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As most of you know, we were lucky enough to score an exclusive interview with Bill Yeargin and Andy Mapple to discuss the new Ski Nautique 200. It turns out that we were even more lucky -- VP of Product Development Greg Meloon was available to share his input as well! Once again, Nautique has come through with an awesome boat, and I would like to thank Andy, Greg and Bill for sharing their thoughts with us.
Thanks also goes to everyone here at PlanetNautique, especially those of you who submitted your questions. Enjoy the interview!
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Most people believe the current Ski Nautique 196 is the best ski boat ever built – What was the inspiration to make it even better?
BILL: Well, actually I was out one day on the lake with Andy giving him his weekly ski lesson… Just kidding…
The real story is that after I accepted the president/CEO job at Correct Craft, and before I even started work, our Board Chairman, Ken Meloon, began sharing his vision of making the 196 even better and offering it in both a closed and open bow version. Then, probably my second week on the job, I had lunch with Andy Mapple and he shared the same vision. I have never asked them if it was a coordinated attack but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was. I may not be the smartest guy but I know that when industry legends like Andy Mapple and Ken Meloon are suggesting you do something it makes sense to listen to them!
Over time the more our team talked about developing a new ski boat the more excited we became. Then, after bringing Greg Meloon on as our VP of Product Development we made the commitment, about 2 years ago, to develop this boat.
The mission from the beginning has been that the new boat had to be the best ski boat ever, by far. Everyone who has been in the boat believes we accomplished the mission.
By the way, Greg has been incredibly instrumental in the development of this new boat so I asked him to join us for this interview and answer some of the questions. You get 3 for the price of 2!
_______
Can you tell us anything about the process to build this boat?
BILL: I can tell you it was a painstaking process using lots of technology but also lots of trial and error. Sometimes the excitement level would be really high and other times there would be great disappointment. However, over the two years the entire team hung in there and slowly but surely the boat kept getting better. I am so incredibly proud of Greg, Andy and the entire team for all of their effort on this boat. Their hard work paid off – we reached our goal of the best ski boat ever, by far. We know water skiers all over the world are going to love this boat and that makes us happy.
_______
Is the Ski Nautique 200 taking the place of the Ski Nautique 196? What’s the fate of the 206 and 216? If the 196 is going away, when will the last 196 be produced?
GREG: The Ski Nautique 200 is the new tournament boat from Nautique. The Ski Nautique 200 is replacing the current Ski Nautique 196 and 206 in our product line. Once skiers feel the difference the Ski Nautique 200 make in their performances, this revolutionary, new boat will definitely be requested at all events.
ANDY: I am very confident with Greg’s statement; Nautique has taken the pull and wake characteristics to a whole new level.
BILL: The Ski Nautique 216 continues to be available as a Limited Package.
_______
Which model SN 200 (Closed or Open Bow) will be used to pull tournaments?
GREG: We plan to use both the open bow and closed bow versions to pull tournaments. One of our goals was to build a boat that allows the customer to choose between an open or closed bow, without any penalty to performance. The Ski Nautique 200 was designed and engineered such that closed and open bow versions perform as identically as possible. This revolutionary new ski boat has one hull with two deck options. The Ski Nautique 200 – Closed Bow and the Ski Nautique 200 – Open Bow are identical in weight, balance and wake.
_______
Do you expect a tower to become a preferred feature, even on boats used in tournaments?
GREG: The FCT 3 tower has been re-scaled to fit the size and shape of the Ski Nautique 200. The tower works with either deck and we expect it to be popular with the recreational skiing crowd as well as bare footers. All of our boats are built for a tower so that one can be installed later on by a second-owner, if preferred.
ANDY: I think the tower on the Ski Nautique 200 looks awesome and totally fits the lines of the boat. Last week we specifically had some of our promo team ski behind the Ski Nautique 200 – Open Bow, with a tower as well as without one, to see if they could tell a difference – they could not. Chris Parrish and I also skied the 200 Open Bow with a tower at 39-off with no problems. This is due to the fact that the anchor points of the tower are further back around the center of gravity of the boat and also in the area with the most lift, so the wakes are not affected. Plus, the tower is less than 100 lbs.
BILL: I have been surprised by the number of people who have seen the open bow version of this boat with a tower and have said it is the perfect 20-foot family boat. We developed the boat to be tournament caliber but people are already commenting on how suitable the boat also is for families.
_______
There are a lot of people who cling to the traditional graphics. Will there be an option for the traditional big Ski Nautique side graphics?
GREG: The standard striping is a choice of the front hull stripe and rear hull stripe. If a consumer were to combine these two stripes into one color, the result would be a traditional solid stripe boat. The Ski Nautique logo could be repositioned in the “traditional” center location if the colors are specified this way but the logo comes in the standard size.
However, the overall design and styling of the boat defines the new direction for Ski Nautique. The combination of the new gelcoat pattern and the “fast” forward location of the Ski Nautique logo enhances the image of the revolutionary Ski Nautique 200. This isn’t your grandpa’s Ski Nautique – although we think that he will approve.
BILL: Speaking of Grandpa, Ralph Meloon (Greg’s grandfather and son of our founder) loves the boat. A couple times I think he has been close to strapping on a ski. At 91 he has seen every Correct Craft model ever built so if he says the 200 is an extraordinary boat it must be!
_______
What are the seating and weight capacity limits in the open bow SN 200? What about the closed bow?
GREG: Weight Capacity: 1450 LBS or People Capacity: 10 persons – Open Bow and 7 persons – Closed Bow
_______
Will the SN 200 have a retractable pylon, tow-ring, or any attachment that was meant for pulling, either standard or as an option, available behind the rear seat?
GREG: The transom is equipped with a fully functional lifting ring that can be used as a tow point.
_______
What can you tell us about the different option packages for this boat? Will there be an option for the traditional gauges on the dash? If so, is the LINC system standard on a particular package (Team, perhaps) and optional on the other packages? Have there been any improvements to the LINC system for 2010?
GREG: The Ski Nautique 200 is equipped standard with many great features. The helm has been designed for maximum view-ability of the gauges and the lake. The controls are ergonomically placed to improve the driving experience. Many options are available to customize the Ski Nautique 200 to the consumer’s needs. The options include: Zero Off, Stereo with USB connectivity, Depth Finder, and the love seat extension in the open bow. The Team Edition package is available on the Ski Nautique 200 and includes advanced helm options such as the Nautique LINC System, Zero-Off Tournament System, Stereo and Digital Switching featuring the Keyless ignition system.
ANDY: I must say that I am very impressed with the Nautique LINC System. The functions and ability to keep everything on one screen and in one place is awesome. I am very much a fan of new technology, so the Nautique LINC System is something I have been a strong advocate of for this new ski boat. Besides, it just looks cool!
_______
Will there be a coastal edition SN 200 available?
GREG: Not for the upcoming model year, but we will certainly consider it for the future if there is enough consumer interest.
WEIGHT, ENGINE & STRUCTURE QUESTIONS
What’s the weigh difference between the open bow SN 200 and the closed bow SN 200?
GREG: There is no weight difference between the Ski Nautique 200 – Open Bow and the Ski Nautique 200 – Closed Bow. As a result of the focus groups we conducted prior to the development phase, this was one of out targets that we worked very hard to achieve. Both the open bow and the closed bow models are identical at 2800 lbs.
_______
What are the SN 200 dimensions? How do those dimensions compare to the 196? Does the 200 have a liner?
GREG: A new stringer system was developed for the Ski Nautique 200 to optimize weight, strength and consistency. The boat is not a liner boat in the sense of the v-drives Nautique builds. The carpet is attached to the floor as is traditional in the Ski Nautique.
A comparison of the boats is below:
_______
Traditionally Ski Nautique hulls have had very little in the way of lifting strakes. I've loved the freight-train tracking of the previous Ski Nautique models. If lift was added to the hull as mentioned in the video, what was done to retain the tracking and handling characteristics that we know and love?
GREG: The hull on the new Ski Nautique 200 works in harmony from the spray control at the stem all of the way through the lifting pads at the transom. When compared to the 196, the Ski Nautique 200 is 4 inches wider at the high-pressure zone and 8 inches wider at the transom. This wider platform lifts the boat and provides a more stable surface at the same time. The lifting pads also feature longitudinal ‘rails’ that further enhance the directional stability.
ANDY: Driving the Ski Nautique 200 back to back with the 196 for skiers in the course reveals that much less work is required to keep the 200 on track. When combined with the better vision from the helm, the Ski Nautique 200 is a dream to drive. In fact, three very influential and respected people in this industry and sport – Jack Travers, Les Todd and Becky Lathrop – have given the new Ski Nautique 200 a clear thumbs-up for improved tracking!
GREG: I just pulled Andy for a full pass at 41-off yesterday and simply cannot believe how easy this boat is to drive. It was much easier than pulling my dad at 22 off behind the 196.
_______
What engine options will be available? What are the specs of the transmission?
GREG: The engine options from PCM will be the 5.7 with 343 HP and 6.0 with 409 HP. The transmission also from PCM is 1.23:1
_______
Is there a ballast tank in the SN 200 for trick skiers? Is the hydro-gate still there, and does it work in a similar way to what we have seen in the past?
GREG: No ballast tanks are available on the Ski Nautique 200 (they have not been offered in the Ski Nautique for several years). The hull still includes the dispersion tunnel and the Hydro-Gate has been retuned for the new hull. The Hydro-Gate for the Ski Nautique 200 has more travel allowing additional lift for slalom while not adding lift in the trick mode.
DIFFERENCES IN 200 AND 196
How can a longer, wider, heavier boat produce a better wake?
ANDY: Our engineers have created additional lift in specific locations, fine tuning the boat’s running attitude and hull features so that we did not compromise on wake, trough, or spray. One of the greatest skiing coaches in the world commented on the Ski Nautique 200 wake by saying, “A wake that will make a difference in skiers’ performances.”
_______
Can you tell us more about the storage in the boat and how it differs from the 196? Are there any innovative new features on the interior that you can tell us about?
ANDY: Both the closed bow and open bow versions of the Ski Nautique 200 feature twin saddle bag compartments which hold up to 3 sets of water skis and gear. These new compartments allow you to store up to 5 times the amount of skis and gear in comparison to other ski boats. There is also storage in the redesigned love seat -- no more tripping over equipment in the bottom of the boat; the new motor box improves floor space. And, the stern seat can easily be released and removed, exposing an aft exit step which includes an inner storage box.
The all-new lower instrument panel is positioned to create a superior field of vision for drivers of different height ranges. The Zero-Off has been repositioned at the driver’s right hand, along with the Hydro-Gate, allowing for all-in-one hand control operation. In addition, the Team Edition features the innovative Nautique LINC System, the most advanced digital helm display to date.
_______
Can you share a picture of the view from the driver's seat? In the sneak peek video, they say it's an improvement over the 196.
BILL: Everyone who has been in this boat tells us that the view is a significant improvement over the 196. However, we have not actually done our formal photo shoot yet on this boat. We understand people want more pics and we will be doing the photo shoot soon to get more pics up on our website. Andy will be frequently blogging about this boat on our Team Blog and much of the new information and pics will be released through Andy’s blog postings. You can follow Andy’s postings and get new information about the boat at http://blog.teamnautique.com.
_______
Can you offer a direct comparison of the SN 200 wake VS. the SN 196 wake? How do they compare in terms of height, width, softness, etc.?
ANDY: The unique hull design of the revolutionary Ski Nautique 200, in closed or open bow, provides a softer, flatter wake with a smoother exit, allowing slalom skiers at all speeds and rope lengths to effectively maintain ski edge, control and direction. This wake is truly a wake for all levels -- In all of our testing for this wake, whenever we tested at faster speeds and shorter line lengths we also tested at slower speeds and longer line lengths. The end result is a more approachable wake for skiers of all levels.
For trick skiers, the 200 creates a clean, smooth table and a defined, single peak that lets the skier easily feel the top of the wake. There is even a trick-friendly pylon for those who use a rope-style release.
FINAL QUESTIONS
What other new features can we expect to see on the SN 200? I have heard a rumor of teak-look vinyl. Is there any truth to that?
ANDY: The Ski Nautique 200 is a very revolutionary ski boat. To me, the look of the boat is a departure from what we are used to in a ski boat from Nautique. In my opinion, Steve Carlton and his design team have really stepped out on this boat. I love the new look! On the Team Edition boat, a new non-skid is available that gives a teak look. This look truly sets Nautique apart. Anyone looking to differentiate from the norm will choose this option. Our twins (the Ski Nautique 200 - Open Bow and Ski Nautique 200 - Closed Bow with same colors), as I call them both, have the teak non-skid. It is a very classy look.
_______
When will they be available, and how can we get more information or set up a test drive / test ski?
BILL: Believe me we want to make these boats available as soon as possible. We have people calling to order them without even seeing them just to make sure they are near the front of the line. Last week we met with our dealers to give them a chance to see our upcoming product line for the new model year. Needless to say, the dealers were incredibly excited.
ANDY: Meeting with the dealers last week to show them this new boat was the best week I have experienced in my 27 years with Nautique. Nautique does not come out with a new ski boat, unless it will change the industry and the new 200 definitely will. The dealers were incredibly enthusiastic and have already placed orders.
BILL: The official debut of this revolutionary ski boat will take place in August at Water Ski Worlds in Calgary and then the US Nationals in West Palm Beach. In the meantime, contact your nearest Nautique dealer to learn how you can call one of these all-new ski boats your very own.
_______
Any other thoughts you would like to share about this new boat?
ANDY: This sport, industry and Nautique are my passion, and working with the team at Nautique to produce this boat has been a true honor. I look forward to hearing the stories from people as they report how their skiing has been improved by this new boat!
BILL: First, I would like to thank the many people who were involved in the development and building of this new boat. Greg and the Nautique Product Development team have been incredible and once again proved that they are the best in the industry. The Advisory Team of dealers and others from the outside who helped us guide this project were invaluable; we appreciate you. All Nautique employees were involved in this boat in some manner and without everyone’s work we could not have done it. Andy – you are awesome – we could not have done it without you. Ken and Andy, thanks for the vision!
Secondly, I would like to thank you Jeff and all the Planet Nautique members for their loyalty. I want you all to know that we are working hard to continually earn your trust. We want to keep getting better for all of you and all of our other Nautique enthusiasts, we will never be satisfied.
Finally, I encourage everyone reading this interview to visit their Nautique dealership and learn more about this boat for themselves. This boat is the real thing – we know you are going to love it!
Thanks also goes to everyone here at PlanetNautique, especially those of you who submitted your questions. Enjoy the interview!
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Most people believe the current Ski Nautique 196 is the best ski boat ever built – What was the inspiration to make it even better?
BILL: Well, actually I was out one day on the lake with Andy giving him his weekly ski lesson… Just kidding…
The real story is that after I accepted the president/CEO job at Correct Craft, and before I even started work, our Board Chairman, Ken Meloon, began sharing his vision of making the 196 even better and offering it in both a closed and open bow version. Then, probably my second week on the job, I had lunch with Andy Mapple and he shared the same vision. I have never asked them if it was a coordinated attack but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was. I may not be the smartest guy but I know that when industry legends like Andy Mapple and Ken Meloon are suggesting you do something it makes sense to listen to them!
Over time the more our team talked about developing a new ski boat the more excited we became. Then, after bringing Greg Meloon on as our VP of Product Development we made the commitment, about 2 years ago, to develop this boat.
The mission from the beginning has been that the new boat had to be the best ski boat ever, by far. Everyone who has been in the boat believes we accomplished the mission.
By the way, Greg has been incredibly instrumental in the development of this new boat so I asked him to join us for this interview and answer some of the questions. You get 3 for the price of 2!
_______
Can you tell us anything about the process to build this boat?
BILL: I can tell you it was a painstaking process using lots of technology but also lots of trial and error. Sometimes the excitement level would be really high and other times there would be great disappointment. However, over the two years the entire team hung in there and slowly but surely the boat kept getting better. I am so incredibly proud of Greg, Andy and the entire team for all of their effort on this boat. Their hard work paid off – we reached our goal of the best ski boat ever, by far. We know water skiers all over the world are going to love this boat and that makes us happy.
_______
Is the Ski Nautique 200 taking the place of the Ski Nautique 196? What’s the fate of the 206 and 216? If the 196 is going away, when will the last 196 be produced?
GREG: The Ski Nautique 200 is the new tournament boat from Nautique. The Ski Nautique 200 is replacing the current Ski Nautique 196 and 206 in our product line. Once skiers feel the difference the Ski Nautique 200 make in their performances, this revolutionary, new boat will definitely be requested at all events.
ANDY: I am very confident with Greg’s statement; Nautique has taken the pull and wake characteristics to a whole new level.
BILL: The Ski Nautique 216 continues to be available as a Limited Package.
_______
Which model SN 200 (Closed or Open Bow) will be used to pull tournaments?
GREG: We plan to use both the open bow and closed bow versions to pull tournaments. One of our goals was to build a boat that allows the customer to choose between an open or closed bow, without any penalty to performance. The Ski Nautique 200 was designed and engineered such that closed and open bow versions perform as identically as possible. This revolutionary new ski boat has one hull with two deck options. The Ski Nautique 200 – Closed Bow and the Ski Nautique 200 – Open Bow are identical in weight, balance and wake.
_______
Do you expect a tower to become a preferred feature, even on boats used in tournaments?
GREG: The FCT 3 tower has been re-scaled to fit the size and shape of the Ski Nautique 200. The tower works with either deck and we expect it to be popular with the recreational skiing crowd as well as bare footers. All of our boats are built for a tower so that one can be installed later on by a second-owner, if preferred.
ANDY: I think the tower on the Ski Nautique 200 looks awesome and totally fits the lines of the boat. Last week we specifically had some of our promo team ski behind the Ski Nautique 200 – Open Bow, with a tower as well as without one, to see if they could tell a difference – they could not. Chris Parrish and I also skied the 200 Open Bow with a tower at 39-off with no problems. This is due to the fact that the anchor points of the tower are further back around the center of gravity of the boat and also in the area with the most lift, so the wakes are not affected. Plus, the tower is less than 100 lbs.
BILL: I have been surprised by the number of people who have seen the open bow version of this boat with a tower and have said it is the perfect 20-foot family boat. We developed the boat to be tournament caliber but people are already commenting on how suitable the boat also is for families.
_______
There are a lot of people who cling to the traditional graphics. Will there be an option for the traditional big Ski Nautique side graphics?
GREG: The standard striping is a choice of the front hull stripe and rear hull stripe. If a consumer were to combine these two stripes into one color, the result would be a traditional solid stripe boat. The Ski Nautique logo could be repositioned in the “traditional” center location if the colors are specified this way but the logo comes in the standard size.
However, the overall design and styling of the boat defines the new direction for Ski Nautique. The combination of the new gelcoat pattern and the “fast” forward location of the Ski Nautique logo enhances the image of the revolutionary Ski Nautique 200. This isn’t your grandpa’s Ski Nautique – although we think that he will approve.
BILL: Speaking of Grandpa, Ralph Meloon (Greg’s grandfather and son of our founder) loves the boat. A couple times I think he has been close to strapping on a ski. At 91 he has seen every Correct Craft model ever built so if he says the 200 is an extraordinary boat it must be!
_______
What are the seating and weight capacity limits in the open bow SN 200? What about the closed bow?
GREG: Weight Capacity: 1450 LBS or People Capacity: 10 persons – Open Bow and 7 persons – Closed Bow
_______
Will the SN 200 have a retractable pylon, tow-ring, or any attachment that was meant for pulling, either standard or as an option, available behind the rear seat?
GREG: The transom is equipped with a fully functional lifting ring that can be used as a tow point.
_______
What can you tell us about the different option packages for this boat? Will there be an option for the traditional gauges on the dash? If so, is the LINC system standard on a particular package (Team, perhaps) and optional on the other packages? Have there been any improvements to the LINC system for 2010?
GREG: The Ski Nautique 200 is equipped standard with many great features. The helm has been designed for maximum view-ability of the gauges and the lake. The controls are ergonomically placed to improve the driving experience. Many options are available to customize the Ski Nautique 200 to the consumer’s needs. The options include: Zero Off, Stereo with USB connectivity, Depth Finder, and the love seat extension in the open bow. The Team Edition package is available on the Ski Nautique 200 and includes advanced helm options such as the Nautique LINC System, Zero-Off Tournament System, Stereo and Digital Switching featuring the Keyless ignition system.
ANDY: I must say that I am very impressed with the Nautique LINC System. The functions and ability to keep everything on one screen and in one place is awesome. I am very much a fan of new technology, so the Nautique LINC System is something I have been a strong advocate of for this new ski boat. Besides, it just looks cool!
_______
Will there be a coastal edition SN 200 available?
GREG: Not for the upcoming model year, but we will certainly consider it for the future if there is enough consumer interest.
WEIGHT, ENGINE & STRUCTURE QUESTIONS
What’s the weigh difference between the open bow SN 200 and the closed bow SN 200?
GREG: There is no weight difference between the Ski Nautique 200 – Open Bow and the Ski Nautique 200 – Closed Bow. As a result of the focus groups we conducted prior to the development phase, this was one of out targets that we worked very hard to achieve. Both the open bow and the closed bow models are identical at 2800 lbs.
_______
What are the SN 200 dimensions? How do those dimensions compare to the 196? Does the 200 have a liner?
GREG: A new stringer system was developed for the Ski Nautique 200 to optimize weight, strength and consistency. The boat is not a liner boat in the sense of the v-drives Nautique builds. The carpet is attached to the floor as is traditional in the Ski Nautique.
A comparison of the boats is below:
_______
Traditionally Ski Nautique hulls have had very little in the way of lifting strakes. I've loved the freight-train tracking of the previous Ski Nautique models. If lift was added to the hull as mentioned in the video, what was done to retain the tracking and handling characteristics that we know and love?
GREG: The hull on the new Ski Nautique 200 works in harmony from the spray control at the stem all of the way through the lifting pads at the transom. When compared to the 196, the Ski Nautique 200 is 4 inches wider at the high-pressure zone and 8 inches wider at the transom. This wider platform lifts the boat and provides a more stable surface at the same time. The lifting pads also feature longitudinal ‘rails’ that further enhance the directional stability.
ANDY: Driving the Ski Nautique 200 back to back with the 196 for skiers in the course reveals that much less work is required to keep the 200 on track. When combined with the better vision from the helm, the Ski Nautique 200 is a dream to drive. In fact, three very influential and respected people in this industry and sport – Jack Travers, Les Todd and Becky Lathrop – have given the new Ski Nautique 200 a clear thumbs-up for improved tracking!
GREG: I just pulled Andy for a full pass at 41-off yesterday and simply cannot believe how easy this boat is to drive. It was much easier than pulling my dad at 22 off behind the 196.
_______
What engine options will be available? What are the specs of the transmission?
GREG: The engine options from PCM will be the 5.7 with 343 HP and 6.0 with 409 HP. The transmission also from PCM is 1.23:1
_______
Is there a ballast tank in the SN 200 for trick skiers? Is the hydro-gate still there, and does it work in a similar way to what we have seen in the past?
GREG: No ballast tanks are available on the Ski Nautique 200 (they have not been offered in the Ski Nautique for several years). The hull still includes the dispersion tunnel and the Hydro-Gate has been retuned for the new hull. The Hydro-Gate for the Ski Nautique 200 has more travel allowing additional lift for slalom while not adding lift in the trick mode.
DIFFERENCES IN 200 AND 196
How can a longer, wider, heavier boat produce a better wake?
ANDY: Our engineers have created additional lift in specific locations, fine tuning the boat’s running attitude and hull features so that we did not compromise on wake, trough, or spray. One of the greatest skiing coaches in the world commented on the Ski Nautique 200 wake by saying, “A wake that will make a difference in skiers’ performances.”
_______
Can you tell us more about the storage in the boat and how it differs from the 196? Are there any innovative new features on the interior that you can tell us about?
ANDY: Both the closed bow and open bow versions of the Ski Nautique 200 feature twin saddle bag compartments which hold up to 3 sets of water skis and gear. These new compartments allow you to store up to 5 times the amount of skis and gear in comparison to other ski boats. There is also storage in the redesigned love seat -- no more tripping over equipment in the bottom of the boat; the new motor box improves floor space. And, the stern seat can easily be released and removed, exposing an aft exit step which includes an inner storage box.
The all-new lower instrument panel is positioned to create a superior field of vision for drivers of different height ranges. The Zero-Off has been repositioned at the driver’s right hand, along with the Hydro-Gate, allowing for all-in-one hand control operation. In addition, the Team Edition features the innovative Nautique LINC System, the most advanced digital helm display to date.
_______
Can you share a picture of the view from the driver's seat? In the sneak peek video, they say it's an improvement over the 196.
BILL: Everyone who has been in this boat tells us that the view is a significant improvement over the 196. However, we have not actually done our formal photo shoot yet on this boat. We understand people want more pics and we will be doing the photo shoot soon to get more pics up on our website. Andy will be frequently blogging about this boat on our Team Blog and much of the new information and pics will be released through Andy’s blog postings. You can follow Andy’s postings and get new information about the boat at http://blog.teamnautique.com.
_______
Can you offer a direct comparison of the SN 200 wake VS. the SN 196 wake? How do they compare in terms of height, width, softness, etc.?
ANDY: The unique hull design of the revolutionary Ski Nautique 200, in closed or open bow, provides a softer, flatter wake with a smoother exit, allowing slalom skiers at all speeds and rope lengths to effectively maintain ski edge, control and direction. This wake is truly a wake for all levels -- In all of our testing for this wake, whenever we tested at faster speeds and shorter line lengths we also tested at slower speeds and longer line lengths. The end result is a more approachable wake for skiers of all levels.
For trick skiers, the 200 creates a clean, smooth table and a defined, single peak that lets the skier easily feel the top of the wake. There is even a trick-friendly pylon for those who use a rope-style release.
FINAL QUESTIONS
What other new features can we expect to see on the SN 200? I have heard a rumor of teak-look vinyl. Is there any truth to that?
ANDY: The Ski Nautique 200 is a very revolutionary ski boat. To me, the look of the boat is a departure from what we are used to in a ski boat from Nautique. In my opinion, Steve Carlton and his design team have really stepped out on this boat. I love the new look! On the Team Edition boat, a new non-skid is available that gives a teak look. This look truly sets Nautique apart. Anyone looking to differentiate from the norm will choose this option. Our twins (the Ski Nautique 200 - Open Bow and Ski Nautique 200 - Closed Bow with same colors), as I call them both, have the teak non-skid. It is a very classy look.
_______
When will they be available, and how can we get more information or set up a test drive / test ski?
BILL: Believe me we want to make these boats available as soon as possible. We have people calling to order them without even seeing them just to make sure they are near the front of the line. Last week we met with our dealers to give them a chance to see our upcoming product line for the new model year. Needless to say, the dealers were incredibly excited.
ANDY: Meeting with the dealers last week to show them this new boat was the best week I have experienced in my 27 years with Nautique. Nautique does not come out with a new ski boat, unless it will change the industry and the new 200 definitely will. The dealers were incredibly enthusiastic and have already placed orders.
BILL: The official debut of this revolutionary ski boat will take place in August at Water Ski Worlds in Calgary and then the US Nationals in West Palm Beach. In the meantime, contact your nearest Nautique dealer to learn how you can call one of these all-new ski boats your very own.
_______
Any other thoughts you would like to share about this new boat?
ANDY: This sport, industry and Nautique are my passion, and working with the team at Nautique to produce this boat has been a true honor. I look forward to hearing the stories from people as they report how their skiing has been improved by this new boat!
BILL: First, I would like to thank the many people who were involved in the development and building of this new boat. Greg and the Nautique Product Development team have been incredible and once again proved that they are the best in the industry. The Advisory Team of dealers and others from the outside who helped us guide this project were invaluable; we appreciate you. All Nautique employees were involved in this boat in some manner and without everyone’s work we could not have done it. Andy – you are awesome – we could not have done it without you. Ken and Andy, thanks for the vision!
Secondly, I would like to thank you Jeff and all the Planet Nautique members for their loyalty. I want you all to know that we are working hard to continually earn your trust. We want to keep getting better for all of you and all of our other Nautique enthusiasts, we will never be satisfied.
Finally, I encourage everyone reading this interview to visit their Nautique dealership and learn more about this boat for themselves. This boat is the real thing – we know you are going to love it!
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