Nautique vs. Everyone

[mogeyman]

Longtime lurker but have never posted, and looking to be a first time boat owner in 12-24 months. I grew up on the lake with a 1988 Tournament Supra and never experienced any other boat. Spent most of my time barefooting and wakeboarding but was never any good at wakeboarding, could really only jump the wake and that was about it lol. Currently age 32 and finally settled into my career as a physician, have a beautiful wife and two kids (ages 5 and 1), and am looking to emulate the childhood I had for my kids. I envision using the boat mostly for wake surfing (~85%) and occasionally wakeboarding.

I have done months of reviews of all the various brands and really keep finding myself going in circles in terms of the “right” boat for my family. The main issue I guess is that testing the boats really won’t have much weight in my decision considering I have never wakesurfed and frankly suck at wakeboarding. Throw that in with COVID and no boat shows and I’m lost with how to determine the “best” fit. A limiting factor in the decision is that I can only tow 8,600 lbs as I have a 2019 Chevy Tahoe RST 6.2L with 420 HP. So I’m eyeballing a dry weight of max 5400 lbs to make up for all the other weight factors and still have plenty of room before reaching towing capacity. Plan would be to trailer the boat each lake day (no option for a marina, unfortunately) on highway 80 km/hr, not much elevation change, but a moderately windy road.

Given this, I’m having a REALLY tough time figuring out the best boat to fit my family’s needs. I’m seeking a deeper hull to make it safer for the kids and have less bow splash. Based on my initial browsing, something with a hull design of an ATX, G series, M220, Supra, Tige, etc.. I think the G21 would be a perfect boat (G23 too heavy) but I worry I’ll regret getting only a 21’ (e.g. vs Malibu MXZ 23). My other concern is only having a 21’ come resale. I want to keep the boat for 5+ years as it’ll be awhile being I own a true truck, making reliability a major must. Hope you can see why I get lost in this game... I’m not going to say cost isn’t an issue but I’m open minded if it’s the right boat for my family.

I realize this is a complex answer but would appreciate some guidance nonetheless. Would be happy to clarify or elaborate on any points I missed. Thank you so much in advance

[hal2814]

If you want a G21, get a G21. Get it used while you’re deciding if you like it. They hold their value well and you’ll let someone else take the new boat depreciation. If it’s what you want after a year or so, maybe upgrade to a newer one. If it’s not what you want, you’ll be able to sell it for pretty much what you bought it for.

[CincinnatiCC]

If you love the G21, I agree get that. If you are still just shopping around, why not look at the 230? It would be easier/sportier to drive than the G, and has a great surf wave. Also only 4,650 lbs.

[mogeyman]

I should clarify, I don’t “want” a G21 but based on everyone’s posts it usually comes back to “the G wake is unparalleled, little kids can learn on it, you’ll regret not buying one, etc.”. Even the point made above, I’m sure someone would say “don’t get a GS22, G21 is better”. I probably need to do some more research... guess I was trying to find the easy way out in someone making the decision for me

[liquidforce133]

take a serious look at the 230. it has been the perfect boat for us and we were in a similar situation. it has more room for people being 23 ft and has an awesome wave and wake and handles really well. easy to tow. g21s look sweet but i am personally waiting until i get the tow vehicle i want before i get the g23 that i want. 230 was a better option for me than the g21.

[hal2814]

Not going to argue with the recommendations for a 230. It’s what I have and I love it. You can get a great surf wave with some additional ballast. It has far less storage than a G23 or G21 but I’m not really sure what people are storing in their boats. I still have plenty of room for everything I typically bring. The wakeboard wake is great but it’s definitely designed for that era of 22-24mph long rope riding. It gets washy below that.

[gonefishin5555]

I’m going to give slightly different advice. Buy a vacation home on a lake first and the boat second. Screw the tow vehicle you are a doctor. Put the boat on a lift on your lakefront home.

[mogeyman]

I’m going to give slightly different advice. Buy a vacation home on a lake first and the boat second. Screw the tow vehicle you are a doctor. Put the boat on a lift on your lakefront home.

Haha that is the eventual plan but after 12 years of schooling and 2 kids later, gotta save up for the lakefront property and pay major debts first. Need something to tie us over until then But I like your thinking!

[gonefishin5555]

Okay then if your buying the boat I think you need to adjust your max weight downward. 5400 is too much your trailer is around 2000 and fluids another 500. You should stay around 7k if you are towing any distance at all. gs22, 230 or g21 are your options in nautiques.

[99bison]

I’m going to give slightly different advice. Buy a vacation home on a lake first and the boat second. Screw the tow vehicle you are a doctor. Put the boat on a lift on your lakefront home.

Probably the best advice, no kidding!

Not sure where you location wise, but lake property isn’t getting cheaper, like ever. At least buy a cheaper small place to get into the market. Then when prices go up yours goes up too.

Then buy a used cheaper 40-50k wakeboat ideally that has a surf system of some kind, and ideally from a local dealer that you prefer so you can build a relationship with for your next boat.

Then in 2-5 years you can evaluate what boat and lake property you really want after trying things on for size.

No truck towing to worry about, less boat storage concerns, hauling kids and gear in the weekends is not applicable, and with this plan you aren’t going to lose value on the property, nor the boat.

[99bison]

As for boat, talk to your local dealers a bit and pick the best dealer relationship. That can help you immensely over the years.

[mogeyman]

Probably the best advice, no kidding!

Not sure where you location wise, but lake property isn’t getting cheaper, like ever. At least buy a cheaper small place to get into the market. Then when prices go up yours goes up too.

Then buy a used cheaper 40-50k wakeboat ideally that has a surf system of some kind, and ideally from a local dealer that you prefer so you can build a relationship with for your next boat.

Then in 2-5 years you can evaluate what boat and lake property you really want after trying things on for size.

No truck towing to worry about, less boat storage concerns, hauling kids and gear in the weekends is not applicable, and with this plan you aren’t going to lose value on the property, nor the boat.

Lakefront Kalamalka Lake, indeed not cheap... I like the idea. Thank you for the advice

[Startemyoung]

We bought a g21 this year and love it. We came over from Malibu and are never going back. We tested the centurion fi21, supreme zs232, mastercraftx20, gs22, and have a friends with an older 210 and another with a ‘16 G23. I have young kids so the g21 has plenty of seating for us and their friends as they’re all small lol. There were things we liked about all the boat we tested but the g21 was a pretty easy decision for us. We got a major deal on it so a new g23 would have been about 50k more. The storage, width, and depth of the boat on a g21 vs gs22 made the g feel much larger than the gs.

Speedo g of storage, it’s amazing. Young kids means LOTS of stuff in my experience. When I go out for a guys night with buddies I don’t notice the storage as a perk so much. When we bring my kids and their friends oh my. More snacks, more towels, more water toys. We keep permanently in our boat 6 surf boards, 3 wakeboards, a huge Costco tube, a knee board, and 4 fat Connelly noodles for swimming. Add in towels, life jackets, food, and drinks for the day and it adds up to a lot of stuff! ALL of it fits in the back lockers with exception of the lunch cooler. Lunch cooler in starboard seat, guests gear under the port seat. Nobody has to stand up off their seat to get any of the water sport gear out. I’ll never go back to filling those rear lockers with ballast bags that other boats require for good wakes.

Kids = tons of garbage from snacks. Trash can is easy to access even my 2 year old throws away her own crap. You don’t want little kids lifting a seat to throw away their wrappers!Littles need lots of shade. The Bimini is huge and so easy to deploy and stow. Admittedly these features are not unique to the g21, any Nautique will hold this advantage over most other brands.

G21’s don’t resell for as much as the 23 but they are cheaper to get into. If you buy right I don’t see having a hard time selling.

We have put 170 hours since May on ours in 4 different states. It has been the best summer ever.





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[Startemyoung]

I only fill the ballast 50% for my 9 and 7 year old. Smaller wave is less intimidating and burns less fuel haha.

My 68 year old dad learned to surf and he likes max ballast


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[mogeyman]

We bought a g21 this year and love it. We came over from Malibu and are never going back. We tested the centurion fi21, supreme zs232, mastercraftx20, gs22, and have a friends with an older 210 and another with a ‘16 G23. I have young kids so the g21 has plenty of seating for us and their friends as they’re all small lol. There were things we liked about all the boat we tested but the g21 was a pretty easy decision for us. We got a major deal on it so a new g23 would have been about 50k more. The storage, width, and depth of the boat on a g21 vs gs22 made the g feel much larger than the gs.

Speedo g of storage, it’s amazing. Young kids means LOTS of stuff in my experience. When I go out for a guys night with buddies I don’t notice the storage as a perk so much. When we bring my kids and their friends oh my. More snacks, more towels, more water toys. We keep permanently in our boat 6 surf boards, 3 wakeboards, a huge Costco tube, a knee board, and 4 fat Connelly noodles for swimming. Add in towels, life jackets, food, and drinks for the day and it adds up to a lot of stuff! ALL of it fits in the back lockers with exception of the lunch cooler. Lunch cooler in starboard seat, guests gear under the port seat. Nobody has to stand up off their seat to get any of the water sport gear out. I’ll never go back to filling those rear lockers with ballast bags that other boats require for good wakes.

Kids = tons of garbage from snacks. Trash can is easy to access even my 2 year old throws away her own crap. You don’t want little kids lifting a seat to throw away their wrappers!Littles need lots of shade. The Bimini is huge and so easy to deploy and stow. Admittedly these features are not unique to the g21, any Nautique will hold this advantage over most other brands.

G21’s don’t resell for as much as the 23 but they are cheaper to get into. If you buy right I don’t see having a hard time selling.

We have put 170 hours since May on ours in 4 different states. It has been the best summer ever.





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Thank you so much!! Made my decision much easier! G21 it is (plus I want to build a reputation with the local Nautique dealer). I’ll update everyone on the lakefront property with the G25 on a lift in 10+ years