Nautique G23 vs Centurion Ri230 - Performance, Fuel Efficiency, Wake Surf Waves

[@American_Enigma]

I wakeboard 98% of the time, while the rest of the family primarily surfs (though I'm converting my son over from the dark side to wakeboarding lol). I've wakeboarded behind every boat on the market minus the Ri230 and Ri245 (I've surfed the Ri245). Honestly, the optimal wakeboarding speed for the G23 (I have this current generation) with full ballast is right around 22.4 - 22.6. It cleans up the the lip and improves the transition. It makes straight forward tricks like the tantrum so much easier because it trips you into it so easy (just don't leave early). One thing I noticed about the Ri245 while surfing that I don't ever hear anyone talk about is it breaks up the chop better than any boat I've ever surfed. I was out on a rough day and able to perform wide bottom turns as a result. I was definitely impressed. The Centurion wave is a little softer and the wave isn't as surf able as you get closer to the boat, which makes the length comparison a little misleading. Both are killer boats thought. Can't really go wrong with either. The Supra also throws a killer wakeboard wake but doesn't even come close in terms of surf capability without an extra thousand pounds.

[@lakelivingoutdoors]

You said it perfectly. I ride on a centurion fi23 and a g23 all the time. The centurion wave takes significantly longer to develop so the length of the wave is a moot point to actual surfing area of the wave. Both are great boats, surf waves are phenomenal on both. Can’t say I like one more than the other just different.

[@mbrick]

Really nice review with great video work. Would love to see this done with more boats!

[@justinblomquist9318]

Wow, great comparison. I love how in depth this was. I want to go into this much detail and analysis on my boats wave!

[@BoardCo]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@JLK8339]

Great comparison and you were very fair in your analysis. The only thing I would nitpick is you overlooking the ability of the Nautique to save personalized (rider specific) settings. You spoke about this on the other boat as if it were unique.

[@brentfrank7012]

This guy is always leaning one direction, doesn’t even try to hide it.

[@leshunter4409]

Very nice comparison video of these boats. The fuel consumption part is still impressive. We have a '21 Fi25 and once did an all-day surf lesson session with a total of 7 man crew. We ran hard all day long and still did not burn a full tank of fuel. I personally think fuel consumption is a huge plus for centurion if even just considering the convenience of use.

[@andrewjetmitchell7203]

These are my 2 favorite boats and I get to drive both of them. Have been A naughty and Paragon fan for a for 6 yrs. But getting to drive the RI weekly has changed my mind and this video just made that very clear. Both boats are fantastic, but the centurion wave beats out the nautilique in size, length and shape. And with the gas mileage added in, it beats at hands down. Great job on the video showing us the difference, He drone style picture of both surfboards from up above told me everything I needed to know. The picture of the terribulance underwater and above water on the ri definitely beats out the naughty. Great job guys. 😎👌

[@alwaysboatin659]

You do a really good job with the videos. What would really be cool is if you did this comparison with all of the makes, but had their people setting up their own waves so we can see an unbiased (not that you’re coming off that way) comparison of each. I feel as years go by, the gap is narrowing between many of the makes when it comes to surf waves out of the box.

[@maxnal.7435]

What engine on this G23 and Ri? The gas consumption will show different numbers if your G23 equipped with zz8 or zz6. Something wrong here.

[@BoardCo]

Great question. The G23 has a ZZ8 engine and the Ri230 has a ZZ6. Because of the load and the hull design the Nautique G23 requires a ZZ8 whereas the load and different hull of the Ri230 only requires a ZZ6 here at elevation. If the test were done at lower elevation where the G23 could run a smaller engine we would also see that the Centurion could run a smaller engine or be more fuel efficient. The comparison is fair of what is normally equipped on each boat for this location. That being said, PCM has run tests and found that in the same boat, the ZZ6 is just 15% more fuel efficient than the ZZ8. There is a more detailed video about fuel consumption coming, feel free to give that a watch as well!

[@peetu77]

@@BoardCo I would like to see wakeboarding fuel consumption figures as well!

[@quinnsmyjunas9324]

Just like to say, I’ve found that turning the speed down to 11.0-11.2 on the g23 and wave at 1-2 you can get a more mellow wave that is a little bit flatter like the centurion mellow wave

[@lukekirsch3358]

awesome production quality! It would be fun to add in one more type of wave into the discussion. The foil wave!!

[@gregarycarr5814]

I have a G25 Paragon and have found the more water I have in the front the longer and more mellow the wave. The less water I have in the front the steeper and shorter the wave is. Depending upon how many people I have on the boat and how much fuel I have, I normally run 100% on rider side, 80% on opposite side and 50% in the front.

[@chuckgym]

Why were you in reverse the whole time you were talking about the wave set up in the Ri? I could tell by the noise and the background. Didn’t know if it helped in some way. I’ve never done it on my ri230

[@randybettencourt712]

Great video! As a new ri230 owner I absolutely love the boat. The one thing I don’t like is the exhaust through the silent stinger, it’s not deep enough and much of the time you can smell exhaust. While watching this video you can clearly see the fumes coming up in front of the surfer. I’m hoping this is an issue that resolves itself somehow. Has anybody else had this issue?

[@NewEmpirePictures]

One of your best videos yet! Great comparison and highlights of performance. Can’t wait to surf on my new Ri230 🙌🏻

[@BoardCo]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@SS-fj8dn]

really good comparison vid. We have a Nautique, and I would agree with most of what you said...the surf wave is steep or steeper..I wish it was longer and we have done everything we can to make it longer (more front weight, slightly faster, etc). The G wakeboard wake is scary big when fully loaded...way too much for us. If I was buying new now, I would likely go with the RI230 as we primarily surf. Great job!

[@chadhudson1297]

A great comparison Mitch!

[@joetaber8259]

Mitch- I think this comparison was really great. I own a 2023 Ri245 that we had custom built. I demoed everything else and nothing else comes close to a Centurion. Too bad the Predator tower wasn’t available then. I really think you don’t do the Ri230 justice on the wakeboard side of things. When equipped with the CATS system, the Centurion moves to a premiere wakeboard boat. No need to balance crew or ballast for perfectly clean wakes.

[@lauradavis8949]

GREAT Revew

[@h0onz]

would love a comparison w/ the s25 vs g25. we've got an s but id like to see how they stack up against each other

[@DJStroble]

They both have PCM engines! What model engine in both boats? Can y’all test out the fuel consumption for wakeboarding?

[@BoardCo]

The G23 has a PCM ZZ8 and the Ri230 has a PCM ZZ6. Stay tuned for pt. 2!

[@makuakane7787]

Good comparison and it seemed relatively no-biased, which is good. The one thing that wasn't addressed for either boat was what motor/horsepower each boat had. While it doesn't necessarily change the performance, it is interesting to know what each boat has.

[@BoardCo]

The G23 has a PCM ZZ8 and the Ri230 has a PCM ZZ6. Stay tuned for pt. 2 - more engine info to come!

[@DamonDougherty]

@@BoardCo why not compare same engines? They both are PCM… seems like the whole case of better fuel efficiency is now irrelevant.

[@TheKfilter]

This seems pretty shady to leave out. They both use PCM motors and can be optioned with the same. The G23 motor has a lot more power in the comparison.

[@Ktank116]

Great video. Appreciate how you stayed neutral through most the video. Wish more dealers did this. Any chance you could do the same comparison with a 2024 Supra SL450?

[@BoardCo]

We would love to! As soon as we can get our hands on a Supra you will see a video with it!

[@peterapgar7756]

Great video! Can you share the fuel efficiency numbers for ZZ eight in the RI?

[@bigcahoonas8196]

Would love to see a performance video on the new Fi23 💪🏼

[@leoncherry6451]

Awesome job as always

[@migssantino2101]

Great vid guys!

[@backcountyrpilot]

How do the Goofy-sides compare?

[@william.a.robinson]

What kind of threw me is the exhaust fumes on the centurion showing up in video. I wouldn't expect that from this style of boat.

[@robbrowne3229]

You didn’t mention horsepower difference. That would affect gph.

[@bradystewart345]

Great review! Love the drone footage. I just bought a Fi23. What settings did you use for the more mellow wave?

[@BoardCo]

To get a more mellow wave you can increase the center plate thus making the wave longer and more mellow, or you can offload a bit of ballast to make the wave a bit more mellow.

[@matthewmiller1300]

Just bought an ri245! Is it warm enough in Utah to surf in a wetsuit?!

[@BoardCo]

Yeah! It's warming up and time to surf!

[@standjos25]

Yeah I surfed deer creek several weeks ago. The water was 48° but it was still fun

[@bcgunner9324]

I am NOT a wakeboarder.. I only surf. But isn't the wakeboarding wake on the centurion considerably cleaner?

[@birddog0347]

Yes... but with the full ballast in the G23 he should have been going 1-2mph faster and it would be equally clean.

[@collin9085]

Centurion is not the only company that shows fuel flow. Heyday also gives a live fuel burn read out. This is because it's a mercruiser engine. My heyday burns about 10-13 gph depending on how I set it up, how many people are on the boat, etc etc. Just an FYI.

[@austin6279]

That's because it has no ballast or stinger plate capability. Your heyday can load up with only 2000 lbs whereas there is 6000 lbs of ballast in the Centurion.

[@collin9085]

@@austin6279 I'm not hating on centurions. I'm just saying that It's still a great wave for the money, and doesn't burn much gas even when using the surf shaper. Axis should be similar fuel burn without the wedge I would assume. I just surfed behind a moomba max yesterday. It had 4000 lbs of ballast but sas only at 3000 rpms which seemed quite low. It still needed more weight to be as nice of a wave as my heyday, but fuel burn wise I assume it is going to be similar.

[@Calberta_s]

Would the Paragon have had different results? Or same as the Std G23 ?

[@BoardCo]

The paragon does throw a little bit better of a surf wave than the G23, but that comes with an increase in price of about 150k - 200k...

[@user-nv9fz4qp3b]

That audio control unit beside the dash on the ri looks like ass.

[@jacobmcdonald2367]

Well done Mitch! Why G23 wakeboard wake not as clean as the Ri230? What motors in each boat? ZZ6?

[@BoardCo]

The Nautique has a PCM ZZ8 and the Ri230 has a PCM ZZ6. As for the wakeboard wake it all comes down to the wakeboard wake and how deep or shallow it is.

[@jacobmcdonald2367]

@@BoardCo The SC 6.2L Ilmor in MC's use less fuel than the Ilmor 6000 6.2L GDI, so in theory the ZZ6 in the Nautique will burn even more fuel!

[@TM-jv1fb]

I can not even watch these videos anymore. Every boat is priced out of the majority of households. Then you have a 80 plus gallon tank that takes premium. Add ballast, people and gear. Do not care whether it gets 9gph or 15 gph. Its then a 500 weekend just in gas. I about died buying a 2019 Supra Sl550 used in 2020. That boat new was near 175k. Now they go for 275k. Its nuts.

[@brandontuckett767]

The centurions performance is better than the Nautique but everything else about the boat is a distant second place to a Nautique

[@gavinsmart8250]

I agree with this. Yes the centurion might have a better surf wave and its respectable but Nautique's are way more well built and everything about them is just so much nicer. Nautique #1 in best built and quality.

[@meitsme6]

Dalton looks like a guy with a 300k boat payment

[@AlexSeiler-t4e]

Crazy how the G23 is more expensive especially when the Ri230 is a more loaded boat for $75,000 less

[@scottedwards6117]

You will instantly notice getting on a Nautique it's miles ahead in quality over a Centaurion

[@AlexSeiler-t4e]

⁠@@scottedwards6117have you been in a new Centurion? Centurion and Nautique source there vinyl through the same manufacturer. Funny enough Centurion goes with the more expensive vinyl option cause it’s more durable and thicker than anything else in the industry. Also the Centurions new power folding tower destroys Nautiques, it can tow from any point, it’s way faster going up or down and looks way better. For $75,000 more what do you get? Less ballast, smaller fuel tank, bad fuel burn, a worse surf system, slow tower that can only tow when maxed out.

[@austin6279]

Interior is boring and overrated on Nautique

[@scottedwards6117]

The biggest problem with the centaurion..... The divers seat area. Its woefully deficient, uncomfortable, windshield frame is in the way. No arm rests. For the cost of that boat the bill payer is an afterthought.

[@herteltw]

This … have a G23 and my favorite part is the driver experience - easy to maneuver - the quick control dial - the auto volume control that works and is adjustable without setting changes - easy to deploy Bimini - excellent dealer network support (local dependent) Having said all that , the wave and fuel burn of the centurion were impressive , would absolutely demo before next purchase

[@noneyabusiness7664]

Anyone with eyes can see the centurion is a cleaner wave.

[@colechristensen25]

I know you guys sell Centurion, and I do like your guy’s store and business. But there’s no way we will ever own another centurion. Our RI 237 was fully loaded with every option and the supercharged engine. You couldn’t go eight hours before it was out of gas. Made Powell trips suck. Plus, it was far from user-friendly trying to get the surf tabs dialed in. We switched to Malibu and like the boat and wave better. It gets way better fuel economy, and the surf wave set up is dummy proof. We will continue to buy boards and gear from you guys. Just not another centurion.

[@mbrick]

Better fuel economy with the wedge? Ive read about so many different experiences including Malibu having worse fuel economy.

[@colechristensen25]

@@mbrick Yes for sure better fuel economy. But most of all the it’s so much more user friendly. And it drives so much smoother. (Steering/throttle control) And we think the wave is better. Centurion we’d constantly have to change the ballast settings. The same settings would make different waves depending on the day. Made it hard for older guys like my dad to be able to use it. Malibu you just fill all the tanks and click surf left or right. And the wedge was a great tool for choosing a steep or long wave. We will buy Malibu for the foreseeable future. Gotta give props to these guys marketing centurion as a great boat, but our experience was not that.

[@rodneypratt4324]

These Boat companies have lost their minds G23 well-equipped 350,000😢 so a boat for multi-millionaires in the 1 percenters way to go

[@charlesml3]

I understand how you did this comparison. You did everything you could to make the setup "the same." All ballast full except for a bit more on the Port side which probably isn't the same amount of ballast in each boat. You also equated a "7" on the Nautique gate to "75%" on the Centurion. There's no way to know if those are the same or not. Again I understand what you were after. You were doing your best to level the playing field. Unfortunately, this resulted in a very unfortunate situation: You OVERWEIGHTED the Nautique. Yes. I own a 2022 G23 and I have hundreds of hours on it. I have tried dozens of different combinations of speed, gate and weight. It comes down to this: For wakesurfing, everything at 100% is too much. The water starts to flow over top of the gate and the wake suffers. Eventually, we settled on this: Belly 100%, Both Rear tanks 100%, Both Supplementals 50%. We usually refer to the supplements as the "mids" for brevity. On this particular boat, it has the power tower which adds even more weight to the middle. On these, we cut the mids down to 25%. Even less if there are a lot of people on the boat. For speed, we usually run at 11.7mph with the gate at 2 or so. This seems to be the sweet spot. A more fair comparison would be to tune each wake to be the best it can be for a given rider. That will almost for sure be different settings on each boat.

[@Capjuancode]

Back at it 😅😂

[@brentfrank7012]

I’ve got an Axis T22 and runs 4.5 rpm at 11 mph, burns 40 gallons of regular gas in six hours of surfing and the wake is up to the hip of a six foot man. I’ve spent years adjusting my set up, most people are not that focused on the wake. I live on a lake, it’s easy for me. It looks like the Centurion might be a bit longer play area than mine but mine is about twenty feet and way taller. You can’t beat surf gate for making big waves. I’ve seen every wake on my lake. Just had a full weekend here with a crazy expensive Pavati and it was unimpressive. Maybe not set up correctly! Most every boat is surfable and fun. I will admit Malibu has many problems that eventually get worked out. Wish they had better quality. 🇺🇸

[@pubfixture]

Centurion. No-brainer.

[@ripcarlton5917]

I am not a G23 hater, but I have been saying for the last 3 years to my friends that own G23's, boys...nice boat, very high quality and features...but your wave sucks. I went with a Supra SL, like the Centurion, you can really change the wave shape and go long,, or big and powerful. Love your reviews.

[@LAXERJK]

Surf yes, board absolutely not. We own the Centurion, but saying it’s wakeboard wake is superior to the g23 is simply not true

[@TheVinceb100]

oof, owner of the Nautique just out here surfing both waves, looking like he likes the Centurion way better, and also spends twice the gas......brutal.

[@dereckallen1856]

Okay....i have beers, bourbon, baddies, and jerk chicken Whose boat can we kick back,enjoy nature, and mix music playlists on?

[@emc84]

G23

[@natdeeroff1505]

where is bro wake surfing with snowy mountains in the background lol

[@mbrick]

Utah

[@somedumbguy]

It would be cool to see you do a review on the Regal LS9 just like this video. Fuel economy, waves ect.

[@charlesml3]

A G23 does NOT burn 22 gal/hour at surf. No. I own a 2022 G23 with the 6.2L NA engine. I live on a lake. We go out and surf steady for 3 hours and when I get back to the dock I do not fill it with 60 gallons of fuel. It’s less than 20. Usually around 18 gallons.

[@BoardCo]

Thanks for the comment. Burning 22 gal / hour means running the engine non stop. Obviously when surfing there is get up and go, surf, turn around, changing riders, etc. You are not constantly running the engine hard. Both boats average less than the gal / hour rate in general unless run at a constant speed for multiple hours without a break.

[@tecategt5]

We can geek out but the woman don’t care. They want the nautique logo.