230 or G21?

[thejean]

Well, I will apologize in advance but here I am again, back with another dilemma. Let me first state that for those of you following my other thread I am 95% sure that Mastercraft is out of the picture now and I have settled on a Nautique. I also demoed a 23 LSV for ***** and giggles and wasn't impressed.

So I am back to the Nautiques, of which I was planning on a 2018 230 originally. But since I got used to the idea of paying more for a MC, I realized I could probably get into a G21 for similar money. Not to mention I can get the colour scheme I want in a G whereas I can't in a 230 (metal flake up the entire side).

I have also considered a G23 but my wife said no way as the 23 will be a good bit more $ than the 21 (yes we got actual pricing on all of them). Plus the 21 will fit nicely in our garage whereas the 23 won't.

So back to the G21... a few questions:
- how does a stock G21 surf compared to a 230 with upgraded ballast (750's and a bow bag)?
- is the pit at the front of the surf wake really an issue?
- how much smaller inside is the cabin (our crew is normally 3-6 people)?
- does the G21 need extra weight to surf well?
- does the G21 come pre-plumbed for plug-n-play bags in the lockers?

I would love to go test both but the dealer is 3 hrs away and I'll struggle to get there this weekend or next. Plus it's getting cold up here in Canada so surfing might be a no go anyway. Deals are good right now and I want to act soon.

Anyway, I will do my best to go test them but am curious as to what other's experiences have been? I'm afraid that if I go to a G21 I might be compromising the surf wake and spending more in the process for a smaller boat.

Thx!

[Kenv]

I have a G21 and would bet to say that a stock g21 wave is probably not as good as a modified 230 wave....from what I've heard. I love the width of my 21 more than losing 2 feet. It's fine with 6-7 in the boat. You really have to try them both. I bought my 21 blind without a test drive or ever being in one on the water and it has exceeded my expectations for what I use it for. Also....don't rule out a GS 22...if it fits in the garage.

[thejean]

I have a G21 and would bet to say that a stock g21 wave is probably not as good as a modified 230 wave....from what I've heard. I love the width of my 21 more than losing 2 feet. It's fine with 6-7 in the boat. You really have to try them both. I bought my 21 blind without a test drive or ever being in one on the water and it has exceeded my expectations for what I use it for. Also....don't rule out a GS 22...if it fits in the garage.

Thanks for the info, helpful indeed. What year is your boat? Does it have the flip around bench seat? Are the lockers plumbed in for bags?

I tested the GS22 and wasn't overly impressed with the stock surf wave. It definitely needs extra ballast to surf well (also my fear with the G21). It also feels small because it's so shallow. I don't know, just wasn't for us.

[Kenv]

It's a 15....and I don't think the lockers are plumbed. I never checked because I will never go more then stock. Works just fine for my crew. Yeah ....if you surf a lot I would stick to the G series vs the GS.

[thejean]

It's a 15....and I don't think the lockers are plumbed. I never checked because I will never go more then stock. Works just fine for my crew. Yeah ....if you surf a lot I would stick to the G series vs the GS.

How tall are you and do you hit your head on the speakers coming into the step down from the transom walk through?

[thejean]

Has anyone run a G21 with less weight to see if the surf wave mellows out a bit? I'm thinking some bow lead could lengthen and widen it but no proof of that. Or just run less ballast.

[nohlan_4]

First off the G21 is going to surf the best out of the box for stock ballast in any G boat (smaller boat same weight). They are not plumbed in for plug and play but its an easy mod that Wizard can do for you. Which year of G are you comparing 2018 230 to 2018 G21? Resale on the G21 is going to be boat loads better down the road as the 230 will be dead by then is my guess. Only thing about the G21 that bothers me is there is no in floor cooler which I love in the G23 and to me you lose cabin space going down to the 21 but keep the same bow area as a G23, and we never use the bow for anything but surf board storage. Compared to a 230 the G21 is a better boat all around I would say though and the space in both is similar with the G having a slightly bigger bow and the 230 having a longer cabin area but also narrower.

[thejean]

First off the G21 is going to surf the best out of the box for stock ballast in any G boat (smaller boat same weight). They are not plumbed in for plug and play but its an easy mod that Wizard can do for you. Which year of G are you comparing 2018 230 to 2018 G21? Resale on the G21 is going to be boat loads better down the road as the 230 will be dead by then is my guess. Only thing about the G21 that bothers me is there is no in floor cooler which I love in the G23 and to me you lose cabin space going down to the 21 but keep the same bow area as a G23, and we never use the bow for anything but surf board storage. Compared to a 230 the G21 is a better boat all around I would say though and the space in both is similar with the G having a slightly bigger bow and the 230 having a longer cabin area but also narrower.

Thanks Nohlan! It sounds you have some experience with these boats. Did you have either of them in the past (I see you have a G23 at the moment)?

And yes, I am comparing 2018 models. I looked at a 2017 G23 but even then the price was way out of range so then I started looking harder at the G21 and realized that it's significantly cheaper, might surf as good or better and would fit in the garage (I have a 9' door).

[nohlan_4]

Thanks Nohlan! It sounds you have some experience with these boats. Did you have either of them in the past (I see you have a G23 at the moment)?

And yes, I am comparing 2018 models. I looked at a 2017 G23 but even then the price was way out of range so then I started looking harder at the G21 and realized that it's significantly cheaper, might surf as good or better and would fit in the garage (I have a 9' door).

There is no shortage of G's on my lake. My uncle has a 2014 G21, and I currently have a G23 yes. I would honestly try and push my budget if I was you into a G23 even a 2016 they have some nice features that the G21 can't have, in floor cooler etc, but I do see that your terribly hung up on colors so that might not be an option. That being said if you have a usual crew of 3-6 ppl you will probably never desire to add extra weight into a G21 besides the normal 200# on the port side to counter prop rotation, it will surf pretty decent with stock ballast for 90% of people. Also when you say the G21 is significantly cheaper how are you optioning it? Typically I see 12-15k difference which to me on a 2018 is peanuts. Also if you are only worried about height of the door I would say the G21 and G23 are the same height on the trailer as long as the trailer is the same brand. A 9' door might fit if you let the air out of the tires on the trailer. My G23 sits at 8'9" on the trailer, 10' door minimum for my liking.

[thejean]

When I speak about fitting in garage I mean length as well. I think both will fit under the door but the 23 will seriously limit mobility around the garage and especially the access from the car and the exterior side door. With a G21 I will retain that access (I have a 3-car tandem and the boat will go on the long side as either boat would be very tight on the short side (24 ft from wall to door). On that side I also have hanging storage that would be a colossal pain to move and only have 83" clearance under that storage.

As for options, outfitted exactly the same as the 230. Price difference to a G23 is about double the what the gap is from the 230 to the G21.

[thejean]

It also looks like the G21 went from 5200 lbs in 2015 to 5550 lbs in 2016. Anyone know what the change was?

[nohlan_4]

When I speak about fitting in garage I mean length as well. I think both will fit under the door but the 23 will seriously limit mobility around the garage and especially the access from the car and the exterior side door. With a G21 I will retain that access (I have a 3-car tandem and the boat will go on the long side as either boat would be very tight on the short side (24 ft from wall to door). On that side I also have hanging storage that would be a colossal pain to move and only have 83" clearance under that storage.

As for options, outfitted exactly the same as the 230. Price difference to a G23 is about double the what the gap is from the 230 to the G21.

Ok because when they talk 9' doors it's the opening not accounting for garage door rails or openers and moulding etc. I would make sure the measurement 100%. Also can't be exactly the same as the g series has its own special options for 2018. Must mean similar. If similar the G21 is worth it for sure for a small jump in price. Even to a G23 we're talking less than 10% your already spending over 150k man, what does it matter honestly lol.

Weight change from 2015 would be the major hull update would be my guess in 2016.

[nohlan_4]

Also a side note not sure if you took your length measurement accounting for the platform but they are all easily removed. So would gain some there if you wanted to go 23.

[surfnjosh]

I just traded in my 230 for a G23, honestly I never once thought about a G21 nor would I ever in the future just from the fact you spend a bit more money and you got the flagship I would try and get in to one of them for sure.
I would look at 2016s you'll get the same hull/wake as an 18 and a better tower than the 17s. ( I think that all green one is badass btw) the 17s had the lower tower that was a stupid idea.

I prefer buying used myself, let someone else take the biggest hit on the depreciation.

[Master-Spud]

I kind of jumped around with the same choice... In the end I picked up a used 2016 G23... I just didn't want to regret my decision and end up trading boats yet again in a couple years because I wanted the nicer boat. Buy what you want the first time instead of taking the hit on a trade in a couple years from now. Also I just find the features and surf worth the extra $$$ on the G23. It is a dangerous game once you start stretching the budget further and further but I am still happy with my choice. But yes if you aren't 100% stuck on colors I would really look at the 2016+ G23's. you get the JL audio, the new hull, the helm control knob but can greatly reduce your purchase price compared to new. I know I purchased my fully loaded 2016 G23 used for about the same price as you are looking at a new G21.