Trying to decide between a GS22 and a 2016 G21

[SupraFly]

well that's it! Trying to make this decision. I like the extra room in the GS, but I LOVE the surf sale on the G21.

the issue is that I have three young kids. Ages 6, 4 and 2. The multi sport aspect of the GS is appealing given their young ages. I only surf, so I'm nervous about the surfability of the GS. But I'm also concerned about pulling the young kids around calmly in a tube, or having them ski behind the monster wake of the G boat.

thoughts? Advice? I wish there were more people with experience behind the GS22...

Thanks in advance!

[Evening Shade]

I actually have a GS20 on order and from what you have said I would go with the G21 if I were you.

[Cpan13]

I have a G21 and absolutely love it, but in a few years when my newborn is ready to be behind the boat I'll be ordering a GS22.

The wake behind a G21 is massive and very intimidating to small kids. At the end of the day your kids enjoyment should trump your desire for a slightly better surf wake.

[SupraFly]

I agree. But is it only a "slightly" better surf wake? Or am I gonna be kicking myself...?

thanks for the rational advice. Congrats on the newborn!

[seveet]

With your family I would say GS 20 or 22. If there are any thoughts of kids trying to ski behind the boat, a G 21 would be a no go. I can't imagine trying to pull my kids skiing behind my 230. The G 21 will be even worse. I can only comment on the GS 20, but the surf wake was more that adequate and that was only with stock ballast. The 22 should be better. Here is a prior post I did that included some video.

https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...demo-and-video

[charlesml3]

Advice? I wish there were more people with experience behind the GS22...

And that's the problem we have right there. It's just too soon to say. We only have a couple of small reports of the GS22 and I just don't think there's enough information available to make a decision either way. If you're really interested in the GS22 you should wait until your dealer gets one and test drive it for yourself.

-Charles

[xxrb2010]

Do not understand the issue with G21 and young kids, I pulled 4 years old first timer wakeboarders behind and you can have a really smooth wave at low speed. At that age they go low speed so no issue.
For Tubing too, no issue, ncsr off, no ballast, low speed for small kids, tube attached just above the platform close to water level and not on the tower.

If you do not plan to ski, I do not believe you will have issue with G21. If you plan to ski behind I cannot help you as I do not

[wakemaker]

i think xxrb2010 is right , just dont fill it with 3000 lbs of water your going slow and safe , have fun

[Cpan13]

No doubt that you can pull kids behind a G21 at slow speeds, you can do that behind any boat, but if your kids progress a bit and want to actually try going wake to wake there's no way the G21 cleans up enough at slow speeds for young inexperienced riders to have fun. Plus the fact that it's almost impossible to slalom ski behind. The G series just aren't a family friendly boat compared to the GS. There's a big difference between sufficient and fun for you kids.

This is coming from a guy that grew up on the water and currently owns a G21. I know that if my parents had a G when grew up instead of our old direct drive, I wouldn't be half as good on the water as I am now. You want your kids to grow up with options, if they want to ski, surf, tube, wakeboard, barefoot, or kneeboard they should never be scared to do it because of your choice in boats.

[xxrb2010]

No doubt that you can pull kids behind a G21 at slow speeds, you can do that behind any boat, but if your kids progress a bit and want to actually try going wake to wake there's no way the G21 cleans up enough at slow speeds for young inexperienced riders to have fun. Plus the fact that it's almost impossible to slalom ski behind. The G series just aren't a family friendly boat compared to the GS. There's a big difference between sufficient and fun for you kids.

This is coming from a guy that grew up on the water and currently owns a G21. I know that if my parents had a G when grew up instead of our old direct drive, I wouldn't be half as good on the water as I am now. You want your kids to grow up with options, if they want to ski, surf, tube, wakeboard, barefoot, or kneeboard they should never be scared to do it because of your choice in boats.

I will have to disagree with the kids progression, look at some professional teachers or trainers who own G21s and are able to send kids flying with it, at a really young age. I do not see any issue with this boat for progression.
Skiing is a completely different story as I have been told, cannot comment.

[Cpan13]

I will have to disagree with the kids progression, look at some professional teachers or trainers who own G21s and are able to send kids flying with it, at a really young age. I do not see any issue with this boat for progression.
Skiing is a completely different story as I have been told, cannot comment.

Exactly, professional trainers. Do you send your kid to a professional when they are just learning to get up and cross the wake or when they already have the basics down and need some help to push progression? The kind of kids that end up training with professionals are ones that won't be scared of big wakes and just want to charge it. I'd say that's not typical with most kids. We'll have to agree to disagree on this one I think.

[xxrb2010]

Exactly, professional trainers. Do you send your kid to a professional when they are just learning to get up and cross the wake or when they already have the basics down and need some help to push progression? The kind of kids that end up training with professionals are ones that won't be scared of big wakes and just want to charge it. I'd say that's not typical with most kids. We'll have to agree to disagree on this one I think.

I have trouble to follow you or I miss explain my point. My kids do take wakeboard lesson with those professionals to learn the base and more while having fun. They are far from killers on wakeboard . There is more in teaching than knowing how to do so yourself. Professionals really shine helping your kids learning without fear. The teacher will adapt to your kids' level and so far I haven's see any issue on a G21.

[Cpan13]

Ya, so your kids have professional trainers, I'd say they fall into that category of non typical that I was talking about. Or did I miss when Nautique started sending out pros with every purchase of a new G series???

[Kenv]

Oh what a bunch of bull crap about kids or anyone not being able to do blah blah behind a G21. Just not true. YES...every boat is different in a way....but not THAT much different. Is it April 1st again???

[G_WaTT]

IMO I am almost always dissatisfied when I make a purchase based off current ability, wants and needs. Make the purchase with the future in mind. What if your kids end up hating to ride? What if they love it and want to shred on the biggest wake/wave they can? If they ride, but aren't stoked on it, they probably won't be doing much wake to wake anyways.