With the NXT23, MasterCraft set the newest member of the budget-friendly NXT family apart with an all-new design, including the running surface and a hybrid bow. The NXT23 looks great and sports classic lines. Once on board, we found the bow shape similar to its wider NXT siblings. This hybrid design offers the best of both worlds: ample space and storage, with a look that drastically separates it from the fleet.
Comfort continues throughout the NXT23, which accommodates a crew of 16. The deep seating features plush padding and the optional CoolFeel vinyl we enjoyed aboard our test boat. The aft bench quickly and easily converts into a rear-facing seat for watching the on-water action.
To help produce all that on-water fun, the NXT23 is equipped with MasterCraft’s SurfStar system and 3,130 pounds of onboard ballast. The system is loaded with easy-to-access presets for a variety of wakeboarding and wakesurfing settings, making getting started a breeze. Should you find a combination of ballast settings, speed and SurfStar plate positions that suits your riding preferences, you can save them all as a preset to access anytime in the future. We’d be remiss to not mention just how impressive the wake and wave created by the NXT23 proved to be. With factory ballast and a few people on board during our test, the wakesurf wave was sizable and clean, and offered ample push. SurfStar made it a breeze to adjust the wave’s size and characteristics, as well as transfer from one side to the other.
The clean, classic design of the helm makes the NXT23 easy to use for new and seasoned captains. A digital display to the right, combined with redundant toggle switches, makes controlling speed, ballast and SurfStar simple. The 5.3L Ilmor offers plenty of torque for getting on plane, made even easier with Auto Launch, a feature that utilizes the SurfStar plates for assistance.
Top to bottom, the NXT23 delivers high performance and craftsmanship at a more economical price point than many of today’s 23-foot watersports boats, making this latest offering from MasterCraft a must-see.
High Points
- Z6 tower is standard and easy to lower, with clamping board racks.
- SurfStar software proves user-friendly for adjusting settings.
- Subfloor ballast setup allows for ample under-seat storage.
How We Tested
- Engine: Ilmor 5.3L
- Drive/Prop: V-drive inboard/15″ x 15.25″ Acme
- Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 60 gal. Crew Weight: 500 lb.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $111,000 (starting) |
| LOA: | 23’0″ |
| Beam: | 8’4″ |
| Draft: | 2’5″ |
| Dry Weight: | 5,030 lb. |
| Ballast: | 3,130 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 16/NA |
| Fuel Capacity: | 65 gal. |
MasterCraft Boats – Vonore, Tennessee; 423-884-2221; mastercraft.com
