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Gentlemen and Ladies:
Let me first say that I have been lurking a bit on this forum and genuinely appreciate what you folks are doing here. I have been a boat owner for over 20 years consisting solely of sterndrives. The occasional tow or ride in a nice inboard (this was before the wakeboard craze) has always made me jealous but I have always been relunctant to take the plunge due to two main factors - 1) Our lake is frequently rough and choppy due to wind and large cruisers and 2) We needed "family boat" characteristics as we like to sometimes put la number of folks onboard and we do a fare share of "cove sitting" tied with other friends boats hanging out/having lunch/swimming/etc. For years on our lake, the sight of a Mastercraft or Nautique (skiboats) was extremely rare and for good reason as it was just miserable going out in any sort of chop on those. Over the past several years I have noticed the number of wakeboard oriented boats has grown exponentially. I did some research and it seems that over the past 10 years there have been some hull design changes, boat length increases and interior reconfigurations which have tended to satisfy the potential owner with issues like mine. Up until about a week ago the wife and to a lesser extent myself, had settled on a 24ft Cobalt w the possibility of a wake tower. In the past few days, I have had an acquaintance extend me an offer that has caused me to think again - 2005 Air Nautique 226 TE, 330hp, 180hrs, PerfectPass - looks to be loaded but no docking lights. That of course scratched my inboard itch again and I spent some time online looking at opinions of this boat in terms of big choppy water/waves and "family boat" issues that concern us. Well, there is not a whole lot online that I could find but most things i read indicated that this boat handles rough chop/waves well and is suitable for the whole family thing/tying up with friends/spending the whole day on the water.
I am 40 years old and used to slalom ski/kneeboard/skurf in teens and twenties but want to try the wakeboard/wakesurf now. Wife is athletic and also interested. 6 year old son is dying to try and 3 year old daughter likes to watch but would rather tube for now. I should insert that the wife has been way against the ski/wakeboard thing as other lake friends have said if you get tired of getting beat to death, get a 24ft or longer Cobalt. However, she is kind of interested in this 226 as I told her I read some things that sounded good about the boat's ride, etc. So, she is giving it a chance. Plus she agrees that this next boat needs to be well though out in terms of these kids coming into the age where they will want to do some of these modern watersports.
My question is (finally!), what to any of you willing to help me think? I think the Cobalt is most definitely more suited to family activites, but is this 226 substantially similar? I love the fit and finish of the Cobalt and will be seeing the subject 226 later this week. Also, how does it ride in the chop from anyone with that experience? I must also admit I saw a picture of this boat and me being a bit conservative, I liked it. Not into all of the tribal stuff, tons of chrome, etc.
I have been wanting to be on the inboard team for a long time (and dont want to make a hasty mistake), but given the foregoing, would this work for me?
Sorry for the small novel, but I wanted to paint the most accurate portrait of my dilemma. I sincerely appreciate any response. I am hoping to make a decision this week.
rtrott
Let me first say that I have been lurking a bit on this forum and genuinely appreciate what you folks are doing here. I have been a boat owner for over 20 years consisting solely of sterndrives. The occasional tow or ride in a nice inboard (this was before the wakeboard craze) has always made me jealous but I have always been relunctant to take the plunge due to two main factors - 1) Our lake is frequently rough and choppy due to wind and large cruisers and 2) We needed "family boat" characteristics as we like to sometimes put la number of folks onboard and we do a fare share of "cove sitting" tied with other friends boats hanging out/having lunch/swimming/etc. For years on our lake, the sight of a Mastercraft or Nautique (skiboats) was extremely rare and for good reason as it was just miserable going out in any sort of chop on those. Over the past several years I have noticed the number of wakeboard oriented boats has grown exponentially. I did some research and it seems that over the past 10 years there have been some hull design changes, boat length increases and interior reconfigurations which have tended to satisfy the potential owner with issues like mine. Up until about a week ago the wife and to a lesser extent myself, had settled on a 24ft Cobalt w the possibility of a wake tower. In the past few days, I have had an acquaintance extend me an offer that has caused me to think again - 2005 Air Nautique 226 TE, 330hp, 180hrs, PerfectPass - looks to be loaded but no docking lights. That of course scratched my inboard itch again and I spent some time online looking at opinions of this boat in terms of big choppy water/waves and "family boat" issues that concern us. Well, there is not a whole lot online that I could find but most things i read indicated that this boat handles rough chop/waves well and is suitable for the whole family thing/tying up with friends/spending the whole day on the water.
I am 40 years old and used to slalom ski/kneeboard/skurf in teens and twenties but want to try the wakeboard/wakesurf now. Wife is athletic and also interested. 6 year old son is dying to try and 3 year old daughter likes to watch but would rather tube for now. I should insert that the wife has been way against the ski/wakeboard thing as other lake friends have said if you get tired of getting beat to death, get a 24ft or longer Cobalt. However, she is kind of interested in this 226 as I told her I read some things that sounded good about the boat's ride, etc. So, she is giving it a chance. Plus she agrees that this next boat needs to be well though out in terms of these kids coming into the age where they will want to do some of these modern watersports.
My question is (finally!), what to any of you willing to help me think? I think the Cobalt is most definitely more suited to family activites, but is this 226 substantially similar? I love the fit and finish of the Cobalt and will be seeing the subject 226 later this week. Also, how does it ride in the chop from anyone with that experience? I must also admit I saw a picture of this boat and me being a bit conservative, I liked it. Not into all of the tribal stuff, tons of chrome, etc.
I have been wanting to be on the inboard team for a long time (and dont want to make a hasty mistake), but given the foregoing, would this work for me?
Sorry for the small novel, but I wanted to paint the most accurate portrait of my dilemma. I sincerely appreciate any response. I am hoping to make a decision this week.
rtrott
as much as I hate to say it. We ride on everything from small private ski lakes to Lake Michigan, so we needed a boat that can handled well in tight situations and in the chop. After 2 summers of use we couldn't be happier with our choice. There are many that are quick to give the 226 a bad rap, but I have never heard anyone say anything bad about one after they have been in one. If you have been wanting an inboard for a long time I think you answered your own question about what boat to buy. If you get a cobalt chances are the inboard bug will keep biting. Test drive the 226 to be sure of the condition. If this is not the one there will be many others coming up.
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