400 vs 450 raptor motor

[brandykn00]

I am currently building my Makai and want to know what the top speed is in the makai with the 400 vs the 450. I know conditions will dictate this so lets assume perfect conditions so that we take that out of the equation. I test drove the makai with the 400 in it and it topped out at 38 MPH with no ballast. I was surprised, I know these boats aren't designed for top end speed but I thought it would get into the mid 40s at least. We do like to whip around the lakes and rivers in our current boat at high speeds at times and it would be nive if we could have a killer surf boat that also has the ability to go a little faster than the high 30s. Does anyone know what the top end speed is in the makai with the 450? Does it have higher top end speed than the 400 or just get you to 38MPH faster? Does any one know what the top end speed of the 575 motor is in the makai? I need help making the motor decision!!!

[jsb]

I don't know about top end speed but I just went through this same deliberation and opted for the 450 to ensure enough "pull" with a relatively full crew and full ballast. From what I understand the 400 with the new 1.76 transmission is "fine" for most surfing and wakeboarding situations with a lighter crew and stock ballast but not quite enough with extra ballast and/or a fuller crew...especially at any altitude. I do know of one 2019 Makai 400 owner who traded up to the 450 because he wasn't happy with the performance at higher wakeboarding speeds with a full crew or heavy ballast.

Again, all of this is related to surfing and wakeboarding performance not top end cruising speed so not sure if it's helpful with your decision. Good luck.

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[Shoebox]

Top speed is far more prop-dependent than anything. You can get a prop to "whip around" at top speed with either motor, but it isn't going to be very good for surfing or getting on plane wakeboarding when heavily ballasted. You need to decide which is more important.

[haknslash]

I was about to saw the prop is what is going to have the biggest influence on top speed. If you plan on surfing or carrying lots of ballast you can likely forget 40 mph. These boats are meant for pulling not top speed. If you want top speed then you’re going to sacrifice pulling power so you have to decide which is more important. My last boat would do 49 mph. I don’t miss the speeds one bit and normally cruise 23-28 mph.

[larry_arizona]

Once I got a wakeboat, I simply don’t understand high speed boating anymore.




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[Prospersigman]

I think you are looking at the wrong type of boat if you are still interested in top speed and being able to cruise at 40+ mph. Not to mention these boats dont really have the hull design for top speed handling or handling any chop at high speeds.

Go buy a Nor-Tech, Skater, or Top Gun if you want to go balls to the wall.

[FamilyMan]

Reading recent boat reviews I feel like hitting 40 seems damn good for a wake boat.

Last review on centurions and some malibus in BOATING top speeds were somewhere around 33-35. I think you will will get used to it...grew up on jet boats and now I feel like 23-26 is a nice cruise and when going over 30 feel like my hair is on fire! I open her up to 38-39 every once in a while for short jaunts just for kicks.

[larry_arizona]

One of my biggest pet peeves now is WOT boat guy standing up driving in the breezeway

I did 38mph in my boat once and nobody in my crew enjoyed it. When cruising 23mph is much more enjoyable.

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[MJHSupra]

I have friends that have this. It's a dual boat setup.

Both could afford 1 really nice (upper end) wake boat, but settled for 2 nice boats.

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[haknslash]

Buy a wake boat and buy one of those used rocket PWC's for times you want to blast off 70+ mph!