Towards the end of last year I posted that I had bought a 247 after I put a deposit on it. Due to some marriage saving maneuvers I had to lose my deposit and find something cheaper. Just signed all of the paperwork for my new boat. It is a 2004 23 XTI. I drove this boat two summers ago and loved the layout, but was disappointed with the surf wake from the DD and lack of locker space. I am getting two 800 pound fat sacs thrown in with it and a 3000 gph pump. Hopefully between the stock ballast, wedge, fat sacs, and crew I can get a decent surf wake. I will probably end up adding wicked surf to it also. I'm guessing with the extra ballast that I will get a decent boarding surf for the kids. With the very disappointing snow season this year my kids really want to step up there wakeboarding skills.
My family loves the 'picnic table' center on my boat and everyone loves the extra rear facing seats. You can get an excellent wake out the XTi. If you think about it the driveline is only about 800# and it's easy to add that much water in the rear lounge area. I think you'll love it.
If you throw on an FAE you can sit in the back seat and carry on a conversation with someone surfing.
Congratulations.