Potential owner questions - initial decision points to make

[drick]

Hi,

I'm new to the board and wanted to get some advice from the experts on how to properly choose a new Nautique. Right now I'm waffling on the following items, and could use some input from those who have been in a similar position.

Questions (in no apparent order)

• 21' or 23' model
  • it will be my wife and 2 dogs most of the time likely, with other couples and their kids as the exception. my buddy has a 23' Malibu and it certainly didn't feel overly spacious, so i'm leaning towards the 23'
• Sport 226 or SAN 210 (semi related to q1 above)
• Coastal edition or not?
  • There is a pretty high change that the boat will see ocean time in SF Bay and along the coast (Santa Cruz, Monterey, etc.)
• used (2009+) vs. new
  • I've tried looking for a 2009+ model(s) locally here in NorCal but have not had much luck so far
• Engine size, do i need anything bigger than the stock motor (semi related to q3 above)
  • i'm 6'2 / 230+ and the buddy with the Malibu didn't seem to have enough juice to pull me easily

Finally, as there is only one new boat dealer here locally, looking for any suggestions on how to get the best deal on a boat if i decide new. i've been through something similiar with BMW's, and have found that purchasing one from out of state and shipping it in is still cheaper than buying locally. Does the same apply for boats as well?

Apologies in advance if any/all of these are dumb questions, but it's where i'm at right now.

TIA for any/all suggestions
D

[skye6969]

Hi,

I'm new to the board and wanted to get some advice from the experts on how to properly choose a new Nautique. Right now I'm waffling on the following items, and could use some input from those who have been in a similar position.

Questions (in no apparent order)

• 21' or 23' model
  • it will be my wife and 2 dogs most of the time likely, with other couples and their kids as the exception. my buddy has a 23' Malibu and it certainly didn't feel overly spacious, so i'm leaning towards the 23'
• Sport 226 or SAN 210 (semi related to q1 above)
• Coastal edition or not?
  • There is a pretty high change that the boat will see ocean time in SF Bay and along the coast (Santa Cruz, Monterey, etc.)
• used (2009+) vs. new
  • I've tried looking for a 2009+ model(s) locally here in NorCal but have not had much luck so far

Finally, as there is only one new boat dealer here locally, looking for any suggestions on how to get the best deal on a boat if i decide new. i've been through something similiar with BMW's, and have found that purchasing one from out of state and shipping it in is still cheaper than buying locally. Does the same apply for boats as well?

Apologies in advance if any/all of these are dumb questions, but it's where i'm at right now.

TIA for any/all suggestions
D

I bought a new 2010 SAN 230 with coastal edition. I am glad I have the extra room and storage as we go with other couples and the space fills up fast. The coastal edition was decided on because we live in Huntington Beach and a launch ramp is 5 min from the house. That being said we have had it in the ocean just 3 times and each time the cleaning and salt made it not worth the trouble. I will most likely not drop it back in the ocean. It just beats the boat up too much.

[jmo]

A big part of your decision should be based off of what activities you prefer to do: slalom ski, wakeboard, wakeskate? As the set up you want for slalom is different than wakeboarding. No one boat does both really well.

JMO

[bamabonners]

I would say demo them all, including the Malibu, and not take our and anyone else's opinion as fact.

One other thing to consider is towing the boat. Will you be trailering it? If so, do you have the truck to pull the larger boat?

[drick]

I bought a new 2010 SAN 230 with coastal edition. I am glad I have the extra room and storage as we go with other couples and the space fills up fast. The coastal edition was decided on because we live in Huntington Beach and a launch ramp is 5 min from the house. That being said we have had it in the ocean just 3 times and each time the cleaning and salt made it not worth the trouble. I will most likely not drop it back in the ocean. It just beats the boat up too much.

just out of curiosity, do you think the "extras" in the CC were worthwhile, or given a chance to do it again would you just buy the standard SAN without it, and run it as is in the salt water those few times?

[drick]

A big part of your decision should be based off of what activities you prefer to do: slalom ski, wakeboard, wakeskate? As the set up you want for slalom is different than wakeboarding. No one boat does both really well.

JMO

that is a popular question for my wife and i, and we aren't sure yet. the leading thought is wake-boarding at this time. odds are very good we won't know the answer until after we get the boat unfortunately.

[drick]

I would say demo them all, including the Malibu, and not take our and anyone else's opinion as fact.

One other thing to consider is towing the boat. Will you be trailering it? If so, do you have the truck to pull the larger boat?

we likely will do just that, thanks for the suggestion.

yes, i have a 3/4 ton Silverado with a Duramax in it. if my truck can't haul it, i don't need it..

[wake_fun]

2012 230 Coastal Edition

[drick]

2012 230 Coastal Edition

that was one other item i should have added to my original list, what's the difference between 2011 and 2012 models? regardless of what the answer to that is, should i have any expectations that dealers would be making any sort of deals on the 2011 models?

[jmo]

that is a popular question for my wife and i, and we aren't sure yet. the leading thought is wake-boarding at this time. odds are very good we won't know the answer until after we get the boat unfortunately.

Well, if you want to compete and run the slalom course, you really need a direct drive, if your a recreational slalom (no desire to compete) skier get the v-drive as it's better for boarding and has much more room in the boat. The v-drive models also have a deeper vee in the front which makes it handle rougher water on big lakes better, with a DD the hull slams more in big waves.

[drick]

2012 230 Coastal Edition

also back to original questions, any thoughts on this:

"Finally, as there is only one new boat dealer here locally, looking for any suggestions on how to get the best deal on a boat if i decide new. I've been through something similar with BMW's, and have found that purchasing one from out of state and shipping it in is still cheaper than buying locally. Does the same apply for boats as well?"

[wake_fun]

that was one other item i should have added to my original list, what's the difference between 2011 and 2012 models? regardless of what the answer to that is, should i have any expectations that dealers would be making any sort of deals on the 2011 models?

New ilinc 2 is SICK. No carpet (option?). I've heard that you can have the floor covered with that material that they use for the walkthough's. That would be good for you being in salt water.

[AllianceBJJ]

Sales territories are a little bit more strict/protected in the boating industry. A lot of dealers may be heistant, or won't sell a new boat out of their own territory. At least current model year boats. Previous yeard leftovers and used do not seem to be an issue.

People have also reported that it can take a bit longer to get service on a boat that the servicing dealer did not sell you.

[drick]

Sales territories are a little bit more strict/protected in the boating industry. A lot of dealers may be heistant, or won't sell a new boat out of their own territory. At least current model year boats. Previous yeard leftovers and used do not seem to be an issue.

People have also reported that it can take a bit longer to get service on a boat that the servicing dealer did not sell you.

so clearly i'm new to all this, but with the economy in its current state and dealers dropping left and right (at least in NorCal) i would think it's rather difficult to enforce, isn't it?

also on the service front, how is that even possible / legal for them to do?

glad i asked this question before getting too far down the path on a purchase.

thanks for the info, much appreciated.

[drick]

New ilinc 2 is SICK. No carpet (option?). I've heard that you can have the floor covered with that material that they use for the walkthough's. That would be good for you being in salt water.
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cool, thanks for the information!