SV23 to V25 hull - better ride in rough water?

[Juice75]

So I'm trying to convince myself to get a new (to me) boat.  I have a '99 Sunsetter VLX with the SV23 hull, and I want around an '08 23 LSV with the V25 hull.  Has anyone made a similar switch?  I love my boat, but it does get tossed around if the water isn't perfectly smooth.  I'm assuming the heavier LSV with a deeper draft would work better in the chop, but wondering if anyone has real world experience.  

 

I really love my boat (especially the part that it's paid off), but with my kids getting older, having a little more room and smoother ride would be nice.

[95echelon]

10 minutes ago, Juice75 said:

So I'm trying to convince myself to get a new (to me) boat.  I have a '99 Sunsetter VLX with the SV23 hull, and I want around an '08 23 LSV with the V25 hull.  Has anyone made a similar switch?  I love my boat, but it does get tossed around if the water isn't perfectly smooth.  I'm assuming the heavier LSV with a deeper draft would work better in the chop, but wondering if anyone has real world experience.  

 

I really love my boat (especially the part that it's paid off), but with my kids getting older, having a little more room and smoother ride would be nice.

What type of lakes and chop are we talking? I used to have an echelon on the sv23 and my 05 is the V25 and it's definitely a more refined ride. That's not moving v-drive to v-drive though. Keep in mind that malibu's are not a true V hull. Things like an MB Sports will likely ride smoother on large and open waterways. My 05 handles Table Rock lake just fine for example but Lake of The Ozarks with all the nutty traffic is a whole different animal where you can't run very fast without slamming the hell out of your boat.

[Juice75]

I ride on basically a wide river, so the water doesn't get too crazy.  Nothing like Lake of the Ozarks.  But on the weekends, when everyone and their dog is out there surfing, I have to slow down to a crawl to get over some of those rollers without throwing everyone out of the boat.

 

Also, how are Malibu's not a true V hull?  Haven't heard that before.

[95echelon]

17 hours ago, Juice75 said:

I ride on basically a wide river, so the water doesn't get too crazy.  Nothing like Lake of the Ozarks.  But on the weekends, when everyone and their dog is out there surfing, I have to slow down to a crawl to get over some of those rollers without throwing everyone out of the boat.

 

Also, how are Malibu's not a true V hull?  Haven't heard that before.

Sorry, I should have said not a Deep V. The v25 is pretty flat near the rear. I think at most you will notice a 10-20% improvement (EDIT: I was using big water for my approximation, thinking about it more I think it will be a very noticeable improvement on inland lakes and small-medium size rivers) It  (EDIT: Could be life changing) won't be life changing but it will be noticeably better. You will appreciate the extra space with the wider and longer hull for sure.

Edited June 21, 2019 by 95echelon

[jtrezon]

Owned a ‘99 Sunsetter VLX for 20yrs and recently now in a ‘10 LSV.   The ride in moderate chop is considerably better in the ‘10 and makes cruising much more tolerable.   The extra size and weight makes a huge difference....hard to figure a % but I would say better than 10-20% IMO 

[ahopkins22LSV]

13 hours ago, Juice75 said:

I ride on basically a wide river, so the water doesn't get too crazy.  Nothing like Lake of the Ozarks.  But on the weekends, when everyone and their dog is out there surfing, I have to slow down to a crawl to get over some of those rollers without throwing everyone out of the boat.

 

Also, how are Malibu's not a true V hull?  Haven't heard that before.

You are going to have to slow down to a crawl to go over surf waves in almost any boat out there. 

[Juice75]

On 6/20/2019 at 8:49 PM, jtrezon said:

Owned a ‘99 Sunsetter VLX for 20yrs and recently now in a ‘10 LSV.   The ride in moderate chop is considerably better in the ‘10 and makes cruising much more tolerable.   The extra size and weight makes a huge difference....hard to figure a % but I would say better than 10-20% IMO 

You made the exact jump I'm looking to do, so thanks for the feedback.  I've had my Sunsetter for 14 years now.  It's a great boat, and in almost perfect condition.  What kills me is the interiors in most of the used boats I've check out aren't nearly as nice as what's in my '99.  I reskinned mine in '08, and it still looks like new.

Edited July 7, 2019 by Juice75

[wakesonthesnake]

I went from a '97 Sunsetter V-drive to a '06 23 LSV and I would say it is definitely more than a 20% increase in ride quality.  As jtrezon stated the moderate chop is where you really notice it, you don't get the kidney pounding.  There is a lot less chance of getting rollers and splash over the bow as well.  I leave my center ballast partially full and it helps mellow the ride even more.  I loved my Sunsetter but I am so glad I updated.  Funny you say that about the interior, I thought the quality of vinyl on the Sunsetter was better as well, still worth the upgrade though. 

[95echelon]

19 minutes ago, wakesonthesnake said:

I went from a '97 Sunsetter V-drive to a '06 23 LSV and I would say it is definitely more than a 20% increase in ride quality.  As jtrezon stated the moderate chop is where you really notice it, you don't get the kidney pounding.  There is a lot less chance of getting rollers and splash over the bow as well.  I leave my center ballast partially full and it helps mellow the ride even more.  I loved my Sunsetter but I am so glad I updated.  Funny you say that about the interior, I thought the quality of vinyl on the Sunsetter was better as well, still worth the upgrade though. 

Yeah I probably should not have been so definitive. I was using some big lake of the ozarks rollers for reference. On inland lakes its like a lexus compared to a miata in terms of cushy ride. My passengers never complain even if they arent boaters

 

[Juice75]

This is exactly what I was hoping to hear.  A smooth ride is a good selling point to get my wife on board with a new boat.  And like they say, happy wife = happy life.

[UWSkier]

The 23 LSV will ride much much better than your Sunsetter VLX.  I have time in both boats you're asking about and it's a massive improvement dealing with chop.

[Juice75]

Quick update. I spent the last two days on Possum Kingdom lake in an ‘08 23 LSV. The lake was insanely rough, and the LSV handled it no problem. People could still sit in the bow with needing new kidneys. I’m sold!  As soon as I find the right ‘08-ish LSV, it’s all mine!

Edited July 7, 2019 by Juice75