the top of the headrests and lift up while the forward-center bottom cushion is removable.
Pricing
Base Price
- $160,630 with 430-hp Ilmor Marine 6.2-liter V8 inboard.
Observations
Replacing a successful model like the X23 is never easy, but MasterCraft has refined things with the X24, adding subtle comfort refinements throughout that make the boat more comfortable for cruising.
In a market where small details make a big difference, items like a ballast system that fills in 4 minutes and the switchback tank that positions the water weight where it has the greatest impact could sway a buyer to make a purchase.
At 6,100 lbs. (2,767 kg) dry, the X24 is not a light 24’2” (7.37 m) boat. Add a couple thousand pounds that an appropriate trailer would weigh and then the weight of the typical gear on board, and it would probably take a vehicle with a towing capacity of around 10,000 lbs. (4,535.92 kg) to be up for the job.