G23 Options - current owners opinions

[rons230]

I am about to place my order for my new boat and would like some feed back about the from those who own a G23.
What options did you get that you really like?
What options was not worth the money or you don't think you will really use?
What options do you wish you would have ordered?

I have read a lot of discussion of the motor options, but again, for those that own a G23, am I making a mistake getting the 450 and not the 550. I will probably always be running with not much more than stock ballast and 4-5 people.

Thanks for your help.

[ironj32]

The 450hp engine will be totally fine with your predicted weight setup.

My opinion on the options:
*Bow arm rests - though they are a good feature, I have yet to really use mine. The 2 times that I've actually had people sit up there, they did not use them. If you have the bow filler, you can't raise/lower them without removing the filler cushion first. So, do I use them? No. Would I get them in my next boat? Probably yes, just for resale.
*Reversible Rear Seat - Definitely a must!
*Bow filler cushion - Get one.
*Transom Stereo Remote - Don't use it too much, but it's only $400 extra...worth it, in my opinion
*Tower Speakers - I don't use the speakers much, but the lights that are on them are awesome to have for night cruises.
*Premium Oversized Mirror - No brainer, definitely want this.
*Heater - Yes
*Cover - Yes
*Sunpad Filler Cushion - I don't have one, and have not yet once regreted it...if I had it I know I'd never use it.*
*Battery Maintenance System - probably good to have, I'm sure I will use it this winter
*Fire Extinguisher, Automatic - it's only $300, worth it.
*Heated Seat - don't have it and doubt that I'd ever use it if I did have one.

Hopefully this helps!

[vision]

I agree with ironj except i use my seat heater frequently. Battery tenders are 25 bucks so i did not get the built in charger. I also did not get bow arms (no one uses them on my neighbors x25), fire suppression, underwater lights, or rear filler cushions. 450 motor has been great.

[rons230]

Thanks ironj32 and vision. We rode in a demo G23 with a 550 all day today and loved it. Glad to hear the 450 is great because premium gas is not an option on our lake.But man, the 550 was nice.... Appreciate the feedback on the options but the heated seat is not an "option" for the wife. If she is warm, I can ride into December.

[vision]

Glad the info was helpful. Unfortunately, 93 octane gas is recommended for both the XS550 and ZR450. That does not mean you can not run lower octane in the ZR450, but 93 is what PCM recommends. The ZR450 is louder than the XS550 as well (or at least my ZR450 is noticeably louder than the XS550 I demoed).

[NautiqueJeff]

*Premium Oversized Mirror - No brainer, definitely want this.

Gotta disagree here. Skip this option and get a PTMEdge mirror. WAY better quality, and just about the same price.

http://www.nautiqueparts.com/ptmproa...micmirror.aspx

[rons230]

Thanks jeff, I have the PTMEdge mirror now and love it. All I have to do now is pick the colors.

[ironj32]

Gotta disagree here. Skip this option and get a PTMEdge mirror. WAY better quality, and just about the same price.

http://www.nautiqueparts.com/ptmproa...micmirror.aspx

Good point, Jeff! I didn't even know they had other mirror options (only one on the build sheet)...I was just meaning that a rear view mirror was a no brainer.

[northwestwater]

Glad the info was helpful. Unfortunately, 93 octane gas is recommended for both the XS550 and ZR450. That does not mean you can not run lower octane in the ZR450, but 93 is what PCM recommends. The ZR450 is louder than the XS550 as well (or at least my ZR450 is noticeably louder than the XS550 I demoed).

thanks vision. i have heard the same but, i was curious if the performance drops considerably on the 450 if you use regular gas. or can you use octane boosters versus premium in this motor? like you, Rons230, i am getting ready to place an order and i'd sure love to hear more about what kind of fuel the others are putting in their 450. my wife thought the 450 was really loud too in comparison to our 230 with the 409 motor. well that is, until i told her how much more (the quieter 550) was going to cost. then she thought the added noise was just fine...

[vision]

I have been running 93 octane in my 450 so I can not give any useful information regarding performance with lower octane. However I can report that the gas mileage has been quite reasonable (5.5 - 6 gph with stock ballast) considering the size of the wake and HP of the engine.

[robertsmcfarland]

I have only use reg. no problems, seat heater is like a electric garage door opener, once you have it can not live without it, go for it.

[northwestwater]

i was also planning on purchasing the camera that is built into the tower and follows the rider. i use an aftermarket one now and really enjoy it. now that it can be attached to tower it will keep gashes out of friends heads that seems to plague me now. i also heard that a new one just came out that your friends can download their ride right to their phones and don't even have to attach it to the boat. i also heard that you can watch the rider on the linc system while driving in real time. sounds cool but, not sure if anyone has had any direct experience with the camera.

[robertsmcfarland]

all my friends had their own video equipmentand style so I never consider that option, but I think you can hook any camera up and watch it on the linc system.

[OKWAKEBDR]

Good point, Jeff! I didn't even know they had other mirror options (only one on the build sheet)...I was just meaning that a rear view mirror was a no brainer.

The PTMEdge mirror is aftermarket.

[biggator]

I have only use reg. no problems, seat heater is like a electric garage door opener, once you have it can not live without it, go for it.

You're using reg in the 450? Good to know.. they sell mid-grade on my lake, and if I bring gas cans down I use regular now on my Malibu.. but looking (seriously) at a G with a 450.