2018 G23 on the fence

[Capdoogie]

On the fence on switching to new G23. Questions... is there a electric seat rise or lift option like Malibu and Supra? Or do you find on the G23 bow rise is minimal. Our Malibu is fully slammed awesome wave. I have demoed 2017 g23, wave was pretty good stock, a little steeper, narrower not as much push as my boat. but what kind of ballast do you really put in these boats to get that pro surf tournament wave, lead or sacs? I know this boat has great potential.

[heel5man]

I recent years, we had a 2013 24 MXZ and 2016 23 LSV. Enjoyed those boats a lot, especially the 24 MXZ. But once we demoed the 2017 G23, we just couldn't go back.

Someone said here on this topic not long ago that "it's a lot of little things that add up" with the Nautique's selling points vs Malibu. Like being able to get a really good surf wave totally stock and still have tons of storage. And general the layout and quality of materials on the interior of the G. You don't need a seat height adjustment.

It's kind of like Mac vs PC. On the Nautique, everything "just works." The Malibu needs tweaking. My buddy with a M235 told me he put a 1,000 lb. sac up front because his wave was too steep. Good example.

The Malibu does have a superior touch screen interface. It's easier to use, much less complex. I was trying to think of something else I liked better on my Malibus vs Nautique and nothing else came to mind. Except the price. Like a 24 MXZ vs. a G23 should be less on the Malibu, but a comparable M235 was actually a good bit more than the comparable G23. And I really didn't want all that cheesy billet.

Fun decisions to make. I like the advice I was given about which boat to buy... "the one that keeps you from going to sleep at night because you're so excited about it."


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[oldsmobiledriver]

G


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[Capdoogie]

Heel5man, Do you run stock or do you run xtra ballast? If so how much and where?

[heel5man]

Stock except for 250 lbs of lead underneath the passenger seat. This helps offset the prop rotation.


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[moczygemba9395]

Had this post been before Malibu went public and now builds things are par with Skiers Choice products then your decision might have been a little harder. However, I have a friend who has had a 25LSV and it's screen went out twice, and he had to replace two seats while he owned it. While surfing the boat screamed at 5000 Rpms. He traded it in and got the M235, seems happy now. He went for the the Supercharged motor. That solved his rpm trouble. Not sure about seats or screen though. I do know he's added lead as well to make the wave longer. I can tell you I demod the M235 and it's terrible in rough water. It ended up soaking everyone in the back of the boat as well.

As far as bow rise, I never have to even use the seat booster because of the layout of the dash.

On the surfing question, you'll see a few topics floating around on this. The G23 needs a little extra weight if you don't run with a big crew.

If you want something that holds it's value and is very reliable, the choice is clear. The G23 is the only way to go.


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[nyryan2001]

Spend a full day in a G. It'll be game over.


i just couldn't bring myself back to the slums dealing with crooked Malibu dealers.

just so happens, the 2 Nautique dealers I've had problems with... were also Malibu/Axis peddlers.

[BigEasy]

Spend a full day in a G. It'll be game over.

This is a true statement. You will not realize the full difference in the G until you spend a few full days riding and driving one.


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[sarasetp]

I switched from Malibu to a G23. I was sold. But I was surprised that my wife loves the G23 compared to the Malibu. She really didn't have an opinion about the Malibu when we owned it. But when we have guests, she's the one pointing out all of the details of the G that impresses her, comparing it to the Malibu to the guests. In floor cooler, no more asking people to get up to get a drink. All cushions hinged-no more stacking cushions on their side to dry, worry about a cushion flying out when trailered, finding a spot for a cushion when the boat is full of people. Superior rough water stability when driving. Seadeck so much more kid/Oreo/dorito friendly to keep clean. More impressive size compared to an LSV-people at the launch look at the boat because it is so awesomely huge-be prepared to get a lot of compliments when filling up or launching or drying your boat-I've had to figure out how to say nice boat back when I know mine is killer looking when they complement the G23. Surf wave is great enough for me out of the box-thanks for all the extra storage everywhere. Better looking vinyl. Large walk through transom-keep people off the vinyl. Nice seadeck on top of deck and areas where people will walk on the boat. Ease of access to all of you ballast pumps, filters batteries, 1 drain plug-everything is all in one place easy to access in the main cutout in the floor. No more fuses to replace. 17" prop with 2 to 1 gear for much better torque to pull up a skier. Attractive boat.


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2016 G23

[Neverenough]

Never use the bolster either. Gs run flatter in water than any other boat Ive been in. As ryan says you really need to spend sometime in one.

[Capdoogie]

Spent a coulple of hours in the G23 today. Totally impressed! Will be going out on it next week to see how she surfs in flatter water compared to the chop fest demo day. Will also be bringing some xtra weight to see her potential. But not to much. Just a couple hundred pounds here and there. Anyone ever put a hot shower in theirs. I notice that is not an option.

[NautiqueJeff]

Nautique hasn't offered showers as on option for many years. When they stopped, they said it was because they didn't want to promote standing on the platform with the engine running. Adding a shower to the 6.2L H6 DI engine should be easy enough. You can just T into the heater connection point. Adding one to the 550 engines will be a little more complicated because they are closed-cooled.

[Capdoogie]

Hmm, we rarely turn the boat off while switching riders so we are always on the platform with engine running. We have had the shower in all of our 8 boats. To bad such a high end boat doesn't have this option. But, not a deal breaker.

[JoeA]

How many people on the Malibu Crew forum say I did not like my Nautique so I bought a Malibu to replace it? Lots of former Malibu owners on here that would not go back. That says a lot for the brand.

[gmdog2]

Former Mastercraft owner, I know not Malibu...order a G this year...wouldn't go to anything else but a Bigger G!! I do not use the bolster either, stays pretty flat!!