2020 G23 at Altitude - Engine Recommendations

[Tchur1]

First thread post here so apologies if formatting or location is incorrect. I am looking at 2020 G23's and will be using the boat on Lake Tahoe 99% of the time. My dealer very strongly recommends the XR7 as necessary to properly surf/wakeboard at high elevation (about 6,000ft). I have a good friend with a 2019 G23 with the XR7 and it runs great on Tahoe.

I am curious though if the 2020 G23's can operate effectively with the ZZ6 or if upgrading to the XR7 is an absolute must.

Any feedback from G23 owners with the ZZ6 operating at elevation would be greatly appreciated.

[jedpeters]

Listen to the boys at Superior. You want the 550 up there—or the diesel. Trust me, the 450 suffers up there.

[Tchur1]

Listen to the boys at Superior. You want the 550 up there—or the diesel. Trust me, the 450 suffers up there.

do you have experience with the zz6/H6 up there? I’ve heard very conflicting opinions on its capabilities at altitude.

[Wayward]

A lot of factors involved, but a basic rule of thumb can be used...…..

3ish% loss per 1000 feet. So you'll lose 18-20% on Lake Tahoe. 390hp X 20% = 78hp loss. 390 - 78 = 312hp.

390 is the CARB hp rating for the ZZ6. If you want to count it as 450hp, youll be losing nearly 100hp.....

I would definitely go with the XR7 for Tahoe. Being Supercharged, the HP loss will be less of a percentage as well. Likely to be more like 2%, rather than 3%. It's hard to determine that exactly with the added variables of the supercharger though.

[kylant]

I lived/grew up in Tahoe, just recently moved.
I have the H6 in my GS22, I would not take any motor smaller than the H6 is this boat.
I had the ZR4 in a GS20. Altitude killed the ZR4.
I doubt the H6 will be enough motor for the G, even with the lower gear reduction.

My buddy has the XR7 and says it is a must. It is quite thirsty though.

I don't know anything about the new ZR7. Don't know if that would be enough motor.

I would just get the XR7 and be done with it.

[jedpeters]

I have experience on Tahoe with the underpowered motor. Loaded down with friends and family (as tends to happen on Tahoe) for extended periods of time (not even surfing or wakeboarding) the boat will lag, struggle to get on plane efficiently (or what you’re used to) and feel “bogged down”.

We have the 450 motor but are at sea level and mostly go to Folsom lake. The 1-2 trips to Tahoe a year have a smaller crew, and we don’t wakeboard with ballast.

[cbeitel123]

You need the XR7. Spoken from someone who has a place at Donner


Sent from my iPad using PLT Nautique

[Cosurfer]

We bought a new 19 G23 with the M6 in Denver (Elevation 5,600') I was very concerned about engine size but my dealer assured me it wasn't going to be an issue. We have about 20 hours on our boat and are very happy with the performance. The boat pops out of the water when surfing full ballast and an extra 500 pounds of lead. We pulled my dad water skiing at 30 mph no problem. We haven't wakeboarded on it yet but I dont anticpate any issues. Top end is around 35 mph. We did upgrade to a high altitude prop. I like the better MPG, the quieter motor and the better price!

[Tchur1]

Really appreciate everyone’s input and feedback. Just got back from test driving a 2020 with the zz6 with the team at superior. Was very impressed and based on their recommendation and input for my use case the zz6 sounds more than sufficient. Should hopefully have one ordered here soon

[nautiquegeek]

I see you are in San Francisco/NorCal area so your dealers would be Central Valley or Superior depending on your exact zip code but it seems you have already been out with Superior. They are great guys there and they will take care of you and know their stuff.

If you are primarily surfing the H6/ZZ6 will be a fine set up. However, if you are one of those that always has a large crew and occasionally likes to tow a wake boarder with full ballast the 450hp set up will be less than stellar in terms of getting on plane or pulling up a rider in a G23.

I delve further into the need for F/I on heavy, non efficient hull design boats (ie. G series) at elevation in the Paragon thread post #176 https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...paragon/page12

Good luck with your search.

[Tchur1]

I see you are in San Francisco/NorCal area so your dealers would be Central Valley or Superior depending on your exact zip code but it seems you have already been out with Superior. They are great guys there and they will take care of you and know their stuff.

If you are primarily surfing the H6/ZZ6 will be a fine set up. However, if you are one of those that always has a large crew and occasionally likes to tow a wake boarder with full ballast the 450hp set up will be less than stellar in terms of getting on plane or pulling up a rider in a G23.

I delve further into the need for F/I on heavy, non efficient hull design boats (ie. G series) at elevation in the Paragon thread post #176 https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...paragon/page12

Good luck with your search.

Great feedback and this is the exact response Superior had for me as well. I generally have a small crew. 4-6 people on the boat and mainly will be surfing. I am be no means a pro wakeboarder and after seeing the g23 with full ballast at wakeboard speed I can confidently say I will never wakeboard with the boat full. Too big for me.

Im confident the zz6 will be sufficient for my use case.

On a similar note I am looking at we pretty well optioned boat and looking at about 20% off MSRP. From research it seems like that is common for a g23. If I am way off or leaving meat on the bone please let me know.

[jedpeters]

20 off on a 2020 is a smoking deal. Leftover 2019, I think you can probably do a LITTLE better, maybe up to 25%. Again, this is from a norcal dealer (like superior) and not in another market that may have more competition.

[kylant]

you can always reprop if the ZZ6 is not enough. Like I said before, I have the H6 (ZZ6) in my GS22 and I would not want anything less. I had less and it was awful (this was in Tahoe). The G23 is about 1200# more dry. That may make a significant difference.

About Superior. They are simply fantastic. I feel they went above and beyond for me on my boat purchase. They got my boat sold, my new one ordered, and delivered sooner than I expected. Brandon, Josh, and Bob are fantastic to deal with. I have been using Bob for about 20 years, since he was at West Coast Correct Craft!

[nautiquegeek]

Great feedback and this is the exact response Superior had for me as well. I generally have a small crew. 4-6 people on the boat and mainly will be surfing. I am be no means a pro wakeboarder and after seeing the g23 with full ballast at wakeboard speed I can confidently say I will never wakeboard with the boat full. Too big for me.

Im confident the zz6 will be sufficient for my use case.

On a similar note I am looking at we pretty well optioned boat and looking at about 20% off MSRP. From research it seems like that is common for a g23. If I am way off or leaving meat on the bone please let me know.

I can't disclose what a dealer is willing to do in terms of pre- season pricing as they all will vary somewhat depending on their current inventory, length of their season and territory demographics. In general most dealers in the United States are going to be similar in pricing with the ultimate goal of each and every dealer to get you the right boat for your requirements. However, I would say 20% off of MSRP is probably not a number I would shoot for on a new 2020 model year boat. I strongly recommend you buy from the dealer that will also be servicing your boat. That relationship can go a long way in terms of your ultimate positive customer experience that Nautique and their authorized dealers want to provide you.

Again, do not believe everything you read on the internet (unless I have posted it). People want you to believe they have received the best possible pricing available as not to look like a schlub that got taken for a ride by a dealer. Good luck and make sure to post that new ride once you pick it up.

[Tchur1]

I can't disclose what a dealer is willing to do in terms of pre- season pricing as they all will vary somewhat depending on their current inventory, length of their season and territory demographics. In general most dealers in the United States are going to be similar in pricing with the ultimate goal of each and every dealer to get you the right boat for your requirements. However, I would say 20% off of MSRP is probably not a number I would shoot for on a new 2020 model year boat. I strongly recommend you buy from the dealer that will also be servicing your boat. That relationship can go a long way in terms of your ultimate positive customer experience that Nautique and their authorized dealers want to provide you.

Again, do not believe everything you read on the internet (unless I have posted it). People want you to believe they have received the best possible pricing available as not to look like a schlub that got taken for a ride by a dealer. Good luck and make sure to post that new ride once you pick it up.

I will be buying from Superior because they will also be servicing the boat. They have a shop on the west shore of Tahoe which is 5 minutes from where the boat will stay so I 100% agree that I want to maintain that relationship.

When you say 20% off is not a number I should shoot for, is that because you feel its unattainable to get to 20% off for a pre season 2020?