2012 X Star

[CL-Rides]

Press release, specs and another video

Vonore, TN – Winston Churchill famously said, “History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.” Churchill clearly understood that history, for the most part, should only be told by those who make it. And with the release of its all-new 2012 X-Star, MasterCraft once more is making and writing history, not only for itself but for those who are fortunate enough to ride behind this newly re-designed and emblematic wake machine.

The new, iconic twin-tip 2012 X-Star comes in at 8’6” wide and exactly 24’ long (without the platform), boasting nearly two feet more from stern to bow than the previous X-Star. The new design makes the 2012 X-Star the proud owner of more real estate for family, friends and fat sacks than any other “pure” wakeboard boat on the market, thanks in large part to the bigger than life bow and vast wraparound seating.

But as the stereotypical machismo mantra goes, size isn’t all that matters – undeniably, this is the case with the 2012 X-Star. It won’t take long for mere mortals to realize this superhero of boats packs an incredible punch at every turn. Consider the command center. At first glance, it may appear to be somewhat underwhelming, especially since gauges seem MIA. However, with the turn of a key, the brand new 7” Murphy screen emerges from the dash, rising up like a cleverly hidden TV in an episode of Cribs. From this visually stunning screen, the 2012 X-Star is prepped and ready to obey any command thrown at it, from filling ballast to saving rider presets to DJing the party to navigating unfamiliar waters to simply gauging speed, rpm’s, engine temp and so on.

Yet the screen-fest doesn’t end there. Because people have different preferences in terms of what screens should do, MasterCraft added two more 4.3” Murphy touch-screens to the right and left of the steering wheel, providing any driver a total of 3 displays from which to operate the systems of the boat. And of course, this creates a benefit in the all-important realm of safety. If for whatever reason the main dash is affecting a driver’s visibility, simply lower the main screen down and control the boat systems solely with the secondary screens.

While the command center offers a virtual playground for any control freak, the rest of the X-Star is by no means any less impressive. Beginning with a newly designed interior that is both breathtaking and practical, the 2012 X-Star offers posh, intelligent design throughout. In the bow, passengers can comfortably sit forward or aft depending on what action they prefer to watch. And unlike any other boat, the two front seats swing up and lift towards the pickle-fork tips making access to the voluminous front storage incredibly fast and easy.

On the way from the bow to the rear seating area, there is another ingenious, yet subtle design feature. What appears to simply be an walk-thru is actually a seat back that can be lifted up to create a back rest for the “judge’s” seat facing the transom or flipped up to fashion a back rest for a passenger in the bow. When not in use, simply fold it back down and it once again becomes the aisle way between the bow and the rear seating. And for those that enjoy this sort of attention to detail, there is a deftly hidden trash can directly next to the driver, making the job of hosting a bit easier.

The rear lounge area flaunts a sundry of discerning yet wonderfully creative features. At the top of the list is the smartly designed convertible rear seat. Since the dawning of boats, the people who sit in the back have to choose between being comfortable or twisting around to see what is going behind the boat. The 2012 MasterCraft X-Star has eliminated that choice. In one position, it looks like any other wraparound seating configuration. However, with one simple move anyone can flip this rear perch to create a seat that can comfortably watch all the action at the end of the rope.

Additionally the rear seats have incredibly modern, eye-catching head rests not yet seen any other inboard, giving the 2012 MasterCraft X-Star unbridled panache. And considering the all-new windshield is truly custom-designed from the ground up to match the styling lines of this wake king, the new X-Star once again proves MasterCraft’s uncanny ability to deliver both form and function without a single ounce of compromise.

As for the transom, the 2012 MasterCraft X-Star has still not exhausted all its new offerings. For starters, there is a brand new transom step and boarding platform. The transom step serves as both a path into and out of the boat but is also large enough to serve as a seat for those ready to boot up. The new boarding platform is not only the usual oversized MasterCraft platform but the edges are cleverly curved making sliding into and climbing out of the water easier.

However, the WOW factor really kicks in when the engine hatch lifts. The 2012 MasterCraft X-Star comes with the optional, all-new Ilmor MV8 7.4L engine – a marine power plant which takes its 522 horses and laughs at weight. Far superior to the super-charged engine option, Ilmor designed the MV8 7.4L specifically to deliver performance equal or greater to the super-charged with drastically more dependability. In addition, the MV8 7.4L , which is fully emissions compliant, is the most powerful catalyzed production marine engine available today.

And with the unmatched Ilmor MV8 7.4L ready to tractor pull anything or anybody, it is time to hook the rope into the latest ZFT 5p Tower, now powered by a newly developed hydraulic system. The next generation hydraulic ZFT 5p Tower delivers smooth up and down action with a simple flip of the switch while delivering improved dependability.

Of course, the pressing question from any X-Star aficionado will be “what about the wake? MasterCraft didn’t mess with the wake did they?” The answer is yes! MasterCraft did “mess” with the wake and thanks to the invaluable time and input from our world-class team of riders, the new X-Star wake is larger, beefier and the shape will ultimately change what riders will be able to do. While the new design and features are not to be understated, the 2012 X-Star was not permitted to come to market until every MasterCraft rider rode and approved the wake, ultimately stating they preferred the new X-Star wake over its iconic predecessor. While the process took nearly two years and vast amounts of time, the design team at MasterCraft delivered on an X-Star that has many of its riders wishing this soon-to-be anointed “wake god” was in their boat lift.

There is very little debate that one of the greatest lessons of history is that the past has an undeterred commitment to repeat itself. So is it any surprise that such a historical, iconic boat like the MasterCraft X-Star will again defy convention and once more alter the story line for so many riders of today and tomorrow? And at the end of the day, isn’t that the real test of greatness – the ability to make others truly great? By this standard, the 2012 MasterCraft X-Star will be tested and found to be true.

MasterCraft 2012 X-Star Specs:

Length: 24’

Length w/ Platform: 26’ 1”

Beam: 102”

Dry Weight: 5100 lbs

Fuel Capacity: 74 gallon

Ballast: 1500 lbs

Plug N Play Ballast: 1000 lbs

[bamabonners]

Dash setup looks very similar to Malibu - stereo location on left, controls on right...

[bamabonners]

Dash setup looks very similar to Malibu - stereo location on left, controls on right...

Much better than other Mc dashes - not a machined and cluttered.

Edited September 9, 2011 by bamabonners

[Vettesetter]

Oh dear God.....what have they done!! That is an abomination. It will take a long time to get used to that for me. The lines have, in my opinion, been destroyed with the midship wobble. the seats sticking up past the deck also ruin the lines. Orange seats!...ORANGE!!! I know they needed to modernize the x-star, but couldn't they have made it look better not worse. O.K. we know MC makes great boats, the new X-star probably functions well, has a great wake, and the fit and finish is good, but I think people want the sickest looking boat they can get. The Parks edition X-star in black with the silver interior, and black power tower, from last year would be my choice over the new one. Now that is a nice looking boat. I do like the graphics on the 2012, but I don't know if I can grow to like the new lines. I need to see this thing in person. They are going to lose sales on this one.

[Jab31169]

Like the seating, touch screens still make me nervous for the long run (yes, even though I have them in my boat). The hull looks weird down the side. Tower looks like crap. Whats MSRP...125,000? Something tells me that motor drinks gas like I drink whiskey.

[Indyxc]

That wake looks huge, but man, that has to be the most washed our port side wake I've ever seen. It looks like the top of a surf wave, it isn't just white wash, it's curling over on itself. It even washes out a bit on the starboard side.

Rest of the boat is too much for me. It's a yacht not really a wakeboard boat.

Edited September 10, 2011 by Indyxc

[85 Barefoot]

Didn't mastercraft's factory do a full-blown shutdown not all that long ago? Guess they had a lot of time to be designing since they weren't building boats....if that was true.

[Dexter]

That wake looks huge, put man, that has to be the most washed our port side wake I've ever seen. It looks like the top of a surf wave, it isn't just white wash, it's curling over on itself. It even washes out a bit on the starboard side.

Rest of the boat is too much for me. It's a yacht not really a wakeboard boat.

Haha, that was my first thought. Maybe it'll grow on me.

I would assume malibu and tige picklefork sales would benefit from its price tag.

[jk13]

That wake looks huge, put man, that has to be the most washed our port side wake I've ever seen. It looks like the top of a surf wave, it isn't just white wash, it's curling over on itself. It even washes out a bit on the starboard side.

Rest of the boat is too much for me. It's a yacht not really a wakeboard boat.

Noticed the wash too. But it switches sides, (look at the about :35) so maybe they were weighting on the opposite to see how big they could get one side clean. You know, playing around with a new boat and all.

[sasha2]

does the PLug-n-play ballast go in the walk-through.. The did do alot of work to that boat.

[Indyxc]

Noticed the wash too. But it switches sides, (look at the about :35) so maybe they were weighting on the opposite to see how big they could get one side clean. You know, playing around with a new boat and all.

I suppose, either that or people were moving around and it is very weight sensitive. Either way I wouldn't release a brand new promo movie of my 100K + boat with washed out wake.

[Cdoogles]

I fully understand the styling isn't for everyone...it's both aggressive and flashy. However, you have to hand it to MC for pushing the envelope and trying to make the biggest wake making machine they can. Wakeboarding is about the wake. It always has been. This thing might guzzle gas, cost 150k, and be something that most people would never want to own, but if it produces a bigger wake than any other boat on the market, then I say BRAVO MASTERCRAFT! I own a VLX specifically because of the wake. Sure I use the boat for other things (lounging, camping, surfing, etc), but the main reason I own it is the wake. I hate to admit it, but the only wake I enjoy more than the VLX or LSV wake is a fully sacked Parks edition X-star wake. I've ridden almost every wake out there, and if money wasn't an issue at all, I would want a Parks edition X-star, or now probably the 2012 X-star. I love Malibu, I always will. However, if there is a boat that has a bigger, firmer, rampier wake, then I would love to ride behind that everyday. Just my thoughts.....

[-BS-]

Typical Mastercraft: Super gaudy, huge price tag (i imagine), tons of techy inventions that will break and cost an arm & a leg to fix.......

Seriously, a pop up dash? Do you know how many times I start my boat on an average day of riding? Maybe 20+? Am I really supposed to believe that thing is going to hold up? What was wrong with a non pop up dash? Not to mention, where do you guys store your sunglasses when you go to jump in the river? I store mine on the dash so they're not in the glove box getting trashed or down in in the gunnels where they'll surely slide back into the storage. Anyone ever casually put a beer up on the dash? Wonder what happens when something gets pinched between the windshield and pop-up dash?

The sundeck is super un-functional too. How are the ladies supposed to lay out with that cut out through the middle of it? Anyone lose their balance a bit while standing on the sundeck as a wake goes by? Good to know there is now a trip hazard there as well.....

The tower is as ugly as ever. The lines of the boat have been destroyed. All the techy reversible seating will just be a pain in the a$$ when you have a boat full of people and gear. Imagine the walk-thru seating is up and Little Sally wants to walk from the bow to the cabin, etc, etc.

The only thing I like about this boat is that MC finally provided a built in cooler and the starboard side bow storage with dampeners (Malibu should actually take note of that one......it'd be nice to have a storage compartment there and have access to both sides from the bow)

Anyway, this boat just furthers my belief that these "rider specific wake boats" are really for rich people who don't even ride......(and of course their handful of team riders--maybe 15 people?--who actually need a bigger wake).

**Keep in mind I'm a HUGE fan of their X-2......at least the 06/07's.....that were simple, sharp, clean, well built, wake machines. Since then their product just keeps getting gaudier and gaudier IMO.

Just my 2 cents....

[skurfer]

Didn't mastercraft's factory do a full-blown shutdown not all that long ago? Guess they had a lot of time to be designing since they weren't building boats....if that was true.

Long time ago, when the economy went south and they had a bunch of inventory, yes. Otherwise, they shut down in the beginning of EVERY July for 1-2 weeks. Then they start production for the next model year......

[Brett B]

The biggest thing I really like that looks innovative is the reversible back seat. Of course Nautique already does this, but MC found a new way to do it which is cool. The fit and finish of the interior does look good, and I’m glad they have fewer billet aluminum plates everywhere. I always thought those looked a bit cheap/tacky.

The flip-up seats in the walk-thru are neat but they were already done by Axis. As others mentioned the motorized dash is kind of silly, and I don't think that more screens and electronics to fail is what we need. The built-in cooler, cockpit storage, and touch screens (all "new features") look just like what Malibu already does.

The styling is certainly different but it hasn't grown on me yet. It may look great when you get used to it, or it may be dated very quickly. The white one on the trailer with the tower down in that video looks like a beached sperm whale:

I thought the previous X-Star looked great and not dated despite being unchanged for all these years. On the brighter side this new X-Star makes the new picklefork 'Bu MXZ look clean and conservative.

It says the new Star weighs 5100lbs DRY, has a 74 gallon fuel tank (445 lbs), has 1500 lbs of factory ballast and 1000 lbs of plug-n-play ballast. That's somewhere between 8000-9000lbs of total weight in a 24ft boat. No s*** the wake is huge! Of course it needs that 7.4L just to get on plane, and will drink gas like no other, but you gotta pay to play for a wake that big.

It's cool that MC is trying to make the biggest and baddest and blingest wake boat out there, but I don't see how that's really new or innovative compared to the 23-24ft boats from the other manufacturers. Basically it's a huge boat with 4 tons of weight. For that kind of coin, I would rather a wake that is slightly smaller (although still huge with a little extra weight) but much cleaner at a variety of speeds/weights which is what Malibu/Axis seem to focus on, and is one of the reasons why they will likely be getting my money.

I wonder if Malibu has a 24 ft picklefork in the works to compete since they just released the MXZ 22, and it seems they will sell a bunch of them...

Edited September 9, 2011 by Brett B

[barefootpaul]

The styling is certainly different but it hasn't grown on me yet. It may look great when you get used to it, or it may be dated very quickly. The white one on the trailer with the tower down in that video looks like a beached sperm whale:

I was trying to think of the right term for the look. I think you nailed it.

[pablo]

I think it's interesting that all the "Flagship" wakeboarding boats of almost all manufactures are the big 24 footers. I'm just glad I went with a 247 when I was considering a vlx. Not to say that the wake isnt great on a vlx or smaller boat but no doubt the bigger the boat the more potential on wake size.

[pennery]

Making a big wake is great for Pro Wakeboarders. Not very practical for my family or needs. I would hate to wax that thing with all of the crazy lines... And with that kind of weight I would hope the wake will be large..... I certainly am never going to be a pro at wakeboarding and I doubt the majority of boat buyers are so I can't see this boat selling well in the wakeboard community.

I am curious to see a Surf wave out of it though...

[CL-Rides]

That wake looks huge, put man, that has to be the most washed our port side wake I've ever seen. It looks like the top of a surf wave, it isn't just white wash, it's curling over on itself. It even washes out a bit on the starboard side.

Rest of the boat is too much for me. It's a yacht not really a wakeboard boat.

You mean the side that the rider is landing on? Not necessarily port side but just in general?

Check out this video of Harley Clifford behind his 2011 X Star or this video of Josh Twelker behind an Axis A22 and it happens to them as well, its not as intense but still happens.

But I do agree with you Indyxc, the wakes are really washed out on the landing side which is most important because its not on the takeoff side, so to me it really wouldnt matter if its washed out on the landing wake

[Cdoogles]

I've never been behind a heavily weighted boat that doesn't wash out the landing wake when you're in the air. I always figured it was from loading the line and having all that tension release when you leave the wake causing the boat to lightly rock or shift. My boat does the exact same thing, but when I come back at it from the other side the wake is firm there too. Not sure, but maybe a bigger wake would wash out more than a smaller wake.... I know the more weight I have in my VLX the more it will appear washed out on the opposite side.....

[CL-Rides]

Making a big wake is great for Pro Wakeboarders. Not very practical for my family or needs. I would hate to wax that thing with all of the crazy lines... And with that kind of weight I would hope the wake will be large..... I certainly am never going to be a pro at wakeboarding and I doubt the majority of boat buyers are so I can't see this boat selling well in the wakeboard community.

I am curious to see a Surf wave out of it though...

I dont think MC really created this boat for a family though because they have other options in their line like the X-25 or X-35 which is a 24' boat that is very similar to the now "old" X Star but longer and way more capacity space and if you wanted a big wake from the X-35 you just need to add weight. I rode behind a 2011 X-35 this summer and the wake was awesome for beginners with no ballast and with ballast it just magnifies in size but stays the same shape. I think that MC targets the X Star at wakeboard schools because they can adjust the size of the wake easily for any type of rider from beginner to advanced and people who like to wakeboard alot and dont do anything other than wakeboard and really want to progress. I'd say we wakeboard 90% of the time and the other 10% is either surfing or driving back to the boat launch so for us it'd be a great boat.

My two cents anyway

[CL-Rides]

I've never been behind a heavily weighted boat that doesn't wash out the landing wake when you're in the air. I always figured it was from loading the line and having all that tension release when you leave the wake causing the boat to lightly rock or shift. My boat does the exact same thing, but when I come back at it from the other side the wake is firm there too. Not sure, but maybe a bigger wake would wash out more than a smaller wake.... I know the more weight I have in my VLX the more it will appear washed out on the opposite side.....

Exactly and it does the same for us with our 2010 VLX

[-BS-]

I think that MC targets the X Star at wakeboard schools because they can adjust the size of the wake easily for any type of rider from beginner to advanced and people who like to wakeboard alot and dont do anything other than wakeboard and really want to progress.

If these boats were primarily for people who needed them (ie. pros and wakeboard schools) because of their versatility or ameneties or whatever, I wouldn't see one of them every time I'm on the water. The wedge provides a much quicker, cheaper way to shape the wake for different level riders (easier than filling & emptying 2500 lbs of ballast anyway). To 90% of people the Xstar is a status symbol........that's why they sell and that's how the salesmen convince people who can barely wakeboard to buy a boat that has a wake they will never be able to clear.....

[CL-Rides]

If these boats were primarily for people who needed them (ie. pros and wakeboard schools) because of their versatility or ameneties or whatever, I wouldn't see one of them every time I'm on the water. The wedge provides a much quicker, cheaper way to shape the wake for different level riders (easier than filling & emptying 2500 lbs of ballast anyway). To 90% of people the Xstar is a status symbol........that's why they sell and that's how the salesmen convince people who can barely wakeboard to buy a boat that has a wake they will never be able to clear.....

Fair enough and I agree with you as well but I've only ever seen two X Stars on the lake we go on for the almost 4 months Ive been here and I go out on the boat everyday. People either have Tige or Malibu's here, hardly any MC's.

[-BS-]

Fair enough and I agree with you as well but I've only ever seen two X Stars on the lake we go on for the almost 4 months Ive been here and I go out on the boat everyday. People either have Tige or Malibu's here, hardly any MC's.

Lucky, lucky man! Good for you!

Yeah, I don't know if I see more boat traffic being on a river or if the markets are just different.........