SLALOM WAKE on a 206 versus 216 Help Please

[crwirth]

I am looking at either a 206 or a 216, probably between the years 2002-2006? and am wondering if either of these boats has a good slalom wake and if one of them has a better wake than the other.

I ski 36mph free skiing, in the course I have to drop down to 30-32 mph with 15off.

Thank you for any input.

[Quinner]

RE: SLALOM WAKE on a 206 versus 216 Help Please

03' is the first year of both models, the wake on a 216 is noticeably bigger, for me it was not worth the 1ft of added space. The 206 has a nice slalom wake but is weight sensitive, we always try to keep under a half tank of fuel and only 1 observer for slaloming.

[crwirth]

RE: SLALOM WAKE on a 206 versus 216 Help Please

I had a 1996- 196 Nautique- I thought it had a great slalom wake. I just sold a 2002 Super Air- which I could not ski behind. Do you happen to know how the 216 wake compares to an older 196?
These are the only wakes I have skied in order of good to bad.
2004- Nautique 196
1996- Nautique 196
1991 Ski Centurion
2001 Mastercraft 19'
1980 TriHull Rienell Outboard
2002 Super Air Nautique

[Mikeski]

RE: SLALOM WAKE on a 206 versus 216 Help Please

I had a 1995 Nautique and have skied behind a couple 216s. The 216 wake is better than the 95/96 wake at 15 and 22 off but the 95 is better at 28 off. I prefer to ski the 216 at 22off, there is a nasty bump at 34/28off behind the 216.

[Mark_P]

I looked hard a 206 but decided on a '05 216. My ski partner who used to ski professionally has a '03 216. We also ski the course at 34 MPH from 22 to 35 off with two Malibu Response and one MasterCraft 197 owners and none of us have a preference on the wakes / boats. I strongly suggest you test drive, ride and ski behind the boats (maybe even new ones since the have not changed much). The 216 had a number of advantages for me. Good luck with your decision.

[sodbuster88]

Had an '03 216. Loved everything about the boat, especially the room. The rear trunk will handle a ton of stuff including a kneeboard (in at a slant) and skis up to 75". Has a stout bump at 34/28 as well as a couple "deeper-than-normal" valleys...which makes the bump feel bigger. If you ski the 216, ski shorter than 28 and try to keep the speed up. It's a great boat if you are serious about your skiing. It handles similar to a 196...but definitely feels heavier.

The 206 has similar wake characteristics, just not as tall and the bumps are not near as severe. The rear trunk is not near as big...and if it's anything like my 196, you can't get a 68" ski in it.

We sold the 216 and went back to the 196 for a great slalom wake at all speeds and line lengths for all abilities.

Good luck...you can't go wrong with your decision...just got to decide on what is important. For us, the skiing takes priority, at least until arthritis sets in....!

[crwirth]

Mikeski, Mark P, and sodbustster, Quinner, I really appreciate the feedback. One of my ski buddies skis the course at 30-32MPH and he is up to 28 off- He absolutely could not slalom behind our 2002 SANTE, I like to freeski at 36 MPH usually shortline (22 or so off) and go the course at 30-32 with 15-22 off.

I am hearing about a bump at 34 MPH and 28 off does this bump go away at 22 off? 15 off? and for my ski buddies sake (but I think I know the answer) does the 28 off bump get worse at 30 mph? Thank you.

[CD]

I recently bought a brand new 08 216 TE, i was contemplating buying the 206 as well and looked at a MC X14. After alot of research i bought the 216. I think you will be happy with a 216 unless you are a hard core competing skier, then you should be buying a 196 otherwise this boat has it all. My wife and I ski, the kids wakeboad and tube.

I ski 15 off 32mph free and course 30. Tons of storage, just the extra space over the 206 makes a difference if you have any people in the boat. I would test one out and watch the virtual test dives on Waterskimag.com they really like the 216.

CD

[SkiTower]

watch the virtual test dives on Waterskimag.com they really like the 216.

Please show me a boat they don't "like". Can't find a negative comment on the site.

[zapada]

[Good luck...you can't go wrong with your decision...just got to decide on what is important.] Agreed. There is an obvious inverse relationship between the size of the boat and the pure waterski performance. You simply need to decide what factors are most important to you. All three boats are great in quality and performance. Do you need more space or do you need a smaller wake? Good luck

[bkhallpass]

Re: SLALOM WAKE on a 206 versus 216 Help Please

I am looking at either a 206 or a 216, probably between the years 2002-2006? and am wondering if either of these boats has a good slalom wake and if one of them has a better wake than the other.

I ski 36mph free skiing, in the course I have to drop down to 30-32 mph with 15off.

Thank you for any input.

To your original question, I have seen Greg Badal run 39.5 off behind a 206. Thus I would think that if your skiing ability exceeds the capability of that boat, then you probably wouldn't need to ask the question. From a skiing perspective, the 206 is world class. BKH

[MARK-S]

RE: Re: SLALOM WAKE on a 206 versus 216 Help Please

The 206 rocks. IMO, best open bow of he big 3.

[AirTool]

RE: Re: SLALOM WAKE on a 206 versus 216 Help Please

Watch Jaret Llewellyn's training video and see how he does it all behind a 206....and you'll be sold that it IS the all-around boat of boats.

That's what sold me.

AirTool

[CD]

"Please show me a boat they don't "like". Can't find a negative comment on the site. "



You can get alot of info from the site, look at the pics of the wakes from each boat you can see the differences., read the comments. When i was looking at the MC X14 they did not like it at certain rope lengths and as i talked to more people it was confirmed by owners and others who had skied behind it. Both the 206 and 216 are awesome boats.

[SkiTower]

There's great info on WATERSKI.COM, but their opinions are that every boat is great. I love the virtual test drives, except I would love for both a wakeboard wake shot AND a ski wake shot, ex. how does my 211 compare to the 216 or VTX. For the 211 it brags about the wakeboard wake. Also, I'd love to see the ski wakes on boats like the 226 and 236, because family may be more important than ski wake, but ski wake is still considered.

Not to mention, it IS WATERSKI.com and not WAKEBOARD.com.