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

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.

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

Awesome job as always

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.

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. 😎👌

Great vid guys!

A great comparison Mitch!

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.

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

GREAT Revew

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!

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

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.

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.

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

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

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?

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

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

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.

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

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?

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

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

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.

How do the Goofy-sides compare?

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

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

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.

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

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

Back at it 😅😂

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

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.

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

Centurion. No-brainer.

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

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

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.

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