211 for an old slalom skier?

[sfjakey]

I am considering buying a 211. Realize I am a former course skier, but 28 off was all I could run at 36 mph. 32 put me way down course and I never figured it out. Anyway, I pretty much am a freeskier now, but I still free ski at 34-36mph 22-28 off. I'm 40 years old and have a wife and 2 very young girls now. Wakeboarding is fun, but I've never really been behind a true wakeboard boat before. I come from a 3 event background, so my wakeboard skills come from trick ski skills. I grew up surfing Ocean Beach in SF, so I can handle the boarding just fine and am intrigued with the wakesurf as well. My last boat was a 03 206, which I loved skiing behind, but found the wakeboarding pretty boring. Prior to that I had a 94 and a 96 SN, and a 01 Response in the middle for a short time (I hated it from the moment I got it, unless I was skiing). My question is, will I still be able to really lay down some good pulls behind the boat slaloming, or is the wake going to be too large for agressive slalom? Also, how would the wake compare to my 96 SN (an awful slalom wake, relatively speaking). Keep in mind, I live on the water and used my previous boats over 200hrs per year average (sold the 96 with 1400 hours on it!), so this boat will get quite a bit of use. How about teaching kids to ski behind this boat, will the wake be too big for that? Finally, I read something about the drive rotation has been reversed on new Correct Craft's. Is this true, if so my wife will be much happier because the Malibu was the only boat she could ever drive. Any input you guys have would be great and I appreciate it. I just can't buy anything other than a Nautique. Any info on promo's from the factory on pricing this time of year, with fuel prices the way they are, I can't imagine a lot of boats being sold right now.

[01skinautiqueGT40]

RE: 211 for an old slalom skier?

well, it all depends if you ski a lot or wakeboard a lot, i am 6"6 260 LBS and i PLOW right through a 211 wake, it all depends on your weight and size, i ride a custom Obrien 76" and runt 40 MPH, the 211 wake is still pretty big

CC Owned
1978 Ski Tique
1989 Ski Nautique 2001
1996 Ski Nautique 196
1999 Super Air Nautique (Python Powered)
2001 Ski Nautique 196 25Th Anniversary Current Boat PP Digital Pro (All The Goodies)

Tow Rigs,
2002 Ford F-250 Lariat 4X4 (Lifted)
2007 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ 4X4

[SkiTower]

RE: 211 for an old slalom skier?

The prop is reversed on the 211, but I don't think it's on all models. Driver side pulls up to the dock. I'm not up to it yet, but it's my understanding the 211 is a good ski wake at full line length but shorter lengths get a little rough. Still a great all around boat!

(also, I don't have numbers but the fuel consumption is great)

[Mikeski]

RE: 211 for an old slalom skier?

Your skiing background is very close to mine, I have the 211 and "tolerate" the skiing wake. You will never be happy skiing behind the 211, the wake is definately more of a challenge than your 96 (my previous boat was a 95SN). In reality I find the wake very close to what my 1984 Ski Nautique 2001 dished out with three passengers and a load of stuff for the day.

Now for the bright side. The 211 is a very convenient SUV on the water. It does everything well but nothing great. Since I do lots of different things the 211 is the best solution for me. If you didn't hate Malibu I would suggest you try the VTX, I have heard it is a better crossover than the 211. I have surved and boarded behind one and driven it but not slalomed behind it yet.

I think you are in the bay area, you are welcome to come spend a day on my boat if you want. It should be ready for the lake after some winter "tune-ups" after next weekend.

[BSBell]

RE: 211 for an old slalom skier?

I just came from a 211 TE and was a slalom skier, I found the wake to be too harsh for crossing at high speeds on a slalom ski, I have video's of me trying to do it and getting airborne on a slalom ski

The wake is really narrow but tall/sharp

[CAN'TSKI]

I have tried to respond to this about 5 times and it would not submit. The long and short is we love our 211, but found 2 boats to be the only good solution. We have a lake house so having both boats available is not a problem.
People are giving away used closed bows (196). We picked up a 95 with only 270 hours in mint condition for $15500.

[sfjakey]

This is really what I feared. My 206 was too small for a family, and 2 boats is not an option since I already have a 25' Davis fishing boat. What is the story on a 216 for skiing and boarding? Or should I just get with the times and start boarding all the time? No way, nothing matches the rush of the rapid acceleration and deceleration of slalom skiing!

[CAN'TSKI]

I don't think you will find a one boat solution. You can fish from the bank...the rapid acceleration slalom rush on the bank is not advisable.

[sfjakey]

THat won't work either, since the "bank" is up to 80 miles off the coast of California!

[NCH2oSki]

I was going to suggest a 216, I had a 99' ski and moved over to a sport last year. Its great for our 3-5 person outing, and I can still take it thru the slalom course if I leave all the stuff at home and have a 1 or 2 person crew.

I cant comment on the boarding wake, since we dont board.

[BigBald]

I am not a overly aggressive slalom skier....but, I love the flexibility of the 216. And with some ballast, I think it's going to be a good wakeboard boat also.

I would suggest trying both before you buy. Back in 2006, I tried the 211, 206 and the 216. Of course, my comfort was something similar to the 99 Sport so perhaps that skewed my opinion of the 216....but, I love it.

[Quinner]

I just don't believe that a true crossover exists, at least not in the CC line. It comes down to which event do you want the best performance in?
Does/did your 206 have a tower/board racks? The tower helps us get ski's and boards off the floor, never really have had an issue of not enough room.
Personally did not feel the 216 offered enough additional space for what you gave back in the wake preformance, try them all out but whatever you do, Don't ditch the ski!

[SkiTower]

I believe the focus is this: if you want a ski boat that you can wakeboard behind, go for the 216. If you want a wakeboard boat to occasionally ski behind, go with the 211. I bought the 211 for the cabin comforts, not wake (and the deciding factor was the lack of legroom on the 216).

As for 206 vs. 216, you'll never regret the additional room and a buddy reviewed these two boats and said there was no difference in ski wake.

[sfjakey]

I really think the cabin room and kid friendly design is pushing me toward a 211. I have friends with 196's and response's that I guess I can get my slalom fix behind. I am starting to hate myself for being an old man already! I am going to also look more at the 216, but when I bought the 206 I felt the 216 was just too big for an inboard. I hate to ask this, but who (other manufacturers) makes a good crossover to check out and which model. I think I may take a look at Malibu again, maybe a Response LXI. Too bad the Sunsetter LXI isn't around anymore, that boat could ski and board fairly well.

[Mikeski]

Look at the Malibu VTX or possibly even the Bu 236.

Your delimna is exactly what I went through in 2005. In the end my wife made the decision. She liked driving the 211 better than anything else out there, that sealed the deal on the 211.

Want to go in partners on a 5-8 year old 196? There are a couple good ones floating around for sale. I might be able to stash it at my mom's place, we could put it in the racks at Discovery Bay or at Orwoods... I would want it close to the water so I could take a ski ride after work from time to time.