Potential purchase: 2012 Team edition 230

[sjames]

I am thinking of upgrading my 2012 220 since I hit the rocks and took out the bottom, to a new 2012 230 Team edition. Anyone have good bad reviews etc? I am not sure I like the new bimini that does not stow away but other than that it looks like a great boat.

[GCSuper]

2012 220 ????? Maybe you got the year wrong ? Anyway, if your referring the the Z 5 bimini, we love ours. Although it's not super easy, I can and do remove mine by myself. The downside is if you have to trailer a long way, I don't like to have mine in place, even though it comes with tie downs for this. Don't know much about the 230.

[gate9869]

I though the 220 was discontinued ?? 230 is a great boat can't go wrong. It is a lot more roomy in the back compared to the 220 in my opinion. I love my z5 every boat I purchase from here on will have one. It's so nice to keep the boards out of the boat and it keeps the sun off you. It is a pain at time to take on and off I have not mastered putting it on by myself yet lol I can take it down. I wouldn't recommend towing it over 50 mph or long distances. I take mine down and either place it in the boat and cover the boat or strap it down across the bed of my truck and it acts like a cover for the bed. I would recommend it any day !!

[sjames]

LOL I should not send things past midnight....

I have a 2006 220 and we are looking at the 2012 230.

Thanks for the replies and I am still hung up on that bimini becoming a pain in the future.

[pzthk6]

Z5 tops are great and add a level of functionality to the boat that you just don't realize until you use one. As for towing long distances, we've done it many times on long trips. Just use the straps provided to tie the front down to your forward cleats and you're good to go. The only drawback to Z5's that I have is my height, at 6'2" I'm always bent over underneath, but the pros outweigh the cons.
As for upgrading to the 230, you will be quite happy. Much more room and the weight sensitivity is reduced. You won't have a million little storage compartments like the 220, but you will have more overall storage. The biggest impact will be switching over to a 2-point tower. Your 06' has the F1, which is scary and difficult to fold over. The newer 2-point towers are light years ahead in this regard.

[sjames]

Thanks and yes I like the tower has anyone had problems with the LCD system vs true gauges? Does it show up well in daylight?

[lucky7t]

The Linc system is very bright at night. I drove our boat for the first time at night.

During the day it's always easy to see . I wish they hadn't put a chrome ring around it though as it blinds me sometimes

[HS]

I think the Z5 is great. For this summer's trip (150 miles each way) the fabric was easily removed.

I use the rack for 2 surf boards.

The whole thing goes on / comes off with 4 locking pins.

[sjames]

Anyone have any pics vids etc of the surf wake on the 2012 230

[briany]

This is my surf setup. Full factory ballast front and port tanks. 750# fat sac in port locker and full 650# integrated bow sac with 400# fat sac on port side passenger seat. Hydrogate set at midposition.

First picture shows a learning rider with that setup with the driver and two passengers. Picture without rider was just me on the boat figuring out how to dial it in. There was not a 400# sac in the passenger compartment in that pic. The extra weight (whether passengers or the extra sac) does make a difference. I think a 250-300# sac in the forward walk-through would add a little more length, but we can recover from quite a ways back with this setup.

As for the 230 - I love this boat. Ours has the Z5 cargo rack and I would not have another boat without it. The storage and shade coverage are excellent.

[swankster]

z5 is the way to go. We put 3 surf boards on top and the racks are full of wake boards. There's a thread on towing with it that has great ideas.

[sjames]

Thanks for the pics

[robertsmcfarland]

I have to say yes to all the feed backs, the 230 is a great riding boat put as much weight as you you want and still performs .z5 in my opinion is a must if it fits into your travel and storage mode ,its like having a bed room with a closet ,because of the storage on top. and a little pockets underneath,

[sjames]

I test drove the 230 yesterday and since I have a 220 I guess I am note surprised it didn't feel much different.

Not having the huge 220 tower was a plus but I really wanted to be blown away and wasn't. I do like how open it was and the handeling was great. I think I was expecting to see a big difference in fit and finish from my 2006 to the 2012 and I think this was the let down a lot of things looked the same....

I need to decide and thank you all for the feedback on the z5 it was a nice add on during the test drive. Here are a few pics.

[Sac Surfer]

You can adjust the LINC night mode brightness in the (Settings), I had to turn mine all the way down as it's very bright when trying to navigate at night!