G23 vs New Xstar vs M235

[fearocks]

It may be because the G23 has more of a flatter hull design vs the extreme deep-V design of the Mastercraft X24, but I was wondering why Mastercraft is still constructed with the 3 dorsal center fins like the traditional ski boats whereas the G23 is down to only one dorsal fin. Any ideas?

That's a good question! I can say that the X24 did outhandle the G23, as far as being nimble; maybe those dorsal fins are to prevent torsional roll.... it is a significantly lighter craft. One thing that the X24 has that's pretty awesome is their DockStar system, which adds two additional "rudders" in front of the prop, which is a game-changer for going in reverse. Mastercraft should be marketing this feature to the max!

[fearocks]

GMLIII Do you know if you have to choose the Surf Select option to use the Pebble, or now Garmin, or is Surf Select strictly for Nautique's wrist band? I guess what I'm trying to figure out is can I get away with not selecting Surf Select and still use a Garmin or Pebble to switch the wave, or do I have to Select Surf Select, either way?

[GMLIII]

GMLIII Do you know if you have to choose the Surf Select option to use the Pebble, or now Garmin, or is Surf Select strictly for Nautique's wrist band? I guess what I'm trying to figure out is can I get away with not selecting Surf Select and still use a Garmin or Pebble to switch the wave, or do I have to Select Surf Select, either way?

Surf Select required to use Pebble on 2019 and prior models. 2020 models will use only the Garmin requires the Surf Select option as well

[fearocks]

Surf Select required to use Pebble on 2019 and prior models. 2020 models will use only the Garmin requires the Surf Select option as well

Great, thank you! I guess I will need to go back and add that into the build!

[fearocks]

(MASTERCRAFT) ILMOR'S NEW 7.4L ENGINE & (NAUTIQUE) PCM's NEW ZR7 ENGINE

I was originally torn between Mastercraft's existing 6.2L (430 HP) and their new for 2020 7.4L (522 HP) Ilmore engines versus Nautique's existing H6 (450 HP) and their new for 2020 ZR7 (475 HP) PCM engines. At first glance, it looked like Mastercraft was the clear winner at 1,000 lbs. less on the X24 with almost 50 additional HP on their new engine, however when I began to look further, noticed that both engines are PFi (MPI). Once I noticed this, it brought me back to both companies' previous engine leaders; although Mastercraft's X24 still wins lb. (HP) for lb. (Craft Weight), using either's new engine as a deciding factor quickly slid away.

[Cosurfer]

(MASTERCRAFT) ILMOR'S NEW 7.4L ENGINE & (NAUTIQUE) PCM's NEW ZR7 ENGINE

I was originally torn between Mastercraft's existing 6.2L (430 HP) and their new for 2020 7.4L (522 HP) Ilmore engines versus Nautique's existing H6 (450 HP) and their new for 2020 ZR7 (475 HP) PCM engines. At first glance, it looked like Mastercraft was the clear winner at 1,000 lbs. less on the X24 with almost 50 additional HP on their new engine, however when I began to look further, noticed that both engines are PFi (MPI). Once I noticed this, it brought me back to both companies' previous engine leaders; although Mastercraft's X24 still wins lb. (HP) for lb. (Craft Weight), using either's new engine as a deciding factor quickly slid away.

I was concerned about the 450 engine capability since we are in Colorado at 6,000 feet elevation. After our first trip out I felt it had plenty of power. I even took my dad out water skiing and it performed awesome. Another interesting turn is right before we bought the G23 the local Mastercraft dropped their prices dramatically. That caused me a little concern because they were not able to sell their X22's, X24's and Star's this year. I am super stoked on our new G23!

[Wayward]

(MASTERCRAFT) ILMOR'S NEW 7.4L ENGINE & (NAUTIQUE) PCM's NEW ZR7 ENGINE

I was originally torn between Mastercraft's existing 6.2L (430 HP) and their new for 2020 7.4L (522 HP) Ilmore engines versus Nautique's existing H6 (450 HP) and their new for 2020 ZR7 (475 HP) PCM engines. At first glance, it looked like Mastercraft was the clear winner at 1,000 lbs. less on the X24 with almost 50 additional HP on their new engine, however when I began to look further, noticed that both engines are PFi (MPI). Once I noticed this, it brought me back to both companies' previous engine leaders; although Mastercraft's X24 still wins lb. (HP) for lb. (Craft Weight), using either's new engine as a deciding factor quickly slid away.

With 2:1 gearboxes in both options, (X24, and G23), you’ll find that you don’t really need to get the big engines. Both 6.2s do very well.

The MasterCraft 522hp 7.4l, isn’t new. It has been available since 2011. It is a hand built race engine, and is quite a different animal than the marinized crate engines (Basically every other engine offered in a tow boat). I had three boats with the Ilmor 7.4 in the past, and I loved it, but it is overkill in a boat with a 2:1. I did the 6.2 in my X24 and my 2020 XStar. It has easily handled everything I have thrown at it.

[fearocks]

I was concerned about the 450 engine capability since we are in Colorado at 6,000 feet elevation. After our first trip out I felt it had plenty of power. I even took my dad out water skiing and it performed awesome. Another interesting turn is right before we bought the G23 the local Mastercraft dropped their prices dramatically. That caused me a little concern because they were not able to sell their X22's, X24's and Star's this year. I am super stoked on our new G23!

Great looking boat! I was also concerned about the elevation in Colorado. Although I'm planning to use the boat in Texas / Oklahoma, for the most part, bringing it to some lakes around here, or over in Utah, didn't sound like a bad idea. How's that two-axle handling the mountains?

[greggmck]

Great looking boat! I was also concerned about the elevation in Colorado. Although I'm planning to use the boat in Texas / Oklahoma, for the most part, bringing it to some lakes around here, or over in Utah, didn't sound like a bad idea. How's that two-axle handling the mountains?

In my opinion one of the most worthwhile investments I have made was going from a two to three axle trailer for my G23. The boat center of mass sits squarely between the three axles greatly reducing tounge weight on your tow vehicle. Combine a three axle trailer with electric over hydraulic brakes and towing in any condition is a breeze.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[fearocks]

In my opinion one of the most worthwhile investments I have made was going from a two to three axle trailer for my G23. The boat center of mass sits squarely between the three axles greatly reducing tounge weight on your tow vehicle. Combine a three axle trailer with electric over hydraulic brakes and towing in any condition is a breeze.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Nice, that's exactly the style of trailer I was looking at, since I may end up taking it through the mountains.... just wanted to make sure I wasn't going overkill

[fearocks]

I THINK I'VE MADE MY DECISION

I've been pretty torn between the G23 and X24 and with, all things considered, I was starting to favor the X24, especially when the Mastercraft dealer gave me a better deal off the line. Although I had more legroom in the captain's chair in the G23, I fit better everywhere else in the X24. The transom lounge seats on the X24 are far more comfortable than the 2020 seats in the G23. The biggest thing I didn't like about the X24 was that I'd have to go aftermarket on the sound system. I had hopes for Mastercraft's new Premium Plus Audio, however when a larger Mastercraft dealer told me they'd brought in their own aftermarket group to handle premium sound, that hope faded. In their words,"the premium plus audio can't compete with the G23's JL system", which is why they had one of the top audio groups in Texas open a branch within their facility, which when installed would decimate any standard audio; basically I would order the boat with the Premium Plus Audio and no tower speakers and then they would swap the amps, subs, and install either JL or West Sound cans... this endeavor would result in somewhere between a $5k to $10k difference... not really a big deal since it'd all be done in-house, however still a strike in my book.

The factors which stuck in my mind are: (Not in any order... there are definitely more important things to consider, but these are the things which intrigued me the most)

G23	X24
More room at the captain's chair	More room around the boat
Rear Thruster	Dock Star
Windshield	Taller seating area around the boat
In-floor cooler	Power to weight ratio
In-water exhaust	Cooling seats
Audio system	Comfortable seats
Wireless Charging	Interior Lighting
Storage	Handling
Taller Wave	Longer Wave
Tower	Bimini

In the end, it looks like I'll be going with the G23. I had no desire to allow money to make the decision, however with two boats this close in desire, that's what it looks like it may come down to. I know both the Mastercraft and Nautique dealership owners, outside of their businesses, so no preference there, although I have been dealing with the Nautique owner direct, and someone in sales with Mastercraft. The Mastercraft dealer still offered me a better deal from the start and since they own several shops, they've got more wiggle room than the single shop Nautique owner. What tipped the scale was running into another Nautique dealer/owner yesterday, who's outfit is larger than both the Mastercraft and Nautique dealer, near my mother's house. He offered me a whopping $20k to $30k below the best offer I received from Mastercraft, so as long as it's apples to apples and Mastercraft doesn't come back just as strong, it looks like I'll be unloading a G23.

[Cosurfer]

Great looking boat! I was also concerned about the elevation in Colorado. Although I'm planning to use the boat in Texas / Oklahoma, for the most part, bringing it to some lakes around here, or over in Utah, didn't sound like a bad idea. How's that two-axle handling the mountains?

Thanks! I have only taken it out twice and I haven't had any issues with the towing. We did a 2 hour round trip today and it did great. A 3 axle with elec brakes would have been awesome but not in our budget.

Congrats on making a decision to go with the G23, you wont be disappointed!

[Wayward]

fearocks - Don’t get oversold on recommendations from Boat Town and Hydrotunes........ they’ve been singing that tune since way before MC ever switched from JL to Klipsch. They love to sell $20k stereo upgrades.

Either way, this is a battle you can’t lose. Both boats are great choices.

That said, are you not buying your new boat from a local dealer?? If you aren’t......, I’d be most concerned about that decision. That decision will likely have more impact on your ownership experience than any other detail of these boats.

[GMLIII]

fearocks - Don’t get oversold on recommendations from Boat Town and Hydrotunes........ they’ve been singing that tune since way before MC ever switched from JL to Klipsch. They love to sell $20k stereo upgrades.

Either way, this is a battle you can’t lose. Both boats are great choices.

That said, are you not buying your new boat from a local dealer?? If you aren’t......, I’d be most concerned about that decision. That decision will likely have more impact on your ownership experience than any other detail of these boats.

I very great point . Great advice.

[revolve77]

Prior to us purchasing our Nautique we had a similar dilemma deciding between Nautique and Mastercraft. Our decision to go with Nautique was heavily influenced by our local dealer. Not aiming to trash the local Mastercraft dealer but their sales staff was far less engaging and the service dept. seemed a bit taxed for a relatively simple service request. It could have been a full moon on that day but I wasn't going to risk that happening again should the need arise. As of late our Nautique dealer has gone through great lengths to ensure our satisfaction in almost every aspect and for that I will continue to remain loyal to the brand. I cannot stress enough the importance of dealer support.