The Ultimate Crossover Boat: Versatile Champion

The best crossover boat depends on your needs. If you're looking for a yacht that combines racing performance with cruising features, the Grand Soleil 44 is a great option. It offers a proper race-deck layout while still serving the purpose of a comfortable family getaway. On the other hand, if you're seeking a versatile watersports boat, there are several options to consider. The Malibu 20 VTX, also known as the Crossover King, offers a hull design that excels in wakeboarding, water-skiing, and surfing. Other notable mentions include the Nautique GS20, Tigé RZR, Supreme S202, and MasterCraft XT20. These boats provide a range of features and capabilities to suit different watersport activities.

Characteristics and Values of the Best Crossover Boat

Malibu 20 VTX: a masterclass in versatility

The Malibu 20 VTX is a true masterclass in versatility, offering a unique blend of performance, luxury and convenience. As the name suggests, the VTX is designed to deliver ultimate versatility on the water, and it certainly lives up to its promise. Whether you're a water ski enthusiast, a wakeboarder, or a wakesurfer, the 20 VTX has something for everyone.

At the heart of the 20 VTX's versatility is its innovative hull design. The Malibu T-Cut Diamond Hull™ is specifically engineered to produce both pro-quality slalom wakes and perfect Malibu waves for wakesurfing and wakeboarding. This unique hull design allows the boat to excel across multiple watersports disciplines, making it the perfect choice for those who want to do it all.

But the 20 VTX is more than just a high-performance watercraft. It also offers a luxurious and comfortable experience for you and your crew. The traditional bow design cuts through waves and chop with ease, ensuring a smooth ride in all water conditions. The spacious interior features plush vinyl seating, modern amenities like cup holders, and a state-of-the-art sound system with Wet Sounds speakers.

The 20 VTX is also incredibly easy to operate, thanks to the Malibu Command Center™, an ergonomic helm design with a user-friendly operating system. The centre ski pylon allows for a full range of motion, while the two tower options cater to both skiers and those who prefer wakeboarding and wakesurfing.

What's more, the 20 VTX is a compact 20-foot boat, making it easy to tow, garage and dock. With a fuel capacity of 39 gallons and a seating capacity of up to 11 people, it's the perfect size for a fun-filled day on the water with friends and family.

The Malibu 20 VTX truly shines when it comes to watersports. For skiing, the boat delivers pro-level slalom wakes that will satisfy even the most demanding skiers. When it's time to wakeboard, simply deploy the Power Wedge III™ and watch the wake grow. The standard ballast system fills up to 765 pounds, but can be upgraded to an impressive 3,575 pounds.

For wakesurfing, the Malibu Surf Gate® comes into play, allowing you to shape the waves to the rider's preference. The boat's proprietary engines, the Malibu Monsoon M5Di and M6Di, provide ample power for any watersport, while also delivering best-in-class fuel economy and low emissions.

The 20 VTX is a true testament to Malibu's engineering prowess and their commitment to delivering a versatile and high-performance boat. With its cutting-edge technology, luxurious amenities and effortless versatility, the Malibu 20 VTX is a top choice for anyone seeking an unforgettable on-water experience.

Tigé RZR: a good option for families

The Tigé RZR is a great option for families looking for a crossover boat. With a length of 20 feet, it is a nimble-performing V-drive boat with excellent wake versatility for a host of water sports. The TigeTouch system and TAPS2 technology allow for easy control of the wakes, making it suitable for open water slalom sets, wakeboarding, or wakeskating. The hull design also makes it possible to load up the boat for wakesurfing.

The Tigé RZR stands out from other wakeboats with its unique hull design. Unlike other boats, the Tigé RZR's hull curves slightly upward at the transom, dropping it down and creating a bigger wake. This, combined with the TAPS2 technology, allows for an easily adjustable wake that can go from moderately flat to a monster wake-surfing wake with just the touch of a button.

The Tigé RZR also offers a pickle fork bow design, which provides more room in the bow while still maintaining the characteristics of a V-hull. The interior of the boat has a functional and durable finish, with a simple and uncluttered design that is family-friendly. The boat can accommodate up to 14 passengers, making it a great option for families and groups.

In terms of construction, the Tigé RZR is built with meticulous attention to detail. The build process involves hand-laying fibreglass and utilising a Life Plus core stringer system, resulting in a rigid and strong composite construction. The engine is a custom-built PCM EX 343 MPI with a displacement of 5.7L and an output of 343hp, providing ample power for the boat.

Overall, the Tigé RZR is an excellent choice for families looking for a versatile and well-crafted crossover boat. It offers a range of features and capabilities that cater to different water sports, and its size makes it easy to handle, tow, and store.

MasterCraft XT21: a sleek, longer option

The MasterCraft XT21 is the longest boat in our review, measuring 21'4" in length. Its traditional V monohull design gives it a sleek and stylish look, and with a beam of 8'2" and a fuel capacity of 51 gallons, it offers ample space and functionality. This powerful boat is equipped with a 6.0L Ilmor engine, exclusively made for MasterCraft, delivering a smooth and responsive performance on the water.

The XT21 is a versatile water sports boat, capable of producing minimal wakes at higher speeds for slalom runs, while also providing a substantial wake for wakeboarding when needed. MasterCraft's Gen2 Surf System further enhances its versatility, with an integrated ballast system providing up to 2,640 pounds of ballast. This system includes 900-pound tanks near the transom and a 600-pound tank under the console's walk-through, allowing you to customise your ride. The shaping devices, or tabs, help sculpt and shape the wake to each rider's preference, ensuring an enjoyable experience for all skill levels.

The MasterCraft XT21 offers a seamless and intuitive control experience with its in-dash Murphy touchscreen system. With the push of a button, you can easily adjust the ballast, tabs, and other settings to personalise your ride. Additionally, the boat has a spacious interior with a convertible transom seat, providing a comfortable and versatile space for you and your crew.

One of the standout features of the XT21 is its Dockstar Handling System, an innovative flanking rudder system that makes docking and manoeuvring a breeze. This system takes the stress out of handling single-engine inboard boats in tight spaces, ensuring a smooth and confident boating experience.

The XT21 also stands out for its customisability, with various options to make the boat your own. You can choose between the ZFT4 or ZFT7 Power Tower, and there are endless upgrades and customisation options available through the MasterCraft design centre. Whether you're looking for specific colours, creature comforts, or performance enhancements, the XT21 can be tailored to your unique needs and preferences.

Starting at $99,495, the MasterCraft XT21 is an excellent choice for those seeking a sleek, powerful, and versatile crossover boat. With its combination of performance, customisability, and innovative features, the XT21 delivers an exceptional boating experience that is perfect for water sports enthusiasts and those who want to bring their family and friends together for fun on the water.

Nautique Super Air GS20: a boat for water-skiing world record holders

The Nautique Super Air GS20 is a versatile crossover boat that offers an opportunity for everyone to enjoy watersports. It is a 20-foot vessel with a beam of 8'6", a fuel capacity of 46 gallons, and a dry weight of 4,975 lbs. The Nautique Super Air GS20 can seat up to 13 people, making it perfect for larger groups and families.

The Nautique Super Air GS20 is designed for water-skiing, wakeboarding, and wakesurfing. It is equipped with the Nautique Configurable Running Surface (NCRS), which includes an adjustable plate that automatically moves according to user settings in the in-dash Linc Panoray control system. This system allows the driver to flatten the wake for slalom runs and set the boat for precise direction and speed control. For water-skiing, a pop-up ski pylon option is available, providing a lower towpoint angle that is also safer for tubing.

When it comes to wakeboarding and wakesurfing, the Nautique Super Air GS20 delivers a clean, quality wake and wave. The boat can be rigged with powerful PCM Marine engines, offering a choice between 355 hp ZZ5, 400 hp ZR4, or 450 hp ZZ6 options. The ballast capacity of 1,850 pounds and the Linc Panoray system, which includes a Ski Assist feature, further enhance the boat's performance.

The Nautique Super Air GS20 is a popular choice for water-skiing enthusiasts, with many world records in the sport being set behind Ski Nautique models. Its versatility, performance, and seating capacity make it a top choice for those seeking a crossover boat that can accommodate a variety of watersports activities.

Supra SR: a heavy, beamy crossover

The Supra SR is a heavy, beamy crossover boat with a host of impressive features. With a dry weight of 4,500 to 4,950 pounds, a beam of 8'645-gallon fuel capacity, the SR is a substantial vessel. It can seat up to 14 passengers, making it ideal for larger groups.

One of the key features of the Supra SR is its AutoWake system, an advanced autopilot that utilizes onboard sensors to control the boat's pitch and roll, optimizing the shape of wakes and waves for water sports. The Swell 3.0 Surf system further enhances the boat's performance by using inclinometers to measure the boat's movements and adjust the ballast and Supra Launch settings, ensuring the boat is perfectly aligned with the rider's preset wake or wave preferences.

The Supra SR is powered by a 400 or 450 Raptor by Indmar 6.2L V-8 engine, providing ample power for water sports and cruising. It can reach high speeds in the 30s for skiing and cruising, and it can also produce the slow-speed torque necessary for surfing.

The boat also boasts a range of luxury features, including the Vision touchscreen control system, an FX1 Folding Power Tower, and a wireless phone charging pad at the helm. The SR offers a high-end experience without sacrificing performance, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a smaller yet fully-featured crossover boat.

Overall, the Supra SR is an impressive crossover boat that combines performance, versatility, and luxury. With its advanced systems, powerful engine, and spacious design, it provides an exceptional experience for water sports enthusiasts and those seeking a practical yet feature-rich vessel.

Frequently asked questions