March 17, 2026

"Keep the Momentum GEOing!" - Amy Mauzy

*image above generated by ChatGPT*

AI is definitely a popular topic for marketers these days. It seems every marketing company is utilizing artificial intelligence to increase their clients’ market penetration. It is still difficult to understand if these efforts are producing results in the form of sales. Until recently, it had not been clear to me how AI is best utilized to bolster brand perception and ultimately make new sales. At Miami and Sacramento Boat Shows, I experienced what AI can do for new boat sales first hand.

In Miami, I had a walkthrough scheduled with Jim and Anne. They currently own a 23-foot Yamaha jet boat, but their grandkids are unable to surf behind it. I didn’t ask Jim and Anne’s ages, but they looked to be in their 60s. They are interested in the Ri230, but have no experience with Centurion or any other wake surf boat. I walked them through the Ri245 we had at the show and answered all of their questions. We talked for more than 2 hours. Then towards the end of our conversation, when I thought there couldn’t possibly be any more questions, Anne asked about the Ri230’s ski wake. Then Anne said something that really surprised me. “ChatGPT said Centurion was not the boat we should get if the kids want to ski.”

Anne shared with me the results she received from ChatGPT when she asked the following questions. I have attached the full results below.
What boats make the best wakesurfing waves?
What matters most for wakesurf waves?
Which boat is also good for waterskiing and tubing?

As you might imagine, Centurion, specifically the Ri265 was listed as the top result for questions 1 and 2, but ChatGPT listed Centurion as “What NOT to Buy If Skiing Matters”.

In Sacramento, I met Chris. He and his wife own a 2005 Wakesetter VLX that they keep in a 21-foot slip on Folsom Lake. They are looking for new wake surf boat that will fit in their slip. Chris’s wife also has a bad back so she wants a smooth ride. I didn’t ask Chris’s age, but he looked to be in his mid to late 40s. Chris and his wife have never been in a Centurion on the water. He did research on ChatGPT for the best surf boat for his needs and once again Centurion came up as the best surf wave.
What is the best wake surf boat?
What is the best 21-foot wake surf boat with the smoothest rough water ride?

Centurion was mentioned as the best surf wave in the answer to question #1. And Centurion was identified as the best result for the second question, but the model ChatGPT referenced is the Centurion Fi21.

Our overall results in these two examples were extremely positive! These results reflect the momentum we have been manufacturing with the educational information we publish about our brands. These factored into two different boat buyers seeking out our brand to learn more about buying Centurion boats. But there is definitely more momentum to be manufactured.

I think we all assume some boat buyers are using AI to research their purchase decision, but I experienced two specific examples of this new phenomenon this boat show season that were different than I had envisioned.

Boat buyers are asking AI extremely specific questions. If we have not publicized content that answer with that same level of detail, we may not be shown as a good option in the results. We have chosen to market wake surfing as our primary discipline with wakeboarding as a strong second. We assume that consumers understand Centurions will still pull a tube and create a recreational ski wake, but we have not produced this content. It is this lack of content that AI sees as proof that Centurions don’t perform these tasks well. Even when the AI answer is overwhelmingly positive about our brand, the negative result still seems to capture attention.

We need to keep the momentum GEOing. GEO or generative engine optimization is one of the names given to the practice of structuring digital content and managing online presence to improve visibility in responses generated by generative artificial intelligence systems. Essentially we can optimize AI results for our brands by producing content that answers the questions boat buyers are asking. Utilizing this approach we can continue to manufacture our own momentum by understanding what boat buyers want to know about our brands in comparison to others.

Go through this same exercise with your new customers. Find out how AI engines like ChatGPT and Google are answering questions about dealerships and brands sold in your area. Then get to publishing content that features your dealership and brands as the answer to your customers’ needs, especially compared to your competition.

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Jim and Anne’s ChatGPT Results:

Here’s a breakdown of the boats widely considered to make the best wakesurfing waves — including pros, typical uses, and why they’re favored by surfers and riders:

🏆 Top Boats for Excellent Wakesurfing Waves

1. Centurion Ri265 (and other Centurion models)
  • Known for powerful, deep and customizable surf waves.
  • Built with Opti-V hulls that create smooth, long surf wakes that many riders prefer.
  • Great choice for experienced surfers who love big push and flexibility.
2. Super Air Nautique G23 / G25 Paragon
  • Often cited as one of the best overall wakesurf boats on the market.
  • Nautique’s advanced Surf System and adjustable running surface help shape tall, clean waves.
  • Strong reputation in the community for consistent waves and premium build quality.
3. Malibu Models (e.g., M240, 23/26 LSV)
  • Malibu’s Surf Gate® technology is famous for creating clean, customizable surf wakes at the press of a button.
  • Highly rated by riders for ease of setup and versatile wake shapes.
  • The Malibu 23 LSV was even awarded Wakesurf Boat of the Year.
4. Supra SE / SV Series
  • Strong surf capabilities with systems like Swell™ and Autowake, offering great wave consistency.
  • Balanced performance if you want both wakesurfing and other wake sports.
5. Axis Wake Boats (e.g., T250, A20, A22)
  • More budget-friendly but still excellent at producing strong waves.
  • Uses hydraulic surf gates and ballast to tailor the wave for left or right riding.
  • Good option if you want big waves without high luxury pricing.
6. MasterCraft XStar S / XT Models
  • Known as “all-rounders” with strong wakesurf wakes and premium features.
  • Great for riders who want versatility between surfing and wakeboarding.

🚤 Special Mention

Regal 38 Surf – A unique alternative:
  • A huge sport-utility boat with large surfable waves created by dual forward drives — excellent for wakesurfing without traditional ballast tanks.
  • It’s more of a cruiser + surf boat in one package.

🧠 Quick Guidance on Choosing the Right Boat

Here’s what matters most for wakesurf waves:
✅ Ballast capacity – More weight — deeper and larger waves.✅ Hull & surf shaping systems – Surf gates, tabs, and smart ballast give you tunable wave shapes.✅ Adjustability – Ability to switch between left/right or balance waves for different skill levels.✅ Boat size & power – Larger hulls usually support bigger, cleaner waves.

🏄‍♂️ Summary: Best Waves by Category

Priority
Best Picks
Best overall wakesurf waves
Centurion Ri265, Nautique G23/G25, Malibu LSV
Best for customization
Malibu w/ Surf Gate, Supra Swell System
Best value / budget
Axis A20/A22/T250
Versatile and luxurious
Nautique Paragon, MasterCraft XStar
If you want recommendations based on budget (e.g., $50k / $100k / $200k+) or specific features (like perfect for beginners vs pros), just let me know!ImageImageImage
Sources
Which boat is also good for waterskiing and tubing
If you want a boat that’s excellent for wakesurfing but still good for waterskiing and tubing, you’re looking for the best crossover wake boat — not a pure surf machine and not a dedicated ski boat.
Here are the best-balanced options:

🥇 Malibu Boats – 23 LSV or 24 MXZ

Why it’s great:
  • Surf Gate + Power Wedge = excellent surf wave
  • Ballast can be drained to flatten the wake for skiing
  • Very good tubing pull (stable and powerful)
Best for: Families who surf most but still want recreational slalom skiing.

🥈 Nautique Boat Company – GS Series (GS22 / GS24)

The GS literally stands for “Getaway Series.”
Why it’s great:
  • Designed specifically as a 3-sport crossover (surf / ski / wakeboard)
  • Flattens out better than the G-series boats
  • Strong, clean surf wave when weighted
Best true crossover option in the premium category.

🥉 MasterCraft – XT Series (XT22 / XT23)

Why it’s great:
  • SurfStar system for strong surf wave
  • Drains ballast quickly for skiing
  • Great tracking and manageable wake at 30–34 mph
Best all-around family watersports boat.

💰 Best Value Crossover

Axis Wake Research – T220 / T235

  • Strong surf wave (shares Malibu tech)
  • Not ideal for serious slalom, but fine for recreational skiing
  • Excellent tubing boat

⚠️ What NOT to Buy If Skiing Matters

  • Centurion Ri series (amazing surf, heavy hull = big ski wake)
  • Nautique G23/G25 (fantastic surf, not ideal ski wake)
  • Any boat over 24–25 ft if you want good slalom performance

🎯 The Honest Answer

If skiing matters even 30–40% of the time:
👉 Nautique GS22 is probably the best overall balance.👉 Malibu 23 LSV is a very close second and often more adjustable.
If skiing is just occasional fun:
👉 Any modern 22–23 ft surf boat will tube great and ski “well enough.”
If you tell me:
  • How serious the skier is (recreational vs course skier)
  • Typical crew size
  • Budget range
I can narrow this to 1–2 best picks for you.
Skiing is 20%, tubing is 35% and wake surfing is 45%. The people using it range in age from 10 to 22 and from 65 to 200 pounds. Our lake tends to be very shallow in late summer. Which boat do you recommend for our family.
Thanks — that breakdown helps a lot.
With 45% surfing / 35% tubing / 20% skiing, young riders, lighter crew weights, and a shallow late-summer lake, here’s what matters most for your family:

What You Need

  • Strong surf wave that still works with lighter riders (65–120 lbs)
  • Easy adjustability (quick switching between goofy/regular and beginner/pro waves)
  • Good hole shot for tubing
  • Manageable ski wake at 30–32 mph
  • Not overly deep draft for shallow water
  • 22–23 ft sweet spot (big enough for surf, not too deep)

🥇 Best Overall Fit

Malibu Boats 23 LSV

Why this is likely your best match:
  • ✔ Excellent surf wave that works for light and heavy riders
  • ✔ Power Wedge lets you fine-tune wave size for kids vs adults
  • ✔ Ballast drains quickly to improve ski wake
  • ✔ Strong pull for tubing
  • ✔ Moderate draft compared to some deeper-V competitors
  • ✔ Very easy driver interface (great for multi-generation family use)
For your mix, it’s the most adaptable without sacrificing fun.

🥈 Very Close Second

Nautique Boat Company GS22

  • Slightly better ski wake than most surf boats
  • Excellent crossover hull
  • Surf wave not quite as massive as Nautique G-series, but very good
  • Premium build quality
If skiing quality matters more than you stated, this might edge ahead.

Why I Would NOT Recommend:

❌ Deep-V Surf Specialists (e.g., Centurion Ri series)

They produce huge surf waves, but:
  • Deeper draft (less ideal for shallow late-season lakes)
  • Ski wake is noticeably larger
  • Designed more for serious surf crews

Important for Your Shallow Lake

Ask about:
  • Draft measurement fully loaded
  • Ability to run partial ballast
  • Propeller pitch optimized for shallow water
  • Surf wave quality at reduced ballast (you’ll likely use this late season)
A 22–23 ft boat is ideal. I would avoid 25–26 ft boats for your lake.

My Clear Recommendation for Your Family

Malibu 23 LSVIt fits your activity split almost perfectly and is very forgiving across ages 10–22 and lighter riders.
If you’d like, I can also:
  • Compare 23 LSV vs GS22 side-by-side
  • Suggest used model years that are the sweet spot
  • Estimate realistic pricing in Canada
  • Help you decide between new vs 3–5 years old
Just tell me which direction you’re leaning.
Chris’s ChatGPT Results: 
There isn’t a single “best” wakesurf boat—there are a handful of elite brands and models that dominate, and the best one for you depends on your budget, wave style, and how you’ll use it (family cruising vs. hardcore surf sessions).
Here’s a clear breakdown of the top wakesurf boats (2024–2026) and what they’re best at:

🏆 The Best Wakesurf Boats Right Now

🔥 1. Nautique G-Series (G23 / G25 / Paragon)

Best overall (if money is no object)
  • Known for premium build quality + elite waves
  • Very customizable surf settings
  • Used in pro competitions
👉 Why it stands out: Consistently ranked among the top boats with powerful, clean wakes and luxury features

🌊 2. Centurion Ri Series (Ri245 / Ri265)

Best pure surf wave
  • Produces long, powerful waves with tons of push
  • Massive ballast (up to ~6,000 lbs)
  • Deep-V hull designed specifically for surfing
👉 Why it stands out: Often considered the best wave in the industry

⚡ 3. Malibu Wakesetter / M-Series (M240, 23 LSV, 25 LSV)

Best all-around + user-friendly tech
  • Surf Gate + Power Wedge = highly adjustable waves
  • Great for families and mixed riding (surf + wakeboard)
👉 Why it stands out: Extremely versatile and easy to dial in for different riders

🏄 4. MasterCraft XStar / XT Series

Best blend of performance + luxury
  • Smooth, customizable surf wave
  • High-end interiors and tech
👉 Why it stands out: Strong reputation for refinement and consistency

💪 5. Supra SE / SL Series

Best value in high-performance category
  • Powerful engines + smart auto surf systems
  • More affordable than Nautique/Malibu at similar performance
👉 Why it stands out: Big performance without the absolute top-tier price

💰 6. Axis (by Malibu)

Best budget wakesurf boat
  • Shares Malibu surf tech at lower cost
  • Simpler interior, still throws a great wave
👉 Why it stands out: Best bang-for-your-buck surf performance

🧠 Quick Decision Guide

  • Want the absolute best wave? → Centurion Ri
  • Want luxury + prestige? → Nautique G-Series
  • Best for families / versatility? → Malibu Wakesetter
  • Balanced premium option? → MasterCraft
  • Performance on a budget? → Supra or Axis

💡 Important Reality Check

All of these brands are excellent. The “best” boat often comes down to:
  • Your local dealer/service quality (huge factor)
  • Lake size & conditions
  • Crew size (big boats vs smaller lakes)
  • Budget (new boats can run $100K–$300K+)
✅ Bottom line:If you forced a single answer, most serious riders would say:👉 Nautique G-Series = best overall👉 Centurion Ri = best surf wave
If you want, tell me:
  • Your budget
  • New vs used
  • How many people you usually bring
…and I’ll narrow it down to the exact boats you should be looking at.
If your priority is a 21-foot wakesurf boat that handles rough/choppy water the smoothest, there’s actually a pretty clear winner—and it comes down to hull design, not just brand.

🏆 Best 21’ Wakesurf Boat for Rough Water Ride

🥇 Centurion Fi21

Best overall for rough water + elite surf wave
Why it stands out:
  • Uses a deep-V “Opti-V” hull (very rare in wake boats)
  • Cuts through chop instead of slapping on top of it
  • Heavier than most 21’ boats → smoother, more planted ride
  • Still throws one of the best surf waves in the class
👉 Key fact:
  • The Opti-V hull has ~20° deadrise, which “slices cleanly through rough water” and absorbs chop better than flatter hulls
  • Specifically noted as “great in rough water” and smooth even in choppy conditions
👉 Translation in real life:
  • Less pounding on windy lakes (huge if you’re in places like Tahoe, Folsom, or the Delta)
  • Passengers stay comfortable instead of getting beat up
  • Better tracking and control in rollers

🥈 Other Good 21’ Options (But Not as Smooth in Chop)

⚡ Nautique G21

  • Amazing wave and premium build
  • Flatter hull = rougher ride in chop
  • More of a “performance wake machine” than a rough-water cruiser

🌊 Malibu 21 LSV / 21 LX

  • Great all-around boat
  • Softer ride than Nautique, but still not a deep-V hull
  • Better for calmer lakes than consistent afternoon chop

💰 Axis A20 / A21

  • Good value and fun wave
  • Lighter + flatter = you’ll feel rough water more

🧠 Why Hull Shape Matters (This is the key insight)

Most wake boats:
  • Flat or modified-V hull
  • Designed to maximize wake shape, not ride comfort
Centurion (Fi21):
  • True deep-V hull (like offshore boats)
  • Trades a tiny bit of efficiency for:
    • smoother ride
    • better handling in chop
    • still massive surf wave due to ballast + displacement

💡 Straight Answer

If you want:
  • Smoothest ride in rough water (by far) → ✅ Centurion Fi21
  • Best luxury but rougher ride → Nautique G21
  • Best all-around family compromise → Malibu 21 LSV

⚠️ Honest Reality Check

At 21 feet, no boat rides like a 23–25 footer in rough water—size still matters.
BUT:
  • The Fi21 punches way above its size class
  • It’s the closest thing to a “big boat ride” in a 21’ package
If you want, I can:
  • Compare Fi21 vs G21 vs 21 LSV side-by-side
  • Or recommend the best used model years (huge difference in value)

 

Amy Mauzy

Vice President Marketing and Brand Direction