Happy Father's Day to....ME!

[V8 Killer]

Picked up the G23 Friday and took her out for the first time Sunday! I'll upload more (and better) pics soon in the Show us your boat sub-forum. But for now, here's a few quick pics. There are just iPhone grabs so excuse the quality.


After picking her up from Buxton Marine:









Options:
NSS
Transom Stereo Remote
Heater + Defroster
Heated Driver Seat
Walk-Thru Air Dam Pocket Door
Bow Filler Cushion
450hp 6.0L
Plus all the normal options like bimini, premium mirror, reversible seat, covers, etc.

Hours on it thus far: 4
Overall impression: HOLY FRIGGIN S*|!
Upgraded from: A very nice 2010 X-Star, optioned out and a truly great boat...but the G23 is in 2 classes above the old X...and that's saying a lot!

Buxton Marine - Owners Phil and Michelle are AMAZING. We talked for hours about everything and nothing. Extremely nice and down to earth people. They care about their customers and their business. No wonder they are the #1 Nautique dealer in the world. There are several great people at Texas Mastercraft (Jeff in service and Justin in the pro shop immediately come to mind, among others), but I can say with confidence that, overall, I'd rather be at Buxton. I hope CC continues to put out the superior machine from here on out, because I don't want to have to ever buy another boat from anyone but Buxton. At first you can't tell if someone is being fake because they want your business or not. But after you spend some time with someone and hear more and more from them, their real personality starts to come through. And from what I've seen from the Smith family, they are as genuine as they come. Maybe I'm just riding on a high right now, finally getting my G23 and all, but if I am I hope I don't come down.

Cheers,

Dusty

[ES]

Congratulations, stunning boat! You'll love it.

[Miljack]

Dusty,
congrats, your boat turned out awesome! Please let us know how you compare the wakes between your old Star and the G...
I had a chance to ride behind the PN G, and holy crap! What a wake!!

Enjoy...

[hondaprlud]

Wow Dusty, congrats!

[iamcdn]

Amazing!

[biggator]

Welcome to the 'beast' club. There is no other word to describe the G properly.

[V8 Killer]

I found the most important Father's Day pic of all. She turns 3 next week and is definitely a waterbug.

[Andrew14]

Great post and write-up. Beautiful boat (love the colors!)....enjoy it!

[V8 Killer]

Dusty,
congrats, your boat turned out awesome! Please let us know how you compare the wakes between your old Star and the G...
I had a chance to ride behind the PN G, and holy crap! What a wake!!

Enjoy...

Thanks kindly, I'm loving it already! Looking forward to putting a lot more hours on it. I can't comprehend why and how people buy awesome machines just to sit in a cove and drink. If you want to do that, go get any old boat and party away. Such a waste to see these things anchored...but I feel the same way with Ferraris with car covers and a battery maintainer plugged in (minus winter of course).

I have a 2006 X-Star and a 2010. They were identical hulls and motors, the 2010 just had more features. I put a combined 1,000 engine hours on them (not joking), so I can tell you almost anything about an X-Star. I've worked on them both due to distance from the dealership and my own impatience.
My 2010 had OEM ballast (hard tanks) + integrated Fly-High Wet-Sac system. Total ballast was 2,400lbs.

Wake comparison X to G:
G empty ballasts - we had a debate here. I said G empty = X + hard tanks full, no Wet-Sac. 2 others said it looked more like X + hard tanks + 50% Wet-Sac.
G 50% ballasts all around = Noticeably larger than X with full tanks + full Wet-Sacs. Equal to my friend's 2009 X-Star + full tanks + several bags, I want to say it was 3,300 to 3,500 in Wet-Sacs plus the hard tanks. He also had the largest motor available in the 2009 model. He recently purchased a 2013 X-Star so its been fun comparing them.
G 100% ballasts all around = Bigger than anything I've experienced. Noticeably larger wake than my friend's 2013 X-Star + full tanks + 800lbs of bags.

Notes on the G23 wake shape / feel:
Its a very "hard" (solid) wake. Not sure what the right word is. It just doesn't give any as you climb it. Its like my board is sitting on something solid as opposed to water.
The wake boosts you up more than out. All things equal (line length, speed, approach), the G23 wake boots me higher than the X-Star. Not necessarily further, just more straight up pop.
I found my HS backroll easier, which doesn't surprise me looking at the shape of the wake. Its a very roll-friendly wake. I don't find the wake to be as "trippy" as most other wakes, especially Malibu/Axis.

Cheers,

Dusty

[nyryan2001]

sweet boat, now that 1/4 of the season is gone you better get after it!

[swankster]

Dusty,

Great boat and I feel the same about Buxton. Is she surfing with you yet.

[V8 Killer]

Dusty,

Great boat and I feel the same about Buxton. Is she surfing with you yet.

Thanks! Not yet, but I plan to start this summer on that.

[axeman]

Awesome looking boat! Congrats! Can't go wrong with Buxton. I've got nothing but great things to say about them.

[BMANNING]

Great looking boat and that's awesome that you have a little water bug to share the experience. As for Buxton.... You can't go wrong. I have purchased 5 boats from Phil and plant to buy many more in the yrs to come.

[Neverenough]

Cool boat!! I saw it up there last week or so I think. I'm on my second from Phil and his crew. Can't say enough good things about them. Happy dads day to ya!!