G23 likes/dislikes - New To PN

[Dandy21]

Hi All,
I am new to this forum, signed up to snoop around as I do research on potentially getting a new boat for our family. I have to say, that it is good to see all in all a friendly environment on the forums here and not a bunch of brand bashing and a lot of good support amongst the members.

So – what is my boat story and why am I here? Good question. Our family currently owns a different brand (2013 Tige Z1 w/Convex VX “wave shaper”). We no longer own lake property and trailer out boat to local lakes and up to 3 hours to campgrounds and another family members cabin. The reason we switched from an I/O to a V-Drive is simply for Surfing. None of us are great at this time, not in need of a “pro level wake” although like many, we are currently upgrading out ballast to produce yet a better wave. All in all, we are pleased with the wave produced by our boat.

Why look for a new boat? It’s no secret that Nautique is probably if not the most expensive brand in the market. Not knowing how things would work out, we didn’t want to spend that much $$ and our local Tige dealer is family owned and has a great reputation, where as the Nautique dealer is MarineMax and has a questionable reputation – depending on who you ask. We have met with our local MarineMax (Rogers, MN) and they seem to be a decent crew. I guess when you sell that many boats, there will be a few unhappy people. So back to the new boat search and why? We find that people that go out with us are a little nervous when you start pumping water into a boat and it lists to the side, they get used to it, but it takes a little warming up. With upgrading out ballast to Enzo style bags, we lose the storage under the seats when the sacs are full and have to switch gear in the rear compartments from side to side. If you didn’t know, in the Tige boats, there is no bow storage as it is full with ballast.

I realize the above the G Series all takes care of. Based on this, please let me know what you like or dislike about your Nautique boats, especially if you have a G23 (we originally like the idea of the G21 since we are in a 21’ but once we were on it, we lost interest quickly) and are they really worth all the extra $$. We are planning to get on a demo following the upcoming holiday. Even if I want to trade, I still have to get my better looking ˝ to agree.

Thanks in advance, hopefully someday I will have something to contribute to help out.

[nyryan2001]

Obviously I love the G, and I guess I have the reputation of being a tough customer. There is SO MUCH HYPE out there about gamechangers the best etc etc. I would tell you 80% of the wake industry (boats and gear) is driven on hype: stoner accent tatt'd up dudes with bro shades telling you whatever they are selling is the best. There are so many things here to list it would go on forever. I've been on just about all of he latest premier wakeboats... On the water when they've been pushed hard. Lots of snake oil out there.... This is what I would tell you:

Narrow your boat choices to your top 3, then schedule 90 min + water demos with the dealers. Be up front with the dealer, offer to cover the $50-$75+ in fuel. Not unloaded water cruise happy butterfly demos... You gotta slam it. Bring 3x 1000lb sacs and a tsunami pump with you to demo. No excuses or what it might do if "dialed in" or "what I saw XXX rider do at Bro Stock"... F'n show me. Period.

Drive the the boat Un-ballasted for 10-15mins do you love everything about it? Spend the next hour slammed, with how you think you would use it and then some....and see how the boat drives, performs, maneuvers etc. it should blow you away and make you want it right there. That's how good the G23 is to me compared to others for me. But you gotta do and get this for yourself, else it'd be me giving you hype.

i will tell you this about the G23 from my perspective just over 200hrs between my 2:

simply no other boat in this category even comes close to doing EVERYTHING exceptionally well ... Of course my opinion. Some may have an edge in one narrow area,... Then will be severely lacking in so many other areas it's obvious and embarrassing. So much BS advertising out there it's a joke. Not hating, but nothing in the Tige line except the RZ4 on the ASR are in the ballpark with the Gs, but then build quality and fit and finish suffer big time. I couldn't believe what I saw on a new ASR.


If you wanna talk specifics, post up what your other considerations are... G21? Love it, but I would not be willing to lose the infloor cooler.

[wakeslasher69]

Agree with nyryan 100%. For my two cents add....no way I'd spend this much money (I have a 2013 G23 550hp) JUST because people were uncomfortable with the boat leaning. I went away from leaning a boat because it was a pain in the butt switching stuff around for different riders. Now I just hit a button and bam, its switched and dialed in. I can go from surfing to wakeboarding instantly. I have had Mastercrafts and a Malibu Wakesetter 247 (arguably the best wave on the lake when slammed and leaned over) but again a pain in the butt. My son is regular foot and my daughter is goofy so I spent 30 minutes switching from one side to the other or at least it felt like it even with sacs plummed in.

For ME, Nautique is just where I'm at right now and fortunately can afford it. I can't throw stones at Malibu or Mastercraft as I enjoyed each as I had them. Though there is a reason I'm in a Nautique now and loving it. Read this forum thoroughly and make notes of pros and cons. Do this for other boats you will consider. Remember some peoples 'cons' won't necessarily be a 'con' for you.

Consider your usage style when considering the G23. For us we sit on the dock most of the day and just go out when its time for a session. (surfing, wakeboarding, tubing) If I had this monster for a runabout boat the gas usage would probably bother me more, but since its just for "business" its not bad.

Bottom line if someone isn't willing to tell you a little "bad" along with the "good" you probably aren't getting the whole story.

[UofM21]

I was right on the fence with the g23 just recently. I drove one and I really liked it. I didn't care for the, in my opinion, really cheesy G23 embroidered parts on the inside of the boat or the speaker covers. I did like the interior depth of the boat as well as the bow. The exterior is sweet in my opinion, a lot of people say it looks bloated, but I think it is a nice looking boat for sure. In the end I went with a 230, because my wife ended up hating how high the g felt in the water to her. With the 2014 we got the same deep feel on the interior as the g had....unlike previous 230 models. We also like to surf mainly and it does that exceptionally well. I will say this....the G is a sweet boat. If my wife didn't hate it so much, I would probably have one. Instead she preferred the 230 which I also love, so that is what we have.

[sja]

I actually bought my G23 550 from MarineMax Rogers last year. I had the same trepidation about buying from a yacht company and after reading mixed reviews posted in the past. I also had had great experience with the local Mastercraft sales and service team which has uniformly great reviews,and the local Malibu dealer. I tried out the G23 450 and 550 hp, Mastercraft X-Star, and the Malibu Wakesetter. I primarily wakeboard and drove and rode behind all 3. I liked the G above the others in terms of interior space, massive storage, wake (at speeds lower than 23 mph) and fit and finish. I loved the X-Star's naturally aspirated monster engine, the board racks and the sporty drive of the X-Star empty. With the old G transmission set-up of 2013, I just wasn't going to be happy with the 450 G as it took a long time loaded to get to speed (not an issue with surfing I assume), and I have an irrational need for my boat to exceed 40mph. So I got the 550.
I love the boat ! I put on about 150hours last year. I have found the service department at MarineMax surprisingly responsive and the sales person I worked with was extremely helpful and available way after the sale. (They seem to be bending over backwards to establish a new reputation on the sales and service sides)
On thing I would consider. I have my boat on a lift all season. If you are hauling it on weekends make sure you have a truck that will handle the job. Empty with trailer they are about 8000 pounds. And make sure your favorite lake has a ramp that will accommodate the boat. Good luck! It is a great boat!

[Dandy21]

Thank you all for your feedback so far. I greatly appreciate it and look forward to more input from other owners and potential owners.

There is SO MUCH HYPE out there about gamechangers the best etc etc. I would tell you 80% of the wake industry (boats and gear) is driven on hype: stoner accent tatt'd up dudes with bro shades telling you whatever they are selling is the best. There are so many things here to list it would go on forever. I've been on just about all of he latest premier wakeboats... On the water when they've been pushed hard. Lots of snake oil out there.... This is what I would tell you:

Narrow your boat choices to your top 3, then schedule 90 min + water demos with the dealers. Be up front with the dealer, offer to cover the $50-$75+ in fuel. Not unloaded water cruise happy butterfly demos... You gotta slam it. Bring 3x 1000lb sacs and a tsunami pump with you to demo. No excuses or what it might do if "dialed in" or "what I saw XXX rider do at Bro Stock"... F'n show me. Period.

This is so very true not just with boats but just about anything they market. Any of the pro riders can make these and any other boat look good. Funny thing is that with most of the boat manufacturers they don't use they typically buyer in their marketing. We actually didn't demo any boats when we purchased last, we were sold on the Z series boats through research and our Tige dealer happens to be owned by a stand up guy with a good crew. At this time, we are not going to narrow it down before demos, as we are looking for the hidden ballast to gain storage, so its a G boat or the ASR. SJA-I am happy to hear from a buyer of MarineMax in Rogers. As mentioned, the "feel" there was much different than I was expecting. Glad to hear that the service department is responding well to any of your needs. I look forward to other responses (for some reason my enter is not working on this post, so you have to deal with it all bunched together) Thanks again all!

[swankster]

The G23 for me was: surf wake and switch-ability with NSS, wakeboard wake, and storage. The wake is fantastic but like others have said, you need to see and ride it. I have 5 surf boards, 4 wake boards and a bunch of other stuff tucked in the boat and don't need added ballast. The side are high but that is what gives you the extra space. I can't go back to the 230 and have only been in the G21 in the showroom.

[ironj32]

Dandy21 - I'll give another two thumbs up for MarineMax in Rogers (and Excelsior). Kyle and Mike have done a great job taking over the sales of the Nautique brand up there. I'm pretty anal/tough when it comes to expectations of a service department, and I can vouch for the technicians and service group. They are always quick to respond when I leave messages for them, or am having work done on the boat.

As for the G23 - I have no compaints. I'm on my third, and have loved each of them equally. If you ever want to get out and spend a few hours in one just let me know. I'm in the West metro, and would be more than happy to take you and the family out and spend some time riding and driving one.

[santelee]

I have a G23, previously had sante230 and Malibu 23LSV. The G does everything very very well. stock ballast wake insane. stock wave very good. ton of storage. was designed by people that really use a boat, everything functional. I demoed new xstar this spring and its not even close. also looked at x46, no rear storage due to seat shape and required ballast sacks.