Makai engine

Hello all, I am considering several different boating options, one of which being the Makai. What are your all‘s thoughts regarding engines? Most of the ones for sale that I have seen come with the standard 400 raptor engine. I have heard some random comments regarding that not being enough engine and I would not be satisfied with out the 450 engine. I of course know this has to do with a lot of factors. Sometimes there may only be three people in the boat, other times there may be 12. I’m just looking for all around best case scenario. Is it really that big of a deal with the 400 engine regarding being under powered? Or do most people feel like it’s a non-issue and you’re fine with the 400? I appreciate everyone’s input!

I demoed a 2020 Makai with the 400. The 2020s come with the 1.76 trans, so somewhat equivalent to the 2019s with the 450. We had 5 adults and 3 kids, full stock ballast plus 500 lbs lead. It was not lacking in power.

400 engine is plenty if you are fairly close to sea level and have the right prop.

If you are above 2500 feet, I would start to consider the 450.


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Originally Posted by Shoebox

I demoed a 2020 Makai with the 400. The 2020s come with the 1.76 trans, so somewhat equivalent to the 2019s with the 450. We had 5 adults and 3 kids, full stock ballast plus 500 lbs lead. It was not lacking in power.

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I forgot all about the 2020s and the 1.76 setup. That's cool and would be probably enough for most.

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Originally Posted by MJHSupra

I forgot all about the 2020s and the 1.76 setup. That's cool and would be probably enough for most.

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I'm at about 2500 ft and there was plenty of power with the 400. The dealer was saying power with the new trans and 400 is basically equivalent to the 2019 with the 450. I demoed the 2020 w/400, and was going to demo a 2019 with 450 to compare, but they made me a deal I couldn't refuse on the SL450.

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Originally Posted by Shoebox

I'm at about 2500 ft and there was plenty of power with the 400. The dealer was saying power with the new trans and 400 is basically equivalent to the 2019 with the 450. I demoed the 2020 w/400, and was going to demo a 2019 with 450 to compare, but they made me a deal I couldn't refuse on the SL450.

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Except the 2019 450 is both the actual 450 and 1.76....I guess I am not sure what was meant.

Certainly the 20 with the 400/1.76 is closer to the 19 450 though .


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Originally Posted by dakota4ce

Except the 2019 450 is both the actual 450 and 1.76....I guess I am not sure what was meant.

Certainly the 20 with the 400/1.76 is closer to the 19 450 though .


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Huh? 2019 Makai with 450 isn't 1.76.

I'm saying the 2019 450/1.5 is similar in output/feel to the 2020 400/1.76

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Originally Posted by Shoebox

Huh? 2019 Makai with 450 isn't 1.76.

I'm saying the 2019 450/1.5 is similar in output/feel to the 2020 400/1.76

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2019 with 450 is absolutely a 1.76. It was the only and first one.

I owned one.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by dakota4ce

2019 with 450 is absolutely a 1.76. It was the only and first one.

I owned one.


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Hmm. My dealer said the 2019 was 1.5.

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Originally Posted by Shoebox

Hmm. My dealer said the 2019 was 1.5.

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He is a LIAR. Sorry you had to find out this way. [emoji847]

JK. Well, not about the 1.76 part of the 2019 Makai 450. That is a fact. Unless some weird unicorn got built accidentally.


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Originally Posted by dakota4ce

He is a LIAR. Sorry you had to find out this way. [emoji847]

JK. Well, not about the 1.76 part of the 2019 Makai 450. That is a fact. Unless some weird unicorn got built accidentally.


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Odd that the Makais got it before the Supras.

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Originally Posted by Shoebox

Odd that the Makais got it before the Supras.

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A bit yes. But that’s how it went down for some reason.


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Similar issue with engine choice and elevation. Looking at 2019 Makais, one with the 400 and the other with the 450. Like the color combo better on the one with the 400. Also looking at two SLs, a 2019 with the 400 and a 2018 with a 450. I know the 450 is ideal, but will the 400 get the job done?

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Originally Posted by Azfamily

Similar issue with engine choice and elevation. Looking at 2019 Makais, one with the 400 and the other with the 450. Like the color combo better on the one with the 400. Also looking at two SLs, a 2019 with the 400 and a 2018 with a 450. I know the 450 is ideal, but will the 400 get the job done?

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A 2018 450 is not the same as a 2019 450.

What elevation are you at?


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Originally Posted by larry_arizona

A 2018 450 is not the same as a 2019 450.

What elevation are you at?


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Early 2019 450 SLs can have the 1.5.....then they started the 1.76 midstream.

So you would have to see which is on the build specs.

2018 450 is a 440 and 1.5.


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I'm at 2300ft elevation. Just not sure if the 400 will be enough. Personally, I like the boats with the 400s better and want to know if I am just over thinking this. The majority of the time it will be 4 of us on the boat with enough extra weight to get a good surf wave.

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Originally Posted by Azfamily

I'm at 2300ft elevation. Just not sure if the 400 will be enough. Personally, I like the boats with the 400s better and want to know if I am just over thinking this. The majority of the time it will be 4 of us on the boat with enough extra weight to get a good surf wave.

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The 400 is stout and with the right prop you won’t have any issues surfing max ballast and crew. The only issue you might run into is full ballast full crew plus lead and wakeboarding at 23mph.


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Fantastic, thank you. Were mainly a surf family so that's good news. Now I just need to make up my mind between the Makai and the SL.

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Originally Posted by Azfamily

Fantastic, thank you. Were mainly a surf family so that's good news. Now I just need to make up my mind between the Makai and the SL.

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If you're OK with the 400, Makai can't compare to a 2019 SL. I was 90% sold on 2020 Makai with 400 (I'm at 2200 ft), until the dealer made me a deal I couldn't refuse on an SL450. It was a no brainer. I'd have done it for an SL400 as well.

I do love how the SL doesn't need much extra weight to get a decent wave, which leaves much more room for storage. I am anal about clutter, so that's a bonus. My wife on the other hand is the clutter queen, but that's just the way it goes. How do you like the all touch screen system?

I like it. It's had a couple hiccups but nothing major. The only real drawback so far is there's no changing the stereo head unit, it's all integrated. Not that I would necessarily, but you simply can't. The amps desperately need a pro tuning right out of the box. All the presets for different people/waves is really cool, and you can see exactly what thr boat is doing at all times.

As for storage, with all under-floor ballast, there is TONS. I have several completely empty compartments, even with all our gear and 600 lbs lead spread around.

I have owned a Makai 450 and now an SL450. Both are excellent. The surf experience on the SL is a good bit easier to achieve IMHO. SL with 1000 lead produces a wave a good bit better than a Makai with 1500–and that’s with 500 less stock ballast at the outset.

Makai is a big big girl, and has tons of room. SL is several notches higher in luxury. 2020 Supra sound is off the charts. Can’t speak for tuning the 2019s systems.

While I really really liked my Makai, the SL is a nicer boat by a good margin. Just need to decide what level of bling you want.

Both are awesome boats, but not apples to apples.


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Thanks for the info and the comparisons on the two boats, it helps out a lot. I do like the SL over the Makai mainly due to the ease of surf set up and the need for less extra weight. Hopefully the dealerships are willing to deal on the boats, otherwise we might just go with the Makai and keep the extra cash. Thanks again

Agree with dakota4ce.

The SL will be OK out of the box.
500# is good
1000# is great.

Easy as pushing the button and and a little tuning.

The newer Supra sound system rocks.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Azfamily

Fantastic, thank you. Were mainly a surf family so that's good news. Now I just need to make up my mind between the Makai and the SL.

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This is a good problem to have :cool:
I hope you get a chance to be out on both boats for a good ammount of time to make this decision.

Thanks for all the help. Put an offer on a 19 SL, just waiting to get word.

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Originally Posted by Azfamily

Thanks for all the help. Put an offer on a 19 SL, just waiting to get word.

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Nice, you'll love it!