need boat opinion from you guys/gals (purchase question)

[bamabonners]

Looking to purchase my first Nautique (but not my first boat and not my first inboard). Looking for some info about these boats since I am still learning about the brand. I am not sure what to look for between these model years and sized....pros, cons, etc...

Looking at 2011 SANTE 210 with 343, will have around 200 hours, but is well maintained and all records on file. Boat #2 is a 2008 SAN 230 with around 50 hours on zr6 engine. both are priced around the same.

A 2009 SAN 230 is available, but for a little higher price. This one has newer style tower. Also has Zr6 and around 180 hours.

About us:
We are a family of 3 that occasionally brings a few others with us. We are beginner level at wakeboarding and surfing, but we have fun with it. We also kneeboard, joy ride, and lounge on the boat. We would be trailering it. Have owned several Malibus in the past - recently sold my 2012 23 LSV because we didn't need 23 foot boat. Prior to the 2012 LSV we had a 2011 VLX.

Which would you choose? All opinions are welcome.

[V8 Killer]

Here's a highly unpopular opinion on this forum: Get an X-Star. I've driven and ridden behind multiple 210s and 230s. I owned a 2006 X-Star and just traded in my 2010 X-Star (both with 350MCX motor) for a G23. I put a combined 1,100 engine hours on my 2 X-Stars in 6 years. My X-Stars were superior to the 210 and 230 in virtually every way. Interior space and layout, wakeboard wake, 0 to plane, handling, board racks 10 times over, OE stereo (granted both mine were heavily upgraded but stock v stock goes to X-Star), BIG screen on 2010-11 is awesome, quality of vinyl seating (i.e. wear factor), and more.

Surf wakes I'll call a draw on 210 v X-Star with a slight edge to the 230 v X-Star.

210 and 230 continuously disappointed me, especially from a wakeboard wake POV. It was never as big and never as "peaky" as my X-Stars. I'm talking stock ballast v stock ballast.

Sorry if my opinion is not what you're looking for or not welcome, but with more hours on Mastercrafts than probably anyone on this forum I know them very well. There's no way I'd take a 210/230 over an X-Star.

Best of luck,

Dusty

[ES]

Between those two boats, I would pick the 210 (again): similar situation as you have. Family of four and often have another family. I liked the 230 but it's just a big boat.
Last weekend we had friends over and so there were 7 on the boat, we were very comfortable. We generally have a good mix of younger kids, so 8 or 9 people is still ok.
Are there still some times I wish I had extra space? Yes, but frankly it does not happen that often to make me spend the extra money for boat space and gas money.
Good luck with your choice, you'll love whichever you pick.
Pone other thing: 2010 was the first year of Linc and it still had some wrinkles to iron out, so I would pick the 2011 version. You'll also have a higher chance of having NSS available for the 2011 model at some stage. I doubt that will happen for 2010 models, unfortunately for me...

[ironj32]

Here's a highly unpopular opinion on this forum: Get an X-Star. I've driven and ridden behind multiple 210s and 230s. I owned a 2006 X-Star and just traded in my 2010 X-Star (both with 350MCX motor) for a G23. I put a combined 1,100 engine hours on my 2 X-Stars in 6 years. My X-Stars were superior to the 210 and 230 in virtually every way. Interior space and layout, wakeboard wake, 0 to plane, handling, board racks 10 times over, OE stereo (granted both mine were heavily upgraded but stock v stock goes to X-Star), BIG screen on 2010-11 is awesome, quality of vinyl seating (i.e. wear factor), and more.

Surf wakes I'll call a draw on 210 v X-Star with a slight edge to the 230 v X-Star.

210 and 230 continuously disappointed me, especially from a wakeboard wake POV. It was never as big and never as "peaky" as my X-Stars. I'm talking stock ballast v stock ballast.

Sorry if my opinion is not what you're looking for or not welcome, but with more hours on Mastercrafts than probably anyone on this forum I know them very well. There's no way I'd take a 210/230 over an X-Star.

Best of luck,

Dusty

I'll have to completely disagree with this (with the exception of the surf wave). Firstly, all 3 are great boats. I have plenty of time on all 3 to form my own educated opinion.

Interior space: The 210 and XStar are pretty similar. The 230 has much more usable room than the XStar...unless you like sitting up in the bow. The XStar is a 22' boat, with a huge bow.

Handling: The 230 with the ZR409 and Acme 1235 has driven circles around every XStar I've ever been in and drove. We run LOTS of weight in both boats. The 230 has no problem handling 4000+ pounds of ballast. Every XStar I've driven has struggled with similar ballast setup. I have no idea how the above opinion was formed...maybe only ever been in a 210/230 with a small 343 engine, or that were under propped?

The wake: This is totally personal preference. I've spent plenty of time behind both boats, with various weight configurations. I know the previous post was talking Stock vs Stock, and I can't really comment on that as I've never been satisified with just stock in anything (the G23 is a different story). Both can get super big, but have very different characteristics. The XStar is super rampy. The 230 is much more verticle, with a lot more lip at the top (gives you that "instant" kick feeling).

To the OP - If it were me deciding between the 210 and 230, I'd go with the 230. The interior room, and the wakeboard wake are the reasons. Definitely get out and demo anything you are considering.

[scottb7]

i also will take a beating on this one: i have a 2008 super air 210 and friend has 2009 mastercraft. i would say the materials used to build his boat, and fit and finish are better then mine. i could give an actual list here, but would just start even more of an argument.

[Miljack]

Having spent a lot of time in both a 210 and 230's, I would say if you thought the 23 LSV was too big a boat, you will feel the same about a 230. It's a much bigger/heavier boat than a 210, so trailering you would notice it big time. A 210 will cover most of your missions well, for surfing, you'll want to add ballast. Wakeboarding extra ballast will help the wake as well. Coming from a VLX, the 210 is a little smaller inside, however, you get the rear facing seating which we prefer quite a bit over the standard seating in the Malibus.

'11 towers will fold lower to allow easy garage storage, the '10 2 point towers won't fold low enough to garage store it (unless you have an 8' door).

@Dusty, I've only spent a little time on Xstars, but did so at The Wakeboard Camp in FL, and we were back to back against a 230, and everybody on the boat prefered the 230 over the Xstar. However, my regular riding buddy (210, now a 230) loved the Xstar wake at the Camp, so call that one? But for surfing, all I've ever heard is that it's about impossible to get a surf wake out of a Star, how did you weight it?

(to the OP, sorry for the slight HJ)

[Nordicron]

i also will take a beating on this one: i have a 2008 super air 210 and friend has 2009 mastercraft. i would say the materials used to build his boat, and fit and finish are better then mine. i could give an actual list here, but would just start even more of an argument.

You sure it's just not more blingy therefore you feel that way? I switch back and forth between a 06 and 10 mc and my own 08 Nautique and don't get that feeling at all. In fact I think MC cuts some corners using plastic coverings in areas where Nautique has finished gel. Also I think my seat foam feels denser and doesn't collapse as much. Vinyl seems similar to me but MC uses stitching all over the place which gives the appearance of more quality or that nice blingy feel. I think my hinges are of higher quality and call me crazy but I think my glass is heavier atleast my wind screen feels more substantial. Now MC does have the heated seats and that fancy aluminum through door. And as was said their factory stereo is pretty good. Also their wakeboard racks seem fancier but I've never had a board fall out of my bungy racks either! Seen that happen first hand on the MC clamping racks.
Also similar weighted star in my experience handles like crap compared to the 210 and burns 2-3more gals per hour. Yes I think the wake will get bigger in a star but to me it's not as easy to ride. As it gets a weird abruptness to it and is somewhat inconsistent when weighted heavy. Also I think the star interior is smaller than the 210s. And with the reverse seating in a Nautique it's much better for all passengers. Also the star 4pt tower major pain in butt to fold.

So to OP of you though LSV to big no way will you want a 230.

[Clibka]

I think this is simple. You sold a 23 ft boat because it was too big? Then a 21 ft. Seems to be the next logical step. 210 it is.

[lucky7t]

210 for sure. I have the same size family. It's great and plenty of room.

My 2012 210 SANTE is for sale if interested pm me. We ordered a new one.

[nyryan2001]

but MC uses stitching all over the place which gives the appearance of more quality

Yep x 100.

I hear V8s argument about materials, and I have to disagree when it comes to the upholstry. This stiching you reference here BLEEDS all over the place into the vinyl and looks like crap. MC sunpads all over the place are notorious for stitch bleeding, ive seen it myself. Otherwise quality wakeboat for sure, but it surfs fairly terrible.


Bama- welcome to PN. Im not sure of your price point and where you are with budget...but IMO, the hottest deal out there now would be a 2012 210 with 343. that will enable you to add the NSS when you get the time and money. If you are buying a boat to surf, make use of the NSS technology available.

I dont think you can put NSS on a 2011... am I correct?

A 210 with the 343 will do fine, may need to change the prop to 2315 to get the power you want.

[jrz1]

Wow Bama, surprised to hear you're moving away from Malibu given your ardent support of the brand over on Bu Crew. I made the move recently and have been very happy with my new Nautique.

[xrichard]

I'd really think about optimizing for what you do most of the time rather than optimizing for occasional use. So, if you need big most of the time, go 230. If you need big only occasionally, go 210.

We gave that a lot of thought. With a family of four, the 210 is a great size. The wakeboard wake is easy to build, the boat is smaller making it easier to handle around the dock, allows it to fit in my garage so I don't have to rent storage, burns less gas on the lake, etc. All up-side unless you really need or want more interior room.

In terms of wake comparison, I don't have any idea re: surf wake. Regarding wakeboard wake, the 230 has a reputation for being very finicky especially with respect to side to side balance once you start adding weight. The 210, in my experience, is not extra finicky and is very easy to get a great wake.

On XStar v. 210/230, it's worth taking a look. I've not ridden behind a recent XStar but from spending time in them at the boat shows, my impression is they are space-inefficient. Large bow areas and small cockpit areas....which is something I would never be interested in and I don't think works well for families. Look at the layout of any boat you're considering and really think about how you'll use it with your family.

In my case, I like minimal bow space since anyone up there is cut off from the main group in the cockpit. So just enough room for two is plenty. I like a a sunpad that is just big enough for two adults to lay on (which is how we use it while the kids are swimming)....any bigger and you rob space from the cockpit...any smaller and it's not comfortable for two.

Xstar v. CC In terms of wake, I think stock v. stock is not a great comparison since everyone I know, without exception, ends up adding ballast. So the real question is: which boat allows you to build a great wake with reasonable additional ballast that is easy to manage (e.g. hidden and push-button)? Since I have no experience behind later XStars, I can't given an opinion here.

[Clibka]

Xstar v. CC In terms of wake, I think stock v. stock is not a great comparison since everyone I know, without exception, ends up adding ballast. So the real question is: which boat allows you to build a great wake with reasonable additional ballast that is easy to manage (e.g. hidden and push-button)? Since I have no experience behind later XStars, I can't given an opinion here.

I can, I run a properly weighted 2012 210 sante. My buddy runs a slammed (pro tour setup at the time) 09 xstar. The xstar is big, there's no doubt, but in terms of ease of use it takes a skill level above mine to get everything out of it. If you and your family are beginners the 210 is a wake that will progress and grow with you. If you ask my buddy with the xstar (skill level way up there) he will even tell you my wake is superior and easier to hit.

Plus, the path you take on a 210 is more fun in my humble opinion. Strait up and back down. Xstar is more out ...


Proof that I'm not making it up:

[perry386]

.The 230 is much more verticle, with a lot more lip at the top (gives you that "instant" kick feeling).

+1

Every boat I've ridden behind whether it be MC or BU, has had a more rampy wake than my 230. The 230 gives a lot more straight up pop while all the other companies let you float out into the flats sometimes. I don't have any experience on wake versus Xstar and 230 but I have ridden behind an X15 and Vride21 (BU). When I get on my buddies Vride I tell him to just only fill the belly halfway just so I can get it a little more vertical (make it feel more like home ).

I don't have any experience behind a 210 but I would bet it is also rampier than the 230.

I believe the reason the 230 wake is finnicky is because it is so vertical. A wake that steep is just looking for a reason to wash down. But if you get the weight pretty close to even, most of the wash you see on the 230 will only play head games with you...you can launch off of it just fine.

[rob_usaf]

I've got a 2012 SANTE 210 with 70hrs I might sell. Either planning to add ballast or buy a G23 I have my eye on.