Best Wake Surf Boat
With wake surfing popularity growing faster every day, finding the right wake surf boat for your needs can be pretty tricky. From Malibu to Wake to Tige and beyond, there are SO many wake boat manufacturers on the market today!
Luckily, you've come to the right place. So come dive in with us as we explore some of the best wake surf boats out there!
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5 Best Wake Surf Boats
#1 Malibu Boats M240 - Best Value Wake Surf Boat
When it comes to wake surf boat technology, no manufacturers make 'em quite like Malibu Boats.
The M240 is one of the best boats on the market today, and, in our opinion, no other brand has been able to match its supremacy.
It is a luxury boat, by all means, providing users with functionality and style every step of the way.
Though the M240 first hit the market back in 2019, it still comes out on top in terms of features.
Everything you could possibly ask for, including wireless chargers, panoramic view seating, powered GX tower, and premium slide-out cooler, are all there!
Don't even get us started on filling speed. With the Malibu Boats Launch System 6 Ballast, it fills in as little as three minutes! Pair that with the high-end M-Line Hull, and you can take on the swells like a smooth surfer.
No matter what you're looking to get out of your wake surfing experience, Malibu Boats has you covered. With performance, innovation, and luxury styling, it surpassed other boats by a long shot.
#2 MasterCraft NXT22 - Best Luxury Boat
Mastercraft is one of the top manufacturers in the wake surf community. So shall we say that the company is somewhat of a "master of its craft?" All jokes aside, the NXT22 is a MASTERpiece. With tons of features for both comfort and convenience, you have just about everything you need for a high-end wake surf experience. The 60Hp Ilmor 6.0L engine comes standard. Just underneath the engine is the Vector drive hull, which can give other boats a run for their money.
The seating has enough room for up to 14 people. With analog gauges and a digital screen at the front, you have access to all settings, controls, and parameters to create the ideal experience for onboard wake surfers. Not only that, but the digital screen is excellent for other water sports as well, including water skiing!
#3 Tige 23RZX - Best for Pro Surfers
It's hard to talk about next-generation wake surf boats without bringing up the Tige 23RZX. This large wake surf boat has enough room for up to 16 people on board.
The boat uses unique, patented ConvexV Hulls, allowing it to create HUGE, high-quality wakes, better than most of the best wake surf boats on the market today.
It's hard to talk about next-generation wake surf boats without bringing up the Tige 23RZX.
This large wake surf boat has enough room for up to 16 people on board. The boat uses unique, patented ConvexV Hulls, allowing it to create HUGE, high-quality wakes, better than most of the best wake surf boats on the market today.
It's hard to talk about next-generation wake surf boats without bringing up the Tige 23RZX. This large wake surf boat has enough room for up to 16 people on board.
The boat uses unique, patented ConvexV Hulls, allowing it to create HUGE, high-quality wakes, better than most of the best wake surf boats on the market today.
Plus, to this day, it is the only wake surf boat that has full trim capability.
There are plenty of excellent standard features onboard the Tige 23RZX, including TAPS 3T technology, which is there to help you create the best wave possible. A few other notable onboard features include the Alpha M2 Tower and the West Sounds Audio System.
Need somewhere to store your quiver?
The bimini surf pocket and swivel board racks can get the job done.
Of course, this boat isn't all about manifesting the best surf waves. It's also about speed. With the Raptor 6.2L, V8 engine, you get torque as you've never felt before.
Boat owners who want to step up their game and invest in a wake surf boat that can help them deliver the perfect wave, we highly recommend checking out the Tige 23RZX.
#4 Centurion Boats Vi22 - Best for Deadrise
Centurion Boats has been manufacturing high-end, stylish watercraft for quite some time now. If you're into getting a little flashy while out on the water, then the Vi22 is a solid choice.
One of the first features that will probably catch your eyes is the lower gunwales. With a whopping 20 degrees of deadrise, the built-in wave-maker can create ocean-like waves on a lake surface.
It's hard to find this kind of powerful wave creation anywhere else. Of course, a boat can make massive waves that are way too choppy to enjoy. For that reason, the most incredible thing about the Vi22 is the amount of symmetry you'll find in these wakes and waves.
We can give credit to the Opti-V Hull for that gorgeous symmetry.
The wakes aren't everything, though. Some of the other top features you'll find on the Centurion Vi22 include the PCM 409 engine, the transom-mounted tow pylon, the Stinger Wake Plate, and the QuickSurf Pro System.
With a convenient amount of storage, undeniably sleek looks, and easy-to-adjust cruising speeds, the Centurion Boats Vi22 is a true showboat.
#5 Super Air Nautique GS22E - Best For Electric Propulsion Technology
If you're looking for the right boat to go along with your eco-friendly attitude, look no further than the Super Air Nautique GS22E.
Looking at current wake surfing news, it is easy to see that Nautique changed the game with this boat.
So whether you're shredding waves on a board, skis, or a tube, you can enjoy flying behind some of the latest and greatest electric propulsion tech.
Zero emissions are the new thing but don't underestimate its power. Just because it has the best fuel efficiency out there doesn't mean it can't perform. In fact, this boat has some of the best performance out there and comes in a wide variety of unique configurations depending on your needs.
The electric drive system must be charged up before you get out there, though once you're on the water, it gives you enough torque to enjoy up to 3 hours of wakeboarding.
If you don't have all day to get a full charge before you go out, you can use the dual AC and DC chargers for swift "refueling." The Nautique Surf System is ultra-quiet as well and can deliver optimal speed on choppy waters.
If you've been dreaming of a genuine, eco-friendly surf brand, it's time to wake up. That surf brand is Nautique.
What Classifies A Boat As A "Wake Boat"?
A wake boat is very different from your average pleasure boat or ski boat.
The one main thing about wake surf boats is that they make wakes. But, of course, wake surf boats didn't come around when people started wakeboarding. Early wakeboarders had to bring weights onboard and shove them into the boat's rear (aft) end.
Eventually, companies began manufacturing ballast bags. These ballast bags had the capacity for hundreds of gallons of water, which could push the rear of the boat further down into the water. In turn, these ballast bags helped create bigger and better wakes.
Nowadays, with the ever-growing popularity of wakeboarding, companies have started manufacturing V-Drive boats. If you're buying a modern wake surf boat from a quality surf brand, there's no reason you should have to buy a ballast bag along with it.
Most of these new wake surf boats have internal ballast systems and custom features that can press the back of the boat down.
Factors To Consider Before Buying
Hull Design
One of the first things that you will likely consider when buying a wake surf boat is the hull's shape. Some wake surf boats are explicitly made for wake surfing, while others work well for other sports too.
For example, if you like to go water skiing or tubing, we recommend going with a boat with a standard flat hull. However, it's best to get a boat with a deep-V hull for those who want to ride wakeboards or wakesurf boards. A boat with a deep-V hull will be able to create a better wave for you to surf.
Ballast
The internal ballast is the second priority you should have when looking for the best boat. The ballast is what is going to help weigh down the back of the boat.
If you want to create longer, larger wakes, you're going to need a heavier ballast that can push your boat further down in the water.
Of course, weight isn't everything when it comes to your ballast. You must also look at the ballast's placement and fill time.
Where does the ballast sit on the boat? Is it pushed towards the back? If so, you'll get tons of great waves, though it will be much harder for the person driving the boat to see anything ahead of them, as it will raise the bow. Beyond that, a boat with a heavy ballast concentration in the back will be far less fuel-efficient.
Your best bet is to look for a boat with ballast concentration that has an even spread to minimize bow rise.
When it comes to fill-time, this is how long the ballast takes until it fills. There are many modern surf systems out there that give you control of how long the ballast takes to fill. The beauty of having this control is that you can adjust the wave's steepness to make it higher or lower for those with different skill levels.
The best wake surf boats have digital presets, allowing you to switch the difficulty level with the simple press of a button.
Size
When we say size, there's a lot to think about.
While a big boat with tons of seating might sound nice, it can also be much more difficult to transport and much more challenging to store. In addition, the overall boat length often correlates with the overall weight.
More weight often means your boat won't be as fuel-efficient.
Engine
Of course, you probably want a powerful engine.
Who doesn't want to hit a wave at top speed?
However, when looking at the engine, you need to look at several factors to determine the best fit. Look at gas consumption, torque, and weight.
Nautique has become somewhat of a global leader in fully-electric wake surf crafts, giving you some of the most eco-friendly efficiency compared to other brands.
Hull Construction
Different boats use different types of construction materials. To keep it short and sweet, we highly recommend looking for a brand with vacuum-infused designs.
Vessels with vacuum-infused construction tend to be more durable and outlast other boats by a long shot.
Warranty
A boat, like a car, is an expensive purchase. Issues tend to pop up in boats the same way they do with cars. If you don't want to potentially spend thousands of dollars when a problem arises, make sure to look for a manufacturer that provides a decent warranty.
FAQ
Can I wakeboard and/or wake surf behind any regular old boat?
You can, though it isn't ideal. Regular boats aren't naturally equipped to deliver big wakes like wake surf boats. In addition, regular boats have round hulls that won't provide the right wave height to truly enjoy your time out there.
Plus, trying to wake surf behind a boat with an outboard engine can be very risky.
Wakeboarding VS Wake surfing: What is the difference?
Many people assume wake surfing and wakeboarding are the same things, though, in reality, these are two very different sports with unique elements that separate them.
For starters, the boards are different. Wake surfboards are typically anywhere from 4-5 feet on average. In terms of design, they look more like surfboards. Wakeboards, on the other hand, are made wither higher performance capabilities in mind. With buyout centers and superior fiberglass coating, you can do much more on wakeboards.
Plus, wakeboarders can often interchange their fins to customize their riding style.
In terms of technique, you can also see big differences. For example, a wakeboarder will hold a rope being towed by a boat throughout their ride. However, a wake surfer will hold onto the rope only for a short while until they let go to ride the wake.
Wake surfing is very similar to surfing in this sense.
Do you need a different boat to wakeboard and wake surf?
Wakeboarding boats are slightly more complex than wake surfing boats. You'll typically find massive, stainless steel wake towers on wakeboarding boats, which are used to raise the pull point of the rope high above the water's surface.
The added raise allows wakeboarders to do those insane maneuvers that get everyone on the lake to turn heads.
On the other hand, Wake surfing boats use heavy objects or weights to weigh down the back of the boat and create large waves.
How Much Do Wakesurfing Boats Cost?
Many things can affect the cost of a wakesurfing boat, including the engine, model, brand, length, trim, and any other custom features you decide to toss in the mix.
Depending on the dealership network you're in, you might end up spending more or less than the vessel actually costs. But, in general, you can expect to spend anywhere from $93,000 to $180,000 on a high-quality wake surf vessel with a good resale value.
Speaking of resale value, some of the best brands out there for both performance and resale include Moomba, Supreme, Supra, Tige, Axis, Pavati, Mastercraft, Malibu, and Nautiques.
Final Verdict - Which Up These Wake Surf Boats Is Best?
The beauty of wake surfing is that, unlike regular surfing, you don't have to potentially have hours of patience to find the perfect wave. Instead, it's all about having a suitable vessel that can create waves for you.
While these wake surf boats are excellent in their own rights, our absolute favorite is the Malibu M240. From technology to comfort to performance, it is a winner among wake surfers everywhere. Plus, as the global leader in wake surf vessels, it's no wonder the brand consistently tops out compared to most vessels in the industry.
We hope that our buyer's guide helped narrow down your options and give you an idea of what to look for. Time to get out and hit the wake!
