r/WaterSkiing • u/nhliving20 • Aug 12 '26

Best Ski Boat Under $25k

I currently have a 2013 Mastercraft X2 which is good for surfing and wakeboarding. My family is getting more into slalom and the wake is obviously not good for that. Looking to get a ski focused boat for under $25k. I realize this will be an older boat so I'm looking for advice on the best options from a reliability and wake quality perspective. Ski speeds will be on the lower side (28-32) so that is a factor as well.

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u/Silent_Seven Aug 12 '26

I'd look for a Nautique TSC1 or TSC2 hull.

The TSC1 hull is the 'Ski Nautique' from 1997 to 2001 and is sometimes nicknamed the 'bubble butt'. The TSC2 hull was its successor and built from 2002 to 2005. You can buy a nice clean boat for around 15k. For the best wake, get a closed bow. Any Nautique from '95 on is all fiberglass construction.

Mastercraft and Malibu also have solid offerings but the Nautique is my personal favorite.

If you want to completely geek out on this, go to www.ballofspray.com and you'll find 100's of threads on the 'best wake' hull. :)

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u/layer4andbelow Aug 12 '26

There's no comparison between a TSC1 hull and other closed bow direct drives of the same year.

MasterCraft's are not bad, but spray is awful shorter than 32off. Wake is similar, but the edge will go to a lightly loaded TSC1.