First Boat Purchase - 2018 Nautique GS22

[cmrdgrs]

I haven't posted on Planet Nautique before, but I have been reading many posts and trying to learn from all of you. So, thank you to all of you that had input and didn't even know it :-) I also want to give a big shout out and thank you to member GRNautique for PMing me and talking to me by phone. I really think we bought the perfect boat for my family and I can't thank you enough!

DH and I purchased a 2018 Nautique GS22 on Saturday 9/9. I don't have any pictures besides the dealer photos from their website, but I've placed a link below so you can see our new boat, and when I take delivery later this week I'll add a few more once we get her on the lake. We are very excited!

GS22

[bdisney3]

The guys over at Action Watersports are top notch. Great boat, great dealer and new 2018 colors! Congrats. See you out at the lake!

[charlesml3]

I haven't posted on Planet Nautique before, but I have been reading many posts and trying to learn from all of you. So, thank you to all of you that had input and didn't even know it :-) I also want to give a big shout out and thank you to member GRNautique for PMing me and talking to me by phone. I really think we bought the perfect boat for my family and I can't thank you enough!

DH and I purchased a 2018 Nautique GS22 on Saturday 9/9. I don't have any pictures besides the dealer photos from their website, but I've placed a link below so you can see our new boat, and when I take delivery later this week I'll add a few more once we get her on the lake. We are very excited!

GS22

Are you saying this is your first Nautique, or first boat ever?

-Charles

[cmrdgrs]

Are you saying this is your first Nautique, or first boat ever?

-Charles

First boat ever

[GMLIII]

Good looking boat. Enjoy

[charlesml3]

First boat ever

OK. I want to talk to you about this and I'm begging you, please listen to what I'm saying. I've been on and around Nautiques and other "ski boats" for more than 30 years now.

PLEASE, find someone who knows how to handle one of these boats who can go out with you and teach you what you need to know. Not someone who knows runabouts. Or outboards, or twin-engine fishing boats. Those don't count. Someone who knows how to handle an inboard/v-drive boat. I'm saying this because as awesome as these boats are, they are difficult to handle at slow speeds. It's even worse with any kind of wind or current. It wasn't so bad in the 80's and 90's with the low gunwales but now these new boats are like sails. The wind pushes them all over the place. Reverse in these boats is almost laughable. Yes, they will go backwards but they will always pull to one side or the other and it seems like it's inevitably the side you DON'T want in that particular situation.

I'm pretty sure the last thing you want to do with a new boat is bang it into the dock or hit the trailer. Or look like a complete noob at the boat ramp trying to get it on the trailer. Also, make sure they show you how to pick up a skier or boarder after they fall. No power turns!

-Charles

[cmrdgrs]

Thank you charlesml3.

A couple of people on the forum have warned me of the same types of issues with v-drive boats. My only experience has been with driving outboard engine boats and that was a lifetime ago. We do trailer a 30' Airstream, so we have lots of practice towing and backing, but you're right we need time in the water with the boat to learn how to manage the awesome machine we just purchased.

We will be spending some extended time with a person from the dealer when we do the pickup, but beyond that we will be on our own. DH and I do not know anyone local who can spend time with us. DH and I were thinking that we would go out during the week in the evenings or mornings when it is less busy and spend some time with the boat alone -- no kids, no guests, just us learning about the boat and working on handling it, driving it, docking it. We are definitely cautious people and realize that we need to take it as easy as possible. I'm sure we will look like noobs a bit, but hopefully we will be fast [cautious] learners.

[whitecaps]

You will Love the GS22. 62 hours on ours and very happy. Congrats! You got the best handling Nautique aside from the 200 so the learning curve should be quicker.

[GMLIII]

OK. I want to talk to you about this and I'm begging you, please listen to what I'm saying. I've been on and around Nautiques and other "ski boats" for more than 30 years now.

PLEASE, find someone who knows how to handle one of these boats who can go out with you and teach you what you need to know. Not someone who knows runabouts. Or outboards, or twin-engine fishing boats. Those don't count. Someone who knows how to handle an inboard/v-drive boat. I'm saying this because as awesome as these boats are, they are difficult to handle at slow speeds. It's even worse with any kind of wind or current. It wasn't so bad in the 80's and 90's with the low gunwales but now these new boats are like sails. The wind pushes them all over the place. Reverse in these boats is almost laughable. Yes, they will go backwards but they will always pull to one side or the other and it seems like it's inevitably the side you DON'T want in that particular situation.

I'm pretty sure the last thing you want to do with a new boat is bang it into the dock or hit the trailer. Or look like a complete noob at the boat ramp trying to get it on the trailer. Also, make sure they show you how to pick up a skier or boarder after they fall. No power turns!

-Charles

Good advice Charles

[charlesml3]

Thank you charlesml3.

A couple of people on the forum have warned me of the same types of issues with v-drive boats. My only experience has been with driving outboard engine boats and that was a lifetime ago. We do trailer a 30' Airstream, so we have lots of practice towing and backing, but you're right we need time in the water with the boat to learn how to manage the awesome machine we just purchased.

We will be spending some extended time with a person from the dealer when we do the pickup, but beyond that we will be on our own. DH and I do not know anyone local who can spend time with us. DH and I were thinking that we would go out during the week in the evenings or mornings when it is less busy and spend some time with the boat alone -- no kids, no guests, just us learning about the boat and working on handling it, driving it, docking it. We are definitely cautious people and realize that we need to take it as easy as possible. I'm sure we will look like noobs a bit, but hopefully we will be fast [cautious] learners.

Some other things I highly recommend you do:

- Create two checklists. One for "Boat prep before you launch" and another one for "Trailer prep for the way home." Get them laminated and USE THEM until you know the steps by heart.

- The plug is NOT in the boat until YOU put YOUR hand on it and verify. Nobody gets to say "oh, yea it's in." The buck stops with you. When you get it wrong, it looks like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMTKDOk0k3E

- That thunder you hear that makes you say "Oh, I have at least another 45 minutes before it gets here" is a big, giant recipe for disaster. You do NOT have 45 minutes. You hear thunder, you head towards the ramp. If you wait too long, it looks like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgn4l6j3OZw

There is a big learning curve for boating, and there just aren't many shortcuts. It's not like going out and buying a new car. Someone above said the learning curve is quicker because it's a GS22. It is not.

-Charles

[R0CKETMAN]

You did good...he!! of a first boat

[bdisney3]

@cmrdgrs - not sure what part of town you are in - we are usually out at Saguaro, but there are plenty of people in the boating community in PHX (and Nautique Community) that would be happy to help you learn or give you a quick run down. DM me if you are interested. I usually get out 2-3 times a week this time of year (and at least weekly even in the winter) and know plenty of others that do the same. Whoever does your water delivery over at Action - have them teach you about more than how to drive, ask about etiquette and how to properly pick up your fallen rider (no power-turns!) And if the Action guys didn't already tell you about the Southwest Nautique Regatta - it's this weekend in Parker, AZ. It's an annual reunion for Nautique owners in the Southwest and they'll have several 2018 boats, pro wakeboarders and wakesurfers and a cable wakeboard competition - definitely a must attend event! Enjoy your new boat!

[beamons]

Good advice Charles and plan cmrdgrs, I have grown up around boats my whole life and my first experience in a direct/v-drive was like having to learn all over again.

If you need someone to test the ski wake, I am there in November.

Beautiful boat!

[Flyindutchman]

Wow! That is one heck of a nice first boat! Congratulations!

[whitecaps]

Some other things I highly recommend you do:

- Create two checklists. One for "Boat prep before you launch" and another one for "Trailer prep for the way home." Get them laminated and USE THEM until you know the steps by heart.

- The plug is NOT in the boat until YOU put YOUR hand on it and verify. Nobody gets to say "oh, yea it's in." The buck stops with you. When you get it wrong, it looks like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMTKDOk0k3E

- That thunder you hear that makes you say "Oh, I have at least another 45 minutes before it gets here" is a big, giant recipe for disaster. You do NOT have 45 minutes. You hear thunder, you head towards the ramp. If you wait too long, it looks like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgn4l6j3OZw

There is a big learning curve for boating, and there just aren't many shortcuts. It's not like going out and buying a new car. Someone above said the learning curve is quicker because it's a GS22. It is not.

-Charles

Learning curve is relative to the difficulty in handling. Easier to handle a Honda Accord than a Peterbuilt. You certainly must learn to drive and manage both but I'd say one is easier than another. Thus a quicker learning curve.