G23 Versus Xstar

[perry386]

Alright guys, I know this is a Nautique site and I'm not trying to start any fights but in total honesty what is yall's take on these two boats (G23 and Xstar)? In my honest opinion I think the Xstar beats the G23 in the luxury of the interior, HOWEVER, I don't think it can even compare in the performance aspect. The G23 throws out the cleanest, biggest, and steepest wake I have ever seen. Granted, I haven't had the opportunity to sit inside the G23 so I'm going on pictures about the interior luxury.

Again, not trying to start a fight but what is your comparison.

[AllianceBJJ]

Never seen an interior smaller on a 24' boat than the star.......

I went through one super great detail in October whenI was trying to decide on the 2013 boat...Sure it looks sexy on the surface, but set up is so disjointed (walk through)....arm rests up front felt cheap....Pop up dash is cool, but a maintenance nightmare....also, 1 year warranty on that stuff....getting in and under things in there, just didn't see the quality I expected for that kind of $$$.....no thanks...I started off really wanting this more than the Nautique this year too......G23 for me.

[biggator]

Alliance hit on pretty much my experience. It's really pretty to look at, but I hated the layout (particularly the walkthrough) and the storage... which has to be used up with ballast bags since it only comes with 1.4k stock. A top-flight boat like that should not have to be filled with bags.

I also didn't particularly like the wake.. nowhere near (for me) as nice as the G wake.. and for surfing, the X is awful.

[Ride Lab]

I have yet to ride the xstar but by the video I have seen the xstar wake is super steep. Xstar wake is made for rusty and steel, not you and me.

[biggator]

I have yet to ride the xstar but by the video I have seen the xstar wake is super steep. Xstar wake is made for rusty and steel, not you and me.

I didn't find it steep... less so than the G to my old-guy knees. I just didn't particularly like it.

I'll put it like this.. I hit the G wake and thought 'man.. I could really get used to this!'. I hit the Xstar wake and thought 'well.. I'm sure it's better once you get used to it'. Surfing was a totally different story. Then I tried to put something in a locker.. but it was full of ballast.

[Andrew14]

Just curious, but did any of you guys who tested out a G ride behind it with ballast tanks empty? If so, how was the wake? Wondering if a beginner - intermediate rider could ride the G with zero ballast and still have a wake worth riding.

[lion90]

Just curious, but did any of you guys who tested out a G ride behind it with ballast tanks empty? If so, how was the wake? Wondering if a beginner - intermediate rider could ride the G with zero ballast and still have a wake worth riding.

I didn't ride it with no ballast, but I did ride it with half ballast and full ballast. With half ballast, the wake felt as big and poppy as my SAN 230 with about 2000lbs above stock. I looked at the wake with no ballast at about 18-20mph and it seemed plenty big. It looked perfect for a beginner and maybe even a beginner/intermediate. You can ride at a slower speed, have a clean wake and it still looked to have a lot of meat. Once again, this was just my impression from in the boat. Once we pick up ours and begin riding, I will let you know.

[Laketexoma]

Yeah I rode it with no weight. Now I'm 6'8" about 250 lbs. I could not get the pop off of it. Now for my wife and kids it was great. But when we filled it up it was one of he most awesome wakes I have ever hit.

[swc5150]

Just a thought on comparing power plants...I personally think MC took a step forward by going to Ilmor from Indmar, so my PCM argument is out the window. I think I'd still prefer the 550PCM over the 7.4 Ilmor however.

[GeistWakeDoc]

Just curious, but did any of you guys who tested out a G ride behind it with ballast tanks empty? If so, how was the wake? Wondering if a beginner - intermediate rider could ride the G with zero ballast and still have a wake worth riding.

I specifically rode both at 17-18 and no ballast, as my 10 y/o 65 lb daughter rides at this speed... the G was super clean and medium height... it stayed clean all the way up to 22mph... the X-star... not so much.. washy at anything less than 21-22...

there is an excellent thread on WakeWorld on this very topic... I had been a complete MC whore... until I rode both within a 10 days span this summer... unless you are Steele, Harley or Rusty... go for the G... a bunch of the guys on my lake rode them both with us... all preferred the G... even 2 of us who currently own X-stars... (I mean owned... traded it in for G, coming this spring)

[perry386]

Just a thought on comparing power plants...I personally think MC took a step forward by going to Ilmor from Indmar, so my PCM argument is out the window. I think I'd still prefer the 550PCM over the 7.4 Ilmor however.

Yeah, I would never go with the 7.4 even if I was going to buy an Xstar because that SUCKS gas. I read something somewhere that said it was close to double the gas intake of the XS550.

[Ride Lab]

Just curious, but did any of you guys who tested out a G ride behind it with ballast tanks empty? If so, how was the wake? Wondering if a beginner - intermediate rider could ride the G with zero ballast and still have a wake worth riding.

My Little brother who was afraid of my 210 full sacked out rode the g23 full 3/4th ballast and 10 people in the boat and was jumping wake to wake ever time with a smile on his face. that's him at 1:11 in this video

[Andrew14]

Wow, that video is pretty cool. Nice to finally see a video of regular people like us riding the G rather than the Team riders.

Thanks guys for all of the input regarding my question around the G wake with tanks empty.....very helpful.

As a bonus, can anyone comment on the G wake (general shape of the wake overall) versus a 2008+ SANTE 210 (sacked out) and a SANTE 230 (with Factory Ballast full). I'm wondering if the G wake is steeper than these two boats. I have a 2008 SANTE 210 and when I run full Fly High, the wake is pretty steep IMO....a bit steeper than my buddy's 2008 230 with Factory Ballast only.

[Ride Lab]

Wow, that video is pretty cool. Nice to finally see a video of regular people like us riding the G rather than the Team riders.

Thanks guys for all of the input regarding my question around the G wake with tanks empty.....very helpful.

As a bonus, can anyone comment on the G wake (general shape of the wake overall) versus a 2008+ SANTE 210 (sacked out) and a SANTE 230 (with Factory Ballast full). I'm wondering if the G wake is steeper than these two boats. I have a 2008 SANTE 210 and when I run full Fly High, the wake is pretty steep IMO....a bit steeper than my buddy's 2008 230 with Factory Ballast only.

The G wake is super mellow and will boot you at the end of it. i was super surprised actually fell on my first hit because i wasent ready to be booted like i was. the wake is really long (thats what makes it nice for beginners). Trust me you will not be mad at the G wake no matter your ability. When I head our G23 day (the video i posted) i had huge exceptions for the boat, I WAS BLOWN AWAY by the interior and the way it drove. Then i rode it and was Blown away even more. The G series is a boat for everyone.

[81nautique]

The G wake is super mellow and will boot you at the end of it. i was super surprised actually fell on my first hit because i wasent ready to be booted like i was. the wake is really long (thats what makes it nice for beginners). Trust me you will not be mad at the G wake no matter your ability. When I head our G23 day (the video i posted) i had huge exceptions for the boat, I WAS BLOWN AWAY by the interior and the way it drove. Then i rode it and was Blown away even more. The G series is a boat for everyone.

So will there be one on the river this year?