2013 G23 with 450 or 550?

[fatchance720]

I have put a deposit down on a new g23. I ordered it with the 450 but am wondering if I should change (Tuesday morning final day) to a 550? Anybody out there with a new g23 have any words of wisdom? I live at sea level and probably will be adding a lot of weight. What I am concerned about is I hear insurance can be a lot more on a 550 vs 450. Also I wonder about gas consumption, If you are running more weight will it run with less gas on the 550?

[NautiqueJeff]

I have the 550 and love it. I have been in a few of them with the 450, and while it is adequate, that is all I would call it. Either engine requires the use of 93 octane gas.

[jsta281]

http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/sh...450-NSS-Review

[sja]

Congrats on your new boat. I had a chance to drive and ride behind both the 450 and the 550 before making a purchase. For me it was an easy (if not expensive) choice. There is a huge difference in how long to get up to speed when fully loaded, and the 550 doesn't bog in deep turns as does the 450. The 550 feels a lot more sporty even though top end doesn't differ that much with the stock prop (about 4 mph). As for insurance, I pay 417 a year with boater's choice. Not sure about the gas consumption comparison.

[bradw]

Congrats on your new boat. I had a chance to drive and ride behind both the 450 and the 550 before making a purchase. For me it was an easy (if not expensive) choice. There is a huge difference in how long to get up to speed when fully loaded, and the 550 doesn't bog in deep turns as does the 450. The 550 feels a lot more sporty even though top end doesn't differ that much with the stock prop (about 4 mph). As for insurance, I pay 417 a year with boater's choice. Not sure about the gas consumption comparison.

I've got the same question about which motor option to go!

[jrz1]

I haven't driven anything other than the 550 but the implementation of the LSA in the G is even better than in my prior malibu. It sounds a lot better and the vibration isolation is a lot better - it's got incredible turbine like sounds/smoothness. Even with the 550 the my new G25 is not nearly as quick as my 247 - no surprise given the G weighs 1200-1300 lbs more without any ballast. The G25 with the 550 does pretty well but not the rocket my 247 was. The G's are big, heavy boats and if you can afford it I would definitely get the 550. Not sure I would be happy with any less power in a 25.

[surroundsound64]

You're dropping 120ish (or more depending on what you get) on a boat. Get the big engine. What's even a few hundred (doubt it's even that much) more in insurance/yr. you'll spend more than that filling the tank up.

[bradw]

You're dropping 120ish (or more depending on what you get) on a boat. Get the big engine. What's even a few hundred (doubt it's even that much) more in insurance/yr. you'll spend more than that filling the tank up.

You've got to draw a line in the sand some where otherwise why buy a g23 when u could have a g25........

[fatchance720]

Thanks for every ones responses. I still don't really know. I talked to my insurance company and they said it would be the same price either way. I guess I am most concerned about how expensive the gas is. If you figure the depreciation with the amount of hours you put on the boat its about $2 per minute not even including gas! I went with the 450 but my complete date is not until 6/26 and I believe it only takes them 8 days to build so I am sure I could still make a last minute switch to the 550. I dont know...

[pzthk6]

Typically the last date to make a change is 3 weeks before the boat is gel coated. It's not like they are going to carry an excess stock of every engine. From what I've seen each engine is ordered for a specific boat and when they're in the factory, they all have a hull number attached to them. When you buy such a high end item, you want everything to go as smoothly as possible, last minute decisions just creates confusion, which leads to errors (many years of manufacturing experience). Make a decision and stick with it.

[wakeslasher69]

I went with the 550 cause i just know I'd kick myself later if I didn't. I only did it since they now offer the lower cost optional upgrade to the 550. I can't imagine the cost difference on gas is going to be enough to not want the additional horsepower for that BIG heavy boat!

[biggator]

Thanks for every ones responses. I still don't really know. I talked to my insurance company and they said it would be the same price either way. I guess I am most concerned about how expensive the gas is. If you figure the depreciation with the amount of hours you put on the boat its about $2 per minute not even including gas! I went with the 450 but my complete date is not until 6/26 and I believe it only takes them 8 days to build so I am sure I could still make a last minute switch to the 550. I dont know...

450 or 550 both use premium.. so no difference there.

[bsb4fsu]

I have a 450 in mine. I agree it is adequate and I am not unhappy at all... however, if I upgrade next year, it will have the 550.