Size matter?

[raygunclan]

Are there advantages of having a bigger boat like the Mastercraft x-45 then a SANTE 230? Looking at replacing our 06 220 (sold in Oct) with a 08 230.

I have a family of 5 and we always have friends/extra kids with us - typical day is on the lake tubing (we stay out of the way while tubing), wakeboarding then cruise the lakes while eating lunch or dinner. Have taken several trips up the St. John River cruising, which is a lot of fun and a great change of pace...

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Size matter?

Opening up a couple cans of worms with that post.

[Nautiquehunter]

RE: Size matter?

230 is a great boat the only disadvantage is it has too high a wake for skiing.
If I didnt have skiers in my crew it would be my first choice

[SkiTundra]

RE: Size matter?

More room and more storage are clearly advantages for cruising around with lots of folk. Larger boats are generally a lot more stable and comfortable in rough water. Larger boats can be more difficult to maneuver, may require costlier dockage fees, use more gas, might need a larger vehicle to tow, may have more draft helping you to find underwater obstructions, and don't fit under some tight bridges. Also, If I were thinking about a Mastercraft I think I'd wait to see what happens with the company. If they go under, especially with a significant inventory still in the chain, the prices of their boats will drop creating some really good deals.

Also, I drove a 45, 80 and a Chaparral 264 Extreme on the same day last summer and for me the Chaparral blew the doors off both Mastercrafts from a family standpoint. Much smoother, excellent wakeboarding, lots of room, better for kids, ... The only drawback was that you can't surf behind it safely since it's an IO. I've given very serious consideration to having 2 boats; a used 190/206 for skiing (and maybe surfing) and a Chaparral for cruise/family/wakeboarding.

[raygunclan]

RE: Size matter?

Wakeslayer - put the lid on the can...Im a friend Thanks for your thought SkiTundra

I am sudo new to the boating world - weekend warrior - I have owned 3 Nautiques (83 Ski Nautique 2001 - 02 210 and 06 220) and plan to get a 230.
The question i ask myself is there an advantage to the bigger boat? Mastercraft has a few - think Malibu has some bigger boats and shows people cruising.

[bchesley]

RE: Size matter?

I spent an afternoon on a 230 and can say if you have a large crew there is no substitute. It is a big boat though, and one big draw back is storage. If you trailer it and want to put it in a garage it better be big. If you have a boat stall make sure it can handle it. It does not have any drawbacks in performance for wakeboarding and surfing. I cant comment on the skiing. Its not as nimble as the smaller boats but is still a nautique.

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Size matter?

Never said otherwise, my brother.

[raygunclan]

RE: Size matter?

Looked at the 230 this weekend - think that is the boat for my family - hopefully have one in my backyard by April 4st.
Think Nautique would ever make a bigger boat?

[SkiTower]

RE: Size matter?

Think Nautique would ever make a bigger boat?

Too much bigger and it won't be trailerable!

[soozand3g]

Re: RE: Size matter?

Think Nautique would ever make a bigger boat?

Too much bigger and it won't be trailerable!

i remember a post awhile back of a huge mc on a trailer with a triple axle. granted, it was totally getting bagged on, but where there is a will, there is a way! Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[soozand3g]

i found that post i was thinking of. it made me giggle. again. the title of the post was "excessive???" (another chuckle).
i wonder if that front wheel is necessary... :mrgreen:

[SkiTundra]

I guess that by the time the engineers get one wheel forward enough to prevent the hitch from bottoming on the lip of a boat ramp, get one close enough to the back to keep it from dragging, and get weight centered correctly so the tongue is balanced that they probably do. Imagine hitting every bump twice if the center axle were removed. Besides, 3 looks really cool :-)

[raygunclan]

A great parade Float!
I have pulled my Nautique in our local Christmas Parade for the past 3 years (while my kids are young and involved in groups that are in the parade). I have to spend about 45min looking for candy in the boat.

[GoBig]

That MC is totally ridiculous (boat AND trailer). My old man had a 27' Sea Ray Sundancer with a 454...largest boat that you could legally trailer in all 50 states without special permits. It sat on a tandem axle just fine. This is yet another example of MC's over the top exuberance and why they are on the brink of collapse. Se la vi MC.

[Hollywood]

This is yet another example of MC's over the top exuberance and why they are on the brink of collapse. Se la vi MC.

I had to LOL at that one. :mrgreen:

Don't know nothing about tubing boats, sorry. Yellow_Flash_Colorz: