2009 vs 2012 SAN 230???

[beamons]

Hi all,
I am looking at a couple 230's and I am looking for some advice.
For argument sake let's say they are completely identical(besides color, though I like both) in every way besides these few items:
2009 - hours 380, bimini, piggy back bags, no NSS
2012 - hours 850, no bimini, no piggy back bags, no NSS

What I am wondering about is what are the pros and cons between the two? Is there certain things about the the years that are issues or things to avoid. Also, because both boats are not possible for me to see in person, let's say the condition is also the same. Though I am sure they are not.
Would you rather have the 2012 Linc 1.0 versus the pre Linc gauges?
Thanks in advance
Brian

[ScooterMcgavin]

You are going to get some different opinions for sure, but I will say the hulls are identical so no change there, the towers are different and the biggest thing is No link vs link. I like my 09 with gauges but I like the linc too. I would say condition would be the deciding factor. 380 hrs vs 850 hrs is a pretty big difference and I'd definitely get them BOTH checked out by your own mechanic first, I love having a Bimini and Interior is another one, vinyl isn't cheap to redo so make sure the vinyl is good in both. One thing to note is I'm pretty sure you need linc 2.0 to run factory NSS through the linc if you plan on adding it. This can be done without going through linc but I wanted you to be aware if you plan on adding NSS, you'd have to run separate a switch to activate the plates. I would personally just get the one in better condition. Good luck can and you post pictures of the boats ?

[MTRBTR]

I prefer the gauges myself. A buddy of mine has had an '11 210 and a '17 210. Both screens were not very intuitive in my opinion. I personally also think NSS is not worth it. I will get killed for this but I know very few that can surf well enough to switch sides while surfing. If I am switching from a goofy to a regular rider, I can switch the suck gate over before one rider is out of the water and the other one is in.
Not sure which tower is on the '09 but the two point fold down towers sure are nice. I know the one on the 08 is a heavy beast but I think they switched over in 09?

[beamons]

Not sure which tower is on the '09 but the two point fold down towers sure are nice. I know the one on the 08 is a heavy beast but I think they switched over in 09?

They both have the newer styled towers. NSS in relation to the cost, I agree. I would switch my wedge from one side to the other for quite a while for 3k. Thinking of doing the max 1.6 conversion.
Scooter has a strong point, the condition will be huge. As far as I can tell so far they look pretty close but we all know how pictures can be. ScooterMcgavin , I would post them but I am playing the long game(late winter/early spring) so I don't want any competition.

[max 1.6]

They both have the newer styled towers. NSS in relation to the cost, I agree. I would switch my wedge from one side to the other for quite a while for 3k. Thinking of doing the max 1.6 conversion.
Scooter has a strong point, the condition will be huge. As far as I can tell so far they look pretty close but we all know how pictures can be. ScooterMcgavin , I would post them but I am playing the long game(late winter/early spring) so I don't want any competition.

Just for your info, my system is a good run under 3k.

[srock]

If condition is good and price appropriate.....2009 all the way. I am not anti screen but I am anti all-in-one screen. In this case I would take gauges and a suck gate or Max1.6.

[nautiques4life]

2012 230 owner here... With NSS- which I paid to have installed.
I am a wakeboarder... Don't really care for boat surfing... But would do it when the boat was all set up for it, rather than run a wake set in the middle of everyone else's wakesurf pulls. Started with a suck gate, splurged one winter and upgraded to NSS. Expensive yes... Worth it... Unfortunately yes.
We used to average 40-50 hrs on our boats a year... Now we are close to, and occasionally over 100. Sadly (as a wakeboarder) it's because of wakesurfing, and a big part of that is rhe NSS. Do we do transfers everytime we ride? Nope, but by day 3 of a trip, even the wakesurfers are looking for new ways to play. Do we use the adjustability of it everytime? Nope.. but when we are real stern heavy and steep can we lengthen it out without moving people or ballast- yeah. Is it easier for beginners to learn 3's with a gentle wake with more push than a really big steep (but short in length wake)... Yep. Apparently I'm the only one on here who likes NSS... But the fact that I am a wakeboarder saying this should tell you something. I know that in my case when I sell this boat it will probably have around 1000 hrs on it, whereas my last 2 nautiques were in the 500hr range after the same amount of years of ownership and it's because of the NSS.

Other things.... I like the look of the 09 tower better minus the swivel speaker mounts, but I think the 12 is better functionally. I also think the Linc offers other nice features... One of my favorite is auto stereo volume adjust. I read a lot of people saying "guages only" no electronics, screens are going to fail, etc on the forums... But in my totally non scientific research 98% of the people saying technology is bad haven't owned one when I look at the boats on their info. Ask owners on here with lincs how many of them want to go back or would pay the same amount on a new G with guages... And I bet that number goes way down. People argue down the road it will be harder to work on/service/get parts for etc... Maybe true, but will these boats just stop working? Doubtful, the worst example I can think of is the ECU's on the gt40s... Those parts are 20+ years old, and while not being produced anymore still have new work arounds. Maybe I'm biased (like all those biased without Linc systems in their boats are towards guages) but I think for resale, 90% of non forum geeks looking at an 11 with guages and a 12 with Linc priced fairly are going with the 12.

And I know youre trying to keep it sneaky, but without prices it is hard to pick.
Good luck, and post some pics once you've decided

[beamons]

Thanks everyone. With the price and hours it is quite a conundrum. I might go see one of them this weekend.
If anyone else has any thoughts please feel free.

[shag]

IMO, with good preventative maintenance yearly and care, the drivetrain in these boats should go 2000 hours plus. I would lean toward the 09. I think 09 was the best year (again my opinion) for the 230. Nice style, nice lines, and nice tower (either the Titan polished or I believe you could order the new style FCT in 2009 asa well). I personally like having gauges. LINC is nice tech, but I am not a tech guy. I have a hidden bluetooth dongle that connects instantly and is crisp/clear with the factory head unit so I am happy there. My Zero Off still works fine loaded and I have a 2008 - so 10 years old and over 1000 hours.
I added a Max NSS kit two years ago that also works flawlessly. I don't buy new boats (I will never be able to afford them lol) and I base my buying decision on the mechanical maintenance of the drivetrain more so than the appearance... Fiberglass can be reconditioned and look pretty **** good.
Best of luck!

[beamons]

So I looked at the 2012 and was very pleased, and found out more about the 2009, it is a coastal edition. After asking about it in another thread it sounds like it is not the best for my situation. Is this a significant deterrent? I was starting to lean towards the 2009 for hours and other suggested reasons.


Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

[distinguishedmotorsports]

Costal edition is never a bad thing imo if it’s been run in fresh water. They have stainless steel towers instead of aluminum and a couple extra features in the motor compartment to help combat the harsh side effects of salt water. I thing a fresh water cooling flush kit iirc.

[shag]

IF the coastal was not run in fresh water I would not see an issue with it. Most people will immediately discount a boast that was used in salt no matter if it was a coastal or not. I lived and skied in a salt environment for about 10 years with older nautiques and was meticulous about care and cleaning and can tell you that there were a few people like me who took very good care. I have seen boats used in salt with anal owners like me that were in better shape than fresh water boats. I can't quite give up traditional gauges yet - but that's just me.