10 of the Best Wake Surfing Runabouts

Wake surfing boats don’t have to cost $150,000 – here are 10 great wake surfing runabouts that let everyone in on the fun.

Wake surfing might just be the biggest thing on the water these days. Cruising along behind the boat at a leisurely 10 mph or so, wake surfing is a fun, low impact way for anyone to enjoy watersports.

Wake surfing has grown so popular that it’s given rise to an entirely new category of specialized wake surfing boats – some of which sell for nearly $150,000. While that’s fine for experts, you don’t need to drop six figures just to get in on the fun. Volvo Penta’s unique Forward Drive system – which uses a special stern drive with forward-facing propellers, keeping the toothy bits well under the boat and far away from surfers – has given rise to a whole new range of runabouts that can churn out impressive wakes without giving up any of the wonderful speed and handling we’ve all come to expect from a standard cottage runabout.

Ready to get started? Here’s a look at 10 hot new wake surfing runabouts that are guaranteed to please.

Campion WS18

Campion WS18

• Length: 20’
• Beam: 7’ 8”
• Dry weight: 2,686 lbs
• Passenger capacity: 7

With its standard Zero off GPS speed control, surf tab system, 300-pound ballast capacity and premium SeaDek non-skid flooring that’s soft on wet feet, Campion’s all-new WS18 creates amazingly long, luxurious waves for such a compact boat. Standard features include a Samson Blade wake tower, a four-step bow boarding ladder, Razor ultra suspension bucket seats, LED underwater lighting and a Kicker  KMC20 premium stereo with speakers and Bluetooth.

Campion WS23

Campion WS23

• Length: 25’ 3”
• Beam: 8’ 6”
• Dry weight: 4,037 lbs
• Passenger capacity: 9

Need more space or seating capacity? Campion’s WS23 takes everything good about the WS18 and just adds more of it. It keeps the standard Samson Blade tower, Razor ultra suspension bucket seats, LED underwater lighting and a Kicker  KMC20 premium stereo with speakers and Bluetooth of its smaller sibling and adds a hefty 1,300-pound ballast capacity and seating for nine.

Chaparral 227 Surf SSX

Chaparral 227 Surf SSX

• Length: 23’
• Beam: 8’ 6”
• Dry weight: 4,368 lbs
• Passenger capacity: 12

With its licensed Malibu Surf Gate, 536-pound ballast capacity, folding arch tower with Bimini top and Medallion Viper II touch-screen control, the 227 SSX Surf from Chaparral provides what it says are the most surfable and customizable wakes possible. Standard features like a bow ice chest, diamond pattern non-skid, a port console cooler and a premium sound system with Bluetooth and a remote control give this boat plenty of pizzazz.

Cobalt CS23 Surf

Cobalt CS23 Surf

• Length: 23’ 8”
• Beam: 8’ 6”
• Dry weight: 3,700 lbs
• Passenger capacity: 12

Cobalt’s CS23 Surf comes complete with the company’s TruWave System, allowing fingertip control of the surf wave left or right without the need to transfer ballast between tanks for just the right wave. A premium Bluetooth stereo with six speakers and a transom remote, 40-ounce cockpit carpeting, a removable ice chest and wakeboard racks are all standard, while a lengthy option list lets owners spec this boat exactly as they wish.

Four Winns HD 220 Surf

Four Winns HD 220 Surf

• Length: 22’ 1”
• Beam: 8’ 5”
• Dry weight: 4,170 lbs
• Passenger capacity: 10

The Four Winns HD 220 Surf comes with a Zero off GPS speed control, a stainless ski tow, wake enhancement tabs and a ballast system all standard, while luxurious amenities like a Bimini top, bow fill-in cushions, docking lights, a premium stereo, swim platform mats and a power wakeboard tower with board racks are available as upgrades.

Monterey 218 Roswell Surf Edition

Monterey 218 Roswell Surf Edition

• Length: 20’ 8”
• Beam: 8’ 4”
• Dry weight: 3,650 lbs
• Passenger capacity: 1,980 lbs

Monterey set out to design the perfect compact surf boat with its all-new 218 Roswell Surf Edition. With notable features like a Zero off GPS speed control, a high volume 220-gallon ballast system, Wake Worx surf tabs, a Roswell audio package, a collapsible wakeboard tower with racks and a SeaDek inlay on the swim platform, this is one surf boat that definitely makes a statement.

Regal ESX 19 Surf

Regal ESX19

• Length: 19’ 10”
• Beam: 8’ 3”
• Dry weight: 3,100 lbs
• Passenger capacity: 9

There’s a lot to like about Regal’s ESX 19 Surf, starting with its Regal Surf System and Regalvue digital display for fingertip control of your wave. Social seating on the port side offers forward-facing or stern-facing versatility, while enticing options like a sport tower, board racks, a SeaDek swim platform and a high performance stereo make a good thing even better.

Regal 2500 RX Surf

Regal 2500 RX Surf

• Length: 26’ 3”
• Beam: 8’ 6”
• Dry weight: 4,750 lbs
• Passenger capacity: Yacht certified

The 2500 RX Surf is a big boat, but that just means more space and more fun. With its standard regal Surf System, 2,000 pounds of ballast, Regalvue display with surf control, PowerTower and available dual Ultralounge transom seats, this ride’s ready to play all weekend long. Add a SeaDek swim platform, an upgraded stereo and a toilet to complete the package.

Starcraft SCX 211 Surf

Starcraft SCX 211 Surf

• Length: 20’ 4”
• Beam: 102”
• Dry weight: 3,920 lbs
• Passenger capacity: 1,700 lbs

All-new for 2018, Starcraft’s SCX 211 Surf Edition may be the smallest member of its surf boat family, but it isn’t short on features. Three ballast tanks, Zero off GPS speed control, adjustable tabs and a killer stereo are just the start of this boat. Add a tower, board racks, a mirror package and a camera setup to trick it out exactly as you like.

Starcraft 231 SCX Surf Edition

Starcraft 231 SCX Surf Edition

• Length: 23’ 2”
• Beam: 102”
• Dry weight: 3,300 lbs
• Passenger capacity: 13

Starcraft’s 231 SCX Surf Edition comes with everything needed for serious watersports, including Zero off GPS speed control, adjustable surf tabs and a massive 1,385 pounds of ballast capacity. Add an available wakeboard tower, an extended swim platform and a Murphy touch-screen display with surf system and this boat’s ready to please even the most demanding customers.