From the classifieds: MasterCraft X25

All of a sudden, ski boats are in big demand. The queues to buy new ones before Christmas are either already full or filling fast, so a good quality second-hand boat can make a lot of sense.

US ski and wake boat brand MasterCraft has had a big presence in Australia over the years. One of its more popular models has been the MasterCraft X25.

MasterCraft is a brand that’s well suited to Australia, a place with plenty of coastline but not much in terms of inland waterways – apart from those rare occasions when Lake Eyre floods.

This is because boats such as the MasterCraft X25 are made for saltwater environments, and not just freshwater running.

But the MasterCraft X25 is also a good family boat. Key to this is a large amount of real estate inside the hull that could accommodate up to 16 people, including a luxurious bow lounge out the front.

US boat brands are known for their quality, and MasterCraft was no exception – the X25 was filled with pizzaz and practicality.

Part of that saltwater hardening flowed to the interior, which was upholstered in hardwearing vinyl that was also treated with UV protection to protect it from the harsh Australian environment.

The boats you want to look for are the ones that the original owners lavished on to fit with the choicest of the options.

Look for add-on features such as the Pro Package that gives more options when it comes to shaping wakes, and the extra bow and aft corner ballast tanks that get more mass on board, which in turn creates a bigger wake.

A ski tower is another must-have, and more so if it has the factory-fit speakers hanging off it, as is a swim board that makes it much easier for skiers and wakeboarders to get in and out of the boat.

Importantly for saltwater use, the MasterCraft X25 could also be optioned with a 30-litre freshwater wash system – handy for anyone getting out of the water.

In terms of motive performance, the MasterCraft X25 was fitted with 350hp 5.7-litre V8 Indmar MCX VRS engine optimised for saltwater running, including a stainless steel exhaust, with some models also using a 6.0-litre version producing 370hp.

All that performance went to the water through a ZF V-drive that was noted for its quiet operation.

The MasterCraft X25 used a fly-by-wire gearshift and throttle system, and hydraulic steering that was light and easy to use at any speed. The boat could also be fitted with MasterCraft’s PerfectPass GPS-based speed control system to help drivers hold perfect speeds for anyone out in the water behind it.

You’ll need a decent car to tow the MasterCraft X25, though, with the boat alone weighing in at around 2000kg. Slip a trailer under that and fill the 200-litre fuel tank and you’d be looking at a vehicle with a 3000kg tow capacity to lug it all around.

Check for local towing regulations, too, as the beam of this boat is overwidth for Australian roads – some sort of hard or dry stack storage may be the better option.

A decade ago, a richly optioned MasterCraft X25 would have sold for around $120,000 new, with base models selling for around $100,000.

Used prices are still high for these boats, indicating the quality of their build.