2013 230 with 5.7L thoughts on the engine

[nautiques4life]

Got a lead on a 2013 230 team at some weird boat lot at a good winter price in my eyes, had been looking at older models, but at this price I could afford slightly newer- biggest concern is that the boat has the 5.7L rather than the 6.0L 409. Huge nautiques fan- so much so that I don't want to believe they'd put in an engine that isn't going to cut it; but considering the boat is way bigger than my '05 210- I worry it will be underpowered.
I'm not pro, but advanced, normal set I've got plenty of inverts and when i'm lucky 7's too, in my 210 I run bags in all lockers and bow, figured I'd re plum the rear tanks and add a bow filler on the 230. Plus on big weekends do less riding but have more friends and fill the boat up that way. Wondering what you owners think... owners of both engines ideally, any insight would be great, hoping to pull the trigger this week due the price, although I'm not sure I'll be able to part with my 210 unless its the absolute perfect boat for me. (Hopefully the extra storage and ability to add NSS justifies me cleaning all that extra boat and selling my 210) Thanks in advance.

[Tallredrider]

I have always heard that the consensus is that at lower RPM's the torque curves are very similar between the 409 and 350. If you are ballasting her up that heavily, you should be able to just prop down and sacrifice a little of your cruising speed.

I would guess it is located at some frozen abysmal place where a test drive is not possible?

[Nordicron]

Have u ever ridden behind a 230? I love the layout of the 230, seems like the perfect boat to me! But there sure is a lot posted about the wakeboard wakes that should throw up a huge flag to u if u haven't been behind one.

Now as for the motor, I think it would work ok. Not great but ok. Nautique really needs a plate vs the hydrogate that they use, if they had a plate a 343 would work just fine getting that boat on plane.

[xlair]

FYI
http://youtu.be/SN_X7CbGd4s


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[nautiques4life]

Great video; thanks for the link xlair

[HS]

great video, N3!

[swatguy]

N3 is always posting up some great stuff. Love their walkthrus. The also order up some of the sweetest showroom boats I have ever seen.

As to the 6.0 vs the 5.7. If all you are doing is boarding and surfing the 5.7 propped right will work just fine. The 230 doesn't way a ton more than the 210. You'll notice the extra boost from the 409 at 30mph and above. If you were skiing or cruising around the lake a ton you could appreciate the 409. It's gonna be a tough sell later down the road because like most looking at 23ft'rs they want minimal 6.0, but in the end for the 230 the 5.7 gets the job done with ease. I would use that as a bargaining chip tho to your advantage

[shag]

I had an 09 230 with the 5.7 and did just fine. I even barefooted behind it sometimes. I am 6.1, 235#

[BoardNBama]

You should definitely be able to get what you want out of the 343 by changing prop, but I don't think you will be satisfied without. And as mentioned, you will take a hit on resale on a 23' with 343.

[shag]

Just for sits and giggles, I didn't really take a hit on resale with my 230 (343).... Last 230 to have all gauges (unless yo order one that way), and sold it at the right time of year.... Personal preference is what it comes down to... I just don't see a big difference between the two. I also would rather not have a closed cooling system imo, just more maintenance and something else to go wrong.... I tend to keep my boats longer than some..

[flounder]

I have posted several times about this. I own a 2014 230 with 343. Prior to purchase I did extensive test drives with one having the 343 the other 409. I tested for both surfing and wakeboarding. I can't remember the exact numbers but I will try but bottom line with equal weight and activity speed rpm etc were identical. If you prefer cruising around a couple mph faster then maybe you could justify 409. When testing 2014 230s I had full factory ballast with 450s in rear and 750 in bow. Then we filled a 1100 on the floor the majority of the way to represent 6 adults. Then there were three adults and two kids in boat. These are not ideal speeds or setup but I did this for testing purposes. In surf mode we were at 12 mph and I believe we were around 3100 rpm max. Then in wakeboard mode we were up on plane and at 35 mph without a problem. Also I can tell you in surf mode I have had full factory 900s in rear with 750 in bow and my buddy has same setup in a 2013 230 with 409. Performance is identical. No weight side by side his boat does not pull away at top speed. I have the 1235 prop and he says he does as well. If you are scared the 343 want work for you then you need to bypass the 409 and go bigger. In regards to re sell this has been argued here and other forums. I was told this and verified it myself the number one selling nautique dealership only puts 343 in 230 and nothing else. They have 8 2015 up for sale right now all with the 343. Bottom line if you don't need to sink the boat with ballast then add 13 of your best friends you will be happy and if it is a great deal you will be even happier. But if you do prefer to ride like this you want be happy with the 409 either. You will need the 450.