211 to 230?

[sfjakey]

I love my 211, it has a Zr6 and everything else. It has done everything for me for almost 7 years now, but the kids are getting bigger and after this weekend I am feeling the need for more room. 5 or 6 adults and 2 kids is just way too tight for a day on the lake in the 211, and the seating just isn't very comfortable. I bought the 211 because I wanted to have the ability to slalom ski. I have done it less than 5 times since I've owned the boat. If I slalom, I go on another boat. Now my concern is primarily my kids, who really like the wake on the 211. I would love the ability to make a better surf wake, but not at the expense of an intimidating wake for 6 and 9 year old girls who are just getting into the wakeboarding. I'm looking at used 230's, and only with a ZR6, so it may take a while, but any input or suggestions as to years to look for, or avoid, or if I should avoid this boat entirely based on my needs, is welcome. A new boat is out of the question, I refuse to spend that amount of money on a ski boat. Thanks

[NautiqueJeff]

NSS will only be able to be added to 2012 or newer, so keep that in mind if surfing is really important.

[sfjakey]

I surf just fine behind my 211, so I assume any 230 will be an improvement? And if I was to spend 40-50k more for a boat with NSS, I would instead spend a year traveling and actually surfing real waves. Surfing behind the boat is fun, but hardly what I would call important, or even a sport really. What is really important is the wake for kids beginning to wakeboard, I don't want them intimidated by a large, steep wake at this point.

[ViSoR]

My guess is that you can adjust the wake to your needs, maybe by filling just half the ballast in the rear if it's too big for your kids. I'll let 230 owners comment better on that.

I'm also making the move from an '05 210 to a '07-'09 236/230. I don't have kids though.
Seems like '08 230's go for between 58k and 65k on the US market. (I'm in Canada)

[sfjakey]

Is the 230/236 the same boat all the way up through 2012? I see some different towers, but what else changes through the years?

[Miljack]

We have an '08 230 and previously owned a DD Nautique, I would say for girls that age the wake will be ok, but you'll need to go about 18 to have it clean up. I have an '11 year old and he has fun crossing the wakes, and jumps a little, but the wake is bigger by a fair amount compared to a 211.
As for years and differences, you'll probably need to do you own research to understand the differences, but here's a cheat sheet;

236=230 with the exception on the interior vinyl designs and options, hull and deck/tower the same

'07 last year with Perfect Pass, '08 moved to Zero Off (GPS)

We love our 230, I have ridden a lot behind an '08 210 (which feels like a much bigger boat to me than a 211), and I've ridden a little behind a 211, wakes are much better for wakeboarding behind both the 210 and 230.

If the girls are not yet riding @ 18 mph, then maybe hold onto the 211 for a couple more years, and then the move to a 230? If you want the additional room now, the girls may have a *little* adjustment to make to the 230's wake...

[Matt 18]

I also moved to a 07 236 this passed year,love everything about the boat except my 10year old daughter thinks the wake is WAY to big.I tell her she will have to get use to it.My 13 year old daughter is fine with it.

[sfjakey]

Thanks everyone, I think I'll look at a 210 also