What Boat?

[cutlerdaddy]

Hello,
I am currently looking for a new boat! My family was ready to upgrade to a boat that we could do more activities behind so I sold our Colbalt 200. My wife and I both wakeboard and she is an avid skier but we would both love to get into the surfing. My kids are at the age that they want to tube and hopfully soon be wanting to learn to ski, board, and surf.

So after much investingating we decided the best boats out there are the Nautiques. We want the biggest boat we can get (I have 3 kids) but have not been able to find a 230 or 236 in our price range ($40-45k). When we went to our local dealer they basically told us not to look at the 220's that they were too narrow and have had problems with tipping? That made no sense to me, has anyone esle this problem? Would anyone reccommend purchasing a used 226 that doesnt have the hydrogate?

So long story short, what should we do? The 220 looks nice and we like the interior layout but we are nervous of buying one that people dont like or has a bad reputation. Are we better off buying a smaller model 211, 210?

Any advise is welcome,
Thanks,

[TString211]

I have a 211, and absolutely LOVE it. Mom and Dad still get the great slalom runs, kids love to wakeboard and tube, and it really is a good surf boat. Lives up nicely to the Crossover name, and you can find them in your price range all day. I sold a much larger Mastercraft to get into it, and am thrilled.

[NautiDave07]

I have never heard of the 220 having issues with tipping. They were probably talking about it being sensitive with side to side weight. Meaning that if it isn't balanced perfectly that the wake on one side will wash, not that the boat will tip over. If you like the 220 layout spend a day on it. If it is the boat you like don't worry what other people think. I have a buddy that had one and we slammed it with weight for wakeboarding and never had a hint that it was going to tip. As far as deals go 220's may be harder to resell because they are not in as high of demand but you should be able to snag one at a good price.

[cutlerdaddy]

TString thanks for your imput, we are going to go look at a 04 211TE for sale with only 61 hrs to see if it is big enough for us. We also like the walkthrough.

NautiDave that was what I was thinking too, I had a hard time believing that they would tip over. On your buddies 220 how did you like the wake for all different activities? How roomy is the main cabin area?

Thanks,

[teamenzo]

211

Not sure what you mean by avid skier, but I find the 211 a great open water ski boat. At 32-36, the wake tables out nicely, and the wake boarding wake is great for my family. We are just getting into boarding, but I must say I love the ramp. The boat feels a little on the small side (compared to our prior I/O), but we regularly are out with 6-8 people with no issue.

[SkiTower]

I also love my 211, and am comfortable with 8-9 as long as half of them are kids (haven't experienced all adults yet). The walk-thru is an unsung hero, once you get one you'll scratch your head and wonder why everybody doesn't do this. And if you're looking for skiing, this is probably what you are wanting.

The best advice is always go try them out. Don't be afraid to take your gear on a test run and try it out.

[NautiDave07]

220

We usually has a crew of 6 or 7 adults in the 220 with lots of ballast. The wakeboard wake was really nice once we got it dialed. The interior room was fine for us I just prefer the wrap around seating in the 236 better. The 220 interior is usually love it or hate it. His had the zr6 and it performed well. I would say that with the kids you have you need to get the biggest boat possible because they are gonna start bringing friends and a 211 is gonna feel small fast. I do not have any info on the actual ski wake on the 220. The surf wake was pretty good too.

[cedarcreek216]

We could not be happier with our 216V, if your wife is into skiing it may be worth your time to look at it. We board, surf and ski behind it pretty much all stock weight, a few extra pounds for surfing, and we can can fit 10 people comfortably. A special benefit is they don't run nearly as high as the 220's or 230's, you should be able to pick up a brand new 09 in your price range.

[maxxwell]

Another vote for 211, I purchased mine used in May 2010 and it is all that I could have imagined. It is a smaller boat and will get small when more people are loaded in it, but other than that, I love it. I did have 9 people in it and it was very cramped, so that is something to consider

[TString211]

As has been said, its personal preference. I bought into the "bigger is better" thought process and bought a MC x-45. Was great for tubing and surfing, but that was about it. Terrible slalom boat and an average at best wakeboard ride. Could put everyone on the dock in it, but just did not fill the needs of what I wanted. Our situation is different being on Norris, in that the Pontoon usually goes out for the day as well as "party central" and we meet somewhere. Love the boat we have.

[uwhusky]

I love my 2007 SANTE220 and would buy it all over again, even over the 210 or 230. At the time, I felt the 210 was too small and the 230 too big (for trailering purposes).

The 220 was a great price point and it is flat out the best surfing boat out there (other than perhaps that SURF Centurion) and is great for wakeboard and even some slalom skiing. I don't mind the hump in the back and most of the time I've got the bench seat facing backwards anyways.

[cutlerdaddy]

Thanks for all your inputs. My wife and I went and looked at the 211 and even though we really like the walk-through we think that it might be a little small. The last thing I want to do is buy a boat and just want something bigger the entire time. Finally yesterday someone posted a SANTE220 online here in Utah so we are going to go look at it this weekend!
I agree with you though that bigger is not necessarily better, Ive only heard bad reviews from people about the X45. Does anyone have any experience with the Supra boats? I know of someone trying to sell a Launch 24ssv and I could pick it up on the cheap.

[uwhusky]

cutlerdaddy - I'm in Utah also. Whereabouts will you be doing most of your boating?

Supra is a pretty good boat but not down at Lake Powell.

[ers906]

My gf has a supra and she likes it, although we pretty much have only taken out my SAN since we met. THrows an ok surf wake (no better or worse than a properly loaded SAN), the deep V hull seems to throw too large of a ski wake, and the wakeboard wake is a bit too soft/not rampy for my taste. as an all around boat it is good, but for the $$$ I think that there are better options.

[cutlerdaddy]

Husky,
I live in Park City so we do most of our local boating at Jordanelle or Rockport. We also go to Powell 2 to 3 times each summer. Why isnt the Supra a good powell boat?