Best Inboard Boat Options: Performance And Luxury

Inboard boats are a popular choice for water sports enthusiasts, but with so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which one is the best fit for your needs. When it comes to watersports, different boats cater to specific activities, and it's essential to understand these nuances before making a decision.

For those interested in water skiing, a boat that generates a relatively flat wake is ideal. Ski Nautique, a world-renowned ski boat brand, excels in this regard, delivering soft, flat wakes for a seamless skiing experience. On the other hand, wakeboarding calls for more massive, aggressive wakes, and boats like the Malibu Wakesetter and MasterCraft's XT21 fit the bill with their ability to produce substantial wakes for aerial manoeuvres.

If you're seeking a versatile option, crossover boats are designed to excel in multiple watersports. The Malibu 20 VTX, Nautique Super Air GS20, and MasterCraft XT21 are excellent choices, offering the ability to generate both flat wakes for skiing and larger wakes for wakeboarding and surfing.

For those on a budget, options like the MasterCraft Stars and Stripes, Supra Comp TS6, and Ski Nautique (1975-1986) are more affordable yet well-maintained choices that can provide an enjoyable experience without breaking the bank.

When making your decision, consider factors such as your preferred watersport, budget, desired features, and the reputation of the manufacturer. By taking these factors into account, you'll be well on your way to finding the best inboard boat for your needs.

Best inboard boats for beginners

Inboard boats are powerful vessels with the engine located inside the hull, offering more torque and speed. They are also excellent for manoeuvring in tight spaces. However, they can be more expensive to maintain and repair than other boat types.

For beginners, it is recommended to start with a small, reliable, and easy-to-maintain boat. Here are some of the best inboard boats for those new to boating:

Bayliner Element E16

The Bayliner Element E16 is a fantastic entry point for families looking to get into boating. It is designed with new boaters in mind, offering a combination of comfort, performance, and affordability. Its M-Hull™ design enhances stability, making it easier to handle for those who are not yet confident on the water. While it may feel a little cramped with a full load of passengers and gear, it is a great option for those wanting to dip their toes into the boating world without breaking the bank.

Boston Whaler 130 Super Sport

The Boston Whaler 130 Super Sport is another excellent choice for beginners. It features a foam-core construction, making it unsinkable and providing peace of mind while on the water. This boat is highly customisable, with various seating arrangements and accessories available, so you can tailor it to your exact needs, whether that's fishing or cruising. While it may be on the smaller side, the quality and durability associated with the Boston Whaler brand make it a solid investment.

Sunfish Sailboat

If you're looking to get into sailing, the Sunfish Sailboat is a fantastic starter option. It is a manageable size, with simple maintenance, offering both safety and fun. Its distinctive lateen sail and user-friendly design make it a breeze to get to grips with sailing, without any extensive rigging or complications. It is also relatively affordable compared to other sailboat options, and there is a large community of owners who can offer advice and camaraderie.

Old Town Canoe Discovery 119

For those wanting a quiet water experience, the Old Town Canoe Discovery 119 is a great choice. This canoe is specially designed for solo paddling, with a small size and narrow shape that make it incredibly responsive to your every manoeuvre. It has a weight capacity of up to 500 pounds, so you and your gear will be well supported. While it is best suited for calm waters, it offers a blend of stability and ease of steering that makes it a great beginner boat.

Fletcher 22 GTS

The Fletcher 22 GTS is a great starter boat for those wanting to keep the budget manageable. At just 22ft, even a novice could soon manage this craft single-handed with some basic training. While it is primarily designed for day boating, it has enough space for overnight stays, with a convertible dinette that turns into a double bed. The diesel engine also keeps running costs under control. The main limitation is the cabin size, which does not allow for standing up, and there is no separate toilet compartment.

Other Options

Other inboard boats that are worth considering for beginners include the Mako Pro Skiff 15 CC, Carolina Skiff 162 JLS, and the Tracker Pro Team 175 TXW. These boats offer a range of features that cater to different needs, whether that's fishing, cruising, or simply enjoying a day out on the water with family and friends.

Best inboard boats for professional skiers

When it comes to the best inboard boats for professional water skiers, there are several impressive options available, each with its own unique features and advantages. Here are some of the top choices:

Malibu Response TXi

The Malibu Response TXi is a highly versatile and powerful boat, making it a popular choice for professional skiers. It offers a high level of performance for slalom, trick, and jump skiing, as evidenced by its 13 World Slalom Records. The TXi features a T-Cut Diamond Hull, which creates low and soft slalom wakes, and its direct-drive engine configuration provides a stable platform for skiers. Additionally, the TXi has two models: the base model and the Malibu Open Edition, offering skiers a range of options to choose from.

Nautique 200

The Nautique 200 is an excellent choice for advanced skiers seeking competition-level performance. It is an AWSA tournament-approved towboat that produces soft, flat waves, ideal for intermediate to professional skiers. The boat features a spacious open interior layout with a 9-passenger capacity, a playpen-style bow, and a powerful engine with 355/400/450 hp.

MasterCraft ProStar

MasterCraft, originally a ski boat builder, offers the ProStar, which is one of the best tournament ski boats on the market. The ProStar excels in creating buttery-smooth wakes, thanks to its advanced hull technology. It features a driver-focused helm, a two-up observer seat, and a split bench at the rear, providing ample space and functionality for skiers.

Malibu TXi MO

The Malibu TXi MO is an open-bow tournament inboard boat with an impressive track record, holding 10 world records. It is designed to leave behind soft, flat wakes and offers excellent tracking capabilities. The TXi MO also features a Sea Dek foam deck covering, providing a comfortable experience for all on board.

Tige 20 RZX

The Tige 20 RZX is a top choice for those seeking a tournament ski boat. It features a patented Convex Hull, which curves upward at the transom, allowing it to generate a slalom-ready wake at tournament speeds. The boat offers ample storage and seating for up to 13 people, making it ideal for larger groups. The Tige 20 RZX also comes equipped with an Indmar Raptor engine and a range of advanced features.

These boats offer exceptional performance, comfort, and functionality for professional skiers, ensuring an enjoyable and memorable experience on the water.

Best inboard boats for water sports

Inboard boats are great for water sports, and their popularity has grown over the years. Inboard V-drive tow boats are considered the best-performing option for wake and wave control. Here are some of the best inboard boats for water sports:

Malibu 20 VTX

Malibu's 20 VTX is known as the "crossover king" due to its ability to accommodate various water sports. Its Diamond Hull design helps generate respectable wakeboard and wakesurf waves while also allowing for slalom skiing. The boat features Malibu's Power Wedge III, a hydrofoil that adds the response equivalent of 1,500 pounds of ballast, and the Surf Gate, which shapes the waves for surfing. The standard ballast system fills to 765 pounds, but it can be upgraded to 3,575 pounds. The Malibu 20 VTX is priced at $105,690.

Nautique Super Air GS20

The Nautique Super Air GS20 is a versatile boat that can be used for water-skiing, wake-boarding, and surfing. It features the Nautique Configurable Running Surface (NCRS), which includes an adjustable plate that automatically moves according to user settings. The boat can produce a clean, quality wake for boarding or a wave for surfing. The Nautique Super Air GS20 is priced starting at $110,024.

Tigé 20RZX

The Tigé 20RZX is a crossover boat with a patented Convex hull design, which curves upward at the transom. This design allows it to produce a slalom-ready wake without the need for ballast and at tournament skiing speeds of 34 to 36 mph. It offers a comfortable seating capacity of up to 13 people and has a fuel capacity of 46 gallons. The Tigé 20RZX starts at $101,829.

MasterCraft XT21

The MasterCraft XT21 is a crossover water-skiing boat that can track slalom runs with minimal wake generation, even at high speeds. When a wake is desired, the Gen2 Surf System kicks in, filling up the ballast to create a powerful wake for wake surfing. The MasterCraft XT21 also features a convertible transom seat and a spacious layout. It is powered by a 6.0L Ilmor engine. The starting price for the MasterCraft XT21 is $99,495.

Supra SR

The Supra SR is a crossover boat ideal for both water-skiing and wake sports. It is equipped with the AutoWake system, which utilizes onboard sensors to control the boat's pitch and roll, optimizing the shape of wakes and waves. Additionally, the Swell 3.0 Surf system measures the boat's movements and adjusts the ballast to provide more stability. The Supra SR is powered by a 400 or 450 Raptor by Indmar 6.2L V-8 engine. The boat has a fuel capacity of 45 gallons and can seat up to 14 people. The Supra SR starts at $120,200.

Ski Nautique

Ski Nautique is a well-known ski boat brand that offers lightweight crafts, generating soft wakes for a world-class performance. It features a blended fiberglass and carbon fiber construction, providing a balance of weight, strength, and stability. Standard features include a bow walk-through, platform handle, transom stereo remote, and an ergonomic helm seat. The dashboard includes a LINC Panoray Touchscreen and a helm command rotary. Ski Nautique is customizable but lacks crossover capability.

MasterCraft ProStar

MasterCraft, originally a ski boat builder, offers the ProStar, which is one of the best tournament ski boats on the market. The ProStar has a direct-drive inboard layout, with a driver-focused helm, a two-up observer seat, and a split bench at the rear. It has a teakwood swim platform and a closed or open bow option. The MasterCraft ProStar delivers smooth wakes and is equipped with modern technology.

Best inboard boats for fishing

When it comes to choosing the best inboard boat for fishing, there are several factors to consider, including performance, features, and price. Here are some top options for inboard boats that are suitable for fishing:

MasterCraft ProStar

MasterCraft has a strong reputation as a ski boat builder, and the ProStar is a top choice for tournament ski boats. It has a driver-focused helm, a two-up observer seat, and a split bench at the rear, with a step-through to a teakwood swim platform. The ProStar offers excellent horsepower and advanced manufacturing technology, making it a powerful and efficient choice for fishing enthusiasts.

Malibu TXi MO

The Malibu TXi MO is an open-bow tournament inboard boat that offers a smooth and flat wake, making it ideal for fishing. It features a Sea Dek foam deck covering for added comfort and a lowered dash to improve sightlines. With its three-fin T-Cut Diamond Hull design and minimalist displays, the TXi MO provides full control and instrumentation while maintaining a simple and uncluttered dash.

Tracker Pro Team 175 TXW

The Tracker Pro Team 175 TXW is an affordable and feature-rich option for fishing enthusiasts. It boasts a Revolution hull, a color fish finder, two pedestal seat bases with movable folding fishing seats, ample gear storage, and a trolling motor. Additionally, it comes with a 60 ELPT FourStroke Engine, or you can opt for the more affordable 20 ELPT FourStroke Engine.

Mako Pro Skiff 15 CC

The Mako Pro Skiff 15 CC is an excellent choice for saltwater fishing. It offers stability and durability with its composite construction and marine-grade vinyl upholstery. It includes features such as lockable storage, an aerated baitwell, a removable seat/cooler, rod holders, and electronic mounting options, making it a versatile and well-equipped option for anglers.

Carolina Skiff 162 JLS

The Carolina Skiff 162 JLS is a versatile and durable boat suitable for bays, creeks, and rivers. It offers ample storage, an 18-gallon live well, and a fishing seat with an 11-foot pole. Additionally, it provides a comfortable ride and a family-friendly three-step telescoping ladder for easy entry and exit from the water.

These inboard boats offer a range of features and capabilities that make them well-suited for fishing. When deciding on the best option, consider your specific needs, budget, and the features that are most important to you.

Best inboard boats for families

When it comes to choosing the best inboard boat for families, there are several excellent options available that offer a range of features to suit different needs and preferences. Here are some of the top choices to consider:

Bowriders/Deck Boats

Bowriders are classic lake boats that offer an open bow cockpit for additional passenger capacity and the versatility to cruise, fish, or engage in various water sports. They typically feature sterndrive, outboard, or jet drive power, with V-hulls that handle a variety of water conditions and provide exceptional stability. Bowriders come in a wide range of sizes and price points, making them accessible to most families.

Pontoon Boats

Pontoon boats have evolved from being simple sunset cruisers to impressive performers with speed and handling capabilities. They offer ample seating, impressive speed, and excellent fishing platforms, and can even be used for water sports. Pontoons are ideal for families who want a stable and comfortable boating experience, with some models accommodating up to 15-16 passengers.

Fish-and-Ski Boats

Fish-and-ski boats are the perfect choice for families who want to combine fishing and water sports activities. They typically have a layout similar to a bowrider but include features like livewells, rod holders, and a ski-tow pylon. While some trade-offs exist in the design to accommodate multiple purposes, fish-and-ski boats offer a versatile platform that can be used for both fishing and water sports.

Cabin Cruisers

Cabin cruisers are larger and more expensive but offer expanded capabilities for families who want to venture further. They are like floating mobile homes, often including features such as enclosed head compartments, outdoor kitchens, and more. Cabin cruisers are ideal for families who want to take extended vacations on the water or visit distant ports.

Walkaround Boats

Walkaround boats are perfect for families who enjoy fishing and day cruising while also providing overnighting capabilities. They feature a large, open aft cockpit for fishing and a protected bow area with sleeping accommodations and weather protection. Walkaround boats are a popular choice for families with young children who want a combination of fishing and comfort.

When choosing the best inboard boat for your family, consider factors such as the type of boating activities you enjoy, the size of your family, the features and accessories you require, and your budget. Each of these options offers a unique blend of versatility, comfort, and performance to create memorable boating experiences for the whole family.

Frequently asked questions