Too much boat! - wife wants to sell

[bassman2]

I'm looking for advice here... we've only owned our 2008 super air Nautique 230 team edition for about 3 years. We are the second owners - first owner is a good friend who bought it new. The problem is, it's our first wake boat and after this past weekend, my wife said - "It's too much boat, I want a smaller one".

We've owned ski boats for 20+ years - but she can't get used to the way it maneuvers. I'll admit it's a big change from a outdrive, but I'm getting the hang of docking and parking it. Its such a cool boat, I hate the thought of getting rid of it. BUT, happy wife = happy life.

Can you guys recommend a smaller model, and maybe some suggestions for newbs.

Also, how is the resale on the 230? What should I expect to get for it?

[biggator]

A 23' is too much boat? Not sure a 21' would really be that different feeling. Is it really the size or just learning how to handle a v-drive? When I got my first v-drive, it took a little getting used to driving it.. learning that you can't really steer backwards is the biggie (I spent my life driving everything BUT a single inboard).

I spent a lot of time behind the wheel of lion90's old 230.. and I thought it handled exceptionally well. Never would I think of that as a 'lot of boat'.

[bassman2]

I guess the backwards steering is the big deal.. making adjustments as you get into a boat slip etc... Too much boat is relative. I'm not knocking it, I just think a 210 might be the way to go.

The other deal is she was always a skier, not a wake boarder - she's having trouble getting into it for some reason. At 47, um I mean 29, she fears getting hurt trying new stuff. Last year I learned how to surf behind the boat, and that was a blast....but she never tried it.

[gride]

first of all have you really owned a ski boat before? i/o don't count. all inboards only back one direction. you can absolutely steer in reverse, but you really need to know your boat. on yours, turn the wheel all the way right before going into reverse and it will turn right. turn your wheel all the way left before hitting reverse and it will go way less right, and sometimes to the left surprisingly. be the travis moye of your lake. women can totally drive these boats regardless of size. repetition breeds success. secondly, a sport 200 sounds like what you want. you can wake behind it and slalom, and surf. it's 5" narrower, and about 4.5' shorter than your 230 counting the platform. moving down to a 210 wouldn't be worth it IMO. you'd only get 2" narrower, and maybe 2' shorter.

[markj]

I agree with gride. Not sure what your new budget would be though. That would be helpful.

[spunkie202]

Get a 210 .. Little bit smaller and easier to handle. Also the interior "feels" smaller

[GCSuper]

You've owned it three years and you're just now getting the hang of it. You're either a slow learner or don't get out much. We went from an I/O to a DD about 1996. The first day out I spent about 30 minutes around the dock just learning how to manuver it. I think they're easier once you get used to it.

[Skidave]

Suggestion. Go to where you 'boat' and have your wife practice. I had an I/O for my first boat and that thing handled like crap, but I could drive it on the trailer without guide posts and maneuver it ok. Reverse sucked in that boat. Then I went inboard and I had a RH rotation and now I have a LH rotation (or vice versus). It took me a few times to get used to the backwards direction of each boat. My wife has learned how to drive our 206 and pickup riders with the swinging around the back of the boat to greet them with the platform. Go have her practice on a non-busy day with you there. Small bumps of forward and reverse to see how she can control the boat.

Tell her not to feel bad...this weekend I was working against a super strong river current and my Bimini top acting as a sail. It took me 2 tries to get it on the trailer...has not happened for years!

[scottb7]

Wanna trade even?

[F725]

Get your wife to try surfing! Best thing I ever did. Then assure her that the 230 is a top notch surf boat.

[bassman2]

All good advice... yes we don't get out enough despite living on a lake! We have 2 boats so, the Ranger bass boat gets lots of use - the 230 not nearly enough, except each year at Shasta. I'm going to give it a few days and see if she relents. How is the market for the 230? I don't see many for sale.

[uncalumx2]

Honestly, no direct drive or v drive boat handles easy.

It's not the size, its just the way a ski or wake boat is.

I agree, get her surfing or wakeboarding. That and the need for a bigger boat got us into the g23.

Downsizing I don't think will help much.

230 is a great boat.

[Neverenough]

All of you are wrong don't listen to them bassman. What you really need is a 220!!! It is much smaller!! Your wife would be much happier with one. I ill trade you!!! I guess I could do you that favor! Haha!! What year and options on your 230 so we can help on the price.

Seriously would consider a trade

[swankster]

Wanna trade even?

Wives or boats?? I think they have a show for swapping wives, should we start one for boats???

From what I hear it is the wake that is the problem, not the boat. It's hard to take the salmon out of someone, if they have it in their blood. IMO have a good friend teach her how to drive it. It keeps the stress down at home. If she gets the driving down and still wants a small boat or wake, then go to the 200.

[bassman2]

Here's a shot of the boat. I don't know all the options - but it is a Team Edition - and has a bimini with nautique graphics on it, from what I know - it's fairly loaded.

I think she doesn't like it because she cant slalom behind it, and she can't control it like her last boat. I say "her" boat because she had to have it and she's always had a boat to ski behind, while I've always had go fast bass boats - and end up running both boats. If she says it goes after this week - then it's probably going.