Need Help - Buying first boat. 2020 Supra SL450 vs 2017 Nautique G23

[mattyjman]

Hey folks, been lurking around for a while and learning what I can. We’re buying this month and have things narrowed down to these two boats, simply based off of styling, finish, and reviews/feedback online. Neither of us have boating background, but want to learn to wakeboard and surf. While it’s just us two and our dogs, we plan to bring friends with us often, none of which also wakeboard or surf but will definitely learn with us.

The G has 260 hours, and is 10k cheaper than the SL at 96 hours. Nice interior, good drive, and a customizable wave setup feel like the most important things to us. For me, it’s a dead split between the two, but we haven’t demod yet, that should be happening next week.

Those with experience with both boats, which would you choose and why based on my scenario?

Also, I’ve looked all over the place, and haven’t found anything that describes how negotiable a dealer typically is on used inventory, but I see lots of posts about new pricing and getting upwards of 20% off of orders. Surely dealers won’t deal that deep on used inventory right? What’s your experience been? TITA!

[MN Ryan]

That's quite the purchase for not currently boarding or surfing! Go big or go home!

Those boats are beyond my price range, but this is a Nautique site, so don't expect much unbiased advice.

Good luck!

[mattyjman]

That's quite the purchase for not currently boarding or surfing! Go big or go home!

Haha yeah. I can't just bring myself to not want the newer, more luxurious feel these boats bring vs a 70k used boat. Not that anything is wrong with older boats, but I just want to be in something that a.) I'll be proud to be in and feel good while doing it, and b.) will give me something that I know I can grow into and never ever think my problem with surfing or wakeboarding skills is anything other than my own problem

[Shamsra]

That is an interesting choice. I was doing a similar comparison, but with 2023's. After way too many hours researching and negotiating, I pulled the trigger on a 2023 Supra SL. They have different wake tech, but they both have awesome wakes. I thought the G had more storage, but SL had more subfloor standard ballast. The G pulls when driving in surf mode, the SL tracks straight. I liked the G's lower transom - easier on the knees, but subject to swamping the back of the boat on stops, so more driver skill/awareness is required. SL supposedly has "chill tech" vinyl that doesn't get hot in the sun. That might be a marketing gimmick - I'll find out this summer. Fit and finish on G is hard to beat - SL is close, but I'd rate it down a notch. I think SL parts/service are cheaper, at least in my neck of the woods. G winterizing looks easier. I liked the SL stern thruster system better - the control is an intuitive rotating knob on the shifter. The similarities were many, but it ultimately came down to pricing for me on 2023's. If you have a good dealer for the Supra in your area, I would lean toward the 2020 SL for newer tech and warranty. Good luck!!

[mattyjman]

I was expecting a biased viewpoint here, thanks for counter point on the SL. I think it looks like a really nice boat. My issue is I just didn't know much about them going into this journey, and was really looking at the Tige, Malibu, Nautique, and Mastercraft brands. I know there are more in the upper echelon, but from the name alone and not knowing anything about Supra, would have put them in the sub-tier category (moomba, axis, etc.)

I think the hours and model year differences between both boats are probably enough to justify the 10k increase for the supra. Just wondering what else I might be gaining/or missing by choosing one over the other.

[shag]

Are you concerned with resale value down the road? I would think Supra still should hold value ok, (I haven't been comparing that the last few years), but Nautique, imo, has always seemed to hold value beer than many others. That's not to say a poorly kept nautique won't take a hit on resale... I don't think you can go wrong with either choice... Both nice boats.

[bturner]

Well Shag said what I'll bet many are thinking. I have nothing against Supra or any of the others you mention but if name recognition or resale weigh in on the decision then the Nautique is going to pull ahead every time between those two. Again to be clear, I'm not talking quality, comfort, performance or any other aspect of your comparison, this would be solely on resale and ability to move the boat later. In my mind there are only 2 tier one inboard manufactures out there, Nautique and Mastercraft. I've owned a few of both, never had a problem with resale and never lost money on any of either. Would I pass up a screaming deal on a Supra or a Malibu? Heck no but they wouldn't be my first or second choice either.

Once more....... this is my opinion and experience buying, owning, working on and selling them over the past 20+ years. It's really hard to buy a bad boat these days but if resale is big part of the equation there's only 2 brands I would own or recommend.

[Shamsra]

bturner, I used to believe the resale pitch, but that has not been my limited experience. My value decline was less on a Moomba than my Nautique. When I whined about the Nautique not holding value as well as I expected, the dealer tried to justify it because it was a direct drive. So, my experience may have been a function of ruthless salesmen and/or my lack of negotiating skills, but with these hyper-inflated prices I think the relative value declines may have equalized somewhat.

[mattyjman]

Are you concerned with resale value down the road?

Most definitely. It's a key component to our decision. I hear Nautique has great resale value across the board, and looking at prices, this seems to be true. But relative to initial sales prices, it appears many other brands do as well. I wonder how much of that is this inflated market, and when/if demand is lowered where do they all fall, and do they continue to fall relative to each other similarly.

Between these two boats, my thoughts on resale value are the following:
- Nautique is already 6 years old, and will be over 300 hours when we may want to sell upgrade. It's the first model year with new tech, from the 2016 line.
- Supra is only 2 years old, and may be under 200 hours when/if we want to sell or upgrade. The fresh tech and recency has strong appeal in a resale event.

Between the two - I think most buyers would be interested in the newer/younger vs others thinking they can get a steal on an older higher hour boat. That's just my opinion and not really founded in anything other than assumptions.

Does this really hold true? Maybe/maybe not. I know I can't go wrong with either, but I hate having to make a decision when it's "older but more luxurious" or "newer but just not as nice appointments and finishing"

[bird_dog0347]

I never rode behind a G on the older hulls, only the current hull so I can't speak to the wave, but before my current Nautique I had a Supra 24 SSV from 2008 until March 2021. It was a great boat and we loved it, but it had older technology and in order to surf we had to list the boat to one side which meant manually filling bags that sat in the floor and took a long time to fill/drain which meant switching sides or between surf/wakeboard would take like an hour. Obviously with the two boats you're looking at (assuming the ones at Buxton and Slalom Shop) you won't have any of those issues. Storage has always been a huge thing for me, and I LOVE the storage on my boat with all the ballast sub floor, and the trashcan access is fantastic on the G as is the sub-floor ice chest!

Between the two boats (assuming the ones I found online are the two) it looks like they have pretty much the same features for the most part, but not sure about the stereo on the Supra as they don't give details. For the hours, I'd say it doesn't matter much, I'd rather have one with higher hours that has been well cared for than low hours that sat a lot and didn't get the proper amount of care/attention. I know the Nautique will certainly hold it's value pretty well, and the Supra should but I'm not as familiar with that market.

The dealer can make a huge difference in the experience as well, but either boat will be great for your first one. Demo them both before you decide though!

[mattyjman]

Obviously with the two boats you're looking at (assuming the ones at Buxton and Slalom Shop) you won't have any of those issues.

Yep, those are the ones! I've had to chase Buxton a bit to get the ball rolling, which I've found a bit odd, but I know they have great rep so I'm not too concerned. Wish I knew how negotiable these dealers are on used stock... that would also play a factor in the final decision... but we'll get there. One step at a time.

[hal2814]

This is a win-win. Both are nice boats. Buxton and Slalom Shop are both great. I’d be biased towards a G23 just because I know more about setting them up to surf. The only thing I will caution on an otherwise amazing 2017 G23 is the tower height. If you’re tall, you’re going to hit your head on the speakers standing up from the drivers seat. My wife and I both did that looking at a 2017. In 2018 they raised the tower and it’s a non-issue.

[mattyjman]

The only thing I will caution on an otherwise amazing 2017 G23 is the tower height. If you’re tall, you’re going to hit your head on the speakers standing up from the drivers seat.

6'5" ... I have already felt the pain just walking about on the dry. +1 for the SL in this area with a larger bimini and taller tower.

[MN Ryan]

At 6'5", you're probably used to hitting your head on things.

[Scooter G]

The only thing I will caution on an otherwise amazing 2017 G23 is the tower height. If you’re tall, you’re going to hit your head on the speakers standing up from the drivers seat. My wife and I both did that looking at a 2017. In 2018 they raised the tower and it’s a non-issue.

Good to know on the '18 +, I had not seen or read that anywhere. My challenge to myself last year was to see how long I could go without cranium damage either from the speakers, but most of the time the bimini. I failed, it became a joke, but I am glad that I provided entertainment for others in the boat, fetch.