2018 230 vs 2017 X23

[thejean]

Hey lads and ladies, torn between a new 2018 230 ($125k) vs a leftover 2017 X23 ($147k) that I can get a killer deal on ($30k off normal pricing). There are used 2015 X23's for sale in my area for between $145-155k right now for comparison).

Here's the scoop. We mostly surf and have a 9 year old that surfed our old 2013 23 LSV pretty good but she struggled on my buddy's 230. Same with his daughter but both surfed the 23 LSV really well (mellow wake with no wedge).

I have ridden both and I think the 230 wave is every bit as tall but just not as long. It's a bit more steep than the X23 wave as well. The X23 wave can be tall and steep if you choose as well. The 230 loaded with a bow bag and 750's is 8100 lbs total and an X23 stock is 8500 lbs loaded up. I realize I can run more bow ballast on a 230 to lengthen it and can also run less total ballast if I want to mellow it out for the kids. In a nutshell, I feel like the MC wake is slightly better and more forgiving than a 230 wake. But the boat is $25k more after tax and a model year older. So let's go to features:

230 Pros/features:
Wife likes it better
Steep wave good for tricks
More customizable wave???
Surf band for side switching from board
Nicer transom walk through
Can make it to order and pick whatever colours I want
Awesome new dash in 2018
Rear view camera
Go pro mounts
Four 8.8" speakers vs 2 7" in the X23
Nicer Bimini
Upgraded speakers
Sea deck
Traditional bow (which I prefer)
Less bow rise (don't need to stand to see)
Boat doesn't list when surfing
Better slow speed wakeboard wake???
Not as wide so more room in the boat slip

X23 pros/features:
Rear facing transom seats (which I actually quite like)
Rear facing bench
Cool looking tower
Bigger motor (436hp vs 409 in 230)
More spacious interior
Bow seat arm rests
More comfortable seats
Better overall storage

I would say the fit and finish on both are comparable. My wife is not a fan of the white on orange on the MC, which could be a deal breaker. I also don't believe this X23 has the dockstar option. But $30k off is quite a deal. I could sell it in two years and maybe lose $5k. The 230 I will likely lose $20k IF I were to sell it in two years.

My question is - is the X23 really that much more boat? Why do people compare it to the G23 and not the 230? I looked at some videos of the XT23 and the wave was atrocious. I know people like to compare it to the 230 and it's more in the 230 price range. But I am struggling to see why people are spending so much on these X23's and I feel like maybe I'm missing something? I can kind of get why a G23 is more because of the storage and different construction but the X23 seems like it should be compared to the 230 and not the G23 as much.

And then there's the fact that MC is updating their dash in 2018 so I would be getting last year of the old dash design. How much are these updated techy features worth? Do people even use them or are they just gimmicks? Should I be focused on wave and everything else is secondary?

So what would you guys do, spend the extra $25k for the older X23 or go with the latest and greatest 230? I also feel like the dealer might even go lower again... will see.

Thanks and all opinions welcome.

[wakemaker]

g23 for 150 is something that can be done and will be all the boat u need x23 is gone and will not bring the resale $$
i have a 2017 230 and needed lead 1200 lbs that way y still have the space in the back

[wawasee]

Your Pros list is longer for the 230 than the X23. I would spend less and order the new boat. I am just not a fan of the picklefork bow on the MC. I really like the new upgrades to the 230 and 210. If wave is of superior importance to you, I think that should be your focus. As far as dash and tech features, I always look to the most user friendly system that has the most reliability. Good luck!

[thejean]

g23 for 150 is something that can be done and will be all the boat u need x23 is gone and will not bring the resale $$
i have a 2017 230 and needed lead 1200 lbs that way y still have the space in the back

My prices above were Canadian. A 2017 G23 was going to run 170k up here. I don't see that it's $50k more boat though and certainly not what I need right now. If money were no object then perhaps....

Anyway, not sure what you mean by X23 is "gone"...?

Does your 2017 230 have the pro series ballast? Any bags at in the boat or just the 1200 lbs of lead?

[vanhanbr]

Your wife likes the 230 better, I would buy the boat before she decides she wants to remodel the kitchen instead.

[R0CKETMAN]

As a lifelong MC boat guy I'm not a fan of the newer hull. It looks broken on the water. They lost me..

[thejean]

I'm seeing some nice pics of the 230 surf wave but sound like some big weight is needed to get this boat up over 8000 lbs loaded (no people). So my next question, what are the biggest bags that can go on these? My buddy has 750's but I feel like he could go taller if he was ok losing the storage trays. Anyone gone bigger? 900's, 1100's? I'm ok reinforcing the engine bay walls.

[nohlan_4]

Buy a 2016 G for that 150k range and be happy.

[thejean]

That's just the thing. 2016's G's aren't in that range. They are closer to $160k used and I am confident of that as I know a guy who just bought one. That's a far cry from 124...

[Infinity]

I vote for the 230 as well. They did some nice things in 2018 and just spent some time in one the other day. Nautique will also hold its value very well, I see most of the 210 and 230 boats sell pretty quick when they hit market.

[nohlan_4]

That's just the thing. 2016's G's aren't in that range. They are closer to $160k used and I am confident of that as I know a guy who just bought one. That's a far cry from 124...

Depends how good you can negotiate. Your also thinking about buying in the off season. Wait till before Xmas and I'm sure wizard will want to deal on used inventory. Your at an advantage remember that. Plus I would leery buying a 230, my gut says they might kill them 210/230 soon.

[Wayward]

X23 is "gone"???? I don't think so...... that model will be around for longer than the 230......

If you are looking to primarily surf, I'd go with the X23 for sure..... but that is a pretty big price gap. Some folks opinions are different, and everyone likes there own wave shape. That said, I wish my G surfed like the X23 I had. There are so many different wave shapes you can produce behind a X23, and they are all excellent. I can only put out one type of wave behind my G. Steep and thick, with a good lip. I can definitely "tweak" it. But can't change the base wave. Been a couple years since I have surfed a 230. Don't remember it well, but it obviously didn't stand out in my memory either.....

love the looks of the 230 though

[thejean]

Thanks. That is a helpful reply.

And yeah, it is a big price gap. And a year older with fewer features...

[Wayward]

Thanks. That is a helpful reply.

And yeah, it is a big price gap. And a year older with fewer features...

Way more boat as well, though.....

Just FYI, if you do get the X23, I'd definitely recommend grabbing 400lbs of lead as well. Pull the rear bags out, and drop 200lbs of lead in each side. You won't notice it when you are empty, and it's nice to have compartments back there, without the hassle of any bags..... especially with the lounge seats. It makes a great place for life jackets being easily reached right from the platform.

[Infinity]

OP...the boat shows they have early in 2018 always offer some better incentives and deals since that is their "push time"...factories will work with dealers during the shows to get price down to move boats and create orders. Just a thought since this season is about over anyway. I am also thinking about upgrading, if I do...that is the time I will do it. Got a smoking deal in Feb of this year at boat show on a new leftover. Of course there is always a possiblity the specific one you like will be gone if you wait but that is just how I roll since I am not wealthy and work too hard for my money