Thoughts on upgrading from a 210 to a 230

[Cadesun]

Our family moved our boat from a small lake to a much larger one (5,400 acres) last season and have been toying with the idea of trading in our beloved 210 for a 230 or a S series. The 230 is at the top of the list due to price and styling although I have test driven a S21 and was impressed by how it handled big water as well as the wakeboard and surf waves. Before anyone asks, we are not interested in the G or GS series due to multiple factors (styling, pricing, weight, etc).

My question is, will the 230 handle the big waves on Lake Geneva, WI appreciably better than the 210? They have similar hull designs but my thought was that the extra length and weight might make a significant difference. If anyone has made this switch I would love their input.

[XBIGPUN66]

Our 2014 210 does fine on lake Mendota in windy weather. You just have to know how to drive it.

[Cadesun]

I am very aware on how to drive in big water... have taken my 210 down to Lake of the Ozarks for a week and some day trips on Lake Michigan with my old Super Sport. I was just asking to see if the 230 would be a more comfortable ride for those aboard.

[jpwhit]

Our 2014 210 does fine on lake Mendota in windy weather. You just have to know how to drive it.

Like your mom use to say. "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all"

[FMSKI]

If you can measure the keel to bow rail distances - with like a tape, I think that will give you an answer.

I know what you mean. The Ski 200 would catch me off guard a few times and take on a bow digger soaking the place. And in busy surf-laden afternoons, out there tubing, it was a challenge. You can't always be on the throttle with people in the water.

One of the things that impresses me about the SV211 is pretty close to perfect marks for the tradeoff for styling/sightlines to freeboard, so even with a ton of ballast, it doesn't dive in.

I wonder if the Sport 200 is as robust.

[swatguy]

08 210 sownt plenty of time on lake Geneva, Ozarks , Lake Michigan myself. Riding buddy had 230 so spent lot of time in there. . The 230 won’t “ride any better “. Pretty dam near identical hull so you’re going to get little beat up compared to an S21. Advantage is all your passengers will be able to sit behind the windshield uncramped and will keep the nose up . Is it worth the upgrade ? If that’s your primary lake , I say yes., giving up slower speed wakeboard wakes . If surfing is your primary , I’d be lpossibky ooking BU 25 LSV.

[Cadesun]

Thanks for the input! I think at this point we will just wait for either a screaming deal on a new S21 or wait until a used one we like hits the market in the area.

[srock]

The space on the 230 is much better than the 210, and it will perform better on Geneva Lake. With the boat traffic, it's almost a surf-only lake, but I always wanted to barefoot down the middle. It took an early morning, late September, chilly, drizzly morning to get decent water, but we barefooted from Lake Geneva to Black Point. Ran out of talent and did not make it the rest of the way. The 210 has more functionality, but if you only surf and wakeboard at 22+ and do not want a surf tank, I would shop for the 230.

[Cadesun]

We live across the street from the lake and have our 210 on a lift in a slip so mid-week is when we get most of our boat sports in. Mostly surfing now (wakeboarding post-40 really hurts!) but have kiddos who are coming into their own behind the boat so want to leave options open. We get out a lot on weekends as well but it is mostly cruising/swimming/going out to eat with some evening surfing mixed in. Great info, I'll keep an open mind if I see a 230 that trips my trigger. I had a call in on one in Waukegan but the dealer never returned my call... will probably take that as a bad sign and pass on it. Thanks!