The sport-utility concept of boating has been around since the first aluminum fishing boat had a towing eye bolted to its stern several decades ago and called itself a "Fish N Ski." Since then, an increasing number of fiberglass center consoles have added seats, enclosed heads, coolers and extra freeboard to get families to see the design's potential for fun beyond fishing. Open deck space, low-maintenance fiberglass and rough-water hulls are part of the center console's appeal. But just about every center console design is for fishing first, family second.



MasterCraft took a fairly radical approach to the center console design with its CSX, which stands for Cross Sport Xtreme — a boat with MasterCraft's towing capabilities, a 330-hp direct-drive engine, and a chameleon-like list of options that lets you turn it into a sportfishing rig, wakeboard machine or even a dive boat. The CSX 220 comes in two models — a freshwater version that  has a base price of $66,650, and the test-boat model, part of MasterCraft's Saltwater series, which moves well beyond its usual freshwater line into coastal rivers and bays, and has a slightly higher base price. Though they're essentially the same boat in terms of deck and hull configuration, the two versions give buyers the option of a freshwater or saltwater engine (the saltwater package also includes sacrificial anodes, stainless-steel shocks, saline-resistant wiring, stainless-steel nuts and bolts, and hydraulic steering), so they can purchase the one that best fits their lifestyles. The 21-foot CSX is also different from other bowrider-style MasterCrafts — and every other center console on the water — because it's not only towable, but it also has towing capacities that go beyond an outboard or sterndrive boat.

Boating World tests the saltwater CSX 220 in Miami's Biscayne Bay and Government Cut on a blustery day, with a 1-foot-high chop that could either make or break the CSX as a legitimate center-console design. At first glance, you wish you had brought more foul-weather gear because the CSX, while distinctive-looking with its catamaran-shaped nose, also looks like it'll be extremely wet. The bow actually droops when the boat sits at rest, an intentional design so the driver can see anyone swimming up front. After all, MasterCraft is all about watersports. But that adds up to a nose that will be scooping up water on even rough-ish days — or so it appears.

But that's just one of the several curve balls the CSX throws on this gusty day, with the north wind pushing against an outgoing current, because the CSX literally rises to the occasion when it's on plane. Its bow, instead of keeping the hangdog droop, picks up a foot or two, and the hull effectively slices through the water. The CSX moves through waves that you're sure will be neck drenchers but result in only a little spray. Even just beyond Government Cut in larger ocean swells, the 21-foot hull feels dry and sure of itself — better than some so-called bluewater hulls you've tested and with a softer ride. Obviously, with only 57 gallons of fuel, you're not going to be running out to the canyons, but the CSX will make a heck of a good inshore and bay fishing boat with the Fishing Package.

Of course, for the $93,000 "as tested" price tag, it better be something special. It is. New owners get a choice of different packages, and can even mix and match within those. The Fishing Package, for instance, includes a rod rack, livewell, fishbox and GPS/chartplotter package. The Dive Package has four scuba racks, a telescoping dive ladder, and of course, the boat's oversized swim platform. (The CSX adds up to 23 feet 8 inches with the platform.) This test boat has the T-Top X Sports package, including a T-Top with aluminum legs and fiberglass top, gunwale-mounted board racks, tower mirror, the Pure Vert ballast system, and the upgraded Clarion stereo head unit with JL speakers, subwoofer, and subwoofer amp. You can even choose more options like JL Audio tower speakers and tower-mounted speaker lights. Or, instead of the T-Top, you can have the deluxe ZeroFlex Flyer Boarder Tower. The CSX takes the sport-utility concept seriously. Those who want a great wakeboard boat without the T-top can get the version with the standard tower X Sports Package, which includes a wakeboard tower with swivel board racks, mirror, Pure Vert ballast system, Binding Blaster soap pump, and upgraded stereo.

As noted, the CSX handles well in choppy conditions and stays as dry as most dedicated fishing center consoles. There's some spray but no splashes. The helm is also unlike anything you'l l find on a center console with a combination retro-futuristic dash design that has a cluster of gauges in the center, a triangular glovebox on the right side, and another triangle with the function switches on the left. The steering wheel is placed on the left-hand side of the dash, with the throttle in between. Just to the right of that is open space for electronics, and below that is the sound system control.

There are other notable features to supplement comfort, such as a transom, which folds forward to make it easy to step into the boat. Next, there's an ice chest, cooler and freshwater sink inside a console behind the helm station. It's covered by a teak lid, which dresses the boat up nicely. The front deck also has a lift-up door that allows excellent storage inside the console and floor. The CSX, like all good ocean boats, is self-bailing.

There are a couple of rough edges, like the T-top base with a little too much play (which could be remedied by moving the legs outboard a bit), and the gunwales could use patches of nonskid for getting off the boat. But generally, the CSX breathes quality, both in the components and construction. The KGB rotocast ballast tanks, for instance, ingest up to 1,000 pounds of water in under five minutes, and the racks for the wakeboard swivel 180 degrees into the boat for storage. Stainless-steel bolts, nuts, screws, washers and even insert nuts protect the boat against salt water.

The 330-hp Crusader engine is also built for saltwater use, with a closed cooling system, composite motor mounts and non-corrosive paint. It's a good choice for the CSX, giving it a top end of 42.2 mph, and a friendly cruise of about 26 mph at 3500 rpm. As noted, the handling in rough water is superb, but so is turning and running on plane. It offers a noticeably smooth ride, without sacrificing the wake.

Pro wakeboarder Zane Schwenk says the freshwater CSX threw the " second-best" wake he has ever experienced. Schwenk, who has been on the wakeboard tour for 12 years and rides behind a MasterCraft X Star, also says that it was "unreal." "Using the stock ballast system, I was able to do all the technical stuff I wanted, plus go extremely high," he says. "This gives you a nice launch point. It has a crisp lip on the top that lets you carry speed into the wake. When I do a trick, it's a pleasure. On some boats, you have to contort your body, but this one lets you carry your edge all the way in."

While "crisp lips" and "edges" might sound like Greek to non-boarders, it's an enthusiastic endorsement from one of the best. Schwenk hopes the CSX 220 will inspire more grassroots wakeboarding competitions. But for the rest of us, the boat  will serve as the ultimate multifunction platform, a center console that works equally well in both fresh and salt water.


THE VERDICT

The MasterCraft CSX 220 is a masterful hybrid that doesn't compromise in any area. Build quality, performance, seakeeping and towing abilities are all top-notch. There are a few minor cosmetic changes that could be made, but otherwise, it's an innovative design.

MasterCraft CSX 220
(Saltwater series)

LOA 21'5"
Beam 8'5"
Weight 4,300 lbs.
Fuel 57 gal.
Top Speed 42.2 mph
(w/330-hp Captain's Choice Crusader)
Time To Plane 4.6 seconds
0-30 mph 6.4 seconds
Decibels @ Idle 72 dB-A
Decibels @ 30 mph 90 dB-A
Decibels @ WOT 92 dB-A
Base Price $72,520               
(w/330-hp Captain's Choice Crusader)
Price As Tested $93,000
(w/330-hp Captain's Choice Crusader)
Hull Warranty Limited Lifetime
                                                                   NMMA Certified? Yes

MasterCraft Boats
100 Cherokee Cove
Vonore, TN 37885
(423) 884-2221


For more boat tests, visit
www.boatingworld.com.