Questions about a SAN

[CL-Rides]

Hello Nautiquers. I have a few questions as I've never really followed Correct Craft. A little background first. We currently have a 2010 Malibu VLX that we bought used in 2011. It has been a great first inboard but last summer we started having a lot of issues with it. Most issues with it were resolved except for the main issue... the boats engine turns off randomly.

The dealer is working with us but nothing has happened yet. He has offered a SAN at a "great" price. Also I've never been on a SAN on the water so not sure what the wakes are like...

Some of the questions I have is there anything to look out for on certain model years? We probably wont go older than a 2010. I know on the 2011 Malibu's there is no physical switch to turn the boat on incase the touch screen dies. But they fixed it for 2012.

Do either the 210 or 230 needs lots of weight for a good wake? We mainly wakeboard and will surf every once in a while.

Any "must have" options? I noticed some of the boats I was looking at that they normally have the 409 engine or bigger. Something you guys would recommend?

I would imagine the 230 has a better wake over the 210? Not sure what we'd get but storage of the boat itself isnt an issue as we just built a new house with a boat garage.

Any other suggestions or comments are really appreciated! Thanks.

[ES]

Hi,

I have a 2010 210 SAN and have been very happy with it.

When you ask about a "good wake" I think you will need to go into more detail as to what level boarding you do...it gets pretty subjective. I think the 210 does a great job for a beginner to advanced boarder. If you are looking for bigger wakes and advanced riding you will probably want to turn to the 230. It also depends on how many people you plan to bring along. Both 210 and 230 can be heavily weighted and you most probably want to look at overflow sacks to increase ballast. Also think about the average number of passengers you generally have, since passengers = human ballast.

I think the 343 standard engine is adequate for the 210, but obviously the 409 will help, especially for the 230.

One of the nice things about the Nautique's is that quality is top notch, so I cannot think of any major issues to look out for, especially for a boat that young. I think you will see a big improvement in quality and finish moving from a Malibu to a Nautique. If you are getting a great deal, I would say go for it!

[migs]

SAN - will have a steeper wake compared to a Mali.
SAN - will take much less weight to create a slammin wake compared to a Mali
SAN - like more weight in the rear versus the front (like a Mali) .
The main difference in the 230 & 210 is size. If you need a bigger boat 230, if only avg 4-5 people regularly 210.
Both create incredible wakes.

Quality, craftsmanship, fit & finish is second to none.

[iamcdn]

where in canada are you located?

[surroundsound64]

I would let, as others have said, passenger load decide for you. Either wake will be plenty. 343 will be fine in either boat, but its always better to have too much horse power if you have the $.

[jbach]

I'd be hard pressed to fix what is likely a minor issue by buying a different boat from a dealer who's service department seems incompetent. Obviously you're going to get a biased opinion here, but things do go wrong with Nautiques as well. Maybe less likely, maybe not. Is your dealer just going to try to sell you another boat when something goes wrong with the Nautique?

All that being said, you own a very nice ride, I'd say the Nautique has the fit and finish department by a nose. Most everything else is personal preference. If you're dealer isn't going to screw you upside down into the Nautique, may be worth it, more likely they will trading in a boat that has issues. I'd find out what's wrong with vlx and fix it if you're happy with it.

[CL-Rides]

Hi,

I have a 2010 210 SAN and have been very happy with it.

When you ask about a "good wake" I think you will need to go into more detail as to what level boarding you do...it gets pretty subjective. I think the 210 does a great job for a beginner to advanced boarder. If you are looking for bigger wakes and advanced riding you will probably want to turn to the 230. It also depends on how many people you plan to bring along. Both 210 and 230 can be heavily weighted and you most probably want to look at overflow sacks to increase ballast. Also think about the average number of passengers you generally have, since passengers = human ballast.

I think the 343 standard engine is adequate for the 210, but obviously the 409 will help, especially for the 230.

One of the nice things about the Nautique's is that quality is top notch, so I cannot think of any major issues to look out for, especially for a boat that young. I think you will see a big improvement in quality and finish moving from a Malibu to a Nautique. If you are getting a great deal, I would say go for it!

Well I'm doing most inverts now but I like something thats long and peaky. Not a wake thats huge but feels like you are hitting a wall because its so short. The nice thing with the Malibu is the wedge and being able to adjust how peaky the lip is.

where in canada are you located?

BC

I'd be hard pressed to fix what is likely a minor issue by buying a different boat from a dealer who's service department seems incompetent. Obviously you're going to get a biased opinion here, but things do go wrong with Nautiques as well. Maybe less likely, maybe not. Is your dealer just going to try to sell you another boat when something goes wrong with the Nautique?

All that being said, you own a very nice ride, I'd say the Nautique has the fit and finish department by a nose. Most everything else is personal preference. If you're dealer isn't going to screw you upside down into the Nautique, may be worth it, more likely they will trading in a boat that has issues. I'd find out what's wrong with vlx and fix it if you're happy with it.

The boat has been to two different dealers, I can count at least 4 different mechanics have looked at it. Last year we changed a computer 3 different times. The techs down at the factory are scratching their heads. Brand new fuel pump this spring. The owner of the dealer phoned tonight asking if we just want to trade it on a Nautique and gave some numbers of what it would cost to be in a brand new SAN. Just not sure what to do anymore with the Malibu...

[iamcdn]

Cool. I asked because I am from SK and my dealer also has both boats as well. I can't help as I am new to inboards and only have 5 hrs on my 210 but we love it. The boat came with an engine issue so PCM sent a whole new engine for us before we took delivery. We also took a VLX out for a test drive and thought it was a beautiful boat. It is a little bigger than the 210 but we preferred the 210. The 2014 210/230 might have a facelift so if you are ordering new that might be important.

If you liked the VLX though why not go with another. Will the dealer give you a great deal on one?

[perry386]

You can't go wrong with either a 210 or a 230. Both wakes are fantastic and will be plenty. My understanding is that the 230 wake is a little bit bigger BUT I can tell you from personal experience that it is difficult. Just moving someone 1ft on a seat will change the wake slightly. For the 230 I would go with the 409 if you can but you will also be happy with the 343. If you will run ONLY factory ballast 343 is plenty in the 230. But if you decide to get an overflow kit or something like that then you will definitely want the 409. With a 210 however, 343 is plenty no matter what your doing. Like iamcdn said, they are getting re-done for 2014 so you might want to wait on those just to have that option. You said that you won't go older than 2010. One thing you need to think about is how much you are going to surf. If you get a pre-2012 then you CAN'T get the NSS. But if you get the 2012 or newer then you CAN get the NSS. And for the Nautique/Malibu comparison...I love both companies. Both throw out great (very different) wakes. Both Nautique and Malibu have great quality in build. I prefer the steeper wake of my Nautique over the rampy wake of my buddies Vride21. But Mailbu is a fantastic boat maker. The only thing negative I have to say about Malibu is that they don't use PCM engines. Good luck with your decision.