Top 10 Boats for Watersport Towing 2027

Direct Answer

The Best Overall towboat for 2027 is the Malibu 23 LSV, starting around $165,000, which pairs the proven Surf Gate wave-shaping system, a stout Monsoon 450 engine, and Power Wedge III ballast trim to throw an elite surf wave while still hanging a strong wakeboard set and pulling slalom skiers.

The Best Value pick is the Axis A22, starting near $112,000, a Malibu-built boat that delivers the same wave science and a roomy cockpit for the lowest entry sticker on this list. This ranking is built for watersport families and crews who want one boat that does surf, wakeboard, and ski well — whether the budget sits near $110,000 or stretches past a loaded $200,000 flagship.

Every pick uses real 2026–2027 model-year specs and MSRPs.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each towboat against the priorities surf and wake crews actually shop on, leaning on published data from Boating Magazine, WAKE / Alliance Wake, BoatTEST, boats.com, and manufacturer pages. The weighting:

• Wave and wake quality — 25%
• On-water performance and handling — 20%
• Ballast, tech, and surf systems — 15%
• Comfort, seating, and layout — 15%
• Build quality and reliability — 15%
• Resale value — 10%

A boat that throws a clean surf wave but flunks on seating, or wins on horsepower but bleeds value at trade-in, drops fast. The winners balance all six across surf, board, and ski duty.

1. Malibu 23 LSV 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Starting MSRP: $165,000 | Best for: Crews who want the best all-around surf, wake, and ski boat

The 2027 Malibu 23 LSV remains the benchmark V-drive towboat and the most complete all-rounder in the class. It measures 23 ft LOA with a 102-inch beam, carries up to 16 passengers, and runs the Monsoon M6di 450-hp engine as standard with a 6.2L 575-hp option.

Integrated ballast holds roughly 4,400 lb of plumbed water, and the Surf Gate system plus Power Wedge III trim tab shape a long, clean surf wave on either side at the touch of the 16-inch Malibu Touchscreen Command Center (MTC). A deep G4.5 tower, premium upholstery, and a versatile rear bench make it equally happy pulling a wakeboarder or a slalom skier behind the same hull.

Pros:

• Class-defining Surf Gate wave with switchable sides
• Roughly 4,400 lb of plumbed ballast for big surf and wake
• Genuine surf, wakeboard, and ski versatility in one hull
• Strong resale value and proven Malibu reliability

Cons:

• Loaded build pushes past $185,000
• Premium pricing across every trim

Verdict: The 23 LSV wins on balance — the best surf wave, a strong wake, ski capability, and rock-solid resale with no real weak spot.

2. Nautique GS22

Starting MSRP: $172,000 | Best for: Buyers who want the cleanest, most adjustable surf wave

The 2027 Nautique GS22 is the surf purist's pick, built around the brand's acclaimed NSS (Nautique Surf System). It spans 22 ft 6 in LOA with a 102-inch beam, seats up to 15, and is powered by the PCM ZZ8 6.2L making 409 hp, with a 550-hp upgrade available.

Hard-tank ballast and the Wave Plate combine to deliver a steep, hollow wave that surfers can tune via the 12-inch LINC Panoray touchscreen. A standard Flight Control Tower, supple seating, and best-in-class fit and finish make this one of the most refined towboats afloat, with surf wave depth that rivals boats a foot longer.

Pros:

• NSS surf system produces a steep, surfable wave
• Premium build quality and interior finish
• Powerful standard 409-hp PCM engine
• Excellent surf-side switching and wave shaping

Cons:

• Highest entry price of the group
• Ski performance trails the dedicated all-rounders

Verdict: The surf specialist — buy it when wave quality and finish top your list over outright versatility.

3. MasterCraft NXT24

Starting MSRP: $135,000 | Best for: Value-minded crews who want MasterCraft surf and wake

The 2027 MasterCraft NXT24 is the brand's accessible-but-serious towboat, offering real surf and wake performance below flagship money. It measures 24 ft LOA with a 102-inch beam, carries up to 16 passengers, and runs an Ilmor 6.2L making 430 hp. The SurfStar wave-shaping system and integrated ballast craft a wide, pushy surf wave, while the G2 tower and a big swim platform handle wakeboard and tube duty.

A spacious bow, plenty of storage, and MasterCraft's stout hull make the NXT24 a do-everything family boat at a friendlier price than the flagship XT and X lines.

Pros:

• SurfStar wave shaping with a wide, pushy wave
• Big 24-foot cockpit seats up to 16
• Strong 430-hp Ilmor power standard
• MasterCraft build at sub-flagship pricing

Cons:

• Wave is not as steep as Nautique or Malibu flagships
• Fewer premium options than the X-series

Verdict: A smart family all-rounder — most of the surf and wake performance for meaningfully less money.

4. Axis A22 💎 BEST VALUE

Starting MSRP: $112,000 | Best for: First-time surf families who want Malibu tech for less

The 2027 Axis A22, built by Malibu, is the smartest value play in towboats. It runs 22 ft LOA with a 96-inch beam, seats up to 15, and is powered by the Monsoon 6.2L making 350 hp (with upgrades available). It uses Surf Gate and a Power Wedge to shape a genuinely good surf wave, plus plumbed ballast and a simple ADX tower.

The cockpit is roomy and durable rather than plush, which is exactly the point — you get Malibu's proven wave science and reliability with a stripped, value-focused build. For a family entering the sport, nothing here offers more wave per dollar.

Pros:

• Lowest entry price on this list at $112,000
• Malibu-built Surf Gate wave shaping
• Roomy, durable cockpit built for hard family use
• Strong resale thanks to the Malibu lineage

Cons:

• Base interior is plainer than premium rivals
• Lower standard horsepower than the flagships

Verdict: The value champion — Malibu wave tech and reliability at the lowest sticker in the class.

5. Tige ATX 22 Type-S

Starting MSRP: $118,000 | Best for: Budget surf crews who want a configurable wave

The 2027 Tige ATX 22 Type-S is Tige's value line and a strong surf-and-wake performer for the money. It measures 22 ft LOA with a 96-inch beam, seats up to 14, and runs an Indmar 6.2L making 350–430 hp depending on trim. Tige's TAPS 3T hull and Convex VX surf system tune wave size and shape, while integrated ballast and the Alpha Z tower cover wakeboard and ski duty.

The simplified Type-S build keeps cost down without giving up the core wave hardware, making it a direct rival to the Axis for entry-level surf buyers.

Pros:

• TAPS 3T hull adjusts wave shape on the fly
• Convex VX surf system with side switching
• Strong value pricing under $120,000
• Capable across surf, board, and tube

Cons:

• Interior finish trails premium brands
• Resale lags Malibu and Nautique

Verdict: A configurable budget surfer — great for crews who want an adjustable wave without flagship money.

6. Supra SA 400

Starting MSRP: $145,000 | Best for: Competition-minded surfers who want a steep wave

The 2027 Supra SA 400 is a tournament-grade surf and wake machine, sharing engineering DNA with Moomba under the Skier's Choice umbrella. It runs roughly 23 ft 6 in LOA with a 102-inch beam, seats up to 16, and is powered by an Indmar 6.2L making 400 hp, with bigger options available.

The Autowake auto-leveling system and SwitchBlade wave plate, combined with a large plumbed ballast load, build a tall, surfable wave dialed in from the touchscreen. A premium G6 tower, deep cockpit, and clean styling make the SA one of the most capable surf boats per dollar in the mid-tier.

Pros:

• Autowake auto-leveling for a consistent wave
• Large plumbed ballast for a tall surf wave
• Strong 400-hp Indmar power standard
• Premium tower and cockpit at mid-tier pricing

Cons:

• Brand resale trails the big three
• Dealer network thinner in some regions

Verdict: A tournament-caliber surfer — a tall, dialed wave and premium kit for less than the flagships.

7. Centurion Fi23

Starting MSRP: $158,000 | Best for: Surf-first buyers who want the longest push pocket

The 2027 Centurion Fi23 is built around surfing, with a hull engineered for an exceptionally long, forgiving wave. It measures 23 ft LOA with a 102-inch beam, seats up to 16, and runs a PCM or Ilmor 6.2L making 400–450 hp. The Quick Surf System (QSS) ballast fills fast, and Opti-V hull geometry plus the RAMFILL plumbing create a long push pocket that beginners and advanced surfers both praise.

A tall Pro 7 tower, plush seating, and strong storage round out a boat that prioritizes wave quality and surf-session comfort above all.

Pros:

• Long, forgiving push pocket from the Opti-V hull
• Fast-filling QSS ballast for quick surf setup
• Plush seating and ample storage
• Strong 400–450 hp engine options

Cons:

• Pricier than mid-tier surf rivals
• Less ski-oriented than all-rounders

Verdict: The surf-pocket champion — pick it for the longest, most forgiving wave for mixed-skill crews.

8. Chaparral 23 Surf

Starting MSRP: $108,000 | Best for: Buyers who want a crossover surf boat with sterndrive value

The 2027 Chaparral 23 Surf is a sterndrive crossover that brings surf capability to buyers who also want a versatile day boat. It measures 23 ft LOA with a 102-inch beam, seats up to 14, and runs a Volvo Penta V8 making 350 hp with the Forward Drive system that puts the prop safely forward of the swim platform.

Chaparral's Surf System with ballast and tabs shapes a respectable wave, and the more conventional bowrider layout adds cruising comfort. It will not out-wave a dedicated V-drive, but it covers surf, tube, and family cruising in one budget-friendly hull.

Pros:

• Forward Drive props are safer behind the swim platform
• Crossover layout doubles as a cruising day boat
• Lowest sterndrive entry price in the surf group
• Respectable surf wave for casual crews

Cons:

• Wave size trails dedicated V-drive towboats
• Less plumbed ballast than purpose-built surfers

Verdict: The crossover value play — buy it if you want surf capability plus everyday cruising in one boat.

9. Moomba Mondo

Starting MSRP: $98,000 | Best for: Budget crews who want a real surf wave at the lowest entry

The 2027 Moomba Mondo is Skier's Choice's value flagship and one of the most affordable serious surf boats available. It runs 23 ft LOA with a 102-inch beam, seats up to 16, and is powered by an Indmar 5.7L or 6.2L making 350–400 hp. The Flow surf system, plumbed ballast, and Autowake option build a genuinely surfable wave, while a deep cockpit and the Z6 tower handle wakeboard duty.

The Mondo proves you do not need flagship money for a real wave — its value-first build keeps cost low while delivering the core surf hardware.

Pros:

• Lowest flagship-grade entry near $98,000
• Flow surf system delivers a real surfable wave
• Large cockpit seats up to 16
• Optional Autowake auto-leveling

Cons:

• Interior materials are value-grade
• Resale trails the premium brands

Verdict: The budget surf flagship — the most boat and wave per dollar for value-first crews.

10. Yamaha 252SD

Starting MSRP: $94,000 | Best for: Crews who want jet-drive simplicity and a swim-friendly surf platform

The 2027 Yamaha 252SD is the jet-drive option, swapping a V-drive for twin Yamaha 1.8L supercharged engines making a combined 500 hp through impellers — meaning no exposed prop and a safer swim zone. It measures 24 ft 7 in LOA with a 102-inch beam and seats up to 12.

Yamaha's surf system with ballast shapes a usable wave, and jet drives excel at low-speed maneuvering and quick acceleration. The wave is not as crisp as a dedicated V-drive surfer, but the propless safety, easy ownership, and lower price make it a compelling family crossover for surf and tube days.

Pros:

• Propless jet drive is safer around swimmers
• Twin 500-hp supercharged power and quick acceleration
• Lowest entry price on the list at $94,000
• Easy low-speed handling and docking

Cons:

• Surf wave trails dedicated V-drive boats
• Jet drives can be touchy at very low idle speeds

Verdict: The safe, simple crossover — best for families who prize a propless platform over the sharpest wave.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Buying a Towboat

• Ballast and surf system — More plumbed ballast and a proven wave-shaping system (Surf Gate, NSS, SurfStar, Convex VX) build a bigger, cleaner wave. Confirm gallons and whether sides switch automatically.
• Hull design — The hull shapes the wave more than horsepower does. Look for surf-tuned designs like Malibu's Wedge, Centurion's Opti-V, or Tige's TAPS.
• Versatility — If you also ski and wakeboard, favor an all-rounder like the 23 LSV or NXT24 over a pure surf specialist.
• Drive type — V-drives make the best surf wave; jet drives like the Yamaha and Forward Drives like the Chaparral add swimmer safety.
• Tower and racks — A sturdy tower with board racks and a Bimini matters for daily wakeboard use and shade.
• Resale and dealer support — Malibu, MasterCraft, and Nautique hold value best and have the widest dealer networks.

What matters less than marketing implies: peak horsepower numbers and touchscreen size. A well-tuned hull and ballast plan throws a better wave than raw power, and wave quality plus dealer support affect ownership far more than spec-sheet bragging rights.

FAQ

Which towboat is the best overall for 2027? The Malibu 23 LSV earns our top spot for balancing the best all-around surf wave, a strong wakeboard set, ski capability, and class-leading resale with no major weakness.

What is the best value towboat? The Axis A22 starting near $112,000 delivers Malibu's Surf Gate wave science and reliability in a durable, value-focused build — the most wave per dollar on this list.

Can one boat handle surf, wakeboard, and ski? Yes. All-rounders like the Malibu 23 LSV and MasterCraft NXT24 are engineered to surf with full ballast, wakeboard at mid ballast, and pull a slalom skier with ballast drained.

Which towboat throws the steepest surf wave? The Nautique GS22 with its NSS system and the Centurion Fi23 with its Opti-V hull produce the steepest, longest surf waves in this group.

Are jet-drive boats good for watersports? The Yamaha 252SD offers a propless, swimmer-safe platform and quick acceleration; its surf wave is usable but not as crisp as a dedicated V-drive towboat.

How much should I budget for a watersport towboat? Entry surf boats like the Moomba Mondo and Yamaha 252SD start near $94,000–$98,000, while flagship V-drives like the Malibu 23 LSV and Nautique GS22 run $165,000–$185,000 loaded.

Bottom Line

For 2027, the Malibu 23 LSV is our Best Overall watersport towboat — starting around $165,000, it wins on the best all-around surf wave, a strong wakeboard set, ski versatility, and segment-leading resale. The Axis A22, from about $112,000, is our Best Value, delivering Malibu's proven Surf Gate wave science in a durable, family-tough build.

If your needs lean toward the steepest surf wave, jet-drive swimmer safety, or crossover cruising, use the decision tree above to route yourself to the Nautique GS22, Yamaha 252SD, or Chaparral 23 Surf instead. Buy on wave quality, versatility, and resale — not headline horsepower — and your crew will surf, board, and ski happy for years.

Sources

• Boating Magazine — towboat reviews and tests
• WAKE / Alliance Wake — surf and wakeboard boat coverage
• BoatTEST — certified boat tests and specs
• boats.com — towboat listings and reviews
• Malibu Boats — 23 LSV and Axis specs
• Nautique — GS22 and Surf System
• MasterCraft — NXT24 specs and pricing
• Tige Boats — ATX and Convex VX surf system
• Skier's Choice — Supra and Moomba models
• Yamaha Boats — 252SD specs

*Towboat review — best watersport towboat 2027, reviews, ratings, prices, and a review of the top surf and wake picks for buyers.*