MB Sports B52

The MB Sports B52 V announces its presence in a way that wakeboarders won't be able to resist. The unique in-the-gelcoat flame graphics scream across the side of the boat and throughout the interior, while the wakes behind the boat rival those of the pros.

OVERVIEWIn designing the new B-52 V23, MB Sports took the popular B-52 and, pardon the cliche, cranked it up to 11. This model has more length (23 feet), more factory ballast (2,500 pounds) and a higher passenger capacity (12) -- the biggest numbers in the MB line. So if you want to max out the comfort and wakeboarding performance, this is the MB to get.

Special attention has been paid to the spacious wraparound lounge, which itself is wrapped in cushy upholstery. The styling lines and the edgy graphics integrated throughout the interior produce a smooth party vibe. Fit and finish are superb everywhere you look. Aside from the driver's seat being a little low, the helm is ideally situated for raising the rear electric hatch and controlling the ballast tanks, which are built into the hull under the floor to minimize their intrusion on storage compartments. Load up, and all that's left to do is crank the rockin' stereo up to 11, too.

WAKEBOARDINGThe scale for our test ratings only goes to 10, but the B-52 V23 earned plenty of those marks, including perfect 10s for the transition and landing zone. The transition was quite possibly the smoothest we saw in our tests, and touching back down on the water after big air was like landing on a pillow. The lips may look a little frothy, but they can certainly launch you. The solid double-ups were peaky and poppy. This boat comes from the factory with an unbelievable 2,500 pounds of ballast -- two 1,000-pound tanks integrated into the hull in the rear and a 500-pounder under the open bow. Throwing that kind of weight around makes additional ballast unnecessary.LOWDOWN This all-new boat is the ultimate model from MB Sports, a 23-foot high-end wakeboarding V-drive. Such perfect transitions and landing zones make these wakes among the best anywhere. Comes from the factory with an astounding ballast capacity of 2,500 pounds, with rear tanks out of the way under the floor. Luxury styling includes thick upholstery and billet aluminum accents. Edgy graphics designed into the interior and the gelcoat.

PERFORMANCETop Speed 44.1 mph 5,400 rpmAccel. to 30 mph 5.5 sec. 135.5 ft.Accel. to 36 mph 7.3 sec. 223.4 ft.Noise Levels (db) Neutral 63 D 61 R, 36 mph 86 D 93 R

SPECSLength 23 ft. Beam 96 in.Seating Capacity 12Fuel Capacity 64 gal.Test Prop Acme 13.5 x 17 4-bladeTest Engine PCM ZR6 6.0L, 375 HPCONTACT DAVID WILLIAMS phone or email