2008 SANTE 230 ZR6 vs 2009 SANTE 230 343

[ncarilli]

So I just sold my 2003 206 that was a great boat for me, time to step it up so I decided I want to get a SANTE 230. I have narrowed my search down to two boats and I am buying one of them this week for sure but I am torn a little please share your thoughts... Option 1: 2008 SANTE 230, 280 Hours, ZR6 Motor, Heater, Factory Stereo, team options, Zero Off. or Option 2: 2009 SANTE 230, 180 hours, 343 motor, No Heater, Complete Wet Sounds Stereo, Stainless Tower, Graphic Carpet, Nicer Cover, Team Options, Zero Off. The 2009 is $5,000 more, both boats in great shape but the 2009 is a little nicer. Let me know your thoughts...

[dfoster]

If you ride early/late in the season the heater is great. We use our all the time, even on chilly summer mornings.

Not sure if your surf or how you weight your boat but the ZR6 in the 2008 will have a bit better of a pull when propped, but in general, unless you had a bigger engine in your 206, you may not notice any difference as long as the 2009 is propped for what you want to do.

The Wet Sounds stereo could be a couple grand worth of an upgrade and is on my wish list, but that said, I put a couple hundred into a nicer JL Audio amp and have been happy just with that.

Not seeing it at all, I would keep the $5k in my pocket and spend some of the money on a new board, a new cover, or SeaDek upgrade on the 2008. For 2 or 3 grand you could add some upgrades and keep some cash in reserve for any issues that you find.

Just my .02...

[migs]

08

[Miljack]

$5k diff is about what the model year bump would be, same engine though. The 230 is a heavy boat, and given my experience in our 230, the ZR6 is great for us. If you are not wakeboarding w/over 3K pounds of ballast, then the 343 would be ok if propped correctly.
Define "complete Wetsounds stereo", how many tower speakers, and which models, interior speakers? etc...If it's everything, then that's a nice system and would cost you close to the $5k difference. Depends on what you like to do, and your stereo "requirements." Also, and this is a personal choice, the Titan/SS tower on the 230 doesn't look good to me, but it would allow the 230 to fit under a 7' garage door opening.
Also consider the colors, they will have an impact on your resale...

[ncarilli]

A bit more details, at this time I only wakeboard, but who knows what the future will hold... The 2008 ZR6 is Black with a orange stripe, Factory Sound System that everyone seems to upgrade... The 2009 343 is Red and Black, Wet Sounds and Kicker Amp, 2 Wet Sounds Rev 8's, Wet Sounds EQ, I do like how the 2009 has the sub out behind the drivers seat instead of under the observers seat, and I do like the crest carpet... But I can always add a wetsounds system and crest carpet and/or seadek. So my question is does anyone with a 230 343 wish they had the ZR6 motor. The 2009 is def a little nicer boat than the 2008 but that could be changed for $3-$5k.

[nyryan2001]

There isnt all that much more power in the 409 vs the 343 as the difference in 66hp suggests. Understand that the tq curves are about the thru the majority of the RPM band... It's not till like 4700rpms or so that the 409 would pull away from the 343. So if you definitely need to go extreme heavy or perhaps 40+mph for barefoot, the 409 is for you . Else, for the majority of folks, the 343 will do 90% of everything the 409 can do. So what you have to consider is both are great trouble free engines... Is that little bit extra with $5-6k for you how you use wakeboats.

Its not till you hit the 450hp motor that it truly spanks the 343 across the entire rpm band, and most folks feel a considerable jump in power over the 343.

[ncarilli]

The 2008 http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=40669# The 2009 http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=40285#

[Nordicron]

Boy tough choice! I would say if you are gonna want to fold the tower on a regular basis then the 09 is a must. That's tower on the 08 is a heavy beast and I believe also requires some lower leg disassembly if you want to get into a 8' garage. Obviously bigger engine is nice but with correct prop the 343 will allow you to wake board with up to 3k ballast.

[cstiles]

Maybe take a look at this one (not the seller but I think it's a potentially good deal): http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/boa/4225054494.html

[perry386]

Maybe take a look at this one (not the seller but I think it's a potentially good deal): http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/boa/4225054494.html

Wow. I'm with cstiles on this one. This one has LINC and a one piece tower. It looks about the same price as the 09 too.

[4th ski-doo]

I'd say the 2010 on CL is a winner and the $$ is right. Buddy sold a 2011 comparable in Sept for $74.

Its t's a big heavy boat, it's only 66hp rated difference but the 343 is really going to work pushing it.

[shag]

I had a 2009 230 with the 343 and never missed the 409. I even barefooted behind it. IMO, I like the titan tower... As far as the 2010 on CL, not sure where it is - but was it used in salt?

[s_kelley2000]

As far as the 2010 on CL, not sure where it is - but was it used in salt?

I was thinking the same thing when I saw the galvanized trailer. It looks to be in amazing shape so it was likely maintained properly if it was used in salt but that still hurts it's value.

[LKN210]

Agree with the guys above on the saltwater issue. There's not a whole lot of things that significantly detract from the value of these boats, but that's one of them.

And that 08 sure is a sweet color combo!!!!!!!!!

[ncarilli]

The one on Craigslist is located in Florida and was used in saltwater and freshwater. He said he will take $55,000 to make the deal happen this week but Florida is a little to far for me and I really don't want the Silver Cloud hull even though having the LINC would be nice. SOOOOOO I have to pick one and I am ready to buy... I can get the 2008 SANTE 230 Orange/Black, 280 Hours, ZR6, Heater for $53,000 or the 2009 SANTE 230 Red/Black, 180 Hours, 343, Titan Tower, Crest Carpet, Wet Sounds System, Super Nice Trailer and Cover for $58,000. They are both clean boats but the 09 seems a little cleaner... So do I save the $5k and get the 2008 with the ZR6 and put the crest carpet in and a wet sounds set up or get the 2009 that is ready to go and needs nothing???