Possibly pulling the trigger on a 2016 G23.. But have some questions/concerns

[Mr&MrsSmith]

Happy to join the Planet Nautique forum!

I've spent the past year researching and riding in surf boats. I grew up water skiing but now will more than likely surf 100% of the time. Not as hard on the body and didn't ski at all last year I've narrowed it down to the G23, 23LSV and the 25LSV. Before heading to the boat show, I was interested in the M235 but really didn't care for the layout and creature comforts.. For that price, I was expecting more and IMO it didn't hold a note to the fit, functionality and finish of the G's. When I spoke with the reps, I asked about the surf wake... For 170k.. I was expecting the rep to go on and on about the wave but said the 25lsv was basically the same (in so many words).. That's still an amazing wave but I just can't justify the price. Hard enough to look north of $100k as it is.

I would like hold onto my next boat for some years to come.. That being said, I don't want to look back and wish I would have ordered an option that I chose to save a few bucks on.

I've done some research but would like to hear from others on some topics..

1. Audio - The upgraded JL's look amazing in the G. Couldn't really go too crazy with the volume at the show but was happy with the sound quality of the interior speakers from what I could hear. I struggle in my current boat at times (Axis T22) with the tower speakers creating to much sound while the interiors (especially for the driver.. Where I spend the majority of the time!) can't hear as well as the passengers/rider in the back. So, I loved the idea of the JL Wavefront.. However I also love the overhead lights that come with the Focal tower speakers... We do spend a lot of time at night on my current boat and have read some positive feedback on the lights for night crushing. Talking to the dealer, he wasn't sure if I could upgrade the sound package to include the wavefront (like the idea of the added sub as well) while still having the focals for the tower. Any one know if this is possible or have any suggestions if it isn't? For the guys/gals that have the overhead lights and do some night cruising.. What are your thoughts?

2. Ballast - probably just like most.. The bigger and longer the wave, the better Should I ask the dealer to install additional PnP right out of the gate? If so, what's a ideal set up? Have also read about some folks adding lead (will follow up with a post about a G23 question about set up/configuration for the lead that was just replied to today) should that be done out of the gate as well? Obviously, don't want the boat in the shop getting upgrades while we could be riding.

3. 450 engine the right choice?

4. What are some options you guys/gals are happy you went with or wish you would have added?

May have a few more questions as I narrow it in.. But thank you to all that respond!!

[OxDoc]

I can answer part of #1. You can get wavefront and whatever tower speakers you want, including the option of no tower speakers. My wife and I loved the lights on the focals as well, but are going with the JL 8.8's because they sound way better to us.

[NautiqueJeff]

For the audio, I believe you can order the M Series Studio Elite package (which gets you WaveFront), and still order the Roswell/Focal tower speakers. On the order, the tower speakers are a separate line item from the rest of the stereo package. If you do end up deciding to get the JL tower speakers, I would suggest NOT ordering them with the boat. You can get the same speakers significanty cheaper by ordering them direct from JL and mounting them yourself. The only difference will be that the color will be slightly different than the color of the speakers Nautique gets from JL. This is no big deal as long as you don't order one pair from Nautique and one from JL.

The Roswell tower speakers with the lights in the bottom are great for getting into and out of the boat at night, but you wouldn't want to run those lights while the boat is underway. That would create too much interior light, making it tough to see. Think about driving a car at night with the interior lights on.

My suggestion is to get whatever tower speakers you want (the Roswells if the lights are important), but then add a couple of Roswell C2 light bars to the tower. That's what I did this year. Those lights can be directed back at the surf wave if you surf at night. You can also run those for additional lighting for visual safety without making the interior of the boat too bright.

You might also consider skipping the Nautique underwater lights and going with Roswell's NightWater PRO underwater lights. I get those every year, and they are great! The best setup I have had so far was a set of 6" and a set of 2" together. That really lit things up behind the boat!

The ballast is all personal preference, and there are several threads with information on that. As you read, I have been running 1,000 pounds of lead in my boats, but this year I am planning to probably switch to bags to keep my boat light for my lift.

The H6 (450 HP) engine is great in a G23. If you won't be wakeboarding at all, you might opt for the H5. It has a little less power, but will burn even less gas than the H6. The XR/XS7 (550 HP) will burn significantly more fuel than the H5 or H6. I have the H6 in mine this year and am very happy with it. I have had the 550 in the past, and it is great, but it does burn up the fuel!

As for other options, in your location I would get the heater, seat heaters and pocket door. I have had all three on all of my G-series boats, and they get used a lot, even down here in NC, especially at night. Get the ladder, too. It is not very expensive, and it will get used! The factory cover is good, but pricy. You might check out SewLong Custom Covers for a good alternative. The factory bimini is nice, and a good design, but again, SewLong may have alternate options.

If you trailer, I recommend a Ram-Lin trailer. There are other good ones out there, but in my experience, you can't beat a Ram-Lin.

Here's a shot of the Roswell underwater lights I mentioned earlier.

[Tallredrider]

What is the elevation on your home lake. Mine is at 2700 feet and I cannot imagine not being able to surf, no matter how much weight I put in the boat. I have the 450. Wakeboarding is another issue. It can be slow to get on plane with full ballast and 12 people, but it does get there.

I will probably be plumbing in 1100's into the rear compartments on mine this summer. I can always fill them up less.

I think I would not be afraid at all of having a local shop do your tower speaker setup. I bet you could get the best of both worlds in terms of sound quality and lights if you ask around. An experienced shop can get you a great setup for probably less than the factory. MLA (google Mike's Liquid Audio) on here is a great resource and could walk you through a setup if you are willing to do it yourself. That isn't for everyone, but customizing the boat is sort of a side hobby of mine I really enjoy (on my boat, not for other people. It seems a lot more fun on my boat than anyone else's).

I installed a simple Roswell knob that gave me separate control over tower and interior speakers and that works great for me. It is far faster than thumbing through the touchscreen to just turn down one part of the stereo.

[peternajim]

We live at 6000 feet in Lake Tahoe and got the 550 engine. Its quite a bit quieter than the 450 and has all the power you will need with full ballast and a boat load of people. Not sure if it really burns that much more gas than the 450. $15/set for wakeboarding definitely covers the gas in our experience.

I also love the pocket door, heater, heated seats. The cover that came with my boat is not very good for trailering since it comes loose around the tower very easily. I LOVE the factory bimini since it is perfect in the closed position if its not that warm out, but still gives good coverage. You can open it for even more coverage if you want. Some other coma pies have more old school covers that cover more of the boat and also have surf board racks built in.

[NautiqueJeff]

I assume you're comparing the 2014 450 to the 550. That engine is nothing like the new H6. The new Direct Injection engines burn significantly less fuel (28% less than the previous engines, according to PCM, and I can vouch for AT LEAST 20% savings myself with the H6 versus the 2015 450). In 2014, Nautique & PCM were using an entirely different engine technology. The 550 is the same today, but the H5 and H6 are completely different engines.

[Whitetail15]

Also the noise factor is reduced with H6 now having a muffler , when the previous years did not .

[Tallredrider]

Also the noise factor is reduced with H6 now having a muffler , when the previous years did not .

So will my 2016 H6 be quieter than my 2015 PCM ZR450?

Mr. Smith, just curious when they say they will have your boat done. My dealership ran out of slots, but they are a smaller dealership. They told me anyone who wants a 2016 from them will not get it until late July. I would like to know what the nationwide trend is.

[Whitetail15]

yes. they are much quieter. i have owned both.

[Mr&MrsSmith]

Thank you for all of the responses! Extremely helpful!

I think I am over played the tower speaker lights.. When I head back to the show this weekend, I will look more into the JL 8.8's and take some great advice from Jeff on the Roswell lights and aftermarket install on the JL's.

Elevation for Lake Orion is about 900 feet.. should be fine there and will likely stay with the 450 if I move forward on the G.. exciting but will see what the final price will be. From what I read, I should be looking at 20-25% off MSRP?

If the boat wont be ready till July.. may hold out until next season on the purchase but the last time I spoke with the dealer, he had an open slot and would expect delivery before the season starts here in Michigan... jealous of the guys in the South that are still riding!

Anything else I should look into? Appreciate all the feedback!

[aoblak]

You will be completely fine with the 450, I have that motor in my 2014 and when we surf we typically fun about 1500 over factory with zero issues.
My boat has the heated seat, heater and wind screen (all a must in Michigan).

When I purchased my boat I wasn't sold on the factory Bimini but since owning it I love the ease of using it.

I can't comment on the new stereo due to the year of my boat, but I had my entire factory stereo upgraded to all Roswell and love it.

Jeff will take great care of you and answer any and all questions that you may have. Good luck with your purchase and let me know if you have any questions.

What colors are you thinking?