G23vsG25

[skye6969]

I'm more confused than ever and was hoping to get some clarity here. I have a 2010 230 SAN Coastal Edition and was looking into selling it for the G23 Then I saw the G25 I can't seem to find anywhere from a real person that has driven both and has some good feedback. Do they drive heavy, steering, acceleration etc. Does the G25 drive like an old school bus compared to my 230? We were looking at the G25 with the SC550 How does the G23 drive compared to the SAN230? We had our boat built and has every option, what does a realistic sell price look like as the dealer was trying to tell me only 45-50k The new G23 was like 123K and the G25 was 137K
thanks for any help and feedback

[jrz1]

Haven't driven a 23 but I have a new 25. Only thing I can compare it to is my 2011 Malibu 247 and the G25 does drive like a bus compared to the 247. That said, I'm still very happy with it. Ride is much smoother and boat is much better built with better features/useability. The 247 drove like a slot car though - hard to imagine anything being better but I've never driven a 230 either. I'm guessing the 23 and 25 don't drive that much differently but I could be wrong. Handling is the only thing I don't like about the G25 but I can live with it as while it's not what I was used to, it's good enough and the other positives make up for it (including the much smoother ride in rough water and rock solid construction).

[Neverenough]

I'm in at 50k for your 230!!!! All reality your 230 is probably more like a 70k boat. Maybe a haul for you but I'd check with Phil at Buxton marine in Dallas. Search them here on the forum. One of the best dealers there are.

[northwestwater]

hi skye! i had a 2009 230 with the 409 hp. i went to G23 with XS550. my 230 handled better yes, but, the G23 has way more power and acceleration. not even comparable. a little better handling was the only thing i liked about my 230 compared to the G23. everything else, wake, layout, features, power, G23 hands down. I have not been in a G25 so can't comment. i could not pull my young girls wakeboarding at 18mph without a super washy wake (230). just not possible. The G23 is clean down to 16 mph. i purchased fat sacs for the new boat but have only used a small sac under the bow seats to quiet the bow and even that was not a big deal. I suppose i could add more weight than stock but, honestly, it's awesome just the way it is and i'm trying to be respectful of those around me. i live on a small lake so G25 was out of the question. I say get the new G. either way, you will be pleased.

[northwestwater]

one more thought. if you think you will miss the handling and someone says "this boat drives like my grandma's cadillac" (yes, someone actually said that to me). try this: full throttle to 30 mph. everyone will slide to the back of the boat. then put the boat in neutral...a massive wave of water will soak all of your friends. priceless. I have only done this once. it was all that was necessary.

[swankster]

I went from the 2010 230 Team with a 343 to the G23 with the 450. When in the G23, I feel like I am in a deeper runabout boat but only because the sides are higher and physiologically it just feels different. It does cut through rougher water a little easier than the 230. For those behind the boat, the performance has been far greater than the 230, but the boat is still weight sensitive when boarding. From a driver perspective it is only sluggy when I am in surf mode and want to transition to another part of the lake. I think this is because the NCRS is not performing to its optimum and I’m not sure how to correct it yet.
Overall the transition has been worth it. As my friend said “Now I know why you bought this boat”.

Your boat should pull 65to 70 easy.

[skye6969]

Thanks for the quick reply guys. What is the top speed on the G23 and G25? With the weight of the 25 I was thinking with 10 people and gear and tanks full it may have a hard time getting on plane? I think the 25 may be just too big, leaning towards the 23 with the 550

[jrz1]

With the 550 I don't think you'll have an issue getting on plane even with the stock prop. If you're going to have 10 people you will probably like the extra space in the 25. I think I heard top speed was in the low 40's with the 550 but I've not focused on it. My 247 had the 550 hp motor as well and with the boat being around 1300 lbs lighter it had a top end right at 50 mph with the stock prop so low 40s seems about right.

[JamesHawk101]

I went from the 2010 230 Team with a 343 to the G23 with the 450. When in the G23, I feel like I am in a deeper runabout boat but only because the sides are higher and physiologically it just feels different. It does cut through rougher water a little easier than the 230. For those behind the boat, the performance has been far greater than the 230, but the boat is still weight sensitive when boarding. From a driver perspective it is only sluggy when I am in surf mode and want to transition to another part of the lake. I think this is because the NCRS is not performing to its optimum and I’m not sure how to correct it yet.
Overall the transition has been worth it. As my friend said “Now I know why you bought this boat”.

Your boat should pull 65to 70 easy.

If the boat is still in surf mode make sure you turn the ncrs to auto on and it helps you plain even with the surf weight and such.

[ers906]

I have a G23 with the 550, stock prop (for now). Top speed with 12 people was 44, have no problem with a full ballast and 12 people getting on plane. I also have a 210, and while I love that boat, there really is no comparison. Regardless of the G you decide on (if that is what you do), I strongly recommend the 550 over the 450. It is a beast.

[V8 Killer]

I think of the G25 as a surf boat first, wakeboard boat 2nd. G23 is a wakeboard boat first, surf boat 2nd. If you've riden behind both and seen the wakes of both, I think you'd understand what I mean. Both do both very well.
You don't need a 550 unless you just have to have the biggest and best. I have a G23 w/ the 450 (keep in mind the 550 REQUIRES premium (not available on my lake)) and it has no problem getting on plane and pulling a wakeboarder. Its 16 seconds (stock prop) to plane with full ballast and 6-7 people in boat + rider. I've heard an upgraded prop gets you to 13 seconds, I'll know in about a week.

G25 cost more, weighs more, and uses more gas. Unless you have a specific reason to get a G25 over a G23, I'd recommend the G23.

Best,

Dusty

[ers906]

Both engines require premium gas (91 is the his jest octane avail in az)

[gate9869]

I went to a g23 sc550 from a 230 409hp and yes the g will handle like a bus compared to the 230. WIth that said everything else about the g is awesome minus a few small things. I do not think you will be at all disappointed going to a g. Depending on family size I would think in most cases the g23 has plenty of room for big groups and room to store all the gear. Send me some pictures and details on your 230 I have a buddy looking to buy one !! Gate9869@yahoo.com

[V8 Killer]

Both engines require premium gas (91 is the his jest octane avail in az)

Let me rephrase.
The 450 does not require premium. It is preferred/recommended but many people (including myself and Buxton Marine) run it on 87. The power output is slightly less (knock control) but it runs 100% perfect and causes no short nor long term issues.
The 550 "requires" premium. Much like a high performance car requires premium. You could put 87 in and again, knock control would prevent any damage. However, the power output on the 550 without premium is severely impacted. While I have not heard of it going into limp mode on 87, it would be possible depending on where the set point is on the ECU. With the 450 the power output difference is minor from 87 to premium and you run no risk of limp mode.

[nyryan2001]

V8-

Do you have a diagnostic tool where you can objectively determine how much timing was pulled to prevent knocking using regular gas on the 450?

I am not the biggest engine guru... but if it were explained in simple terms to help owners:


1. Cheap 87oct with 10% ethanol from the local Pilot resulted XXXXX pulled timing, efficiency ...whatever XYZ.
2. Pure gas 87oct with NO ethanol resulted XXXXX pulled timing, efficiency ...whatever XYZ.
3. 91Oct with 10% ethanol from the local Pilot resulted XXXXX pulled timing, efficiency ...whatever XYZ.
4. Pure 91oct with NO ethanol resulted XXXXX pulled timing, efficiency ...whatever XYZ.

You would think with all the ECM and dealer diagnistoc tools this wouldnt bee too hard to do.