looking for advice on a new boat GS22 or GS20 (skiing and surfing)

[WilliamK]

I'm currently in the process of trying to buy a new boat. a bit of background, my family and I have all grown up skiing (recreationally) and have owned a response TXI for about 10 years and have loved it however we have decided that we are quickly outgrowing this boat on the usual day there could be 5 to 8 people out with us.
We are all interested in replacing our boat for something that can ski and surf.
We have narrowed our search to a new Malibu 20 VTX or a 2022 GS20 or GS22. If anybody on here has experience skiing behind either of the two Nautique's and or pictures or videos, your advice would be appreciated.
We ski at an aggressive recreational level (no course skiing) we are leaning more towards the GS 22 as from what I've read the additional 2 foot makes a big difference inside the boat and the skiing performance is more or less the same.

Thanks

[MikeC]

Having gone through the same decision making process not once but twice, both times it came down to the GS22. The first time I was at the boat show sitting in a 20 talking about options with the family and salesman when someone wanted to see the 20 so we moved to the 22 to talk....while the 20 was cramped with 5 people in it, the 22 was spacious with plenty of room for our legs, so we ended up buying the 22, and glad we did, it never felt cramped. Fast forward to this year and being back in the market for a replacement for the boat I sold last year. I was wanting to like the 20 once again, but it came down to comfort and room. The 2 extra feet is mostly in the cockpit but also in the bow, the 20 bow is tiny compared to the 22. As far as skiing, I asked the same question and couldn't find anyone that had experience with both, just looking at the physics, the 22 is only 200 pounds (4%) heavier but it has about 10% more surface area (all approximate of course) so if amount of water displaced is any indication, theoretically the ski wake should be better behind the 22. We all slalom ski, surf and wakeboard, and we've all dabbled with the ski course so I'd say we're advanced recreational skiers. The wake is fine for that level, you can pull hard into it, you'll feel a noticeable bump, while it's firm, it's not too big. Nothing like a Ski Nautique, but then the Ski Nautique doesn't put out a surf or wakeboard wake like the GS, it's all about compromises. I'd love to hear from someone that's skied them both, but for me it's too late as I just bought a '23 GS22.

[Rednucleus]

Please ski behind anything you are considering before you buy! Any way you can keep the Rsponse for more dedicated skiers? That's a nice wake to lose and you may not find a boat that surfs ok and still gives you a ski wake you can enjoy.

[WilliamK]

Thankyou for the replies, unfortunately we wont have the opportunity to ski behind either boats, we are located in Australia.

[Spud]

Sounds like you need a Two Boat Solution! I'm in a similar situation with a growing family.. Having been a dealer of Nautiques I can honestly tell you Cross Over boats are a compromise that from my personal experience no one is fully satisfied with. My solution is still a work in progress but involves keeping our 210 and finding a 196 for slalom.