G25 to G23 Experience

[Bevostein]

Considering selling my 13 G25 and going to something new or newer. Going to a G23 is on the table. We like the space of the 25 and have several weekends where it comes in handy (other families out with us, large groups of kids, etc) but we also have many where it is more space than we need with just our family of 4 and maybe a couple of friends. Wondering if anyone has moved from a 25 to a 23 and could offer thoughts on their experience, positive or negative.

[tsatrooper]

I'm in the same *boat* as you are. We love our 25 because of the room, but we are entertaining the thought of a 23 because of the better wake/surf wake. I'm curious in others responses too.

[SoCal G-Man]

I'm in the same *boat* as you are. We love our 25 because of the room, but we are entertaining the thought of a 23 because of the better wake/surf wake. I'm curious in others responses too.

For what it's worth, I was set to buy a G25 due to the size and room, and I had the fortune to test the G23 and G25 at the lake side by side on the same day, as the dealer was doing demo rides behind both. The G23 wake was better; it was noticable. I did not get to drive both in choppy water, but my G23 handles Lake Havasu pretty good. We have had 12 adults on at one time, and we have also had 6 adults with 8 kids. No lack of seating or room issues at all.

[Hogwild]

I agree the stock surf wave on a G23 is better than the stock wave of a G25, slightly. However, a G25 with 2 extra 750's in the rear lockers blows away any G23 surf wave, it's not even comparable or a debate. Just my 2 cents on these first world problems

[SoCal G-Man]

I agree the stock surf wave on a G23 is better than the stock wave of a G25, slightly. However, a G25 with 2 extra 750's in the rear lockers blows away any G23 surf wave, it's not even comparable or a debate. Just my 2 cents on these are first world problems

I added my 400-lbs bags when I did the demos to see what difference it made to each boat, and tried them in the rear lockers and under the side seats. It was not enough weight to make a difference, with 5 guys on each boat. I would love to try a G25 with the 750s.

[Bevostein]

I'm in the same *boat* as you are. We love our 25 because of the room, but we are entertaining the thought of a 23 because of the better wake/surf wake. I'm curious in others responses too.

Regarding the wake, what I have been told for the 2016 and later years is that the G25 can put out a wake equal to the G23 with some rear weight. This info is coming from a very accomplished rider who regularly surfs both.

He said out of the box and running stock weight in both both boats the G23 wave will be steeper than the G25. The G25 will be more mellow and longer, again out of the box stock. However he also said the steepness of the G25 wave can be increased with weight in the rear lockers. He said something around 750-900lbs. This would be beneficial in the G25 as you could adjust the weight depending on your crew. Full when you don't have a boat full of people and empty when you do. He said he would not add any weight to a G23 except to counter act prop rotation BUT if someone were to add weight to a G23 his recommendation was to add primarily in the midship area with maybe some in the bow.

[Tallredrider]

I came from a Malibu 247 to a G23, so I had similar concerns about going to a smaller sized boat. You can cram as many people as you would ever want in a G23. I spent a week at Lake Powell with only our boat and 14 adults. It was snug, but plenty doable.

Having said that, If price and wave performance were not issues, then bigger is always better. Interesting that some believe the 25 with more rear weight can perform even better. You just have to decide if having bags in your storage is worth the trouble.

[GMLIII]

Regarding the wake, what I have been told for the 2016 and later years is that the G25 can put out a wake equal to the G23 with some rear weight. This info is coming from a very accomplished rider who regularly surfs both.

He said out of the box and running stock weight in both both boats the G23 wave will be steeper than the G25. The G25 will be more mellow and longer, again out of the box stock. However he also said the steepness of the G25 wave can be increased with weight in the rear lockers. He said something around 750-900lbs. This would be beneficial in the G25 as you could adjust the weight depending on your crew. Full when you don't have a boat full of people and empty when you do. He said he would not add any weight to a G23 except to counter act prop rotation BUT if someone were to add weight to a G23 his recommendation was to add primarily in the midship area with maybe some in the bow.

Correct on extra weight in the G23 . All my steel shot bags are midship or bow , none in stern lockers

[GMLIII]

I came from a Malibu 247 to a G23, so I had similar concerns about going to a smaller sized boat. You can cram as many people as you would ever want in a G23. I spent a week at Lake Powell with only our boat and 14 adults. It was snug, but plenty doable.

Having said that, If price and wave performance were not issues, then bigger is always better. Interesting that some believe the 25 with more rear weight can perform even better. You just have to decide if having bags in your storage is worth the trouble.

Wow a week with 14 folks in your boat, I bet you got to know one another very well over the stay at Lake Powell?