compare 04 196-206

[G-man]

Anybody compared the wakes of the 206 - 196 in the course at 15 off? What differances can you feel if any? What speed were you skiing? Sorry if this has been covered before.

Thanks

[SGY]

Hey George, welcome to the site.

I've skied both the 03 196 and 03 206--at 15 off from speeds at 28 mph to 32 mph in the course. In my mind there is virtually no difference. I suppose you could feel a slight difference if you skied them back to back--but again slight.

If you need the room, it is very hard to beat the 206. It drives every bit as well as the 196 and skis great. Also, I've now skied behind the Malibu Response LXI and Prostar 197. The Response was the closest to the 206 with the Prostar not far behind.

Hope this helps.

[lakecskier]

I ski behind both (I have a 2003 206 because I needed the room) at 15 , 22 off ...32-34 mph and I feel little or no difference. We use the kx - when using the 206 - seems to give us a smoother pull because of the larger engine.
The other guys I ski with are into 35/38 off and notice no difference and actually have their PR behind the 206. Besides that they love the way it handles and tracks and how quiet it is (ie no difference with the 196)

I also ski behind the malibu's responses ...no discernible difference in the wakes but I don't like driving them ....doesn't handle as well and it vibrates and is noisy (just doesn't seem as well put together)

I absolutely love my 206 ...as does everyone who ski behind it or drives it. Sunday we skied with my 4 young boys in the open bow (can't do that on the 196) and another observer. Lots of crew weight added to perfect pass but no difference on skiability. I believe the 206 is the best of all worlds in one boat.

Hope this helps

Mike