230 vs G23

[brrmax]

We currently own a 2005 Tige 24V that we bought new and has been a good first boat for us. We slalom ski, wakeboard and surf - just for fun at recreational levels. We have a place on the west side of Lake Ozarks and the water is really good in the mornings. It can get chopped up in the afternoon on busy weekends though. The 24V does a nice job of handling it other than the nose being kind of low to the water. This is our only boat so we use it for tubing, cruising, going to dinner, etc.

We haven't had a chance to demo the 230 or G23 but have sat in both at the dealer. Order of priority, discounting build quality as I assume both are well built: (I know most of this is subjective, but I would appreciate your thoughts and experience with either of these boats.)

1. Good gunwale height for young kids
2. Room for 8-10 people
3. Handles rough water well - and just handles well overall (the 24V is fun to drive)
4. Good performance for pulling skiers
5. Surf wake with good push
6. Good wakeboard wake that is easy to adjust for different skill levels
7. Plenty of storage for equipment
8. Decent ski wake - kind of a necessity as my wife still likes to slalom ski but she is willing to compromise for other features

Thanks in advance for any input.

[GCSuper]

I don't own either, but with 1 thru 7, my choice was going to be the G boat, but the wife probably won't like skiing behind it. Happy wife, happy life. You don't mention budget in your post, but there's a pretty large difference between the two. We love our 210, but if we were to consider a replacement boat, the G's wouldn't fit our lift, wouldn't fit our storage barn, etc. Might not even be towable with my half ton truck, so all that would be a big factor for me.

[mitchelmilitiapres]

Well I can't speak to the current 230 as I have been in one since the first model came out. But I can speak to the G.

1. Taller gunwale allows for deep seats to easily keep the kiddies in the boat.
2. Can seat comfortably 11-12 adults, more if kids are in the mix.
3. Solid throughout and great in rough water. Looks like a dumptruck but handles like a sportscar.
4. & 8. Has the HP to pull as many skiers as your heart desires. But if you're wanting a competitive ski wake, it will leave a little bit to be desired as it is the primo wake boat specifically designed to throw a competition level wakeboard wake.
5. With the NSS, it has the best stock wake I have ever ridden. I'm 250 and with stock ballast there is no struggle to find the sweet spot.
6. One of the best wakeboard wakes can be easily customized right from the helm. You can set up rider profiles with which you can choose ballast setups, zero off speed and even playlist (same for both boats in this category.)
7. This boat has more storage than you will ever need from tip to stern.

The G is by far the greatest wake boat I have ever been in. All the years of R & D have combined to make a boat with all the creature comforts and rider friendly ergonomics one could even think about.

[Dandy21]

We are actually looking at both of these boats as well and just got home from demoing the 230 and G23 back to back with our dealer so I know have a little hands on with both boats beyond the showroom floor. My first suggestion is if you dealer will set you up with a demo for both you should find it much easier. I brought my own boards and rope to try and keep things fair. FYI: We are coming from a 2013 Tige Z1. Below is my opinion and reasons...take it for what it is worth (my opinion does not draw a high price )


· Good gunwale height for young kids
The gunwale height of both boats should be fine. The G23 is deeper and the bow area is much deeper. The 2014 changes have created a very comfortable interior depth in the 210/230 to us.
· Room for 8-10 people
All in all, the interiors should be close for layout. However, maybe it is the additional 2" in width or depth, the G23 just feels more spacious and the bow area will accommodate 1 more adult or 2 more kids than the bow of the 230
· Handles rough water well - and just handles well overall (the 24V is fun to drive)
Compared to our Z1 I didn't worry about dunking the nose on either of these boats. Due to the size, the G does sit further out of the water and I believe would handle rough water of larger lakes better.
· Good performance for pulling skiers –
We don't ski, so I have no idea. That being said, I don't believe either of these boats - especially not the G23 will put out as good of a ski wake as your Tige. With the Convex hull and Taps plate you can get the back up from digging in too much. I have to admit, the Tige hull will work for wakeboard, surfing and skiing, it is a fairly universal hull
· Surf wake with good push –
For me, I had a very hard time not falling back in the pocket and was challenged to recover with the 230. The surf wake on the G23, I was able to work alot of the wave - fall back and easily recover with a little weight forward - little or no pumping. Keep in mind, that our family is only about 1.5 years into surfing. One time, I even dunked the nose on my board, managed to stay up and was able to work myself back into the wave.
· Good wakeboard wake that is easy to adjust for different skill levels –
I didn't ride it as we only had about 45 min - 1 hour with each boat. All in all they both seem to set up very easy.
· Plenty of storage for equipment –
This is part of why we are shopping. With ballast in our current boat we are very short on storage. I think the 230 would have great storage if they would have found a way to build in a cooler. The size of the rear trays are nice sized for wet jackets, ropes and the like. Storage the winner however is the G23. Places for everything. We were able to fit a 5' board in the rear lockers - could probably fit 3-4 boards in each locker.
· Decent ski wake - kind of a necessity as my wife still likes to slalom ski but she is willing to compromise for other features –
Cannot comment.

As far as handling, the 230 is very fun to drive. I didn't get as much time behind the wheel of the G23 as I wanted to be behind it. The G does seem to be a little slower to respond, but you should expect that with the size. Again, the 230 is a blast to drive.

The 230 without the surf pipe and 343 seemed to be a little louder than the G with surf pipe and 450

Good luck with your shopping. If you can, get out and demo.

[swankster]

I owned a 2010 230 and have a 2013 G23. Below are my thoughts

1. Good gunwale height for young kids----G is taller but both OK for kids.
2. Room for 8-10 people----No problem with either but G has a little more bow room.
3. Handles rough water well - and just handles well overall (the 24V is fun to drive)----G is better than 230 in rough water but 230 handles better.
4.Good performance for pulling skiers----Power with the correct engine is great...450.
5. Surf wake with good push----My 230 didn't have the NSS but I agree it is great.
6. Good wakeboard wake that is easy to adjust for different skill levels----Check for both.
7. Plenty of storage for equipment---i can fit 2 skis, 4 wakeboard, 4 surf boards, 4 tubes, 10 life jackets, and all the accessories in the lockers of the G and still have room for more.
8. Decent ski wake - kind of a necessity as my wife still likes to slalom ski but she is willing to compromise for other feature----Speed (34 to 36) is needed to flatten the wake especially in the G. But both are not good at all for competition, rec skiing is OK