The MB brand of wakeboard boats is a breath of fresh air in the Australian wakeboard boat scene.

MB Sports has been around in the USA for over 15 years now and has built up a strong reputation, mostly by word of mouth. MB also boasts a pro team each with very diverse riding styles; the most recent addition being Aaron Rathy, current WWA World Champion.

MB Sports have finally come to Australia, starting with the most popular US Model, the F21 Tomcat. The MB F21 Tomcat packs legitimate big wake performance into a reasonably priced boat, with all the features you want as standard. Its unique design commands an imposing presence both on and off the water.

Wake Performance

This boat features one seriously wide and deep hull, which is obvious when viewed on the trailer. Designed to produce a substantial wake, the F21 Tomcat shapes an inviting mountain of water behind the boat. The F21 Tomcat does not use any wake plates or wake enhancing devices; instead, MB has validated, through their design and engineering process, a hull that produces an impressive wake, stable in all conditions.

However, the cornerstone of the F21's wake is one of the most innovative ballast systems on the market today. The gravity-fed system does away with pumps. Instead, this boat opens up two four-inch diameter gates on the transom of the boat. This floods two large hard tanks running two-thirds the length of the boat. The boat can take on 820 litres of water in under 60 seconds. The rider barely has any time to get their board on before the job is done, and the ballast drains just as fast on the run back to the boat ramp. A nice touch is the gauge for the ballast system, which reads XL to XXL. The wake without ballast is still a very respectable size, yet can suit people of all riding abilities as well as all other watersports. But with just one flick, the ballast switches and a pro level wake is the result.

Although the F21 feels deceptively larger than other 21 foot boats, don't be fooled. The steering is remarkably light and the throttle response is aggressive.

Interior

Designing a hull that is wide and deep allows for a lot of space within the boat. The F21 Tomcat is certified to carry 15 people or up to 1350-kilograms - huge numbers for a 21-foot boat. Sitting in the interior it's easy to see how it fits so many people. The F21 Tomcat features a conventional wraparound layout of the V-drive, complimented by the large square bow-rider section that can accommodate four people on its own with room to spare. The wide bow also makes getting on and off the bow of the boat much easier.

The dimensions of the boat offer large amounts of storage space with lockers either side of the engine bay that swallow wakesurfers, wakeboards with bindings and wakeskates with ease, meaning the full crew and their equipment fit in the boat comfortably. There is additional storage under all seats, including the bow rider section, a large esky under the walk-thru to the bow and a lockable glovebox with a billet aluminium lid.

Probably the most striking feature when you climb into the boat is the unique woven vinyl. This finish used on the seats is a sexy point of difference from standard matt vinyl seats. The cockpit also has a unique look and feel. The bubble chair incorporates a fold up bolster, as well as an easy slide and swivel function. The dash presents all switches, stereo controls and gauges in easily viewable and controllable places, exemplifying MB's attention to detail and functionality. Some other nice touches that make MB stand out from the rest are the laser-cut and machined billet metal logos used throughout the boat, grippy rubber mats in practical places and a USB MP3 player connection.

Build Quality

The attention to detail that MB has gone to extends beyond the visible interior elements. MB do not use any wood in the construction of their boats, and even as you inspect inside the storage compartments it becomes apparent that no stone has been left unturned in the search for build quality not seen in other boats.

Furthermore all the fittings on the boat are made from high grade T-6061 aircraft aluminium rather than plastic. All fittings are anodised and won't be compromised with salt-water usage. Finally, every MB boat is laid-up and assembled by hand to ensure the company's quality and durability standards are upheld in every boat.

Summary

The MB F21 Tomcat definitely has it in the wake and handling departments, they're built solidly, and come standard with all the features you want. At $89,990 standard with a PCM 343hp engine, a 820-litre ballast system that fills in 60 seconds, a 242-litre fuel tank (with surprisingly affordable fuel economy), zero-off cruise control, collapsible tower, rotating boardracks, dual batteries, powerful stereo system, oversized bimini, boat cover, custom tandem-axle trailer, even with registration thrown in as well, the MB F21 Tomcat is a real value proposition and a legitimate big wake performer.

MB Boats Australia are demo-ing the F1 Tomcat to as many people as possible to let the boat do the talking. They've just finished their East Coast tour, and you can check out the feedback and photos on www.mbboats.com.au.