G23 - Kicking tires

[DHPRO]

I've been shopping for past month and driven 2013 MC X30 and 2013 G23. Both boats have there stregths and weaknesses, and trying to come to grips with spending more on a Nautique (2013 freshwater demos with ~20hrs are avail for $110-120k or X30's for closer to $85k - new boats wont be this far apart, but at least 10-15% so far is my experience). I will need a saltwater series/coastal edition boat, and basically none are available as demos - those Ive found are not in colors I want to spend $100k+ for.
I've done all my homework on the MC boats, and now starting to look into the G23 construction, options and durability. Can anyone offer details on the coastal package, its durability and dependability? Also, a little nervous about the full LCD guage package as I've always preferred some analogue as elctronics always seem to go black now and again.
Thanks for any help or info!

[NautiqueJeff]

Here's the info on the Coastal Edition:

http://nautique.com/models/coastal/

I am likely getting a Coastal Edition for the 2014 PlanetNautique G23, but I have only known one other person in my area who has owned one.

As for the LINC system, I have not had any issues at all with mine in any of my boats for the past three years.

[flipflop]

Definitely do not have a wealth of knowledge here, but I just happened to be on Miami Nautiques site and saw they had a pretty nice used/new inventory of coastal Gs.

[nauty220]

I am on my second coastal edition! Would be happy to answer any questions you have. I go back and forth in justifying the additional cost, think it depends on how well you maintain your equipment and how long you plan on owning the boat. I definitely feel better having the extra protection on the engine and cables overall. The stainless steal shocks for the seats are silly to me, the problems i have are in the wakeboard racks and I am worried about NSS. The seadek flooring definitely makes it easy to house down after each use!

[DHPRO]

Definitely do not have a wealth of knowledge here, but I just happened to be on Miami Nautiques site and saw they had a pretty nice used/new inventory of coastal Gs.

Saw this, but just dont like the colors

[DHPRO]

I am on my second coastal edition! Would be happy to answer any questions you have. I go back and forth in justifying the additional cost, think it depends on how well you maintain your equipment and how long you plan on owning the boat. I definitely feel better having the extra protection on the engine and cables overall. The stainless steal shocks for the seats are silly to me, the problems i have are in the wakeboard racks and I am worried about NSS. The seadek flooring definitely makes it easy to house down after each use!

I guess Im going to have to get better info on the zinc anodes (how many, how long they last, whats grounded...etc), how well the steering cable is sealed and protected (MC uses hydraulic for salt as the cables always seem to corrode), and generally how does the whole thing hold up. I had grown pretty comfortable with how MC does theirs, the process, and duarbility and looing to get same with Nautique. I will spend at least 50% of time in salt use, but the boat will be racked at the marina, not left moored or docked in salt. The plan is to own it for quite a while, but who knows once Im long and start wanting new boats every 3-5yrs!

[nyryan2001]

As it pertains to Coastal Edition... the XS550hp will be avail in coastal new for 2014.

[NautiqueJeff]

As it pertains to Coastal Edition... the XS550hp will be avail in coastal new for 2014.

This is indeed true, and I am very happy about it!

[ers906]

I would call a dealer for Nautiques in an area that sells a decent amount of boats for salt water usage. I imagine the G series coastal edition is similar (in the coastal upgrades) as the 210 and 230s have been (as well as their other models). I would think Nautique of Miami would have the best idea on how they hold up and what is used as far as components go.

[nauty220]

I guess Im going to have to get better info on the zinc anodes (how many, how long they last, whats grounded...etc), how well the steering cable is sealed and protected

Anodes are on the Hydro-Gate plate, the prop shaft and the rudder. How long they last depends more on use than time.

[DHPRO]

Anodes are on the Hydro-Gate plate, the prop shaft and the rudder. How long they last depends more on use than time.

I hope its more than that. Every bracket and plate should be grounded to a central or section anode I would think?

[ers906]

I would think so, but that is a question that a dealer (or nautique themselves) would undoubtably know the answer to.

[jonsquatch]

...Also, a little nervous about the full LCD guage package as I've always preferred some analogue as elctronics always seem to go black now and again.
Thanks for any help or info!

I have a full LCD system in my boat and I have had it act up a few times while in use, restarting it has corrected the problem each time. I also have had experience using an X30 as a tow boat for 2 days and the first day the gauges locked up twice and the second time once. The first time we had everything stop working and had to reset the breaker that controls the whole thing. The other two times it was just the digital panel but we still had to shut down and restart to get it back. With modern boats getting everything for the gauges (including RPM and speed) from the computer they still have that common failure point, once you lose the ability to control the ballast, speed, and trim etc your day is over. In the event of a full failure in either boat you would still be able to limp back to the dock, but in the X30 you might be able to monitor speed. In a full dash boat with no switches you also loose the ability to control most of the convenience things as well on your limp back to dock, although the bilge pump and nav lights are still separate. After having one of these systems in my boat I would definitely do so again and I have no qualms about having all the gauges be digital. Just expect that if you want to keep the boat for 20 years that its going to have to be replaced and you aren't going to like the price. I would expect that the trend away from analog gauges and rows of switches and to all in one digital dashes will continue and you won't have many options going forward.

[JamesHawk101]

I also have a 2013 G23 Coastal with the 450. It has held up very well with everything the website has replaced for the coastal package. The only problems I have had were some pitting on the racks and speakers. Where are you planning on using the boat?

[DHPRO]

Just expect that if you want to keep the boat for 20 years that its going to have to be replaced and you aren't going to like the price. I would expect that the trend away from analog gauges and rows of switches and to all in one digital dashes will continue and you won't have many options going forward.

This is one of the reasons I was first looking at older/used boats, and then initially favored the MC - I can get analogue guages and switches to run lots of stuff, and avoid the "pro or team" package with the big screen package. In the end, I think you're right, but I worry salt will really accelerate gremlins in these systems and increase maintenance down times.