Pontoons
I have spent years coaching behind a wide range of wake boats, and the more time you log on the water, the more you learn to separate a boat that looks great in the brochure from one that actually performs once you start running real riders behind it. Some boats are built to teach. Some are built to push. Knowing which is which is exactly what I want to help you figure out before you spend the money.
The 2026 Nautique G23 Paragon is a serious machine. After spending real time with it across different riders and conditions, here is my honest read on who it is for and where it shines.
Design and First Impressions
The exterior is modern and clearly intentional. The styling feels premium and gives the boat a distinctive presence on the water, the kind that turns heads at the dock. Everything flows the way it should, with easy movement through the cockpit, bow, and transom.
The standout for me is the storage, and it comes down to one smart decision. Nautique tucked all the ballast below the floor, which means the rear compartments are actually useful for boards, ropes, and gear instead of being eaten up by ballast bags. That is a real world benefit you appreciate every single day on the water, not just a line on a spec sheet.
Behind the Wheel
The power is more than sufficient. My one note is that the throttle response feels like it carries a slight delay compared to some competitors, so there is a small adjustment period before it feels natural.
On a boat this size, the thrusters are close to a necessity, and they work well. The automatic low setting does its job while you are pulling riders, but if you want real control around docks and in tight spaces, manually adjusting the thrusters through the touchscreen is the way to go. It gives you a level of finesse the auto mode does not.
Here is where you need to go in with clear expectations. For its size, the boat feels surprisingly nimble when it is unballasted, but it also rides surprisingly tippy. Moving a single adult from one side to the other can create noticeable lean, and a wakeboarder edging aggressively can make the boat list. The driving characteristics also change significantly once you load full ballast, so plan on adjusting your driving between an empty boat and a fully weighted one. In rough water it tracks well, though larger chop can produce a noticeable slap against the hull.
The Wakeboard Wake
This is a pro level wake, and I want to be clear about that because it shapes who should be buying this boat.
The shape is excellent for advanced and professional riders. It is strong and vertical with plenty of kick, and the pop is there in abundance. If you are a rider who is already progressing and wants a wake that will challenge you, this delivers.
Where you need to think carefully is the entry level side. It can be difficult to mellow this wake out for newer riders learning basic wake to wake jumps, and setting up one wake jumps at slower speeds is not easy. The center plate helps reduce some of the lip and steepness, so there is a limited amount of customization to soften it, but this is not a wake I would call forgiving for a true beginner. The pro level wake is very solid and offers great pop, though it will occasionally roll over slightly in less than ideal conditions.
Bottom line on the wake: if your household is mostly intermediate to advanced riders, this is fantastic. If you are primarily teaching first timers, know that you will be working a little harder to dial it back.
The Surf Wave
The Pro Level surf wave is genuinely impressive, with plenty of push and power. It is the kind of wave a serious surfer is going to love.
The same theme carries over from the wake. It can be difficult to make the wave less steep and more forgiving for beginner surfers, and the customization feels a bit more limited than some competing systems when you are specifically trying to create beginner friendly settings. In rough water, the wave tends to develop some whitewash at the top, which can take away from how clean it rides. None of that takes away from the wave itself for an experienced surfer. It just tells you who this wave is built for.
Comfort, Tech, and Layout
The electronics are a strong point. The screens are bright, responsive, and easy to navigate even in direct sunlight, and the overall technology package is intuitive. My only gripe is that some features are only accessible through the armrest dial when I would rather have those same controls available directly on the main touchscreen.
The climate features are excellent. The heaters and heated seats genuinely add comfort on cooler mornings and shoulder season sessions. The convertible seating is easy to operate, with the center bench and transom lounge transitioning smoothly between configurations. The vinyl looks high quality and durable, though it does feel a bit firm compared to some competitors, so that comes down to personal preference.
The audio delivers excellent clarity and balance at every volume. It may not give you the deep, chest pounding surround sound some buyers chase, but it is crisp and enjoyable across the board.
Storage and the Tower
I already mentioned the below floor ballast, and it pays off here. There is plenty of under seat storage throughout, the compartments are well designed, and you can organize gear without giving up passenger space. The rear hatch works extremely well for boards, and the bimini board storage feels secure and well integrated. Even the trash storage is in a convenient, easy to reach spot.
The tower feels extremely solid and secure, which I always appreciate when riders are loading and pulling boards. The two things to know are that it is on the heavier side, and it can produce some noise when you are driving through rough water.
The Verdict
The 2026 Nautique G23 Paragon is a rider's boat. It is built for push, pop, and performance, and for an advanced or progressing rider it absolutely delivers on all three. The below floor ballast and usable storage are genuine everyday wins, the tech is sharp, and the build quality feels premium throughout.
The honest caution is this. It is less forgiving for true beginners than some boats in its class, both on the wake and the wave, and it asks a little more from the driver thanks to the lean and the change in feel under full ballast. If your crew is mostly intermediate to advanced and you want a serious wave and wake, this belongs near the top of your list. If you are primarily teaching new riders, go in knowing you will spend more effort softening things up.
Know what you want out of a boat, and the G23 Paragon makes a very strong case for the rider who is ready to be pushed.
