Ok, decided on 18 G23, what are some options I have to have or avoid?

[Tallredrider]

No one's mentioned the thrusters!

I think there is not enough collective experience to know if it is going to be worthwhile. And if it is going to be trouble free. Having a thruster that breaks is going to be more frustrating than not having one at all.

[JieemQ]

No one's mentioned the thrusters!

Because if you need thrusters to maneuver a 23' boat you shouldn't be operating a boat.

[charlesml3]

I think there is not enough collective experience to know if it is going to be worthwhile. And if it is going to be trouble free. Having a thruster that breaks is going to be more frustrating than not having one at all.

That really is the right answer. It's a $10,000 option. Some of the other options that are much less expensive can fall into the "might as well" category but this one certainly does not.

The G23 isn't a terribly long boat, but the high gunwales really do catch the wind. I drive my neighbors boat a lot and it's a beast if the wind is across the bow.

-Charles

[Kenv]

As far as the thruster...would I order one...NO. Would I use it if it was free with the boat...probably yes. Doesn't matter how good of a driver you are....the is no arguement that in a windy situation that the thruster wouldn't help you control the boat better. Just the fact that it moves the boat side to side and not front to back is a win. A 10,000 win...probably not...but a win if you buy it.

[Bevostein]

Maybe I am in the minority but I think the thruster will hold little of its value for resale, especially at a $10K option price.

As a buyer of used boats that 2-3 years old I can tell you that when I buy my next boat I will place little to no value on a thruster. If I have two similarly priced boats, a thruster might help sway me to a particular boat but in no way will I seek one out or pay extra.

Also someone with a thruster posted on here an issue with the exhaust bubbling up through the platform in a strange way. It was believed to be caused by the thruster somehow interfering with the exhaust flow.

[blueroom]

I would like a thruster.

I am totally comfortable maneuvering our G23 in tight spaces etc. and have no worries. But, it would be awesome to have when navigating the mess of boats hanging around the floating restrooms when I need to drop someone off, hold for a bit and then pick them back up. It would make getting gas at the marina on 4th of July weekend a little more enjoyable. It would be helpful when I am trying to hold next to another boat when talking to a friend, etc. And it would be a benefit on those days that the afternoon winds are up and we are in line at the ramp. Plus, people would think my mad piloting skills are that much more impressive. : )

[ST3]

Because if you need thrusters to maneuver a 23' boat you shouldn't be operating a boat.

No need for anti lock brakes, traction control, and stability control in cars if you know how to drive...just something to think about. I totally agree that there are some people that shouldn’t drive a car not pilot a boat,however, the technology does add a level of control and safety that simply wasn’t available years ago.




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[Tallredrider]

Also someone with a thruster posted on here an issue with the exhaust bubbling up through the platform in a strange way. It was believed to be caused by the thruster somehow interfering with the exhaust flow.

As I recall, and I took a careful look at one at my dealership, the exhaust is ported out a different vent in the rear of the boat when the boat is idling. Otherwise the bubbles come up into the thruster and the thruster then becomes an air propeller, which really doesn't help. So yes, the surf pipe gets the shaft at idle speeds if you have a thruster. Just to prove I am not lazy, I found a picture. On the upper port side of the transom, just under the swimstep, next to the transom light, you can see the auxiliary exhaust port. The exhaust goes out there when your are idling.

This is what I understand, please correct me if I am mistaken.

[surroundsound64]

"As said above, I am confident the brown interior is going to look dated in a couple years...Future post in the year 2020: 'remember when everyone was ordering brown interiors, Ughh'."

Meh... King Ranch interiors have been around a long time and now Fiat and GM have come along with similar colors. I think they are pretty timeless. Especially if you pair them with other colors correctly.

[NAWTEAK]

I just want to say the thruster is awesome. Makes the boat turn on a dime, and lets face it the turning circle at idle has never been great on inboard boats. And the way the system has been integrated into the digital display with the ability to adjust sensitivity is super cool. Its not like there is a separate control for it either it's all low speed steering wheel movements, so i can see why it cost so much.
And you can reverse the boat very easily, don't even need to turn around to pick up fallen surfers!

[heel5man]

As I recall, and I took a careful look at one at my dealership, the exhaust is ported out a different vent in the rear of the boat when the boat is idling. Otherwise the bubbles come up into the thruster and the thruster then becomes an air propeller, which really doesn't help. So yes, the surf pipe gets the shaft at idle speeds if you have a thruster. Just to prove I am not lazy, I found a picture. On the upper port side of the transom, just under the swimstep, next to the transom light, you can see the auxiliary exhaust port. The exhaust goes out there when your are idling.

This is what I understand, please correct me if I am mistaken.

You are correct about the exhaust. And it creates an issue with splashing up from the swim deck at idle. Nautique told me they were working on a fix for 2019 that may or may not be available for 2018 owners.

Here’s a video I did for my dealer when I first noticed it.

https://youtu.be/9hO5YGb86Xo


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[oldsmobiledriver]

My MB had that. Easy on the engine at idle I guess!? Not many MB’s had it but for a few years. I deleted it last year and had added FAE the year before but you could still hear that little hole screaming!


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[SkiDoo]

I have to agree with NAWTEAK... The thruster is an excellent addition to a V-drive experience. I am comfortable putting the G pretty much anywhere but when I want to get in the water and surf myself, someone else can drive with confidence. We moore our boat in a cruiser dock so we back into our slip, the entire crew can back it in like a car. Picking up riders are a new experience, the boat spins on a dime and gets the boat pointed the direction you want without putting the boat in gear. Very expensive but there's a lot going on down there. The auto steer assist interface works well too. I am obviously worried about the shaft issues but so far 37 hours, so good. Just one more opinion.

[lucky7t]

I would like a thruster.

I am totally comfortable maneuvering our G23 in tight spaces etc. and have no worries. But, it would be awesome to have when navigating the mess of boats hanging around the floating restrooms when I need to drop someone off, hold for a bit and then pick them back up. It would make getting gas at the marina on 4th of July weekend a little more enjoyable. It would be helpful when I am trying to hold next to another boat when talking to a friend, etc. And it would be a benefit on those days that the afternoon winds are up and we are in line at the ramp. Plus, people would think my mad piloting skills are that much more impressive. : )

I’m with you . Driven many boats but those tight spaces especially on holidays would be super nice with thrusters on a G.


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[swc5150]

I'm not sure the brown interiors are here to stay based on what the auto industry is doing. Brown leather has been available since cars began. Not exactly chocolate, but sand interiors were available in the Ski Nautique's and MC's in the 80's. It didn't last too many years, like teal. But you never know?

I'd add a non-sheering prop shaft to the build