Thanks for creating this series, Trevor. These exact thoughts have been noodling around my brain as I think about a new boat. There is one additional point of differentiation between inboard wake boats and these I/O bow runners that use the Volvo Penta engine with the forward drive: the quick drain button on the Volvo that drains the water from the engine, which allows you to hit the water on nice fall/winter days even after all the inboards have been winterized. Here in the Carolina’s, those days can add up almost to the point of being another season. That point is at the top of my pro/con list. Also, more minor points you may have missed, but you can steer an I/O in reverse and they appear to get better fuel economy. I think you captured everything else and opened my eyes to points I hadn’t considered or wasn’t aware of. I especially like your take on not needing the biggest most perfect wave to surf. It’s easy to get caught up in the marketing hype when all we really want to do is get out there and have some imperfect fun.

Not gonna lie, I wanna see the forward drive on an outboard. Just to see if they can do it and how it might improve those.

Trevor - There are some things you have missed. I have surfed behind a forward drive and I have a wake boat, I considered both options when purchasing. 1) Size - Wake boats don't count the swin platform in the length, so a 23ft wake boat = 25 ft bowrider when it comes to length. 2) Storage vs ballast - this is a simple tradeoff for comparable quality boats. Compare storage on a Nautique with a Cobalt, you will find a more balanced comparison. So of the aggressive wake boats have a ton of soft bags chewing up the storage, but not all wake boats. the Nautique G series in particular has underfloor ballast, and a ton of storage. 3) Wake Size - bigger wakes are for bigger people... this is not a skill factor issue but a bigger wake has a bigger sweet spot for riding, plus wake boats typically have a wave that is more configurable to be long or tall, this adds to the enjoyment for novice all the way to pro. After the first season, my wife is carving it up, and the bigger wave is nice. 4) Price - when you compare similar equipment and power for similar build quality, the price delta comes down considerably. I did a few reviews myself, and found that the wake boat premium was modest, and would be justified often through improve sound systems, more powerful engines, or other additional features. and 5) Driveability - forward drive boats are MASSIVELY easier to drive than inboards, I have gotten used to it mostly, but using a rudder to steer versus a prop moving to steer is very, very, very different. trailering, docking, etc... everything is harder with an inboard wake boat.

I think you're going about this decision the right way. I have a family of five and went from a Bryant bowrider to an MB V-drive mid-late summer last year. At the time I bought the Bryant, I thought it was on par with Cobalt and initially looked at their fwd drive options. I really liked the interior layouts better as well. You mentioned space. I noticed in my shopping that the fwd drive boats were typically offered on larger boats. Due to tow vehicle and garage limitiations, I targeted the 20'-22' boats and really felt like 21' was my sweet spot. It seems that most bowrider manufacturers use their larger models as their surf editions. I assume weight and bow rise are factors in doing so, but I just couldn't see myself in a 24' boat. Being around sterndrives all of my life, there's a maintenance learning curve, but there are no more bellows to worry about and changing gear oil is much simpler. I have more storage in the MB than I did the Bryant. I did get used to the storage layout in the Bryant. I had a certain spot for everything and could access it right when I needed it. I think the storage in the MB is less compartmentalized which has made it more difficult for me to keep my accessories organized. I haven't had a major docking snafu yet. I'm more anxious doing so, but that just might come from the fact that this boat costs much more!

A big-long wave is not just for experts. It is also much easier for beginners to ride when off-rope because it has more “push”. I owned a 2015 Moomba Mojo 23’ (that required a “ghetto-gate” to make a good wave, a 2016 Natique G21 and a 2017 G23. Of these, the G23 had by-far the best wave, but for novices, a Malibu LSV25 makes a much longer wave that does not have a trough near the transom. The Malibu 21’ makes a lame wave as does the Natique G21. However, my hunch is that they are better than any of the forward-facing drives. (I hope I’m wrong about this) A 2021 Mastercraft 24’ makes a wave similar to the 2017 era Natique G23. Hope this helps!

Nice video but I’ve got a couple of comments. I currently own a wake-boat, but I call it a water sports boat. It can do it all-surf, board, and ski, and it can do it better than any bow rider ( you didn’t touch on hull design but water sport boats hulls are designed to make a better wave) . As far as storage-the new water sports boats have tons of storage, plus the tower has racks and surf board storage pockets. As you switch riders out, the boards are always going on the tower where it is convenient to access. Many of the new water sport boats now have transom seating for hanging out in the cove. As far as getting in and out, I’ve never thought twice about stepping up and using the center walkway. If you are athletic enough to surf, this won’t be an issue. One thing you didn’t mention was performance. A water sports boat will win every time. Their engines are tuned for water sports. They have tons of horsepower and low end torque to pull up a surfer, boarder, or skier. Also Zero Off gps speed control is integrated into the touch screen for ease of use, unlike most bow riders. To each his own, but if you are really into water sports, a Nautique, Malibu, Mastercraft, Supra, Tige’, Centurion, etc. will always be superior overall.

Let me just say great video and many good points but let me just bring something up that I didn’t see mentioned. And that’s the draft. These forward drives are tucked under the swim platform and when you trim it up you only gain a few inches of draft as the lowest point swaps between the skeg and the front of the propeller assembly. I owned a Regal LS2 surf and for the 1800 pounds of ballast it had the wave was solid. But it drafted like 42 inches for a 22ft boat. And around 37-38 with the drive all the way up. I found the bottom way too often. Lucky it was soft. Just my .02.

The one thing I've always had a question about since the forward drive technology was first introduced was is it possible to retro fit a regular stern drive bow rider to just be able to basically replace the motor with a forward drive? Like I just wanna know if it would be possible and if so how much it would end up costing and if it would be worth doing that over buying a whole new boat and I just can't find a single thing online from anyone explaining this question

Forward drive is way bigger speed with 6000 rpm , I have regal ls4 so max speed is 55m/h but all wake boats is 35-37 max speed with 5700-6000 rpm, I prefer forward drive plus antifreeze so easy to do winterize it

Nothing matters but the wave. He starts talking about it at 4:20

I have not surfed behind the volvo fwd drives, can the surf wave push a 230lbs 6 fedt tall person? o do not need tje best wave, just one tgat is long enough and hard enough to push and hold big riders.

Surfed behind both. Behind a Cobalt.. Sucked compared to my old 08 SAN 230 set up for surfing. Couldn't get the Cobalt to make a good wave. Funny thing though, my son was square behind the Cobalt and when we hit power, he was humoursly blown out of the water.... But crap wave!

These I/O forward facing boats cost as much as a wake boat. Wave is worse and not as good for wakeboarding. Bunks have to be very high so you have to put the boat deep in the water to launch. The trim is very minimal on a forward facing vs conventional i/o. If you plan to surf like 5-10% and you can't be bothered to tolerate the low speed steering, then maybe this is a good option. But I think these boats are not going to be ubiquitous any time soon.

Forward is way faster and it’s mean if you will take 100 hours so forward drive will be less wear because to get 35 miles per hour wake boat is using 5700rpm but forward drive is going 50m/h with 5700 rpm

I own a Volvo Penta and am discovering that maintenance and repair is prohibitively expansive which would be no big deal if Volvo stepped up to the plate when it comes to warranty claims. Getting them to pay for their weak and overly complex system failures is worse than pulling teeth.

$250,000 for a walkway… Priceless.

Did you end up buying a new boat this year?

Is this a parody account? Seriously, "you might have to pull your knee up to climb into the boat". are you serious? Your number one selling feature of a WAKE boat, is the transom step/design? Also, wake surfing is not new, it's been around for at least 15 years, so welcome to 2008. stern drives (and yes, forward facing prop design is still a stern drive because the lower unit steers the boat, not a rudder) have improved, but can't hold a candle to a proper wake boat for surging. Wakeboarding, maybe.

If you want to surf, buy a surf boat. You will never be satisfied with a forward drive if you want to surf.