which wake is better.. X-star vs. SAN 230

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

I'm sure there have been previous threads about this but just though I'd start up the talk again since it's getting almost time to start back up..

in your own opinion which do think has better wake, crisp, huge, any part of it u like.. xstar weighted all the way down 230 all the way down and stock.. not talking about boat performance or room but you can throw that into as well if u want..

just thought I'd give something new to talk about on here.. I haven't had the privledge to ride behinde either so I can't really say much about that but they are 2 things I wouldn't mind having in the garage haha

b33nine · Soul Rider Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 311 City: Salem-ish

haven't ridden behind a nautique in ages, but the ones I have ridden behind were awesome. Nice big wake that was pretty vertical iirc. The new 2003+ X-Star wakes are a bit more mellow than what I usually prefer, but when weighted pretty heavily can be a really nice wake. The X-star wakes are big for sure, they just have a longer transition.

One of my favorite wakes I've ridden was an MB B-52 to be honest. Was like running into a brick wall of a wake. I rode behind the pro tour X-Star back before it was a picklefork but that thing was weighted ridiculously so I don't think it's really fair to add to the list...

Going to be a preference thing for sure. You should consider adding a Malibu to your list though and even a Supra maybe.

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

me and my buddy use his dads 2005 bass boat to ride behinde lol every now and then we go with a few buddys and ride behinde there boats so it's not to bad just glad we got a boat..

ya that's cool.. whatever you think is the best wake go for it..

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

double post

Chattwake · Posted: Mar 18, 2010 5:08 am Post subject:

That 230 you posted is my old boat. I've owned an '08 and and '09. My 2010 comes in in May. I love the wake behind the 230.

The XStar absolutely produces one of the best wakes ever; however, it takes a LOT of weight to sink that boat and get the wake where you want it. The problem is that with all that weight, you loose some handling and end up burning a good bit of fuel. Again, once that boat is slammed, the wake is steller. It then becomes an issue of pure preference as to what you want out of a huge wake.

The 230's stock wake (with only stock ballast) is by no means big. However, it's a nice, well shaped, firm wake that's a ton of fun to play around on, to teach people to ride, and to try new stuff on. I'm not a very good rider, all things considered. I can jump hs and ts, do some grabs and 180's, an occasional hs 3, a tantrum, backroll, and crow. I've blown out both of my knees, and I'm just never going to be great. However, I love riding and can appreciate a good wake. I can throw all of my stuff easily behind the 230 with stock ballast.

To get a really nice wake out of a 230, you can add a well placed 2,000lbs. Fly High has a plug and play system for the 230 that's around 1300lbs (all under the floor) that's nice and helps eliminate sacs. At 75' and 24mph, with 2000lbs, the 230 wake is really nice and clean. It has a good transition, a shorter/more vertical ramp than the XStar (but not the brick wall of the old 210), and a nice lip. You get a lot of up and down pop from the wake, but it's not unnecessarily violent.

The one thing about the 230 wake is that you just need to figure out where the weight should go. If you put it in the wrongs places, the boat will porpoise or the wake will curl. It just takes some time to figure out the boat, but the hydrogate does help to tweak the wake and eliminate wash if its windy. When weighted right, the 230's wake is amazing, and on top of that, the boat still drives like a sports car. I have no trouble taking the hardest uturn at the back of our slew when the boat is slammed with weight and people.

The 230 can take much much more weight than I throw at it, and the wake just gets bigger. JD told me at the pro tour Knoxville stop that he puts over 4,000 lbs in his 230.

I guess the short answer is that both boats produce great wakes. I personally feel that the 230 drives a bit better when slammed and takes a little less weight to sink. At the end of the day though, if you're going to go out and buy one of these boats, demo both with stock ballast and with added weight and see which one you like better.

Blindside_137 · Posted: Mar 18, 2010 7:32 am Post subject:

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

ya I saw that boat the other day and fell in love lol why do you get a new boat every year? must be nice haha

ya I wouldn't mind having either one but seems like more people lean towards xstar just because of the name.. I would prolly have to go 230 because it's easier to drive even when it's weighted down.

what's the prices on a fully loaded xstar and 230? one cost more than another?

Chattwake · Posted: Mar 18, 2010 8:12 am Post subject:

They cost approximately the same. I can't speak to resale on the XStar, but I know that I have gotten rid of my 230's every year quickly and been happy with the results.

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

why do you get a new boat every year? just curious?

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

ahh nevermind i found the old thread of the boat and the reason you buy one each year.. what color you going with for 2010?

Chattwake · Posted: Mar 18, 2010 10:21 am Post subject:

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

nice, ur gunna have to post some pictures of it for sure.. well guess windshield comes down to, are you on the lake after dark..

Ralph · Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:34 pm Post subject:

Great review Chattwake

key · Posted: Mar 19, 2010 5:52 am Post subject:

migs · Newbie Joined: 13 Jan 2009 Posts: 15 City: San Mateo

^^^^ I cant wait to see that all white 230!!!!!
gonna be siiiikkk

browneye253 · Outlaw Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 115 City: Tulsa

key · Posted: Mar 19, 2010 8:59 am Post subject:

dont you lose money doing this?? ive never understood how that works. if you come out positve that great. but is that possible,.....i dont know.....

Chattwake · Posted: Mar 19, 2010 9:58 am Post subject:

It works for me because i get a good deal on a boat on the front end. If the boat sells at the end of the season for enough to get a new model without me having to come out of pocket, I do it. I help local dealers sell a few boats a year locally, and my friends buy gear from them. They make a little cash on the front end and back end of each boat I buy and sell. I don't know, it just works because I have been able to sell my nautiques for more than I buy them for and it pays the difference between the model year increases.