About this tender
The MasterCraft NXT22 is the build we point owners and captains toward when a superyacht programme calls for a dedicated watersports platform that can cover every discipline without requiring a second boat. At 6.71 metres on the hull, it fits the aft deck apertures of many 50- to 80-metre vessels, carries fourteen guests under ABYC capacity ratings, and pairs a single Ilmor 6.0L V8 with a V-drive layout that positions the engine aft - keeping the cockpit floor clear and the wake geometry honest for both surfing and wakeboarding.
The 2020 redesign is the version most enquiries centre on, and with good reason. MasterCraft rebuilt the NXT22 from the bottom up for that model year: new hull with a pickle-fork bow and reversed chines, a 60-horsepower jump over the outgoing 5.7-litre unit, and the optional Gen 2 Surf System with three transom tabs that create a side-switchable surf wave from the helm. The platform also rolls off the same Tennessee assembly line as MasterCraft's flagship XStar and ProStar, which tells you something about the tolerance stack and laminate quality.
We position the NXT22 alongside comparable V-drive inboards from Malibu and Nautique in the 22-foot bracket. The MasterCraft holds its ground on build finish and comes in at a meaningfully accessible price for a vessel in its specification tier. Standard ballast runs to 562 kg; fit the Gen 2 system and that rises to 975 kg, giving the hull enough displacement bias to produce usable surf waves for intermediate to advanced riders without relying on dead weight in lockers.
For a tender programme, the practical merits are straightforward. The ZFT2 tower folds below windshield height for garage clearance, the 185-litre fuel tank supports a full day of tow-sport activity without a mid-session transfer, and the 88 cubic feet of under-seat storage accommodates a serious board and kit inventory. We'd put it alongside the Axis T22 and Nautique G21 for any owner shopping a watersports-first platform in this length band.
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Highlights
The four details we'd point out first to a captain who hasn't seen one on the water yet.
The standard engine for the 2020 redesign is the Ilmor 6.0L MPI V8, tested by BoatTEST at 373 hp and delivering a top speed of 40 mph (approximately 35 knots) at 5,200 rpm. The V-drive mounting positions the engine aft of midships, optimising the hull's weight bias for wake and surf towing without sacrificing cockpit volume.
Available as a factory option, the Gen 2 Surf System adds three transom tabs - two surf tabs flanking a central wake-tuning plate - controlled by rocker switches at the helm. With the system fitted, maximum ballast capacity rises to 2,150 lb (975 kg), creating side-switchable surf waves without the rider needing to reposition the boat.
The NXT22's horseshoe cockpit lounge, pickle-fork bow seating, and full-width aft bench accommodate up to fourteen guests within the boat's rated capacity. The 99-inch beam keeps passengers facing each other without contact, and an optional reversible rear centre seat gives observers a direct sightline to the rider behind.
MasterCraft builds the NXT22 on the same production line in the same Vonore, Tennessee factory as the XStar and ProStar. This means the laminate schedule, fit tolerances, and vinyl and hardware specifications are consistent with boats at twice the price - a material point for any owner assessing long-term hold value and finish durability at sea.
The ZFT2 aluminium tower folds below windshield height via a simple crank mechanism, a practical necessity for tight yacht garage envelopes. The 185-litre fuel tank, confirmed by BoatTEST at 49 US gallons, returns a tested range of approximately 85 nautical miles at cruise, covering a full day of tow-sport sessions on a single fill.
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The full specification
Specifications, prices, availability, and performance figures are supplied for guidance only and remain subject to confirmation by the yard, seller, broker, survey, contract, and final specification.
Questions, answered
Last call · Available
MasterCraft · Vonore, Tennessee, USA
Tell us about your yacht, your programme, and the missions NXT22 needs to handle. We come back within 48 hours with a written assessment - fit for the brief, lead time, and trade-offs against alternatives in the same band.
Prefer to talk? +44 (0) 77180 88055 · other ways to reach us
From the library
