Need New Boat Advice

[GatorMD97]

I've reached 40 and blown out my ACL in both knees; I've decided it's time to make wake surfing my primary water sport; however, I still want a boat with a great wakeboard wake for my son and daughter to grow into (ages 10 and 8). I have narrowed my search to basically 3 boats (Super Air Nautique 230, Tige RZ2,and the Malibu VLX or 23 LSV). I have spent considerable time researching each of these boats but I can find very little information on the Nautique 230 in regards to wake surfing. I hate to start another this boat or that boat thread but any constructive input I can get regarding these boats, especially the 230 would be greatly appreciated. I have very limited time to test drive boats and not many dealers close so I want to get as much information and as many opinions as possible prior to any demos I set up. Here are my criteria:

1. The boat must be a 2009 or newer model year. I will not purchase a new boat ever again.

2. Wake surfing is my primary goal and I want a surf style wake with a LONG POCKET vs the skim style as I have extensive experience in real wave surfing and prefer a STEEP FACE with a crisp lip. I am 6' and 200 lbs if that makes a difference with the push of the wake.

3. My son and I both ride GOOFY, so the boat must put out a good starboard wake.

4. All ballast must be hidden and custom sacks must be able to be plumbed into the boat for full automation (I have no problem spending the cash to do it right). I'd like to stay away from fixed weights.

5. I have a Malibu dealer 35 miles from my house and a Tige dealer 100 miles away, there is not a close Nautique dealer. I spoke with the Malibu dealer today and he will be happy to service any boat I get.

6. The wife and I are into "luxury" and I am willing to pay for what I get. I'm really not interested comparing any other brand boats, I want to stick to these specific boats but would consider most anything in the 21' to 23' range from any of these manufacturers. I think the Malibu 24 LSV is to big for my boat house.

7. I would like to keep the budget max in the mid to low $70K range but will go higher for the right deal on a newer model if the deal is right.

8. I don't think I want a base engine in any of these boats as I plan on adding whatever weight is necessary to get the right surf wake.

Like I said, I don't want to start a flame war about which boat is better. I am merely looking for advice from people who have FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE with these particular boats. I have an appointment to see a 2011 230, a 2010 RZ2 and a 2012 VLX next week. Any advice on known problems and recalls on these boats is also much appreciated as well as links to boats that you know of that are for sale. Thanks in advance!

Austin

[TxJole]

Hidden ballast is going to be your problem IMO. 2012 Tige will be your best bet but will exceed you budget and will be new. Nautique will be BY FAR your most luxury/build quality and best investment when it comes time to sell.

[TxJole]

Rephase; hidden ballast AND STILL HAVE ANY STORAGE.

[Nautiquehunter]

I have a 08 210 the thing that sold me on the boat was its ability to go from wakeboarding to surfing and still have a doable slalom wake with few peeps and stock balast. I plumbed in two 400 lb sacks in the rear lockers for enhanced surfing with only two peeps. We went surfing on a 23'Malibu last year they had full stock ballast plus huge bags on the back seat and port side and front. The wake was bigger but not any better considering the amount of weight . I have no experience with the Tige. My only advice is to take your time Test drive and ride as many as you can .I know you said you didn't have much time but if I was going to spend 70k plus I would make time. It will take longer and cost more to choose the wrong boat. IMO Malibu has the look and feel of a luxury boat but is lacking in engineering under that pretty face . Look deeper at handling, storage , build materials, engine builders and maintenance procedures . I like the way CC thinks about the build before they build it nothing is buried or out of place I know I can change ballast impellers in the water in about 2 minutes. Do your homework go to the manufacturers forum and look for issues common to that brand . Don't trust what you read on public forums people tend to be more truthful about problems when they are with their own. I would go with the 210or 230 but I am a little bias. Good luck with whatever you pick.

[shawndoggy]

you could get a super-pimped-out MB 23 twb for that. Big motor and all options, brand new.

We moved from a malibu to an MB last year for this very reason... to be able to easily switch between surfing and wakeboarding. With the gravity fed ballast we can switch the boat around in a matter of a couple of minutes. In the bu we had to sack it out, so to switch sides or switch to wakeboarding was a timeconsuming chore.

They are "basic" boats though. No touch screens, rider presets, etc. That was a plus for me but might be a negative for you. PCM powertrain (now Indmar), good build quality, lots of room and great wake. The one weak point for you would be that as compared to the malibu you have to go faster to clean up the wake. 21.5 is probably the min for a clean wake on both sides. In the bu we could get it clean as slow as 18. makes a difference for the kids.

[TxJole]

Hate to say it but quality wise the MB will disappoint you. It is truly a budget boat to the tee. They have a market and are what they are for the price but will not fill your luxury need forsure.

[Miljack]

Just got a new to us 230 ('08), and the goofy surfwake is great, BUT, you need to add at least a 750# rear bag for the locker(s), and an "arrow" sack or something to add weight in the floor locker. Nice thing about the Nautique ballast setup is it's super easy to "piggyback" ballast onto the stock system. On the 230, just remove the vent hose from the rear and put them on the sacks, one new overflow hose into the bottom of the bag, the front is the same, and easier to get to. Rears take about 30 minutes/side, front is a 15 minute job!
With this setup and 2 people in the boat, my goofy surf wake is great! Stock wakeboard wake (no ballast) is great, and will clean up at around 18mph, depending on how much stuff you have in the boat. We actually got one clean wake @ 17 for my 10 yr old son wakeboarding. One of our crew has a 23 LSV, and surfed my boat last week, and he was very pleased with the surf wake on my boat, said it was bigger and better shaped than his 23 LSV ('05 model).
I haven't surfed the other two boats you're considering, so no comparison. I have surfed a MB23 with 800# extra, and that surf wake is very good too, but preferred my 230 to that one.
If you search the Mailbucrew you can find some surf recipes there, from what I remember, people are adding a bunch of extra weight to the 23 to get a good surf wake out of it.

[cole5]

I own a Nautique 230 and have spent a lot of time in the Malibu. The 230 is the top of the heap. We love ours and highly recommend it. Ours is a 2008 Team Edition with 430 hours of fun on her. Everyone who has been in the boat, including my Malibu and Mastercraft buddies say this is there next boat. Many have already been re-baptised: )