450 hp on a G23 at altitude

[smc67]

If you lose 10-20% of a motor's hp at 6000 ft (Tahoe), is the 450 that comes on the 2014-15 enough power on the G23? I assume the 450 on the 2016 is enough.

[JoeA]

You're going to get lots of advice here but honestly the right engine is what will make you happy and want to keep the boat for many years. How do you plan to use the boat? Wakeboarding, surfing, tubing or cruising around the lake? Do you anticipate loading the boat with full factory ballast or adding more to the factory system.

If you have a way to test drive that would be best. I'd encourage you to test the 550 along with the 450 if you can. If the 450 has to work real hard at elevation you might see equal or better fuel consumption on the 550 but never be short on power. All of this is subjective to the consumer's opinion.

[kodiak]

I can tell you the dealer here in Salt Lake does not order any G without the 550. We are at 4300 feet but most of the mountain lakes are 5500 or higher. When I ordered my 2014 G21 last year I emailed Nautique and an engineer there told me to go with the 550, I will see if I can dig up the email tomorrow.

[Tallredrider]

If you lose 10-20% of a motor's hp at 6000 ft (Tahoe), is the 450 that comes on the 2014-15 enough power on the G23? I assume the 450 on the 2016 is enough.

I think it would be pretty close to impossible to stop my G23 with the 450 from getting to surf speeds unless you had an enormous amount of weight in addition to the stock ballast. I am only at 2700 feet, however. Now when I put 12 teenagers and adults in the boat and move up just a little higher to Lake Powell at 3600 feet, it is slow going to get to wakeboard speeds. Even then, the boat jumps to 12 MPH with ease. But getting from 13-18 MPH is a bit sluggish with all that extra weight. But again, that is about 2,000 pounds of people ballast on top of the stock ballast.

My take home message is that I would not necessarily get the 550 if all I was interested in was surfing with stock ballast, and cruising unballasted. I believe that the 450 will cruise unballasted and surf with stock weight even at altitude.

[thomas]

Hello Kodiak, from central Texas, but lived in Salt Lake for 10 years (86 to 96). Been to some of those reservoirs, Mountain Dell, Scofield, Starvation, etc. Props to you for braving the chilly water!!!