2016 G23 Order

[trailersource]

In the process of ordering a 2016 G23 and was wanting some feedback and opinions as to the options and features I should go with. I currently have an 08 230 which I've had for roughly three years and have never ordered new before so please forgive me as my head is spinning a little bit. This is my first post and my brother recommended you guys as he has been on this site for years. Any feedback would be much appreciated. I am more concerned with the options that I could get most my money back out of in resale vs. having the novelty options that probably won't do much resale wise. I have a list of MUSTS and possibilities, just let me know if I'm thinking right and if there's something else I should definitely consider. Thanks!

MUSTS = 6.2 liter engine upgrade ( New Corvette engine, but I assume upgrading the engine makes the boat MUCH more re-sellable?, Surf Select with the Surf Switch (NSS is standard, and I think this option is one that makes a 2016 slightly different from previous model years), Underwater Lights (seem cool and not much of an add-on price wise), Bow Filler Cushion, towable cover.

POSSIBILITIES/ RECOMMENDATIONS= I am debating whether to do the Z5 bimini vs. the standard bimini. I am being told that the head clearance under the Z5 definitely gets compromised, and that I could always just have pockets sewn into the standard bimini for surfboards? If I wanted the pockets is it a pretty easy thing to get done at a standard upholstery shop, and could I still throw say a tube on top of the standard bimini if need be? I also am considering just ordering the boat without any tower speakers or upgrade kits as it seems nicer systems can be added aftermarket? Is there a downside to doing aftermarket tower speakers? If I went factory they now do JL Audio setups for the tower speakers, is there one of the factory setups you would recommend? Last but not least I saw a '14 G25 with gray interior seats and it turned me on (literally). I was told white is much cooler and the safest resale interior color, but you think I would regret getting the gray seats? They looked NICE.

Sorry for such a long post! Any feedback is much appreciated. I need to have my changes in by July 20th so it's crunch time for me and I'm a little overwhelmed. Thanks

[nyryan2001]

My bow filler cushion NEVER gets used. Wasted money for me.

6.2 motor? 450? 550?

I wouldn't get the Z5. Gs have so much storage if you run out of racks put them in the trunks or in the port compartment.

Stereo for the tower - Aftermarket JL HD 750/1 amp on a set of Rev10s (~$1700ish) would satisfy 98% of folks and outperform 99% of other stuff on the water.

Yep careful with gray seats, they are hotter... will limit your resale some. But if you keep the boat a long time... order what you want and forget about it.


What you DIDNT talk about is trailer... which brand, which model and how many axels.

Post up a pic of your mock build for colors!!

[NautiqueJeff]

I would recommend against the Z5 as well. I have it on my boat this year, and I would not get it again. For me, the reason is that to fold the tower, the Z5 must come completely off. I tow with the tower down and the cover on (I have a tower-down cover), and removing the Z5 every time is a pain. The factory bimini is much easier to deal with since it folds down into the bow when you put the tower down.

The new engines for 2016 are going to be awesome! You'll love the 6.2.

I like the grey seats. I have almost ordered them a number of times.

For resale, the biggest thing to consider is colors. Get a boat with good colors and it will sell.

[Tallredrider]

Trailer,

Feel free to hit me up some time. I can tell you what I have done to my boat and let you see it in person. EIther you or your brother have my number (not sure which of you I am talking to).

JL makes some pretty decent tower speakers, but I have yet to see a factory offering that was not cheaper than you could do it yourself or I would bet Crazy Bob's could even do it for less than from the factory. If you went with Wetsounds speakers, I think you will be happier. You can come listen to mine anytime. I was planning on 2 pair, but 1 seems pretty good for now.

My kids love the bow filler cushion, so we leave it in all the time.

When we ordered the boat, we thought it would be nice to have the rear cushions so that you could have a big area to lay out with. Epic fail. They have never been used. They are huge and bulky, and the way Nauti made them, they would not be all that stable to step over.

I have adequate power for the boat with the 6.0 450HP at our elevation. I am not sure about the new engines...more is always better, unless it requires 93 octane that you cannot always obtain. I don't think there would ever be a problem with resale with the 450, and I doubt that a 550 will sell for as much as it costs in the initial upgrade. It will sell sooner, but don't bank on getting your money back.

The standard bimini is seriously stout. You could tie a tube up there for sure. I had surf pockets sewn in at Stitchcraft on my last boat, but I have so much space to store boards on this boat, I do not think it will be necessary. There is also a bar under the bimini, and I am tossing around the idea of strapping the boards under the bimini. I did not want the Z5 for head clearance reasons, the tower is nice and tall otherwise, and that probably would not be an issue for people who are not so vertically gifted.

Gray is beautiful, but you would have to be crazy to buy a boat that you cannot touch once it has sat in the sun for a few minutes. Form vs. function.

In case you weren't sure, this is Doc C. from IHC, and if those storm clouds in the south don't come attack, I will be on the lake in about 2 hours.

[KTM525]

Z5 is a nice Bimini, it protects very well from the sun and has a cool design. But it is lower, and does have some disadvantage.. its not very comfortable to store surfboards on it. I would not order a Z5. Like nyryan2000, i never use the filler cushions. I never use the underwater lights and the LED cupholder are cheap made on my 2014 G21. But maybe that helps to sell the boat?

I would add the "walk trough pocket door", i think its way better then the "slide in".

Oh, if i can choose between a 450 and 550 - i would choose the 450. I don't need more power and where i live, the tax is calculated based on HP ;-)

[jesutton3]

More importantly......what is this "Surf Select with the Surf Switch "

[V8 Killer]

I LOVE my bow filler cushion. Creates a hang-out / chill place up front for everyone.
Z5 is very low if you're over 5'10". I'm 6'2" and get the normal tower.
Walk through pocket door is FAR nicer like KTM said.
LED cup holders I got because of resale and because it actually makes your cups fit tighter.
Heated seat is nice and now includes the love seat which is where my woman sits when its chilly. I also have the normal heater but we board well into October/November.
Underwater lights are illegal while moving in most states and don't work well sitting still unless you have very clear water.
Towable cover is almost a must to keep everything in tip-top condition.
JL interior speakers are amazing, had them in my X-Stars from the factory and never changed them, just needs more power to wake them up. JL tower speakers are a step up from Polk and that's about it. WetSounds are 10 steps up. Save your money and put on WetSounds IMHO.
I also got the Roswell sub box for the 2015 - wow! I put in a JL12W6 (W7 is too deep) and I FINALLY have bass again! Its covered in matching SeaDeck and your dealer will bolt it in for you.

Good luck with your choices!

Dusty

[seveet]

1+ on the heated seats, esp if you are prone to colder temps. I love the REV 10's. If you go this route, I would only do 1 set. They take up a lot of head room, ouch!

[trailersource]

You guys have this stuff dialed ! Thanks for the info. I'll forward pics of colors I'm debating tonight when back at my computer. Nice to know also my family physician is on the site and i can check out his boat ten mins away. Doc C I will be calling. By the way my understanding is surf select with surf switch is a system that allows the rider to control the surf wake and switch back and forth instead of the driver. You can even control music speed etc while riding. Out of control i know. A watch is also available for riders to be able to wear and control from. Oh and the engine I'm doing is the 450 but they're changing it to a 6.2 corvette engine. Little different i guess. Supposed to be more powerful better fuel economy. Not sure I've ever heard an engine change that's claims to get worse fuel economy and less power so we will see.

[swankster]

I had the z5 and traded it for the factory bimini. No more head bangs!
Heater is great for early spring or late fall, if you like a longer season. The seat heater doesn't do much in my 2013.
LED cup holders were an inexpensive add compared to after market, I wish I had them.
Wish I had a pocket door or slide in for the cold days.
In TX my white seats get hot. I cannot imagine how much hotter the gray would be.
Stereo - factory works for me but I think you can get better after market for the same money.

[shag]

I would save the money on the under water lights and buy a couple shadow casters for underwater lights. Much better just more $$

[trailersource]

Looking at ordering trailer through Zieman since it's closest for me and my I have a slight in with them through my business. Other option would be a boatmate. Trailer I'm looking at ordering VERY similar to one pictured.

[NautiqueJeff]

I have had an older Zieman trailer and liked it very much.

That trailer for a G will be technically illegal though (just like Boatmate) because the boat itself is the maximum trailerable width allowed by law in most states. The guide poles add to the width, making the trailer technically illegal to tow without a permit.

[theskunk]

So does that mean that if you use removable guide-posts (or foldable guide posts) then you could put them on when you're at the ramp, take them off/fold them for highway use, and then you'd be legal?

something like that would be pretty sweet on just about any trailer, tbh...

[NautiqueJeff]

Yep, that should work. I can't imagine anyone would get stopped for being that little bit over, but the trailer manufacturers should at least make their customers aware of the issue.