Help with decision on a 196 !

[Stevelev]

Hey all, new member here ...

I'm in the process of replacing my Supra and have decided on a 196 (The awesome wakes of our local club's 2002 have allowed me to raise the bar on my PB in the course this year). I should mention, I'm quite obsessed with the course (sking out 4-5 times per week and working on 32' off)

I've been looking at used Nautiques and wonder if there's a noticeable difference in the wake between the different model years (between 2002 and 2006). One of the local club members mentionned that the club boat (2002 196) has a far better wake than his family's 2006 196 with hydrogate ...

Anyone able to shed light on this as well as provide other pertinent info?

TIA,

Steve

[Nautiqueman]

RE: Help with decision on a 196 !

I believe the hull is unchanged from 2002 until 2009 with the exception of the hydrogate. I just love the 196 too. I just picked up a 2002 last week. Wake is awesome... someone correct me if I am wrong on the hull I have not had a 196 hull newer that 2002.

[Stevelev]

RE: Help with decision on a 196 !

Pretty sure the hull changed in 2006 (TSC3 from TSC2).

[j2nh]

TSC2 became the TSC3 when CC cut the lip off the back of the hull and made it adjustable via the hydrogate. Also some small changes with regard to the strakes in the hull if I am not mistaken.

As an avid slalom skier you might want to consider a 2006 with DBW throttle as these boats are compatible with Zero Off, which, like it or not, is the new standard in speed control.

[djbartholomew]

the 2002 has the tsc1 hull and the 2003 went to the tsc2 hull

[2gofaster]

I ski them all regularly. I have an 05, a friend has an 06, another has an 01. The 2003-2005 hull has a better slalom wake in my opinion than the 2006+. That said, I'd buy the 2007 and newer because those boats are easily retrofitted with ZO or may already have it. You can put ZO in the 06, but it requires changing the ECM out.

[TRBenj]

the 2002 has the tsc1 hull and the 2003 went to the tsc2 hull

Only for the SNOB/206- the 196 went to the TSC2 in 2002.

The TSC3 (2006) deleted the lifting strakes and added the hydrogate. However, the changes supposedly intended to change the trick wake. The slalom wake should be unchanged between the TSC2 and TSC3.

[Stevelev]

the 2002 has the tsc1 hull and the 2003 went to the tsc2 hull

Our club boat is a 2002 and has the TCS2 logo on it ??

I ski them all regularly. I have an 05, a friend has an 06, another has an 01. The 2003-2005 hull has a better slalom wake in my opinion than the 2006+. That said, I'd buy the 2007 and newer because those boats are easily retrofitted with ZO or may already have it. You can put ZO in the 06, but it requires changing the ECM out.

Thanks for the response. Interesting comment about putting up with a wake just to get ZO. Since PP can be upgraded to Stargazer, and I expect that ZO will come out with a retrofit for PP in the spring since they now own PP, why suggest that this is more of a priority than getting a better wake?

[TravisFling]

It's a competetive mindset. Better to get used to the speed control system, hull and boat that would pull you in a tourney so it's not a change when you do one.

[scoke]

You can put ZO in the 06, but it requires changing the ECM out.

Pretty sure the 2006 CC still has a cable on the throttle. Mastercrafts 2006-Prostar 190 was the first DBW boat.

CC started DBW in 2007. 2007 needs the ECM change out (pretty sure) and 2008 does not.

I have a 2002 196 (TSC2 Hull) which I love and did take a look at the 2006's a couple of years ago.

The difference in the wakes between 2002 boat and a 2006 (hydrogate) is like splitting hairs. They are both hardcore slalom boats with great wakes. The hydrogate boats seem to have a bit more "froth" to them, IMO. It seems that it's noticeable more so getting up out of the hole or getting up to speed. Once the cruise is locked in, can't tell a difference.


if you want a hardcore slalom boat, a 2002 TSC2 196 boat with a Ford GT-40 motor, Stargazer, gives the sweetest pull you can imagine. the 2003-2004 boats were just as solid but have only the GM engine.



regarding ZO: lots of realistic chatter out there about Stargazer and Z.O. coming out with a "hybrid" style or another upgrade which will mimic each other. Check out www.ballofspray.com or www.thewaterskiforum.com

[Stevelev]

You can put ZO in the 06, but it requires changing the ECM out.

... if you want a hardcore slalom boat, a 2002 TSC2 196 boat with a Ford GT-40 motor, Stargazer, gives the sweetest pull you can imagine. the 2003-2004 boats were just as solid but have only the GM engine.

Thanks for the info ! I was looking at a 2002 with the GT-40 and since I'm not familiar with the motor, I decided to take it off my short list (that and the colour wan't my favorite). My Supra has a Ford 351 and I don't have any problems with the pull (it could be more powerful) and love the sound. Are there any issues with the GT-40 I should know about if I revisit going this route ?

[bkhallpass]

GT 40 is a Ford 351. On the later model boats you are going to have a Chevy because they stopped making Ford engines for marine use. BKH

[M3Fan]

Are there any issues with the GT-40 I should know about if I revisit going this route ?

No. The GT40 is regarded as the greatest ski boat engine ever made by most people in the biz.

[KenG]

You can put ZO in the 06, but it requires changing the ECM out.

Pretty sure the 2006 CC still has a cable on the throttle. Mastercrafts 2006-Prostar 190 was the first DBW boat.

CC started DBW in 2007. 2007 needs the ECM change out (pretty sure) and 2008 does not.

I

2006 uses DBW, or at least my 206 does.

[scoke]

You can put ZO in the 06, but it requires changing the ECM out.

Pretty sure the 2006 CC still has a cable on the throttle. Mastercrafts 2006-Prostar 190 was the first DBW boat.

CC started DBW in 2007. 2007 needs the ECM change out (pretty sure) and 2008 does not.

I

2006 uses DBW, or at least my 206 does.

Good info, looks like i got my years +1 on that. Thanks.