SN2001 or Air Nautique for wake?

[Chexi]

While these 2 boats are not in the same price range, I would like opinions on whether these 2 boats (80's model SN2001 and late 90-s - 2000's model Air Nautique) create a similar wake for wakeboarding, or, if different, which is better, and what is the delta between the two? I am basically looking to buy one of (1) a late 80's SN2001 with high hours, but ostensibly in very good shape or (2) a 2000ish air nautique with low hours. The air nautique has some nice features like an open bow and automatic ballast system (although inadequate alone I am sure), but if the wake is actually better on the SN2100, I see no reason to spend twice us much for these niceties. However, if the wake is equal, the niceties might be worth it.

For clarity, I am referring to the direct drive air nautique, not the SAN.

[HS]

RE: SN2001 or Air Nautique for wake?

This website has a discussion on the sport nautique and its attributes. http://www.wakeboardreport.com/

[WakeSlayer]

RE: SN2001 or Air Nautique for wake?

89 2001 is the original wake machine, You can get them for under $10k easy and they throw a massive wake. First year of the gear reduction trans. an early 90's Barefoot Vdrive is a good option and some have a big block for great power. If you are looking at an Air Nautique you will easily spend twice the dough of an 89, and half again as much as a BFN. Pretty broad range you are looking at, really.

[Chexi]

RE: SN2001 or Air Nautique for wake?

I think you are dead on about the pricing differences from what I have seen. It sounds to me like from a pure wake perspective, you really are not getting much, if anything, more in an Air Nautique than you would in an 89 2001.

So, would say an early 90's Nautique Excel V-drive (which I think is the same hull as the bfoot v-drive) throw a significantly better wake than the 89 2001? One would normally assume that a v-drive would throw a better wake, but the narrowness and vertical of the SN2001 is allegedly so good, that any hull shape changes could throw things off, or the difference could be minor. I have zero experience with nautiques. I have a mid-90's Tige that has a silly wake that no matter how big you get it, it has no pop. Obviously, I'm looking to upgrade to a nautique, and just need to find out which model I should be looking for. The quality of the wake is the most important thing to me.

[bchesley]

RE: SN2001 or Air Nautique for wake?

How big is your crew that you ride with. That to me is the big factor. They both will throw great wakes. I had a 2001 and rode behind a sport often. The sport can throw a bigger wake because the size of the boat is bigger along with the ability to carry more ballast. If you have a 3 person cerw the 2001 will be my choice because the fuel consumption will be lower with a wake that you can do any trick on. The 2001 is also a blast to drive because it handles so well because of its size. The main reason I upgraded is because I have two kids. When I set my 2001 up to ride they had to climb all over ballast and we had no storage. I loved my boat and still miss it today, but the trade off for more room was worth the cost to me. The sport will have two areas that you can hide ballast, ski locker and rear trunk. That is worth alot if you have a big crew. I typically have 5 riders or my family with me.

[bkhallpass]

RE: SN2001 or Air Nautique for wake?

The "2001" model Ski Nautique that ran from 82-89, without a doubt makes the best wakeboard boat of
any brand from that era. They are relatively inexpensive, and so they've been very coveted as wakeboard boats.

In my opinion, the wake will not be any better with a sport/air nautique. However, as mentioned, you get a lot of modern conveniences with the sport/air including- more room; bow seating; fuel injected motors from 95 on; no wood/composite stringers after 93; storage trunks in models after 98; built in ballast systems, some better than others; factory tower; in some cases a more luxurious interior. Some of the old boats don't have glove boxes, don't have a built in spot for stereos and speakers.

It's just a matter of what your willing to pay.

The new boats can have draw back as well including digital guages that fail; early ballast systems that didn't work well; early computer ignition systems that didn't work well; early trunk locks that seem to break all the time; glove box gas springs that seem to fail every year.

There's no perfect boat, only a boat that's perfect for you.

BKH

[Chexi]

RE: SN2001 or Air Nautique for wake?

My crew is small. I have no children. It's usually me, my wife, and a friend or two. I would buy one with a tower or add a tower to get the boards out of the way and run lead in pvc pipes in the gunnels to keep that weight out of the way, but of course bags would need to be played around with to get things just right, so they could be in the way. I have a fat seat I could use in the back. Oh, one question, do the SN2001's rear seat come out or can it be turned around? I either take mine out in my Tige and add the fat seat, or reverse it so the passengers look backwards when sitting.

[STANGKILLASS]

RE: SN2001 or Air Nautique for wake?

i just bought a 82 SN2001
monster tower, 4 blade, 2 sacs, a new motor, new interior etc, and lots of goodies for $5300

ive had it for 2 weeks. havent sacked it out yet.

IMO opinion your comparing apples 2 oranges. those two have nothing in common, price, size, years, bow, ballast, etc.

chexi, some SN2001 came with no back seat. most ordered for comp pulling or ski schools were that way thats how mine is(thats a plastic storage bucket you see in the pic), i plan on running one of the 2-3 person couch/seat sacks in the back facing rearward, helps keep the wieght from all being at the back. and a good view

[Chexi]

RE: SN2001 or Air Nautique for wake?

Speaking of good view...

Yep, apples to oranes definitely, but I just want a comparison on the wakes. All the frills are just that, frills. Non-essential for me at this stage.

Hey, did you buy that boat from a guy in Austin? If so, I just called about that boat to find out it was sold! GRRRR!!!! But no problems man... enjoy it and report back on the wake!

[jchamlin]

RE: SN2001 or Air Nautique for wake?

I've got a 2000 Air Nautique with the built-in ballast tanks. Maybe this will help you:

OK Wake: 3 - 4 people with stock ballast (400 lbs). Wake is adequate for most easy tricks. It takes more skill to throw more impressive (inverted) tricks.
Pretty Good Wake: 4 - 6 people with a small fat sac in the back with stock ballast. Wake is big and has good pop. Skilled rider can do most anything.
Awesome Wake: 7 - 9 people with stock ballast - Wake is huge and has lots of pop. Hang on!

I don't like loading my boat down with ballast so I usually deal with the "Pretty good wake". Also, the early to mid-90's Sport Nautiques have a really nice wake - big and steep when loaded properly. Something like that will definitely ride better than a SN2001.

[Chexi]

RE: SN2001 or Air Nautique for wake?

Ok, sorry to keep bothering everyone, but does anyone know if the 89 Sport Nautique open bow has the same hull and same wake characteristics as the 2001s?

[TravisFling]

RE: SN2001 or Air Nautique for wake?

Nope, not the same at all. The 2001 is the 2001. Period. It's a great wake machine at a great price. I bought my 89 for 10k, put in a stereo, boss tower, racks, two 440lb fat sacs w/ 1100 gph rule pump. It had 600 hours and one owner when I bought it, now it's got 750 hours and it's a wonderful machine. I absolutely love it. It came with a Ten Foot Pole, extra prop, barefoot boom, and a crappy stereo, anchor, etc. You are looking for the exact right reason if you buy a 2001... the wake. If you don't want the niceties, then get the 2001 and you'll never look back. fortunately I am lucky enough to have another child on the way, so a SAN will probably be in my near future and it makes me sad to get rid of my 2001, though... it's an 89, so it's got the reduced gear ratio, which is great as well. I would look for an 1989 with an owner who has loved theirs as much as I love mine. Sports have a different hull shape, and it's a whole different boat. I love it when I pull down the ramp and that engine fires every single time, no questions asked.

[bkhallpass]

RE: SN2001 or Air Nautique for wake?

89-92 sport was a unique hull. It's kind of a cross between the Ski Nautiques and Barefoot Nautiques of the 80s. BKH

[Chexi]

RE: SN2001 or Air Nautique for wake?

Thank you both. I was hoping that there might have been 1 year (89) where I could get an open bow with the same legendary 2001 wake at a similar pricepoint, but alas, such is not the case. Would be an easier sell to the wife (who wants an open bow), but ultimately she would never be sitting in the bow anyway... she'll be driving me while I rip it up on the nasty wake!

[Chexi]

Re: RE: SN2001 or Air Nautique for wake?

Nope, not the same at all. The 2001 is the 2001. Period. It's a great wake machine at a great price. I bought my 89 for 10k, put in a stereo, boss tower, racks, two 440lb fat sacs w/ 1100 gph rule pump. It had 600 hours and one owner when I bought it, now it's got 750 hours and it's a wonderful machine. I absolutely love it. It came with a Ten Foot Pole, extra prop, barefoot boom, and a crappy stereo, anchor, etc. You are looking for the exact right reason if you buy a 2001... the wake. If you don't want the niceties, then get the 2001 and you'll never look back. fortunately I am lucky enough to have another child on the way, so a SAN will probably be in my near future and it makes me sad to get rid of my 2001, though... it's an 89, so it's got the reduced gear ratio, which is great as well. I would look for an 1989 with an owner who has loved theirs as much as I love mine. Sports have a different hull shape, and it's a whole different boat. I love it when I pull down the ramp and that engine fires every single time, no questions asked.

When you are ready to sell you 89, let me know. Got any pics?