Help me decide: 2013 Wake 215 OR 2013 RXT-X 260?

[Tikiman]

Thanks for reading-
I'm about to purchase one or the other before the end of April '13. I have experienced my cousin's 2010 Wake and loved the ski pylon and VTS. Now it's time for mine! I have two kids that like to tube and want to learn to wake skate and board.
The 2013 Wake 215 has a S3 hull, ski exclusive features like SKI mode throttle for a pre-set acceleration and cruise, pylon, VTS, rear ladder, trim tabs and... a 215 motor.
The RXT-X 260 has a S3 hull, no VTS/ladder/cruise/pylon. But, it has a 260!
The dealer I'm working with has said I can order (buy) the pylon, ladder and wake board holder and he will install them free of charge.
So, my question is this, Are the features of SKI mode cruise control and VTS on a WAKE 215 a benefit to a skater/boarder or not enough to to compare against the 260 hp motor on the SXT-X?? (I did ask if I could order the Wake with a 260 motor instead...he said sadly, No. haha)

Thanks for your input,
Mike

 

[DesertMat]

I don't have a ton of experience, but I would say that there have been more than a couple of times pulling loads or loaded with 3 bodies on my RXT that I wished I had VTS.

 

[smc0922]

My 2011 RXT-X has VTS.... the new ones do not? Weird.....

Add the pylon, step, board holder, and cruise/ski mode module to the RXT-X. Its easier to back off the throttle than try to add HP on the water

While the RXT will have less fuel economy at WOT, it will get up faster and go faster than the 215. You're talking 20% more HP. I swear I'm not biased

 

[red2blue]

IMHO...a ski is a second rate tow vehicle. Rope height above the water is key....to getting up...staying up...not to mention getting any air for jumping. A pylon helps...barely. Believe me...I installed them on my rxt's. After a while...tubing was strictly for noobie kids. Skiing was for the stout hearted nephews...who'se trips usually lasted a few go rounds.....once or twice a year.

Wanna do the family thing?...get a second ski....in addition to the T-X 260.

 

[Tikiman]

Thanks everybody!
1. Yes, the RXT-X 260 comes w VTS (my bad..) but it is preset, not variable(?) apparently. Does it matter?
2. I agree, any ski is a 2nd class tow vehicle compared to a boat. (last year I ALMOST pulled the trigger on a Wake Boat 230 but life happened...)

Keep 'em coming!

 

[smc0922]

Hang on there you are misinformed on the VTS.

It is variable. However you can "preset" an "up" and "down" setting.... by pressing the up or down arrow twice.

For instance, I have mine set to "full up" and one notch before "full down". So when I double tap the up arrow, the drive goes full up. when I double tap the down arrow, the drive goes down to the notch before full down.

Its for when you want a hole shot type of exit to a corner, you pitch the drive down for sharper and better steering, once you begin to straighten out, you send the drive up for maximum speed, and reverse the order for entering a turn.

 

[Tikiman]

Ohhh, I get it.

 

[kikdurazzz]

The wife and I bought a 215 wake pro last year. Definitely worth the money. We use it for slalom skiing, wake boarding and tubing. Has had no problems hauling myself or some of the big guys out of the water. Definitely a good purchase.

If cost isn't a factor then more power with all the added features may be the right choice. If your looking at saving some coin then go with the wake pro.

Can't stress enough that if you are going to use this for tow sports the biggest feature needed is the ski mode. That is a must. Makes getting out of the water and maintaining a constant speed perfect. without it won't be easy for the driver or any fun for the person being towed.

 

[Coastiejoe]

I have a 09 RXT-X and LOVE the machine. It has the ski mode from the factory as well as the VTS.

For me I would do the RXT because of the power and your desire to pull people. The only things lacking would be the tower and the rack.

 

[KK40384]

Like others have said, get the X. It's much easier to back off the throttle a bit then it is to add speed later.

 

[Tikiman]

Thanks Everybody. I just learned in another thread that I can buy a bolt-on Cruise/Ski mode module for around $200. I think that decides it for me... I'll get the RXT-X 260 w bolt-on Pylon, rear step, Ski module and board holder.
There, I did it... I just made a Wake Pro 260-x! :cheers:

 

[Tikiman]

Whew! Just the wrote the check for my new Wake Pro RXT-X260 ski w trailer, title, taxes... :svengo:

Now I can't wait for it to arrive at the dealer!
:toetap05:

 

[red2blue]

Congrats on the new ride.

Before you get it wet....check every clamp in the engine bay.

Then....check them all again.

 

[mattydipps]

Congrats on the new ride.

Before you get it wet....check every clamp in the engine bay.

Then....check them all again.

:agree::agree::agree: espically around the exhaust exit hoses.. the exhaust hose blew off my ski with 8 hours and it nearly sunk...im STILL going through problems with it because of that

 

[smc0922]

Good choice! Just ordered my ski/cruise module. Can't wait to get it in. Next is the rear step

 

[Tikiman]

I also added the depth finder module. I'm having trouble believing I spent that much for that option but... it's cheap added insurance to possibly prevent a grounding problem. (Where I live there is a lot of tidal water- our bays, sounds and tributaries, shoaling is terrible sometimes.)
My 15yo son, bless his heart, will have one less thing to worry about... :facepalm:

 

[red2blue]

I also added the depth finder module. I'm having trouble believing I spent that much for that option but... it's cheap added insurance to possibly prevent a grounding problem. (Where I live there is a lot of tidal water- our bays, sounds and tributaries, shoaling is terrible sometimes.)
My 15yo son, bless his heart, will have one less thing to worry about... :facepalm:

heh....he'll have one less thing to worry about as long as he's cruise'n real slow....heh

Get a topo of the area you ride....and study it...avoid shallow water...stick to the channels. And if he's anything like I was...hell...still am...I'm hunting down any and all heavies being spit outa the marinas...looking for big wakes and rollers. They stay away from the shallows like the plague.

 

[Tikiman]

Woohoo! The dealer called me today saying the truck arrived with my ski!