Freeboard height on a 2021 SAN230

[wakeupnauti]

I'm trying to find the Freeboard height on the 2021 SAN230. Can anyone help?

[charlesml3]

It's about 29 inches but that will vary quite a bit with ballast, fuel, people, etc.

[wakeupnauti]

Thanks charlesml3 . We just ordered a 2021 SAN230 and I was trying to compare it to my current Four Winns H230 (which is also about 29") to determine if the ride will be roughly the same in chop when we're just cruising the lake and not surfing. We're up in NH on Lake Winnipesaukee and when the wind kicks up and it can get pretty choppy. I know these wake boats will handle a little different, but if the freeboard is about the same, I'm assuming it'll handle the chop about the same..

[hal2814]

That’s very untrue. Freeboard helps some with taking on water but it won’t help at all with handling chop. You need to look at the hull shape for that. The 230 is a shallow modified v without lifting strakes. I looked up the H230. It’s also a modified V but the V is a lot deeper and it has lifting strakes. It’s going to sit higher on plane and cut through chop a lot easier. The 230 handles chop really well for a Nautique but it’s not in the same league as a Four Winns in that regard.

[charlesml3]

Agreed. If you're looking for a boat that handles chop really well, you won't find that in a Nautique. Or any wake boat, for that matter. No boat can do it all and these wake boats are built for a very specific use case.

-Charles

[wakeupnauti]

hal2814 Yea, I know I'm going to sacrifice something (can't surf behind my H230 and I don't like their new reverse I/O wake boat). Just as long as it's not too bad, I'm ok with it. I've read some posts where people suggest filling some ballast in the bow (~200lbs) when it choppy.. Any advice on how to configure it if you're just cruising in chop.

-Rob

[wakeupnauti]

charlesml3 I'm looking for a surf boat that handle the chop as well as it can. My current H230 is awesome, but can't surf behind it.. the G23/GS24 are a bit out of my price range (even used one), that's why we're going with the 230. My dealer (whom I absolutely trust, they've never steered my wrong) suggested the 230 when I asked about the Four Winns new HD230 Wake boat. They're saying the 230 it "should" handle "about" the same as my H230..

[hal2814]

I personally wouldn’t put weight up front. In the rare event I’m out in chop I set the hydro gate to full ramp and just take it slow. I’ll go just fast enough to plane. (25mph or so)

[wakeupnauti]

hal2814 thanks, that's good to know. That's about the speed I'm doing in my H230 in chop (I might be a little slower tho) How does it handle when you're out in chop? I know that's a subjective thing, but figured I'd ask anyway....

[wakeupnauti]

charlesml3 What's your thoughts on how the 230 handles in chop, I know that's subjective but I'd like you opinion.

-Rob

[distinguishedmotorsports]

230 will handle chop better than a G23 IMO, probably the best of the current nautique line up. The P and G series hulls often take a small learning curve for newer drivers to them to not put a wave of water over the bow. The 230's hull design lends its self to splitting waves more down and out rather the the others.