Matching a deep vee Nautique 226 2013 against a modified vee Nautique 230 2010 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Nautique 226 2013 at 22,6 ft versus Nautique 230 2010 at 23,1 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Nautique 226 2013 tips the scales at 455 lbs — 412 lbs more than the Nautique 230 2010 at 43 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 343 hp for the Nautique 226 2013 and 343 hp for the Nautique 230 2010. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 52 gal and 51 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Nautique 230 2010 is rated for 16 passengers, while the Nautique 226 2013 caps at 15. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Nautique 230 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Nautique 230 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 23,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Nautique 226 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 15 that costs less to run day-to-day.