2017 G23 on Lake Michigan

[bkvargyas]

Hello Nautique Boaters --- I've got a great opportunity to buy my friends 2017 G23 who is moving, except I want to use the boat on the southern end of Lake Michigan and keep it docked in the water on a 35' slip.

I've been on this boat, but my friend only uses it on small inland lakes. My concern is how it will handle on the big lake with up to 1' waves/swells. I'm sure it won't handle much over 1' due to the flatness. It mainly will be used to tour along the Indiana/Michigan shoreline and wake sports/tubing.

It only has 130 hours on the clock. Would you consider a G23 for a new boater/wake surfer or choose something else for the big lake?

Thanks,

Brian

[William_Zane]

it will handle much more than 1' waves. It produces about a 3' surf wave of its own but Nautiques aren't known for their maneuvering or drivability. It will do fine but if its really choppy it wont be the most comfortable boat to be in.

[Nautiquehunter]

We were on lake Michigan for years between portage and Michigan City . It can be very nice as long as you have a south -south west wind . Keep an eye on changing weather conditions it can happen fast. Remember small craft warnings are for 50' boats a 23' wouldn't stand a chance. The water will be cold but you can expect miles of water without any wakes to bother you.

[bturner]

I take my little Sport 200 out on Lake Erie which while no Lake Michigan is still a great lake and one to watch. With any great lake you have to pick your days and watch the weather closely for changing conditions. A G23 on Lake Michigan will be a fine short distance day boat in 2 footers. I've been caught in 3 footers with my Sport 200 and am still here to tell the tail. It was no fun and I left the kids and wife at our cottage while I took a beating getting the boat back to the harbor some 3 miles away. It takes skill an patience but a good inboard with a seasoned operator can get these boats to do a lot you wouldn't think they can.

Could you get a better 23 - 25 boat for lake Michigan? Sure, look at a Formula or Cobalt, both would be in the same price range or cheaper new but you won't surf behind them and water sports in general are not going to be as good as the G. All depends on what you're looking to do and how you want to do it.

[Cadesun]

I used to take the old Super Sport on Lake Michigan at the WI/IL border. NOAA has some great wave height forecasts.

[RDT-G23]

You gotta boat where you gotta boat... That said, you couldn't melt and pour this combo over my head...

[MichiganSurfer]

I've got a 2014 G23 on southern Lake Michigan by New Buffalo. Although you may not be getting as many days compared to a small lake, I think its pretty worth it. Rarely have to get worried about getting waked out and the water can be so warm & clean late summer. I just check NOAA every time before I go out and check the waves & wind. Anything over 1'+ and surfing gets a little difficult and anything over 2'+ we don't even go out.