Matching a deep vee Nautique 226 2013 against a modified vee Nautique Super Air Nautique 230 2008 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 Super Air Nautique 230 2008 at 23,0 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 Super Air Nautique 230 2008 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 390 hp, the Nautique Super Air Nautique 230 2008 has a 47-hp advantage over the Nautique 226 2013's 343-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. 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 226 2013 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Nautique Super Air Nautique 230 2008 caps at 14. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Nautique 226 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Nautique 226 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 22,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Nautique Super Air Nautique 230 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 14 that costs less to run day-to-day.