Debating an Upgrade - 15 SAN230

[BIGAIRCPA]

I have been teatering back and forth on whether to updrade my 12 SAN 230 (boat is in mint condition). I love the current boat, but really like the new boat, too. My current boat is fully loaded, full wet sounds, ZR450 (its a rocket ship), LEDs, Plumbed in fatsacs on the hard tanks etc. No NSS, but have been debating adding it. I would be looking at 15 SAN230, same boat, just new model fully loaded too.

Couple questions:

1. Has anyone upgraded from the 12 to the 15 and was it worth the additional dollars and was is funcitonally better?
2. Talk me out of why I should not upgrade
3. Or conversely, talk me into it

Look forward to the comments.
PK

[nyryan2001]

Big Air- no way man, keep your boat. NSS is $2500ish installed at your dealer.

Its a PITA to outfit a boat with all the stuff you want... you are already there and have it done. Get the NSS, plan to keep your boat another 3-4 years and go from there.

[DLafont]

Seems to me like your solution is similar to switching trucks because you want new tires... All in all, the level of PITA with changing boats, although always exciting to do that, isn't worth it it if all you really want is to add the NSS. Just my 2 pennies, but hey, fun problem to have!!

[lucky7t]

Personally I feel the 12 is a nicer boat.

[NautiqueJeff]

The new hull was tweaked to work better with NSS.

[brrmax]

I know the hull has been changed starting with the 2014s. Is there a noticeable difference in how it rides and/or handles rough water vs the pre 2014s?

[axeman]

I had a 2012 and upgraded to a 2014 (both 230s). I honestly like the 2014 better and here's why:

1. SeaDek throughout.
2. Built-in NSS. I don't like the way the NSS looks when it's added after the fact to the 12/13 models. No covers, etc.
3. You can order it with a surf pipe from the factory. Argument to this is you can get the FAE installed on yours.
4. New rear tank setup allows for larger plumbed in sacs (750s if you don't care for the rear shelves, up to 550s with the rear shelves in).
5. Better tower. Doesn't chip, feels more solid. Textured finished instead of glossy.
6. Speaker placement on tower. I can fit 4 REV10s across the top (probably 2 REV410s) and I don't have to worry about hitting my head on them or hitting the lower ones when swiveling the racks in).
7. With the Z5 option, I don't have to lower it to fit speakers or racks swiveled in (requires change of the swivel bodies in the racks).
8. No rear side vents. Mine would always get scuffed up when tied up to a dock. Even with oversized fenders on.
9. Locking windshield. You can now lock it in the open position for those hot summer days when you want to ride around with it open.

To to finish it off, I've gotten 3 times as many compliments on my 2014 than I ever did on my 2012. Both all black boats and the 2012 had the graphics (more loud than the current options). Let me know if you think of any other questions, I'll be glad to help answer them. I also haven't checked in with my dealer more recently to figure out what else is new for 2015 so there may be more.

[ffmedic74]

I think the 2012 has alot more details.... The new models have quite a bit of costs/labor taken out of them... At least on the 230 model.

[Miljack]

@Axe, what's your opinion of the wakeboard wake between your '12 & '14? I too have heard the hull has been "tweaked," but it looks like all that was done is mold in pockets for the NSS.
Have a friend who owned a '12, and his wake was more finicky side to side than my '08.

CPA, NSS makes a big difference in surf performance on the 230...

[lucky7t]

I had a 2012 and upgraded to a 2014 (both 230s). I honestly like the 2014 better and here's why:

1. SeaDek throughout.
2. Built-in NSS. I don't like the way the NSS looks when it's added after the fact to the 12/13 models. No covers, etc.
3. You can order it with a surf pipe from the factory. Argument to this is you can get the FAE installed on yours.
4. New rear tank setup allows for larger plumbed in sacs (750s if you don't care for the rear shelves, up to 550s with the rear shelves in).
5. Better tower. Doesn't chip, feels more solid. Textured finished instead of glossy.
6. Speaker placement on tower. I can fit 4 REV10s across the top (probably 2 REV410s) and I don't have to worry about hitting my head on them or hitting the lower ones when swiveling the racks in).
7. With the Z5 option, I don't have to lower it to fit speakers or racks swiveled in (requires change of the swivel bodies in the racks).
8. No rear side vents. Mine would always get scuffed up when tied up to a dock. Even with oversized fenders on.
9. Locking windshield. You can now lock it in the open position for those hot summer days when you want to ride around with it open.

To to finish it off, I've gotten 3 times as many compliments on my 2014 than I ever did on my 2012. Both all black boats and the 2012 had the graphics (more loud than the current options). Let me know if you think of any other questions, I'll be glad to help answer them. I also haven't checked in with my dealer more recently to figure out what else is new for 2015 so there may be more.

I see some of the advantages for sure. I spent $750 and have seadek. Carpet is actually still an option on new. The locking windshield was also added to mine as a recall. I like the z5 but also like to fold up my Bimini. I totally agree with you on the speaker placement on the tower. The rear sacks are cool but I won't give up all my storage. I agree the covers look good on the nss. This is in no way an argument I just wanted to point out a few things for the OP

[dno109]

I have got a 2013 210 my feeling is that the 2012/2013 210 and 230's were fitted out on par with the G. But for the 2014 models it was as though Nautique changed the fit out of the 210 and 230's to separate them from the G series. I guess what I am saying is that after seeing the 2014's I was really glad I got my 2013. Just my thoughts.

[axeman]

@Axe, what's your opinion of the wakeboard wake between your '12 & '14? I too have heard the hull has been "tweaked," but it looks like all that was done is mold in pockets for the NSS.
Have a friend who owned a '12, and his wake was more finicky side to side than my '08.

CPA, NSS makes a big difference in surf performance on the 230...

I would say the wakeboard wake is the same. To me, there isn't a discernible difference.

[axeman]

To be devils advocate, here are things I don't like about my 2014:

1. Costs more.
2. Less storage. (Think no built-in cooler, etc)
3. Different vinyl material which is harder to keep clean (I am very meticulous)

Like lucky pointed out, you can get a lot of the newer options added on for not much more.