Potential owner questions - initial decision points to make

[Chexi]

The dealers that do this are not saying they won't service your boat... they are just getting to their good customers first. It's actually quite understandable, even though it sucks for those of us who buy from private parties.

[cedarcreek216]

It sounds like you're not real sure what you want out of a boat and have the money to get what you want. If these assumptions are correct, I would suggest the 226 or the 230. The 226 is basically the 230 without all the fancy stuff. Of course this is a very criptic and generic comparison, but you'll get everything you want out of the 226 and save a little money over the 230. If you want the biggest and the best and never have to think you could have gotten better, then get the 230. Look for a year or maybe even a 2 year old new boat, they're out there and making deals on them for sure. It's always an option to call the factory and see what they have left on their floors also from previous years. Of course buying a year old new boat you're subject to options and color schemes that are available instead of ordering new with the options you want. That being said, you won't find many 230's out there that aren't ordered or made with pretty much every option or close to it.

Do some research, there are a lot of places to look and get good deals right now.

[boatnfly@att.net]

No dumb questions in boating at all. The first thing you really need to do is ask what and how you plan on using your boat.
What are you going to tow it with? 23 ft boats are heavy, you will need a F250, Chevy 2500 or Tundra w the large engine to tow $$$$
No real reason to go coastal if you are diligent with cleanup and rinse after saltwater use. Are you really an ardent skier? We use our Nautique almost EVERY Sat and Sunday during our May to Sept season. Some in April and Oct. We ski, sky ski, wake board, kneeboard. If someone isn't at the end of the rope our boat is typically not running. we don't cruise or go for high speed rides for the fun of it. We are being pulling or being pulled. If it's just you and your wife, and the dog and skiing is not your main focus (here is where i will get yelled at) why would you want the expense of buying a dedicated water sports boat? Ski boats are premium priced, if it's just boating your into consider something else and make friends with those that can pull you when they are around on their ski boat, givem a few $$ when they do and you'll have friends all day long.

10 of us hang together, there are 7 Malibu's, 1 Mastercraft, 1 Tige and my Nautique on the river here. The Malibus are nice, but over time i notice they are not the quality i expected, given their price points, the Tige is definitely less quality, I sold mine this past spring and bought the 07 SV211. Smaller but more capable and better.
Good luck, have fun

[drick]

The dealers that do this are not saying they won't service your boat... they are just getting to their good customers first. It's actually quite understandable, even though it sucks for those of us who buy from private parties.

that is so strange to me, again looking at it from a car/MC/RV POV. all of those dealers could care less where you bought it, and are just happy to get that business vs. independent shops or shade tree/DIY folks.

apparently boat dealers have a different POV that only people they sold to are "good customers" and everyone is not..

weird...

to be clear, i'm not arguing your POV or implying that you are incorrect just observing that this is a new world to me, and i guess i need to get used to these new "rules"

[drick]

It sounds like you're not real sure what you want out of a boat and have the money to get what you want. If these assumptions are correct, I would suggest the 226 or the 230. The 226 is basically the 230 without all the fancy stuff. Of course this is a very criptic and generic comparison, but you'll get everything you want out of the 226 and save a little money over the 230. If you want the biggest and the best and never have to think you could have gotten better, then get the 230. Look for a year or maybe even a 2 year old new boat, they're out there and making deals on them for sure. It's always an option to call the factory and see what they have left on their floors also from previous years. Of course buying a year old new boat you're subject to options and color schemes that are available instead of ordering new with the options you want. That being said, you won't find many 230's out there that aren't ordered or made with pretty much every option or close to it.

Do some research, there are a lot of places to look and get good deals right now.

CC correct on both fronts on your assumptions.

ok, so that would modify my range from 2008-2011 ('11 still being considered new i assume, or am i off base here that new is now '12) to 2009-2011, right?

if so, looking at the boat trader (as a starting point) i can only find five 230's and four 226's in the entire US in that date range. can you suggest some other places where one might look and have better results? i hadn't considered the factory, but that sounds like a great idea as another way to explore options, thanks for suggesting.

[AllianceBJJ]

I know there are some 2011 230s left in Houston. Buxton has been buying them from the dealer down there and selling them up here (since they have been out of 230s and build slots for a few months).

I would also try calling a few dealers for late model used. They usually know someone who may be looking to get out of their boat, but do not have it listed anywhere. My last 2 boats I told Buxton that I wouldn't buy the new on until the old one was sold. They had people that had been waiting to find something similar to my boat both times.

[drick]

No dumb questions in boating at all. The first thing you really need to do is ask what and how you plan on using your boat.
What are you going to tow it with? 23 ft boats are heavy, you will need a F250, Chevy 2500 or Tundra w the large engine to tow $$$$
No real reason to go coastal if you are diligent with cleanup and rinse after saltwater use. Are you really an ardent skier? We use our Nautique almost EVERY Sat and Sunday during our May to Sept season. Some in April and Oct. We ski, sky ski, wake board, kneeboard. If someone isn't at the end of the rope our boat is typically not running. we don't cruise or go for high speed rides for the fun of it. We are being pulling or being pulled. If it's just you and your wife, and the dog and skiing is not your main focus (here is where i will get yelled at) why would you want the expense of buying a dedicated water sports boat? Ski boats are premium priced, if it's just boating your into consider something else and make friends with those that can pull you when they are around on their ski boat, givem a few $$ when they do and you'll have friends all day long.

10 of us hang together, there are 7 Malibu's, 1 Mastercraft, 1 Tige and my Nautique on the river here. The Malibus are nice, but over time i notice they are not the quality i expected, given their price points, the Tige is definitely less quality, I sold mine this past spring and bought the 07 SV211. Smaller but more capable and better.
Good luck, have fun

fly,

answers inline below:

usage - wakeboarding primarily, maybe some very light skiing (10%), and a little leisure

tow vehicle - 2011 Silverado 2500HD / Duramax + Allison (12k towing capacity as i recall)

coastal edition - definitely am going to be religious about cleaning and upkeep, regardless of use

usage p2 - we are located within 30m of 4 lakes where i live, so yes it will get used. i can see WB'ng in season, and perhaps some "pleasure" cruising off season in ocean / brackish water off coast or in SF Bay. having said that, your point on dedicated WB boat vs. pleasure boat is well taken and something to consider. based on discussions with wife, at this point we both agree that a purpose built, high quality, performant boat is what we want. in the future we reserve the right to change our minds...

my buddy with the malibu actually told me already that if he had the money and the option to do over again, he would buy a Nautique. so his experience and your input are very much inline.

thanks for the post, and the things to consider

[Nauti 210]

here is danny harf and shawn watson testing out the new 230 coastal edition.. if i ever upgrade you better believe i wont have carpet in my ride.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S53fugJFnqU

[drick]

I know there are some 2011 230s left in Houston. Buxton has been buying them from the dealer down there and selling them up here (since they have been out of 230s and build slots for a few months).

I would also try calling a few dealers for late model used. They usually know someone who may be looking to get out of their boat, but do not have it listed anywhere. My last 2 boats I told Buxton that I wouldn't buy the new on until the old one was sold. They had people that had been waiting to find something similar to my boat both times.

ABJ, when you say Buxton i assume you are referring to these guys right:

http://www.buxtonmarine.com/

if so, i will give them a call today and see what they have. it appears he has one boat that fits my specs.

so i guess i'll refer back to the original question about buying out of state, accepted or not?

[cedarcreek216]

ABJ, when you say Buxton i assume you are referring to these guys right:

http://www.buxtonmarine.com/

if so, i will give them a call today and see what they have. it appears he has one boat that fits my specs.

so i guess i'll refer back to the original question about buying out of state, accepted or not?

Yes, that is Buxton Marine. Talk to Phil or Riley, they're great to work with.

[drick]

here is danny harf and shawn watson testing out the new 230 coastal edition.. if i ever upgrade you better believe i wont have carpet in my ride.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S53fugJFnqU

i really like that flooring, i'm with you. now i just need to win the lottery so i can afford that level of customization on an already blown out boat..

[AllianceBJJ]

ABJ, when you say Buxton i assume you are referring to these guys right:

http://www.buxtonmarine.com/

if so, i will give them a call today and see what they have. it appears he has one boat that fits my specs.

so i guess i'll refer back to the original question about buying out of state, accepted or not?

That's them. Tell 'em Kell sent ya. They are good folks and sell A LOT of boats.

[drick]

adding a few more thoughts here i neglected on original list. when looking at used boats, does anyone have guidance on the following:

1. is there an average hours / year that is accepted as the norm that one should shoot for when looking used? i've seen some references online that suggest 30-40 is the average, would the experts here agree?
2. when looking at used boat pricing is the NADA guide the correct place to use as a reference to what a used boat might be worth? if not, can you point to somewhere else that is better?
3. is a boat history report = carfax? if so, do others see value in this information? if i'm potentially looking at a boat from out of state, information like this becomes more relevant to me i would imagine.

[drick]

That's them. Tell 'em Kell sent ya. They are good folks and sell A LOT of boats.

will do, thanks!

[drick]

Yes, that is Buxton Marine. Talk to Phil or Riley, they're great to work with.

got it, thanks for the names appreciated