Nautique G23 2012 vs Nautique Sport 226 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Nautique G23 2012 or the Nautique Sport 226 2004?

For trailering, the Nautique Sport 226 2004 has the edge at 39 lbs dry weight versus 54 lbs for the Nautique G23 2012. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Nautique G23 2012 has a documented max rating of 343 hp. Engine specifications for the Nautique Sport 226 2004 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Nautique G23 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 16 passengers, while the Nautique Sport 226 2004 is certified for 12. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Nautique G23 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 97" for the Nautique Sport 226 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Nautique G23 2012 or the Nautique Sport 226 2004?

The Nautique G23 2012 has the bigger tank at 65 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Nautique Sport 226 2004. That 60-gallon difference translates to roughly 180–300 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Nautique G23 2012 and Nautique Sport 226 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Nautique G23 2012 and the Nautique Sport 226 2004 are built by Nautique. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Nautique G23 2012 vs Nautique Sport 226 2004

Nautique

Nautique G23 2012

2012

View full specs →

Nautique

Nautique Sport 226 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Nautique G23 2012 vs Nautique Sport 226 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Nautique G23 2012 vs Nautique Sport 226 2004 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The Nautique G23 2012 carries a rated maximum of 343 hp. Engine data for the Nautique Sport 226 2004 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Nautique G23 2012 carries 65 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Nautique Sport 226 2004. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Nautique G23 2012 is rated for 16 passengers, while the Nautique Sport 226 2004 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Nautique G23 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Nautique G23 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Nautique Sport 226 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeNautique

ModelG23

ModelSport 226

Model Year2012

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam96.5 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.46

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches96.5

Draft [max] - Detail25 in. (0.64 m)

Draft [max] - Detail31 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.64

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Inches25

Draft [max] - Inches31

Weight - Detail5,400 lbs. (2,449 kg)

Weight - Detail3900 lbs

Weight - kg2449.4

Weight - kg1769.01

Weight - lbs.54

Weight - lbs.39

Length - Feet23

Length - Feetnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]25 ft. 3 in. (7.7 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 0 in. (7.01 m)

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 9.5 in. / w/o Platform 22 ft. 6.5 in

Length overall - Meters7.01

Length overall - Meters7.57

Length overall - Inches276

Length overall - Inches297.5

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail65 gal. (246.1 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters246.05

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal65

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Horsepower343 - 550 hp

Horsepowernot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,500 lbs. (1,134 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people16

Maximum people12 Passenger

Nautique G23 2012 vs Nautique Sport 226 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Nautique G23 2012 or the Nautique Sport 226 2004?

For trailering, the Nautique Sport 226 2004 has the edge at 39 lbs dry weight versus 54 lbs for the Nautique G23 2012. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Nautique G23 2012 has a documented max rating of 343 hp. Engine specifications for the Nautique Sport 226 2004 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Nautique G23 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 16 passengers, while the Nautique Sport 226 2004 is certified for 12. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Nautique G23 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 97" for the Nautique Sport 226 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Nautique G23 2012 or the Nautique Sport 226 2004?

The Nautique G23 2012 has the bigger tank at 65 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Nautique Sport 226 2004. That 60-gallon difference translates to roughly 180–300 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Nautique G23 2012 and Nautique Sport 226 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Nautique G23 2012 and the Nautique Sport 226 2004 are built by Nautique. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Nautique G23 2012 full specs ← Nautique Sport 226 2004 full specs