Nautique Newbie Looking for Direction

[Angustia]

I am a previous Mastercraft Prostar 209 owner and have always been impressed by the Nautiques. I am in the market for purchasing a boat for my family and I am needing some direction on where I should concentrate on models.

I have three young children that will want to wake surf and wake board with the very occasional ski set, but nothing competitive. I am thinking a boat that is 2 or so years old. We will normally have 5-9 people in the boat, but sometimes 11 or more. We would keep the boat for a good while unless the kids got real serious and then we would upgrade to the new tech at that time. Should I look at the G23? The 230? Something else?

For comparison, I would be looking at a Mastercraft X30.

Thanks in advance for your time.

[Paxdad]

WIth that many people on the boat I would sure look at G23!! I am good with no more than 6-7 on my 08 210 and that is pushing it since I am OCD about keeping it wiped down all the time.

[SANonTellico]

Occasionally skiing and also having 11 or more on the boat at times is a tough combination. The 230 may be a bit cramped with 11 or more people, a G23 is not a good ski boat. What's your priority:
- 11 or more being comfortable? Get a G23 and skiing may not happen.
- Being able to ski: Get a 230 and know that the boat will be a bit cramped with 11 or more people.

[imhoff]

Double or slalom skiing? The wake is surprisingly flat at 36-38, but I still wouldn't want to slalom behind the G23. I bet you'll find plenty of slalom skiers that want to surf that would happily give you some time behind a proper ski boat. Moving away from a 209, you'll be disappointed in just about anything that can surf. I was on a serious Mastercraft kick but went with a G23 for a number of reasons. I couldn't be happier with my choice.

[swatguy]

I say G23 here. You'll sacrifice big time on the slalom wake coming off the 209 , but to haul around that many people the G23 is what you need.

I I say this over the 230 because of the kids. The 230 wake is awesome, but it needs to be ridden at higher speeds to stay clean. The kids may be bit intimidated because of that. The G23 on the other hand surprisingly has very clean wakes even at lower speeds. The 230 will need some extra sacs to really get wake huge taking up some much needed storage. The G is plenty all stock for most. It's ease of out of the box wakes is really #1 in the market.

if you're severely disappointed in ski wake , go with a 3/4 yr old G instead and buy an older ski Natique or prostar 190 to have around for skiing

[markj]

What kind of tow vehicle do you have? What is your budget?

[markj]

You'll only get one more person in a G23 over a 230 and that's because of the wider bow. I had 14 in my 230 last month and everyone was comfortable with a seat to sit in. All but one were adults.

[nyryan2001]

The way you describe... 450 or 550 G23.

stay friends with a slollam buddy for your skiing needs.

despite deceptive advertising... No one boat does everything perfect. With the G23 you nail shut you large group and any wake sport needs.

[swatguy]

The way you describe... 450 or 550 G23.

stay friends with a slollam buddy for your skiing needs.

despite deceptive advertising... No one boat does everything perfect. With the G23 you nail shut you large group and any wake sport needs.

I'd argue that just a bit. There are two models from other mfg's that are pretty dang close at being a do all machines that doe everything above average.

[nyryan2001]

What 3 event boat do you think is in the same ballpark performance wise for surf or wake as a G?

[swatguy]

The newer hipped X30

Malibu 23lsv



both boats have respectable ski wakes for being bigger boats, Both have great surf wakes , and both can throw pretty decent boarding wakes.

[seveet]

Having surfed and skied the X30, 23 LSV and 230, I would say the X30 is the best ski boat and the 230 is the best surf boat. To me the 230 actually skied better than the diamond hull 23 LSV. I can't speak for wakeboarding. The X30 had a really crappy surf wake with the standard gen 2 setup. My understanding is that it needs a lot of extra weight to make it respectable, but I am not sure where that is placed. I have no problem fitting 16 people in my boat. I really appreciate the drivability of the nautique vs the other brands. I think you may also want to consider the GS 20 as it would seem to fit what you were describing. I would also throw the Moomba craz out there as a price point consideration.

[Neverenough]

No expirence with other brands (because my dealer is awesome) but we love our 230. Surf wave is hard to beat and you could ski it but it's not flat. Wakeboard the 230 has been a staple for many years. As with most of these deals when people ask these type question I think it's only fair for you to go ride them and check dealer reputation.

[pSchwade]

you could probably get a well running older ski boat for 5k, so I dont really see why people try to factor it in to their wake/surf boat purchase.