Newbie needs advice

[Chameleon]

Hi. I used to have a Nautique Super Sport V-drive in the mid-90s. I haven't had a boat in a long time and haven't been able to get my kids into skiing - they just want to tube. I rented a Malibu with surf gate a couple weeks ago and everyone loved surfing. I couldn't believe how much better the waves were than the Mastercraft I used to surf ten years ago.

I'm partial to Nautiques, and am trying to decide between 210 and 230, and newish-used vs older-used. Any Nautique will be good enough for my sketchy level of skiing and wakeboarding, it is the surfing wave I'm more worried about - I am 220 lbs.

What size should I focus on? It will be trailered and launched on Lake Austin, Lake Travis and Lake LBJ. I'd prefer 21' for trailering, storing, etc. But I'm worried it will be small on the lakes these days? I have 3 teen girls, and it will be mostly for family of 5. It would be nice to be able to take more, but it would also be nice to have a size limit so that I don't end up with a huge crowd of teen girls all the time!

I have a bunch of questions about the NSS. Is it that much better than using a suck gate on an older boat? Is it more of a 'must have' or 'nice to have' for a family of newbie skiiers? It seems like with NSS, I'd be looking at $70k boats, but without I could get a good older boat for $40k? The girls will be driving soon too, and I'd like them to learn how to trailer and launch themselves in coming years.

What specific year models should I look at for surf waves? Seems NSS got real good in '14, but boats back to '12 can be upgraded? Are there cutoffs where older boats got better for surfing? Most of us ride on goofy side. Is a crossover like the 211 good for surfing?

Thanks for any advice!

[rlwagens]

Having used suckgate for the last couple years, it will give you enough push for even a 220lb guy to surf without the wave, however, NSS gives you the flexibility to switch sides surfing on the fly with the push of a button. Otherwise you are hanging over the edge of the boat moving it from side to side between riders and in a boat full of a kids who have trouble making up their mind who is next, you can see how valuable that is. Driving with the NSS will also be much much easier as the suckgate can really change your turning ability on top of already having to deal with prop rotation.

From my understanding boats back to '12 NSS can be installed by dealers and integrated to LINC, however I've heard from people it can be installed as far back as '08 as well but I dont know what the process entails. Other members here should be able to chime in on that.

And If you already have opened the possibility of your daughters bringing out all their friends, on top of wanting to focus on surfing first a foremost, sounds like a 230 is the way for you to go.

[Infinity]

It is certainly true that having a surf system is very nice and is convenient but you can certainly get a great wave on boat without surf system by using a suck gate and having plenty of ballast, or you can add GSA to a lot of models. I ride with a buddy that has GSA, its a 2006 and with over 4k of ballast, has a very nice wave. Been thinking of adding GSA to my 2014

[DW SD]

I question if you get a lot more wave for your money unless you go to a G series which is $100k and up.

I have a very nice OG super air 210 (2001). It was $26k with a new interior and ballast upgrades. After adding piggyback bags and a bunch of lead wake bags (15)and a mission delta suck gate in very happy either surf wave. It took me about one year to tune and dial it in. But I'm never w very happy with it.

Check out the videos of us surfing on my boat. Changing sides is a matter of switching the mission delta fin and moving 8x 50 lb bags to the other side. Riding backside isn't so desirable anyways so even with the flip of a switch I'm not sure I'd do it much.

https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0sGPCdxkJJkU1

Unless you have a ton of cash, I'd steer you towards similar. If you want a lot more be prepared to spend closer to $100k for a G series.

BTW- I'm the heavier guy in the videos and 190lb and ride a 4'8" dart surfboard (L not XL). I do not, at all, need a big boy board with the wave on my boat.


Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

[Soul_surfer]

I bought a 2017 Nautique 210. And definitely NSS is a must If you want to surf. But if you are a skiier and just want to surf sometimes maybe not a must, more ballast and/or people on you surfing side the 210 give a great wave too. Thing about surfgate is they really make boat fuel hungry and always have to make external turn when surfing ( Nautique boat prefer internal turns for keeping a good surf wave buts that's a detail haha..)
after years Of surfing I tried all surf system and the NSS is pretty much the best on the market. 210/230 begin to have them in 2014 so it would be a great choice if you want to surf.
adding a nss system on a 2012 2013 maybe not a so good idea.. Depending on price.
i've just done a quick research and buying a 2012 210 and spending K's to install à NSS system on it gonna be at the end almost the same price for a 2014 with it..

but it's not the perfect boat for skiing.. I'm able to do it and it's nice but nothing like my older sport Nautique haha.
you can't really have it all I think, now the hulls are designed to make huge wave even on the idle so it's hard to have a really plane ski wake.
its a personnal choice, more ski than surf or more surf than ski.
Personally I would take a more surfing machine because it's harder to make a ski boat have a good surf wave than the opposite.
210 make a better ski wave. It's a good versatile boat and i really like it.

We are pretty much always 4 adults and 3 kids on the boat and plenty of place, my lake have a size restriction so the 230 was too big.. but I don't think i would bought it either,
23 is just too big for my needs.
And the 210 line definitely more skiable than the G series. Because skiing was I must for me. But when I'm skiing is just my wife driving no more weight or people.

good luck!

[lucky7t]

The advantage of the newer boats is simplicity . If you get one with nss and pro ballast it's simply touching a button to surf . While I do agree you can sac out an OG and get a great wave . Just easier to touch a button and go.

With that being said I prefer the 210 . Just easy and works


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ZIRB3L]

DW, what is your weight set up for that wave?

I have an 03 and my wake seams to change drastically every time i go out. need more time dialing it in I guess.

NVM, I found you previous thread