Give me all your opinions on the 2015 Nautique 230

[Ninja]

The 210 was a bit small. The 230 and the G21 have got my interest. Lets talk a little about the 230. Surf wave, space, how it rides in chop, tracking, engine size etc....

[Shockthis]

I think the 230 is a lost boat, If you already have the money for a 230, you may as well go for a g21.

[Dandy21]

What are your objectives for the boat? Both are nice boats but you have to consider function...if you or family/crew ski then go with the 230. Do you trailer or store on the lake, either way consider weights for towing and/or lift capacity. If storage is a concern then G21 all the way. Personally I like the function of NCRS vs hydro gate. I also really dislike the placement of the tower on the G21, it is too far back and to me was in the way when getting in out from the rear deck (had to duck under it) vs just stepping up/down in a 230/G23. I ave not been on the water with a G21 since after spending time in one on the showroom we concluded there were a few little things we would no like long term. I really did like the ride and handling of the 230 but didn't like giving up most the storage to ballast. Good luck!

[Ninja]

I think the 230 is a lost boat, If you already have the money for a 230, you may as well go for a g21.

I have to agree with your statement. I think the G Series has just overshadowed the 210/230. I still think they are great looking. Soon I will sit I'm both. Maybe this spring I could spend time test driving and surfing them. Some have said the 230 is a very sweet surf boat. I think I was told I'm another thread that the 230 will out surf the G21.

[Noahsark]

Im interested to see where this thread goes also Ninja. I'm right now searching the market and 210/230/G21 is what Im looking at. My biggest concern is I'm coming from an I/O, and was used to a ride where I could "adjust" the trim to compensate for a choppy lake on occasions, and I'm wondering how the ride is in these boats through moderate choppy water. When it was real rough out on the lake, I didn't take my boat out period as I don't think anything would give you a good ride in whitecaps.


I have 2 grandkids that will be starting watersports fairly soon, so I've pretty much decided to not get another I/O as surfing is gaining in so much popularity and I know thats not much of an option with an I/O. I know Volvo-Penta just came out with a backwards I/O drive to be able to surf, but I'm sure that will be still many steps behind and that's a bulky looking unit.

Im pretty much sold on one of these boats as I know it will be best for all of the people I pull on watersports, BUT my wife and I love to just take nice long rides across our lake and listen to music and ride to a nearby town. The lake I go on is Kerr Lake and it is hugh ! Almost 900 miles of shoreline! Its a 22 mile ride from our dock to the town I was talking about and sometimes oneside of the lake is nice and smooth and then the other is choppy. I'm thinking the 210?230 might be a better ride? because it has more of a V bottom and looks to "cut" through the water where the G21 looks to more "plow" through the water?

Just wondering by maybe adjusting ballast, and the hydro gate would almost be like adjusting the trim on an I/O? Just hoping these boats are still good for a nice relaxing ride even when the water is a little choppy?

[JoeA]

If I had to pick between a 230 and a G21 I'd go G21 all day. For me storage is very important plus think about how much ballast you can fit in to a G vs. a 230.

Ninja, I know you love to wakesurf and we all know that weight is one of the key factors to creating an epic surf wake. Definitely test drive both and see whats fits you and your crew best.

[nyryan2001]

Afun, why is a G23 out of the question?

[Ninja]

Afun, why is a G23 out of the question?

Mainly $$$$ and towing it. I got a new tow vehicle. Chevy SS 7600 lbs. I really love the truck and it was a great buy. Didn't have to get rid of the FJ either.

[axeman]

I'm going to be devil's advocate here and say go for a 230. Yes, you don't have as much storage as you do with a G. However, I feel the 230 surf wave is better than that of a G21 and stock for stock G23. It all depends how many people you normally have in your crew. I thought about getting a G21 last year before I got my 230 and decided against it because it just felt too small.

[Ninja]

I'm going to be devil's advocate here and say go for a 230. Yes, you don't have as much storage as you do with a G. However, I feel the 230 surf wave is better than that of a G21 and stock for stock G23. It all depends how many people you normally have in your crew. I thought about getting a G21 last year before I got my 230 and decided against it because it just felt too small.

TELL ME MORE!!! How much weight do you surf with? How does it drive? Engine size? Tell me everything you have experienced with this boat? How is it weighing loaded on the trailer? Thanks for joining the discussion.

[axeman]

I just posted a video of my 2014 230 here. Take a look at that and let me know if you have any questions. I did order mine from the factory with the pro ballast upgrade and swapped out the pro ballast sacs for 550 lb sacs. If you dont care for the rear storage trays you can even fit in 750 lbs sacs back there. I did plumb mine with T valves so that I could "choose" to run the extra sacs or just run the stock ballast for folks new to wakeboarding.

[axeman]

I've got the 343 engine in mine. It's plenty for most people. There isn't much of a difference between it and the 409 so I decided it wasn't worth the extra expense. If you want, you can swing for the 450. However, you will only need that if you plan on wakeboarding with a ton of ballast over stock. Not necessary for surfing or anything else. Rides fine on the trailer. I did end up getting a Tundra to tow it this past year and it tows it just fine. Any half ton truck will tow it just fine. I "guesstimate" it weighs somewhere right around 6500 lbs with trailer, gas and gear (based on a dry weight of 4400 lbs). Zero complaints with the boat as it's always performed as expected or better.

[Ninja]

I just posted a video of my 2014 230 here. Take a look at that and let me know if you have any questions. I did order mine from the factory with the pro ballast upgrade and swapped out the pro ballast sacs for 550 lb sacs. If you dont care for the rear storage trays you can even fit in 750 lbs sacs back there. I did plumb mine with T valves so that I could "choose" to run the extra sacs or just run the stock ballast for folks new to wakeboarding.

Great Video!!!! " 16 in Miami " song....I'm from Miami, LOL. My wife and I really enjoyed it. Incredible set-up with the truck and boat...A+++++. Lots to dissect here. Sometimes the boat looked listed and sometimes not. The goofy wave seems just so much better than the standard. Same here with my Malibu. The standard wave seemed very flat at time and then not no so flat sometimes. I think someone was able to ride out a 360. Has anybody been able to pop off the lip of the wave? I'm sure Hydrogate may have something to do with it.

So the boat comes with pro ballast...what is that? Bow? Midship? Rear Lockers? The 550's are bigger or smaller than what it came with? I'm impressed with how little weight you are carrying. You are talking to someone that slams the boat with 4900 lbs...so this refreshing. I do have a killer wave on both sides. The biggest problem is Surfgate builds a softer wave. I am starting to catch little air, but if I am able to reduce the height of the wave and make it firmer it would be the best.

The LEDs and the Z5 bimini are a nice touch. I think the 230 is sweet with nice classic lines. My wife hates the star on the G. She also hates the $$. Theirs a nice Red 230 with the 409 at Lake Cumberland Marine. Let me know what you think about it if you happen to glance at the website.

[cedarcreek216]

Pro ballast is hidden bow sac and plumbed sacs in each rear locker. Another option for more weight and take up less room is to remove the hard tanks and put 1100's in the rear compartments.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ninja]

Pro ballast is hidden bow sac and plumbed sacs in each rear locker. Another option for more weight and take up less room is to remove the hard tanks and put 1100's in the rear

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Is it really a bow sac or is it more midship? Whats the weight on that? Also, what the weight on those factory hard tanks in each locker? Thats it, nothing else comes with that pro ballast package? Replace the hard tanks and put 1100's....that would cover the entire subfloor under the storage tray? Can I use the same through hull fitting to fill that 1100?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]