Maybe leaving Malibu for GS22 or Super Air 230....tough decision??

[rjlewisii]

This has probably been answered in the past but I'm new to the forum and soon may be new to Nautique. I currently own a '16 Malibu 22 VLX, great wake with twin 1100 sacs in the aft lockers. They are too large for the compartments but the dealer didn't have the 750's in stock and I didn't want to wait. The wave is great, long or tall, dealers choice. Numerous other issues which have me looking the Nautique which I hadn't in the past because of $$. Got the $$ now, (not enough for a G) and I'm comparing the 230 and the GS22.
My question is, we are pretty much full time surfers with a very occasional wake board ride, haven't pulled the skis out for many years. I understand the GS is a multi sport boat and the 230 is primarily for wake. Does this mean that the 230 will have a taller and longer wake than the GS? Also, do most load either with extra ballast? How much?

They're both beautiful and I'm planning to demo them later this week so I'll see 1st hand but wanted to hear what everyone else thinks.

Thanks in advance for your info. Looking forward to new ride!

Rob

[Evening Shade]

While I don't have personal experience with the 230 or GS22 I do have a GS20 and read a lot of opinions about the capabilities of all the Nautiques on here.

Based on what you've said your primary use will be, I think the 230 is hands down the boat for you. It will probably save you a little money compared to the GS22 as well.

[charlesml3]

If you're given up skiing then there's no compelling reason to go with the GS boats. They're designed to replace the SV-211 as a good "all around" boat for wakeboarding, wakesurfing, and skiing.

The 230 is primarily a surf boat that will also wakeboard fairly decently. Nobody would ski behind one. Nor would they ski behind a G, either.

Here's a surfing summary thread I created on the 230: https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...summary-thread

-Charles

[pinner99]

I had a 2015 Malibu vlx and could not stand it, left over to nautique and have not looked back, you wont regret the decision. I now have a GS22 which I think is a great boat and we primarily surf. Love the wave but we do add extra ballast for sure. I put a 750 in each locker and the wave is great with a ton of push. My buddy has a 230 which he has taken out the 400s and put in 750s and the 230 makes a great wave also. IMO the GS22 wave has a lot more push I find for me but Im a bigger guy. You will not regret going with either boat.

[rjlewisii]

Thanks to all for the info. Either way it's going to be fun shopping for and demoing the 2 boats! Certainly sounds like I'll have no regrets with the switch.

[JoeA]

What about a used G23?

[rjlewisii]

Actually there is a 2014 G23 with only 47 hrs on to. Gonna take a look at that too.

[rjlewisii]

Ok, the verdict is in. Surfed behind the GS22 and the SAN 230 today. Both were loaded with 400 lbs in the aft lockers and the wake was good, not as good as the VLX with 1100 pound sacs so it wasn't exactly an apples to apples comparison. I think with additional weight, ti will be as good if not better. We decided to go with the SAN 230 as a pure surf boat and liked the performance slightly better although both were great.
Thanks to all for your input. Looking forward to the next season.

[rjlewisii]

If you're given up skiing then there's no compelling reason to go with the GS boats. They're designed to replace the SV-211 as a good "all around" boat for wakeboarding, wakesurfing, and skiing.

The 230 is primarily a surf boat that will also wakeboard fairly decently. Nobody would ski behind one. Nor would they ski behind a G, either.

Here's a surfing summary thread I created on the 230: https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...summary-thread

-Charles

Charles, thanks for the link, great stuff that'll I'll use when we get the boat! Looking forward to that day.
Thanks again.
Rob

[Tallredrider]

Ok, the verdict is in. Surfed behind the GS22 and the SAN 230 today. Both were loaded with 400 lbs in the aft lockers and the wake was good, not as good as the VLX with 1100 pound sacs so it wasn't exactly an apples to apples comparison. I think with additional weight, ti will be as good if not better. We decided to go with the SAN 230 as a pure surf boat and liked the performance slightly better although both were great.
Thanks to all for your input. Looking forward to the next season.

Congrats, and welcome to the club. It is always fun to see people make their decision, and how they arrived at that.

[Neverenough]

If surf is your plan get a G23. We’ve had a 15 230 and it has a good surf wave that when you add ballast gets really good. I believe the GS is built the same way as the G in that they use several molds instead of a top deck and hull. Look at build pics of Gs. I don’t quite understand or know all of it but we have a G now and it’s the most solid boat I’ve owned. It doesn’t squeak or rattle at all on any water. 230 was great but not as solid as the G. My assumption is that the GS is like G the how solid it is. I don’t think there’s enough knowledge on GSs that have been slammed with ballast like people have done with 230. That said the GS could have a great or even better surf wave than a 230. Either way if I’m buying a boat for surf I’m getting the G even if I have to find a clean used one that fits my budget. I wouldn’t say that a none weighted G wave is better than a slammed 230. It’s just different. 230 is more smooth and not as firm like you might use a skim style board on. The G slammed is a wall and awesome for surf style boards and you can lighten up and make a wave similar to a 230.

[thejean]

I went through the exact same debate you did. Check out my thread on here. Started out looking at 2018 230’s and then 2018 GS22’s (tested one actually) and ended up with a 2017 G23. The GS boat is good but definitely needs some extra ballast to surf well. That boat also felt small and shallow compared to the G, which some may prefer. The 230 has a similar shallow feel but throws out a killer surf wave with 750’s in the back but USA bit more finicky for wakeboarding if that matters to you. The G23 just does everything well and I have a one ton truck so no towing issues like some might have. When I looked at resale, the cost of ownership over five years was nearly exactly the same between the three boats. But certainly the 230 is a great great boat. If the tower height on the 2018 230 wasn’t so low (like the GS boats), I may have even gone that way myself. But the storage and safety factor of the added freeboard really appeals to me, as does the styling of the G bow.

As for Malibu, I also had a 2013 LSV. I demoed a 2018 LSV also. Could have gotten one for $30k less than the G23 and I still ended up getting the G. There is no comparison in fit and finish. I only had my Malibu for one season and after being on a buddy’s nautique, I knew immediately it was going to be Nautique or mastercraft. Once you’ve been on a SAN any amount, you will never again wish you had a Malibu. They are great boats at a great price point, but they don’t hold a candle to the Nautiques IMO.

[rjlewisii]

Congrats, and welcome to the club. It is always fun to see people make their decision, and how they arrived at that.

Thanks!

[rjlewisii]

If surf is your plan get a G23. We’ve had a 15 230 and it has a good surf wave that when you add ballast gets really good. I believe the GS is built the same way as the G in that they use several molds instead of a top deck and hull. Look at build pics of Gs. I don’t quite understand or know all of it but we have a G now and it’s the most solid boat I’ve owned. It doesn’t squeak or rattle at all on any water. 230 was great but not as solid as the G. My assumption is that the GS is like G the how solid it is. I don’t think there’s enough knowledge on GSs that have been slammed with ballast like people have done with 230. That said the GS could have a great or even better surf wave than a 230. Either way if I’m buying a boat for surf I’m getting the G even if I have to find a clean used one that fits my budget. I wouldn’t say that a none weighted G wave is better than a slammed 230. It’s just different. 230 is more smooth and not as firm like you might use a skim style board on. The G slammed is a wall and awesome for surf style boards and you can lighten up and make a wave similar to a 230.

Thanks, looking forward to trying it out. Right now, living in MD with a 5 month season, I can't justify the G's $$. I'll start with the SAN and maybe jump to the G in a few years.

[rjlewisii]

I went through the exact same debate you did. Check out my thread on here. Started out looking at 2018 230’s and then 2018 GS22’s (tested one actually) and ended up with a 2017 G23. The GS boat is good but definitely needs some extra ballast to surf well. That boat also felt small and shallow compared to the G, which some may prefer. The 230 has a similar shallow feel but throws out a killer surf wave with 750’s in the back but USA bit more finicky for wakeboarding if that matters to you. The G23 just does everything well and I have a one ton truck so no towing issues like some might have. When I looked at resale, the cost of ownership over five years was nearly exactly the same between the three boats. But certainly the 230 is a great great boat. If the tower height on the 2018 230 wasn’t so low (like the GS boats), I may have even gone that way myself. But the storage and safety factor of the added freeboard really appeals to me, as does the styling of the G bow.

As for Malibu, I also had a 2013 LSV. I demoed a 2018 LSV also. Could have gotten one for $30k less than the G23 and I still ended up getting the G. There is no comparison in fit and finish. I only had my Malibu for one season and after being on a buddy’s nautique, I knew immediately it was going to be Nautique or mastercraft. Once you’ve been on a SAN any amount, you will never again wish you had a Malibu. They are great boats at a great price point, but they don’t hold a candle to the Nautiques IMO.

Agreed, the G is a tank! The SAN 230 may be a stepping stone to the G in a couple of years. It will definitely be a fun transition from Malibu. I've loved the wake behind the VLX22 loaded with extra ballast and hopefully I can match or exceed that with the 230. The transfer will take some getting used to as the NSS is much quicker than the surf gates. Gonna be fun, thanks!