196 Limited or SE model?

[jim39off]

I'm looking at getting a new boat a Ski Nautique 196 Limited or SE model... $ 3K difference

From what I can see the boats are the same drive, hull, engine... With the main difference is in options

The boat will be only used on a private ski lake so I have no use for a radio, depth etc

What are the + & - of the two... Resale better on one over the other? Etc

Thanks

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: 196 Limited or SE model?

I see that quite a few of the promo team guys order the Standard instead of the Limited or Team. Like you, I think a good percentage of 196 owners use their boats for a specific purpose, and don't require all of the bells and whistles. While having all of the options is nice, I can certainly understand why some 196 owners order the Standard. I would recommend going with ZO as an option if you do go Standard. Resale will go down if you simply get the Nautique Cruise.

[east tx skier]

I think the main option that makes it an LE over an SE is the keyless ignition. Pretty much everything else can be added to an SE and I suppose the keyless could, too. But I think a lot of skiers see keyless as something they can live without or take that money and throw it toward cruise control, etc. Other people look at the key and can't figure out what's so hard about using it over pushing a button (though I suppose you could lose it). My key doesn't come out of the ignition too often. We just have a spare on a lanyard hidden in the back for emergencies.

[Laptom]

The keyless ignition is really a bonus in the Limited edition imho. The complete displays are digital (with normal analog reading, but standard including depth finder, temp readings, engine readings). Plus the Excalibur 5.7 343hp is standard on the Limited. The Standard gets a 5.0ltr engine. And you get the stereo on the limited. It's nothing special, just the Clarion with 4 speakers. There are some more things, but I think the engine and the keyless ignition alone is worth the 3k. Plus resale is better with an upgraded engine... It's your own preference, and 3k is alot of fuel!

[MARK-S]

You will not recover the the price diff when it comes to resale. The buyer will buy the SE for 3k cheaper and will leverage the SE against the LE and you will have to come down and meet the price of the SE if you wnat to sell.
Get the SE with the 5.7 upgrade. IMO

[scoke]

I have a 2002 SE that I love.

Yesterday my girlfriend commented "wished this boat had some cupholders."

Things i would love to have:
Cupholders for the passenger
heater for spring skiing
Radio

That's it.

Are they worth $3k to me, heck no.

I would not wish the electronic keypad on anyone. The more complicated things are, the more to break/fix/go out/get wet etc. Pretty hard to break a simple key ignition.

I have seen two keypads have problems, coding issues, wires wet etc etc. what a pain in the arse.

[ClemsonDave]

I'll give an alternative view. My '99 had a key. It was a little fussy at times. My '03 and my current '08 have keyless. NEVER had a single issue. In fact, I would argue that a push button start has less moving parts than a keyed ignition. The keyed ignitions are not as nice as what you find in your modern car. Think about it, what will give you less trouble in your house, a light switch or a door lock. I have replaced some door locks, but never a light switch. Plus, it is very nice not to have to worry about another key. Is it, by itself, worth $3k of course not. However, I enjoy having a radio when I'm on the water for a long time. I also love the Faria gauges. I spend a lot of time in the boat, I want to be comfortable and look at nice features. If you are spending $45k, what's another $3k to get what you really want?

Shelby, sounds like you need to buy my '08! :grin: I won't own a boat without a heater. I wish they still had showers too.

[scoke]

Just a theory on the keypads: we literally have 70-90% humidity 365 days a year.

Summer time, it's brutal on gear down here for 3-4 months straight. we have 100+ degree water temps for 6 weeks straight etc.

Both CC's on our lake have keypad issues, might be more than coincidence!


I have already put 30+ hrs on my 02. we'll see about a good looking black n white 08....

[MARK-S]

To me its all about resale. I cant take a 3k hit every year. I always order up the SE, add a heater and the 5.7.
But hey, if you have the $$, go all out and get the Team.
But if you look at CDs boat, it really looks nice. I like the solid color on th hull.