Looking for my first ski boat -- 206??

[Ski-me]

Yea, I've heard the 6.0 is a pig on gas. If I tow my boat with a Yukon XL with the 8.1L and also a gas hog boat, I'd never leave the gas station!! I definitely need to be sure I don't go overboard on the engine size in light of the fuel prices.

SGY - what boat do you have and I assume you are up in Denver....

[SGY]

I have a 2005 196. I live in Centennial but ski at a lake up in Brighton called Cottonwood. My boat resides up there. Where are you planning on skiing?

The 5.7 liter motor is more than enough in either the Bu or CC. Although I've heard that the PCM 6.0 is just as efficient as the PCM 5.7 Excaliber. The thing that makes the MC 197 with the 6.0 a pig is the combination of a high rpm torque curve and a relatively inefficient hull. The 197 plows through the water compared to the 206 or RLXi.

[Ski-me]

I have a 2005 196. I live in Centennial but ski at a lake up in Brighton called Cottonwood. My boat resides up there. Where are you planning on skiing?

The 5.7 liter motor is more than enough in either the Bu or CC. Although I've heard that the PCM 6.0 is just as efficient as the PCM 5.7 Excaliber. The thing that makes the MC 197 with the 6.0 a pig is the combination of a high rpm torque curve and a relatively inefficient hull. The 197 plows through the water compared to the 206 or RLXi.

Tommy was quick to offer the plowing part of the 197. He claimed gas consumption is almost twice as good as the MC. Of course, this is coming from a Bu salesman.

Locations.....well I'm open. I grew up skiing on a lake in N. Idaho and have enjoyed it my whole life. Now that I have kids....I'd like to pass that on. We spend about a month last year up in Idaho and the kids really started getting into it so my wife and I have committed to make a great effort to find water here in CO. I've heard of Cottonwood, Empire Res, Jackson Res and down here, Prospect lake. We've thought about Pueblo as well but have not experienced it too much in person nor on the weekends. I would love some input on decent locations.

My doctor has a 2000 MC 205 and is very excited that I'm looking for one. I think we both are looking for a ski partner :grin: .......especially b/c he just found out his wife is pregnant.

My wife hates shopping for cars/boats so I am trying to get as much research done as possible. She doesn't care about the wake.....just enough room for kids and cousins. I do plan on bringing the boat up to Idaho this summer for a few weeks if possible. That's where we own waterfront property.

I'm 38 and have only done the course a handful of times. Most of my experience is open water. Love the course though.

[MARK-S]

Ski-me
Do not be afraid to buy a promo from someone. You will save huge amounts of $$ and get a boat that will shine like the showroom and will have all the kinks (if any) worked out. Plus you will still have the warranty. Of course I am promo guy and that IMO. But I have yet to meet a promo guy from any of the big 3 that is not anal about taking care of their boat.

[SGY]

I can second what Mark has to say about promo boats. I'm on my third promo boat.

Ski-me, I sent you a personal message.

[brianc]

206 with zr6 is the only way to go were paying nearly $10.00 a gallon and i still wouldnt have a nautique without the 6.0

[jjackkrash]

I found my boat locally, but I wouldn't limit your search to your immediate area. In your price range, you can probably find an 03-04 206 with low hours and in great shape for around $31-34k that looks and runs like they are new. I have seen 04-06 RLxi's in great shape in this price range as well. But you might have to travel to get the right boat.

Also, although I am sure the ZR6 is very nice, and would be better for footing, the 330 does a great job pulling skiers.

Here are some 206's for sale:

http://onlyinboards.com/Advanced-Sea...&City=&Key=206

[east tx skier]

I have a 2005 196. I live in Centennial but ski at a lake up in Brighton called Cottonwood. My boat resides up there. Where are you planning on skiing?

The 5.7 liter motor is more than enough in either the Bu or CC. Although I've heard that the PCM 6.0 is just as efficient as the PCM 5.7 Excaliber. The thing that makes the MC 197 with the 6.0 a pig is the combination of a high rpm torque curve and a relatively inefficient hull. The 197 plows through the water compared to the 206 or RLXi.

The thing about the 197 that saps the fuel efficiency and top end is the hook at the hull where it meets the transom. I've not skied a 206 so I can't offer a comparison there, but I have heard some very positive reports on the 2008 197 versus previous years. The only difference of which I'm aware is that they somehow shaved about 200 lbs off the hull. The wetted surface remains unchanged though for all I know.

[SkiTower]

SGY wrote:
All the posts above offer great advice. The best advice is, as indicated, try them all. They are all fantastic boats.

How bad do you need/want an open bow? I personally didn't like the open bow because my youngest always wanted to be up there which made me nervous in the event I had to make a quick turn around to pick up a skier. I much prefer having my 8 year old right next to me. Just one less worry in my mind. Now, lots of folks have open bows and are perfectly safe boaters. It just wasn't for me--a plus for going to a 196.

Good luck and enjoy the process. Again, PM me if you want to come out and take a ski ride this spring/summer.


Watching the younger kids up front also made me feel uneasy with the 197. It just seemed like it would be easy to fall forward without much effort. That is what has attracted me to the 206, the LXi and the older MC 205.

I'm on the other end of the spectrum. My kids would either be in the front or very rear. I like them up front where I KNOW they are sitting down.

[b2]

ZR6, probably the most fuel efficeint inboard engine ever ( anyone in europe refer to carlsberg adverts)

[jpduster]

ski-me "can't justify a boat costing more than the tow vehicle"

tow vehicle: point A to point B (boat ramp), kids bored in back
boat: fun on the water, lifestyle, kids excited, less depreciation

my two cents
jp :idea:

[Ski-me]

ski-me "can't justify a boat costing more than the tow vehicle"

tow vehicle: point A to point B (boat ramp), kids bored in back
boat: fun on the water, lifestyle, kids excited, less depreciation

my two cents
jp :idea:

Nice quote, thanks 8-)

I agree but I also need to consider the amount of time on the water. Our season is a little shorter and water is more rare here.

Does anyone know the color of the 206 up at the Denver store?

[AirTool]

ski-me "can't justify a boat costing more than the tow vehicle"

tow vehicle: point A to point B (boat ramp), kids bored in back
boat: fun on the water, lifestyle, kids excited, less depreciation

my two cents
jp :idea:

Agree - I "stole" my 206 ....and it is worth almost twice that of all three of my tow vehicles added together.

AirTool

[BigBald]

I aggree with AirTool....I got a good price on my 216...but it's still worth more than both my vehicles combined .....and...it cost me $1000 more than the first house my wife and I bought in the mid 90's. There was a big gulp by both of us when we realized that.

Of course the new 216 is a bit nicer than that house....not as big and no bathroom...but definetly fitted out nicer.

[M3Fan]

If I were to go to a USED open bow boat today, I'd have to take a VERY hard look at the 03-06 RLXi without question. Great looks, terrific wake, good handling and acres of space and storage. I love Nautiques but I think the 03-06 RLXi was a home run for an OB ski boat.