In The Fly, a scientist tested his molecular transporter with a fly in the chamber, and the scrambled result was the source of horror. But the engineers at Montara decided that putting a watersports boat and a pontoon boat through a similar genetic scramble would work. And it did, beautifully, resulting in the Montara 2.0 23 CWDH—a 23-foot, 6,000-pound wakesports boat with an aluminum hull and the capacity to carry 3,000 pounds of ballast to shape fantastic surf wakes.
From the rub rail up, you’d think it was a pontoon boat complete with apparent acres of comfortable lounges, with an optional convertible aft sun pad designed to let loungers face forward or aft to monitor the surfing arena. The 23-footer seems to have enough deck space to hold a dance recital.
From the rub rails down, it’s an all-welded aluminum hull shaped to make epic wakes for surfing or wakeboarding. The PCM 6.0-liter V-drive in our test boat powered the rider up quickly, and the wake-shaping ballast and tabs carved a steep wake with a crisp edge and a powerful swell to drive the surfer. Our professional rider even foiled on the wake for miles, effortlessly swooping around in the swells.
The dashboard is kitted with a digital touchscreen panel that manages all wake profiles. Tactile switches are also included for a few of the most used things, such as navigation lights, the horn and more.
Our tester had a Bimini top that raised and lowered at the touch of a button on the dash, handy for compact storage, as did the engine compartment cover beneath the spacious aft lounge.
One cool option on this well-equipped boat is the stern thruster that not only mitigates the task of steering in reverse, but also helps nudge the boat to or from a pier or dock. Its battery system is charged with an onboard charger.
When you first see this cool new wakeboat, your first thought is pontoon. But when you see it carve an epic wake while transporting your boating buddies in lounge-lizard luxury, an entirely new paradigm in wakesports enters your world.
High Points
- The 2.0 23 complements Montara’s 2.0 25, awarded Boating’s 2024 Boat of the Year.
- Premium audio includes Boston Acoustics speakers and optional sub and amp.
- Optional stern thruster impressed us.
How We Tested
- Engine: PCM 6.0L 409 hp
- Drive/Prop: V-drive
- Gear Ratio: 1.72:1 Fuel Load: 40 gal. Water on Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 700 lb.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $165,000 (as tested) |
| LOA: | 23’4″ |
| Beam: | 8’6″ |
| Draft: | 2’8″ |
| Dry Weight: | 5,900 lb. (without engine) |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 14/2,435 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 104 gal. |
Montara Boats – Loudon, Tennessee; montaraboats.com
