X2 / 211

[Rooster7]

I'm pulling the trigger on a boat this week. Thank you to everyone who has entertained my questions on this forum. I've got one last what boat question.

2008 Mastercraft X2 (Plan A) 38K - 500 hrs MCX engine
2008 Nautique 211 (Plan B) 38K - 350 hrs 343
(Plan C - wait to find a SAN 210 that fits the budget) I have eyes on one but it would be 42K about 5 grand more than the other two options....

This will be our first inboard. My kids are just starting out (surfing / minimum boarding) and are primarily still tubing, hanging out in the water, etc.

[MN Ryan]

I can't offer you much, but I drove an '08 X2 when I was looking a few years ago. I really liked the boat, and it would probably be in my driveway right now if another guy hadn't beat me to the punch. I ended up with an '07 211, which my family has really liked. I liked the space afforded by the picklefork bow of the MC. The 211 has been great to us. I really do like it a lot. The 211 will ski better, if that matters to you at all. My bro-in-law has an X10 with the MCX--it's a great motor. I have the Excalibur (330 for '07)--it's a great motor, too.

[Rooster7]

No, the ski differences won't matter. Was there a big difference in seat depth between the two? I've got a couple smaller kids and I've heard the MC's have a deeper side / seat.

[MN Ryan]

That, I don't recall. Sorry.

[Shawn Henderson]

I have an 06 SV211 Team edition that I bought in Aug of 2017 and its been a great family boat for the money. Personally, I love the wake for boarding with just the stock ballast and a boat full of kids but I can't compare it to the X2 since it's been years since I have ridden behind a Mastercraft.

[bturner]

In general, I've found the MasterCrafts from past years are a bit deeper in the interior. I owned a 07 X2 for 10 years, was one of the best if not the best boat I've ever owned. Would probably have kept it but the interior was starting to give out and there were no real options for replacing the cushions other than a complete interior which up here was going to be between $10K - $12K. That was a deal breaker for me. One of the things I like about the Nautiques is the ability to have C&S make you skins from the original patterns and materials. Still won't be cheap and won't be a perfect match on color due to age but you have that option and with a creative strategy (like replacing all the bottoms at the same time) you can effectively refresh the interior for a fraction of the alternative on the MasterCraft.

Quality wise it would be hard to go wrong with either boat. I was very happy with my X2 and am very happy with my Sport 200. Very different boats that have both served me well as my boating needs have changed. Both have been extremely reliable and designed well.

[FMSKI]

The SV211 is fun to drive fast and great for tubing. I like the step-in system because that's our docking side. It has the promise to ski well, which I am working on. Rec skiing around its ok. Tons of freeboard and volume. Surfing we need a lot of ballast bags and/or people.

I don't like how the 211 it looks. The boat is narrow and high-sides look weird, especially the bow. Weighted down it looks more like a SN200 and that's ok. But for the rest my head hurts looking at the proportions of it. From the back it looks good with the redo in EVA and a new grid. Better without a tower.

The X2 is wider and it looks more proportioned. It is heavier 3500# so will blunt the speed and skiing. But I have never seen one.

[swatguy]

If you’re thinking about wakeboarding and wakesurfing above slalom , the X2 will be the winner hands down. It will have way more storage , and will definitely be deeper inside . More of a traditional layout than the walkthrough 211.

if slalom and overall hanging out swimming is your priority , than the 211 walkthrough is a good choice. You give up some storage and wake size for wakeboarding and surfing , but the convenience of the walkthrough for swimming and lounging is kinda nice.

[MN Ryan]

The walkthrough is a polarizing feature--I've found that I love it, though. I hate climbing over the sun deck in my BIL's X10 (and it sure takes a beating from it).

[FMSKI]

I am a fan of function, so the walk-in is a good thing. The Ski 200 has a mini version, and the new Ski takes care of passengers in that way as well (ski holders double as steps). I think it's safer too. Entertaining a group of surfers in the SV211 is easy, roomy and seating options.

What struck me most about the 211 is the performance of the modified V hull. A V hull is a keel that lifts and reduces wetted surface. The boat has this effortless speed to it over a flat bottom like the surface scrubber 200. You'd think that the V would provide a supple ride but it doesn't. It needs a deeper entry V to cut waves and it doesn't have that, so shocks are taken up under the passenger space, which is too bad. But it's a fun ride, calm lake vs a flat bottom.

For more of everything on the 211 - change out the swim grid to something less than what feels like a skid of concrete blocks hanging off the back.

This vid captures the feel of blasting over a lake surface, you would not get in a slug bottom. More mods are underway to mine, gentlemen's cruiser, surf, ski .... I want it al!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF0CAzsSCLY

[nhbouch]

If you plan to trailer to and from the lake/river - I'd confirm the differences in the trailer conditions between the 2 options your looking at (tires/brakes/bunks etc....) I really enjoy the walk through as well of the 211. If your on a bigger lake - you'll probably enjoy the deeper V hull of the X2 vs. the modified V of the 211.

[UG_ALLSTAR]

Hold out for the SAN 210.