Boats

MB Sports B-52V 2008

By Wakeboarding Magazine

Updated: January 1, 2008

Wakeboard Boat Review

The B-52V is the classic in MB Sports’ lineup. The wakeboard boat debuted in 1996, and it has been refined annually for more than a decade to add space, update graphics and enhance it overall. For the first-time wakeboard boat buyer, that means a time-tested platform at a budget-conscious price. Oh, and the flames shooting throughout the upholstery rock.

Hull: MB Sports’ Extended Wake Plane hull is designed for the MB Sports B-52V to get out of the water quickly with minimal time to plane and very little bow rise thanks to a specially designed keel pattern that works in conjunction with a molded-in piece to maximize performance. And it’s all orchestrated with engineered rocker as MB Sports strives to produce the best wakes possible.

Ballast: Standard ballast doesn’t get much beefier than the MB Sports line. And the MB Sports B-52V is no exception with 1,800 pounds of wake-building weight to play with, loaded evenly along both sides of the wakeboard boat for better balance and stability. For 2008, there are new heat sensors on the manifold, which protect against impeller damage if you leave the pump running accidentally.

Tower: The MB Sports B-52V’s standard Skylon Swoop tower allows for easy garage parking thanks to a user-friendly, scissorlike folding pattern that lowers the rig down into the boat in about a minute. We like the standard wakeboard racks and bimini top, and with aircraft aluminum construction and anodized billet accessories, it’s as tough as it is good-looking.

Highlight feature: MB Sports’ adjustable factory ballast system is our favorite feature of the B-52V. It enables riders of every level to fine-tune the wake to their liking by adjusting the amount of water that’s loaded into the twin 100-gallon port and starboard tanks. And with no bags in the back of the boat, there’s more storage capacity.

The wake: We found the wake behind the MB Sports B52V to be a forgiving and beginner-friendly playground that’s perfect for new riders to cut their teeth. And with even more weight, riders might be able to ramp up to an advanced wake.