New to SANs

[vision]

I am contemplating migrating from my MCs to a SAN. I believe both companies make great boats. I have a modern X-star, and regularly ride behind an X25 and an original x-star/205v. I prefer the X25 wake. Rampy with a great lip. But, we have no MC dealers or Indmar/Ilmore mechanics on our lake, but a good CC dealer.

Before demoing some SANs, I wanted to get the opinion of this educated group (I posted this on WW as well).

1. How picky is the wake on the 210 or 230. I have read that it can be difficult to get a clean wake on both sides with a 230 when weighted? How about the 210?

2. I would like a wake slightly steeper than our X-star, but not as steep as the original 210 or the 205V/original x-star. Which model would likely meet this criteria.

3. My X-star has a great wake with 2500+ lbs of ballast and above. But the x-25 wake looks great at 1500 lbs. I realize this is all personal preference, but how much ballast is typical to get a "good wake" for a 210 or 230?

4. What engine (trying to balance the ability to handle moderate ballast with fuel economy) is recommended?

5. What options can you not live without on your SAN?

6. How good of a surf wake does the 210 or 230 throw? My X-star is large but really short.

7. What years or models would you avoid. Again, looking for core wakeboarding boat.

Sorry for all the questions. I am just trying to get as much info as possible before test driving/riding. Thanks.

[mrhays9]

I would really like answers to the questions that vision posted above. I am also an owner of a X-Star(2007). We are ready for a change and leaning toward a SAN.

[MattieK27]

Id say most of the answers you got on Wakeworld were pretty spot on:

http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/showthread.php?t=788763

In my opinion:

1. 230 is more picky than the 210, but only when loaded with ALOT of weight
2. Sounds like the 210
3. Results vary based on rider preference
4. Only two choices, for the 210 I would say the EX343 is enough. If you are going to load down a 230, the ZR409 might be worth looking into
5. I will let owners chime in...
6. Surf wake on the 230 is great, not so much on the 210 (I have read a number of people trading in the current gen 210s for better surf boats)
7. Assuming you only are talking about the current gen 210, the only one to really avoid is 2007; its odd seat configuration will hurt resale. The 230 has pretty much been the same since it was introduced. Tower type might limit your model year search, especially if you have a height limitation on your garage.

[DanielC]

This is what I know, mixed in with some opinion.
From 1995 to 2006, there was one bottom hull shape that was called the Super Air Nautique. This was also the same hull that was used on a boat called the Super Sport. The Super Air was just a Super Sport with added tanks, a tower and a decal change. This boat was 21' 2" long, and a fairly narrow beam. The narrow beam made it sink easier, with less weight, but was sensitive to side to side loading. Tell your passengers to go to the side of the boat with more white on it, and you can level the boat. The wake was steep, but it was preferred by a lot of wakeboarders. The wake was so good, Correct Craft used the basic hull shape for 11 years. Why change a good thing?

This same boat had its name changed to a "Air 210" in the beginning of the 2003 model year. Due to dealer, and customer complaints about the name change, Correct Craft reissued decals with the same font as the ones on the boat, and the boat got it's name changed back to "Super Air Nautique 210"

With the 2007 model year, the old Super Air, or Super Sport hull was discontinued. Correct Craft started to use the name "Super Air Nautique" on a lot of different V-drive hulls. The name no longer meant anything. All the 2007 and on boats are wider, and need more weight to push them into the water to make a larger wake, but are less sensitive.

I think for the 2006 model year, Correct Craft switched to left hand propeller on the Super Air boat. This makes the boat pull starboard in reverse. Right hand propellers pull port in reverse. Right hand propellers were used to balance the torque of the propeller against the driver, but if you are going to be carrying ballast anyway, propeller torque does not really matter. Move the ballast.

As far as the wake goes, You have to drive, ride behind, and try each different boat. What I like, you may not. It will be your boat. You need to do the hands on, feet wet, research.

As far as the engine goes, it really depends on how much you overload the boat. Stick to stock ballast, learn how to cut, and the Excalibur 330 (GM 5.7L) block will be fine. If you overload the boat, you probably will be happier with the ZR-6 (GM 6.0 L) block. For what it is worth, if you really like horsepower, 1999, through about 2002, or maybe 2003 Super Air Nautiques had the GM 8.2L, or the GM 8.1 engine available.

The 6.0 engine will use more gas, if you use the power. If you drove the 6.0 engine the same as the 5.7, it would probably use about the same amount of gas. The big block engines will use more gas. If you are really concerned about fuel economy, why are you buying a boat you purposely weigh down?

[pzthk6]

1. The 210 is more stable (less picky) than a 230, simply due to the hull design. 210 is flat across the transom (not as much as an Xstar but similar). 230 carries the V to the back, allowing for bigger wake but requires more balancing.
2. personal preference
3. I've seen the whole sprectrum, from the pros adding upwards to 6k to people doing amazing tricks with stock.
4. If you're going to add a lot of extra weight than the 6L will be more fuel efficient than the 5.7 due to power curve and load on the engine. Unloaded the 5.7L is fine and costs less.
5. Personally, I'm a fan of the Z-5 bimini racks and colored towers to match the stripe colors.
6. Surf wake on both is great. I find the depth of the lake to have more of an impact than anything.
7. ???

[vision]

Thank you for the replies.