looking to buy - advice needed

[Mbrunduge]

So, I’m looking to but my first inboard. I’ve owned boats all my life. We predominately surf, wakeboard, and tube.

I went to the boat show and poked around all the manufacturers. I’ve narrowed it down to Nautique. I liked Malibu, but reading their forums it seems they have reliability issues with their technology/screens.

I have an existing boat dock and lift that is setup for a 23’ Yamaha which equals a 21’ Nautique. I’d like to stay in that range. So, I’m looking at either a 210, GS20, or G21. I’d rather buy used to save some money but not opposed to new. However, when I look at the price of a new 210 or GS20 I think why not just buy a 2014 G21 for the same or less money? Are there drawbacks to the G21? It has NSS and all the integration I’m looking for.

Looking Used
- From what I understand the 2013/2014 boats had a 5 year warranty on the boat and 3 years on the engine. I typically keep boats 10+ years so durability is important to me. Not much of the warranty is left, but I want something that will last well past the warranty.
- Are there particular models, years, engines, systems to steer clear of?
- Has the Linc system been durable?
- Online the prices vary a good bit. I’ve seen some 2014 G21’s in the upper 70k’s to 80k’s with not too many hours. Does that seem right? Mostly they’re not local. I’ve even seen 2013 G23’s in this range.
- Other than logistics what’s the drawback to not buying locally? Should I steer clear of a saltwater boat? What about a coastal edition? Any drawbacks to bringing one of them inland?
- What about the supercharged 550 engine? Has that engine been durable? What about long-term reliability of a supercharged engine.

I appreciate any insight. This board has been very helpful to learn about Nautique’s.

[xxrb2010]

I would not based my decision about Malibu and Nautique quality based on what you read on forums. Do not think Nautique is a trouble free boat manufacturer. From what I have seen, experience and read: all manufacturers lately pushed production capacity and technology to the detriment of quality. So looking at a used boat might be a right option nowadays. Buying used, you should have the previous owner corrected the quality bugs for you. I will request the list of part changed under warranty for the boat you would like to buy. Maybe a dealer can get you the full list of what have been done under warranty on a boat. The longer the list, the less I would buy the boat. A few items changed as part of the warranty is ok from my point of view. A long list of items, tend to show recurrent issues with the boat.

[kodiak]

I bought a brand new G21 in 14 with the 550 motor. I have 360 hours and the only thing I had done was a noisy belt replaced by the dealer at the 25 hour checkup.
Absolutely would by this again, everything on it just works and it still looks great inside and out.

[Neverenough]

Your a Dallas guy... Go see Phil and Team at Buxton... They will not disappoint. If they do Ill buy you a beer! We are on number 4 from them and they have always been top notch to deal with. Only issue right now is lack of boats. You can search Buxton here on the forum and see for yourself.

Of the 4 Nautiques we've had only the very first one we bought had a senor go bad the first week and the boat was ten years old. Buxton came and picked it up and corrected that week and we were back on the water by the weekend. I thought about and even tested out other brands.. Call me biased but once you own a Nautique its hard to go the other direction.

One of the guys I work with had been a huge Bu fan and tried to get me to go that way until this year... After dealing with multiple trips to deal for issues mostly trim items and surf gate failing. He now owns a new G and loves it. Another friend that moved from a Moomba to a new VLX this year had to take his back a few weeks after picking up for several trim items falling off. Nautiques can have issues but I know they build a better product than most others.

[jondavis08]

What is the weight limit of your lift? Might be an issue with the years you are looking at. Personally I love my 2014 210 but I like it because I can ski it and love to drive it. I've yet to be impressed with the GS20s wakeboarding wake. If I was just surfing and boarding I'd probably consider the G21. Never drove one but I'm guessing the 210 and GS20 is more fun to drive. There's always pluses and minuses to each


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[Mbrunduge]

I have been talking to Phil and Michael at Buxton. I need to hear similar things from the end users. Trust but verify.

I think I'm going to have to upgrade my lift any way I go. The Yamaha is only 3172 lbs dry weight. I'll have to check the lift but I'm thinking it's only around 4500 lbs capacity. I'll also have to rework the cradle.

We we spend more time than I like tubing. Is the wake behind a G21 going to be too big to tube behind? Also I've seen some comments about it being hard to turn right at tubing speed.

Thanks for the input. This is very helpful.

[markj]

It sounds like a 210 would be a good fit for you. Keep your existing lift etc. Also, I drove a G21 for the first time a few weeks ago. It was like trying to steer a brick or a school bus compared to my 230 and my 230 is 2 feet longer!

[jondavis08]

4500 will be close. A 2014+ 210 is 4300 dry. I ended up trading in my 4500 lift for a 6000 to be safe. G21 will be even heavier. I believe the GS20 will be too heavy as well..


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[xxrb2010]

Driving a G21 is ok as long as you keep some momentum, 3 to 4 mph at least otherwise you lose control of your boat. I have a 8000 lift for it. I cannot help on tubing at high speed .

[markj]

Driving a G21 is ok as long as you keep some momentum, 3 to 4 mph at least otherwise you lose control of your boat. I have a 8000 lift for it. I cannot help on tubing at high speed .

That was my experience too. It was turning around to pick up my downed rider that gave me the rude awakening. Needs twice the turning radius. Hard to beat that consistent wakeboarding wake though. That is a thing of beauty.

[Johnny_Rock]

I got a G23 this spring. Have spent a little time (way more than I'd like!) pulling tubers and have not noticed any issues turning the boat at tubing (20-25 mph for us) speed. In fact, I usually try get my wife to drive for any tubers and she has no problem.