2010 Crossover 226 Team OR 2009 SAN 230 Team Edition?

[360]

Hello everyone - I'm looking at taking the plunge again. It's between a New 09 SAN 230 Team (leftover) or New 2010 Crossover 226 Team. This will be my 3rd Nautique purchase. Had an 02 SAN 210, and 06 Air Nautique 226 Team edition.

I'm not finding a lot of info on the new 226 so not much to guage the decision on specific to that boat. I've tested the 230 and the 226 and they all drive great. I didnt ride behind them though since it's still a little nippy.

I'm an intermediate Vet rider. At this stage im 50% Wakeboarding and 50% Wakesurfing. I usually have 5-6 passengers and a couple of my friends have teens that come out and ride with us.

Any feedback would be appreciated. I know Color is a personal preference but the SAN 230 is Black/Yellow/Black and the Crossover 226 is Black/Orange/White. Pricing for both boats is very close within $1k of each other. Help!

[robertsmcfarland]

Don't have any knowledge on the 226 but based on my experience on the boats I have had, you can't go wrong with the 230. The size, handling and wake are tops.

[SkiTower]

If you constantly have a crowd, I'd go for the room (230). Also, as you said there isn't much on the 226 out there. Resale would either be very good or very bad, depending on the general opinion of the boat. Boat for boat, though, I really like the 216v I drove and if the 226 is just a larger version it'd be a sweet ride to me personally.

[NautiqueJeff]

I have been in both, and both are wonderful boats. The 226 has some very nice features. The way the seats work in that boat is really cool. I love the flip-up back rest, and the ability to flip the seat in the bow so that you can exit the boat from the bow if you want to. Of course I like the 230 too, as I have owned two of them (okay, one was a 236, but it is the same boat).

[360]

Thanks guys. I also noticed that the bottom of the boat is slightly different shape then the SAN's. I think that new design was intended to level the boat out on plane. In the pics the boat does seem to be higher out of the water on plane. I read somewhere that the boat is really good cutting through the chop. With that observation I'm curious about the wake? My old 226 wake wasnt that good relative to my old 210. I actually liked the old 210 wake it was sharp and steep but got used to hitting that wall. Any wake information out there?

[bamabonners]

Anybody have any more opinion?

My wife loves the 226 over all the other models. Going for demo this weekend to make up my own mind, but want to get everyone else's thoughts.

[Latonkaboarder]

Like most of the other replies I don't have a lot of info on the 226 either. With that being said and knowing how popular the 230 is, I would probably lean towards the 230 simply for the known performance it has. Also I think you would have better resale out of a 230 and attract more people when and if you ever decide to sell it. Although keep in mind "happy wife means happy life"...........lol. Also, which tower is on both boats?

[shag]

I am surprised there is a left over 2009 around. I thought I bought the last one a year ago. I love my 09' 230. I would much rather have the 2009 dash over the LINC system. Not taking anything away from it, def. a coolness factor, but I just feel that in a few - 5 years when the coolness wears off, and it starts having problems, people are going to wish they had gauges. (imo)
I have the excalibur engine, and also am happy with the performance.
As long as it's a Nautique you can't go wrong.

[bamabonners]

I am looking at new 2011 226. I have no doubt that it is a great boat. I just wonder why it isn't more popular. It has a great layout.

[Chexi]

I know why they do it, but the fact that they show nautiques pulling tubes in their video ads irks me.

[Kenv]

Guys,

I had a 2005 266 and now a 2010 226 for a year now. The 10 takes the waves better than the 05 and has a really good medium to rough water ride. Personally...I love the look of the Gen 2 266. Sleek boat and like Jeff said....lots of cool little features that make you proud to own a Nautique. You can't go wrong with either boat, but I guarentee that the 226 will surprise you with the room and looks and performance. The 230 is not much bigger....but if you have to have the flagship....which some people want...go with the 230. Also, the reason that you see tubes being pulled behind these boats is BECAUSE......it is not a three event world anymore...or a Wakeboard world any more. Watersports are more widespread than ever. I pull a tube ALL the time behind my 226 for my six year old. She also kneeboards. When she is ready to wakeboard....you won't see the tube very often. 10 year old tubes and wakeboards. Guess what?? I use the SAME boat for both....lol. Why don't some people get it? I just don't understand. I kneeboard, ski, barefoot and wakeboard....all behing my 226....and pull a tube. Go find a better tube pulling boat out there..you won't find it. (And I do not mess up boarders water when I'm tubin'). Back on the subject.....try em' both.....go with your gut and color does matter for peace of mind. Good luck and have a great summer. P.S. Let me know if you have any specific questions on the 226, I'll try to answer. I've got the 343.....but wish it had about 5 more mph on the top end. Tops at 42 and is a little mushy for footin'. I would like about 45/46. Ken

[bamabonners]

Thanks for the info. Just to check my deal, what price range was your 226 ( with trailer )?