230 or 210

[d_nodixon]

I am looking to get a newer boat once I sell mine and had all but settled and getting a 230 until here and there I see people mention that the 230 wake is rather hard to dial in.  I have found that it takes time in any boat to figure it out, but is that big of an issue on a 230 that I will be disappointed? Should I consider the newer 210s as an option?   My current boat is 2006 210, and my primary goals are to get something newer with more room for people and storage.  My price range for I want and can afford is between 50 and 75k.  As of now we only wakeboard but are going to start trying the surfing thing.    

My questions are:
1.  How much trouble is it to get the wake right on a 230?  Does this apply to all years, or a specific range?
2.  How does the room and storage of the newer 210's compare to my boat?  Surely it has gotten better?
 

A general wake comparison of the 230's and newer 210's compared to my 06 210 will also be helpful.  of I am expecting a mellower wake with whatever decision I make, so I have no issues here.  Wake quality is my concern.   Also, for comparison purposes, my buddy has and X35, which is awesome btw, it is bigger than I need and has an outlandish amount of storage in my opinion.  

Any insight and opinions are appreciated, thanks!  

 

[cedarcreek216]

For your upper budget range you can get a nice 2013 210 with NSS. I don't think you will get a 230 with NSS in that range, at least not in my market. Our 210 has plenty of storage for a day's worth of food and drinks and 6 adults and a couple kids. Any more and it's tight. I did have 8 guys last Father's Day and enough coolers to support that crowd. Not going to lie, it was tight but we survived.


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[Austin179]

Get the 230!
I am by no means an expert in this area, but I do own a new style 2014 210 with NSS and pro ballast.
Think about what you are going to be doing with the boat.
You said you want more room for people, more storage, and the high end of your budget will allow you to buy a very nice (used) 230.
You also said you want to start surfing which a few year old 230 without NSS still does really well. (IMO) Although you could add NSS later if you wanted.
I would suggest looking for a 230 with the 409HP at minimum.
Not saying the 343 wont work, it absolutely will, but with the extra weight, gear, and people you will be glad you have it.
My 210 is perfect for what we do with it, which is wakeboarding and surfing with a small group (2 kids/2-4 adults) in a tight creek right behind our house.
Our outings are normally only a few hrs at a time and we ride the whole time.
If I was in larger water, had more people, or carried more stuff for all day trips, I would like something a little bigger.

[flounder]

I just went through this process last year. You can't make a boat bigger. If you can truly spend the 75 I'd suggest spending a tad more and getting 230 with nss. You probably can't find one at that price at this time of year. It will be close. This also depends on how you boat. Do you have kids. Do you bring other families on the boat. Do you live on the lake or tow. Is your lake crowded. If you want more room now and can afford it this is an easy decision. In regards to wakeboarding I did not test the 210 thorough enough to comment. However the 230 is not a problem above 20. The slower speeds can be a problem. I have a 2014 with the different hull but I'm behind a 2013 just as much and I see no difference. With the pro ballast you will have more than enough weight to surf and wakeboard. Also the weight in the bow helps to clean the wake up at slower speeds. Also don't worry about the 409 the 343 is plenty. Plus that will only increase your cost. There are many opinions on here about it for you to read. I tested both plus my buddy has the 409 on his 2013. I always leave it at this the number one dealer in the country only puts the 343 in the 230. If you feel you need more you need to skip the 409 and go bigger.

[JoeA]

Get the 230. You said you want more storage and a bigger boat. Problem solved.

Dialing the wake of a boat is fun so enjoy the time with your friends.

History shows people usually end up buying larger boat unless they have a small crew or have restriction on the their lakes or garage considerations.

[d_nodixon]

Sweet guys, thanks for the input. Don't think we've road below 20 in years...I think we usually ride between 21 and 22. We're pretty good at getting the wake right no matter what we are in, so if it's achievable then we can make it happen. Older now with kids and friends with kids, the main reason for leaning towards the 230...and we usually spend the day, if not the weekend down the river.

Point noted on the 409 from both, currently have the ZR6 so I will probably go with the 409 or 450.

There is actually a 2011 230 for sale within 30 minutes of my house (rare here) so I will be able to give it a good look over and test drive without driving hours or buying a plane ticket. If that one doesn't work out I'll likely be taking a road trip east...would like to hit the cable park in Orlando again anyway.

[Miljack]

I would say if you're at the top of your listed budget, work it to find a '12 model as that will allow a "bolt on" NSS conversion from the factory. The '11 model LINC at this point is not compatible with NSS.
As for the wakes, the later model 230's ('10-'13) models used a much bigger belly tank than the earlier boats, and that seems to make the boat more sensitive side-side for a clean wake. I speculate that using lead on the very "outboard" side of the belly tanks would help solve the side to side sensitivity on the later 230's. The "problem" comes from running very heavily ballasted setups....Having said that, the 230's wake can get much larger than the 210 wake and to me has a better shape. The 210's ('07-current) seems to have a weird trait when loaded down in that one side of the wake is a different shape than the other. It's not a huge deal, but it's you'll notice it when riding.
As the others have said regarding the room in a 230, it's just a much bigger boat inside, and the walk through from the platform is great!

[josemolino]

Get the 230 if room is the main issue. If not stick to the 210 with 343 for money saving. However, the right engine for a 230 is the 409. It is more than enough no matter how mach ballast you use.

[d_nodixon]

Great thanks again. Felling better about the 230 now. I'll probably shoot for a '12 or newer so I can add the NSS unless I can't pass on the '11 here close to the house.

[nautiques4life]

I was in the same situation last year. Picked up a '12 230 for a great deal before even bothering to list my 210. Had to pick just one, eventually sold the '05 210 and its legacy wake for the 230. Things for me- I've realized I am not going to be a pro wakeboarder. I can honestly say I liked the 210 wake better, both with just stock ballast and weighted. I'd assumed that being a bigger boat the 230 would have a bigger stock ballast wake- I found the opposite to be true- by a lot. I liked that I could pull up to my spot flip some switches and have a great wake in the old boat, the 230 I've had to re do the entire system. I won't ride that boat stock. Good news is with a day of installation and an order from wakemakers you can achieve that. If your only focus is a wakeboarding wake you've already got a great boat.
Wakesurfing- luckily, being goofy, the wakesurf wake was a huge step up. Old 210 needed me to sink it. I was running 3+ bags and a homemade wake gate to ride the starboard side well, new 230 right out of the box as good if not better without a single bag to fill/drain.
For me it was mostly realizing I dont actually need the famous 210 wake, once you've gotten over that the 230 wins in storage, room for friends, handling chop/rough waters, new gadgets, and I feel silly mentioning it but the rear walk thru is great. One concern I do have is resale, not sure if anyone else has thoughts on this, but I think the G's are gonna kill the late 230's ability to hold their value- like I said I picked mine up cheap thought I could flip it and was surprised how soft the market was. Good for you now, might be an issue when it comes time to sell it.
It is bigger to stow/park and it doesn't turn or handle as well, but unless you only ride a private manmade lake with 3 riders I think you're gonna be happier in the 230... I know I am. Good luck with your search.