2017 GS22 or 2017 230?

[thejean]

New to the forum. Looking for a new boat to replace my 2013 Malibu 23 LSV. I was originally going to jump right to a 230 as my buddy has one and the wake is pretty epic with 600 in the bow and twin 750's in the back. However, after seeing the GS22 and all of the updates I can get one for $9k more (up here in Canada). Loving the rear facing seats, board racks and dash. Versatility seems good too. Anyway, my main concern is the surf wake and will it be as good as a 230? I'm ok adding some ballast but don't want to lose all of the storage associated with ballast below deck. I also really like the bow design better than the 230. Or, I could order a 2018 230 and get the same features but then won't get the end of season incentives on the 2017's. It's a tough one...

[NautiqueJeff]

I'd go GS22 all the way. I haven't surfed a GS22, but I have surfed a GS20 and a 230. For the minimal additional cost, you'd be in a more modern boat that would likely have a bigger buying audience when you're ready to sell.

[thejean]

How did the GS20 wake compare to a 230? I heard that it's a pretty killer surf wake for a small boat.

My buddy has an X2 and he said the X23 wave was almost twice as big as the X2 so hoping we are not those kids of differences.

[SupraFly]

I struggled with this exact question.

It's a tough decision without an easy answer. I will tell you I went with a 230. I had decided the 230 is what I wanted, then I stumbled into a great deal.

It was not a financial decision. It was a surf wake decision.

Guided by many on here I was convinced the 230 had more to offer in that regard. Simply upgrade the rear bags, add a little weight up front and you have a really strong and long wave.

No doubt the GS is a more modern boat, on a more modern build design.

But I'm thrilled with my 2017 230, and wouldn't do it a different way given the option.


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[thejean]

I too can get an awesome deal on a demo 2017 which would increase the price gap to nearly $20k (and already comes with ballast front and rear plumbed in) but I am honestly not a fan of the colour (white with a navy blue tower). So I may just wait and see what comes up used after this last weekend of summer and go from there.

I also heard that the 2018 230 doesn't have rear facing seats so no point in waiting around for them. Clamping board racks and rear facing seats were two of my wish list items that the 230 doesn't come with. Just worries about that surf wake...

There's also an absolutely gorgeous GS24 that I want but now we are talking about $26k more than the original 230 I was considering.

[SupraFly]

Yeah. If I felt like I could've gotten a GS 24 at a decent price I may have done that over the 230. But they are just too new to expect a great deal.

My concern is that a 24 foot boat is gonna take even more weight to create that beautiful surf wave you're after.

The dialed in 230 wave is well documented on this forum. It's a slam dunk. Plug n play.


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[SupraFly]

When you say rear facing seats, are you talking about the two seats at the transom?

Those are a touchy subject on many forums. I personally think they're a cool concept, but in practice they just aren't comfortable enough to justify.

Plus in most states it's illegal to sit in them with the boat underway.

Otherwise the interior rear facing seating is the same in the 2018 230 as it was in the 2017 230.


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[thejean]

Yeah. If I felt like I could've gotten a GS 24 at a decent price I may have done that over the 230. But they are just too new to expect a great deal.

My concern is that a 24 foot boat is gonna take even more weight to create that beautiful surf wave you're after.

The dialed in 230 wave is well documented on this forum. It's a slam dunk. Plug n play.


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My issue with the 24 is also that the draft is 2" greater. Our marina gets really shallow late summer (like 18" shallow on depth gauge) and too much draft is an issue. Same with the length - even slips to fit a 23 are a challenge. There is only one 25 footer in the entire marina.

I think the 22 is more than enough boat. Just wish I could get one in that pretty gold/black colour...

[Evening Shade]

It sounds like you need the boat with the least draft given your marina situation.

As for the rear facing transom seats, I have a GS20 and they seem like a neat idea, but in reality they aren't very useful. You can't sit on the rear seats while the boat is underway (against the law in most states). You can easily sit on the sun deck of any boat when just hanging out in the cove swimming. I would consider the rear facing transom seats a flat option meaning that they would not make me lean more towards a boat that had them vs. one that didn't have them.

[landlocked]

I much prefer my 230 surf wake to the GS22. It's better to me in all aspects, especially the port-side.

[Ringer35]

New to the forum. Looking for a new boat to replace my 2013 Malibu 23 LSV. I was originally going to jump right to a 230 as my buddy has one and the wake is pretty epic with 600 in the bow and twin 750's in the back. However, after seeing the GS22 and all of the updates I can get one for $9k more (up here in Canada). Loving the rear facing seats, board racks and dash. Versatility seems good too. Anyway, my main concern is the surf wake and will it be as good as a 230? I'm ok adding some ballast but don't want to lose all of the storage associated with ballast below deck. I also really like the bow design better than the 230. Or, I could order a 2018 230 and get the same features but then won't get the end of season incentives on the 2017's. It's a tough one...

Where do you live the jean


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[thejean]

Where do you live the jean


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Calgary, Alberta

[SupraFly]

Alberta?

You better jump on a boat NOW. It's getting g cold up there. Not much summer left.

Not to rub it in, but ill be in shirts until the middle of October.


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[thejean]

Alberta?

You better jump on a boat NOW. It's getting g cold up there. Not much summer left.

Not to rub it in, but ill be in shirts until the middle of October.


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I've already accepted that my season is over. I put 80 hours on my boat this summer in well over 100 on the water in total so not terribly fussed. I'm now searching for spring. The water level in our lake is too low to go out anymore anyway.

[Shockthis]

I have a 2013 210 with Nss ,fresh air exhaust and pretty much loaded I can sell you for a really good price. I am in Christina lake.