Replacement for 196

[SNMike]

This talk has been going on for about 5 years with this boat. A few years back, they had proto types, but they could only run the boat with a ZR6 because it was so weight sensitive. I'm sure they will have that figured out by the time the boat comes out, if it does. It makes sense to combine the two boats into one. That's one less mold to design and less molds to maintain. I would imagine there will be more consistency in that one boat than the variances you might have see in 196's and 206's overall in the past.

Again, all I can say is that the closed bow is NOT going away. 8-)

[DanielC]

Making a hull halfway between the length of the 196, and the 206 would be a compromise. If they can build a 20 foot boat that has the same wake as a 196, in an open bow configuration, common sense tells me that applying those design changes to a new closed bow 196 (TSC4 ?) will result in an even better wake on the newly designed 196.
Simple fact, an open bow boat has to be built heavier, and use more materials, because it is not as a strong hull design. That additional weight will compromise the ski wake.
I have driven both the 1997 Ski Nautique, and a 1997 SNOB. They do have different wakes. They do handle differently.
I am pretty sure the Porsche SUV is a very nice handling SUV. I am also sure the 911 can run circles around it.
I sure hope Correct Craft does not try to pass off a compromised family boat as a tournament ski boat.

[2gofaster]

The new Respnose LXi is HUGE compared to a closed bow 196, and within an inch or so in beam, length, and draft of a 206. And yet, it's wake is very soft. I consistently ski more buoys behind it than I do the 196. Yet I own a 196. The market for a closed bow tournament boat is next to nil. Granted, the 196 has sports car handling while the rlxi does not.

[east tx skier]

I'll once again mention the view from the driver's seat. I can't get over how much I never realized how wonderful this was until I was without it for a weekend.

[cotton]

The market for a closed bow tournament boat is next to nil.

This is an interesting statement and if accurate it seems CC would make their promo boats an open bow and only make enough closed bows for the few who want them, assuming it makes sense economically.

It would also be intersting to know the number of previous years promo boats from each of the big 3 that remain unsold.

[BrennanK]

Making a hull halfway between the length of the 196, and the 206 would be a compromise. If they can build a 20 foot boat that has the same wake as a 196, in an open bow configuration, common sense tells me that applying those design changes to a new closed bow 196 (TSC4 ?) will result in an even better wake on the newly designed 196.
Simple fact, an open bow boat has to be built heavier, and use more materials, because it is not as a strong hull design. That additional weight will compromise the ski wake.
I have driven both the 1997 Ski Nautique, and a 1997 SNOB. They do have different wakes. They do handle differently.
I am pretty sure the Porsche SUV is a very nice handling SUV. I am also sure the 911 can run circles around it.
I sure hope Correct Craft does not try to pass off a compromised family boat as a tournament ski boat.

I couldn't have said it better. Well put.

[2gofaster]

An even better comparison would be on the mastercraft 190/197 from 03 to now. Same hull, different top deck for closed and open. How many of the closed bow were produced? I would put money that the 197 production is 10 times what the 190 production is and they are marketed to the same group of people.

I talked to 5 CC196 owners this week. All said that if CC made replaced the 196 with a boat 6" longer and offered it in both closed and open bow, they'd buy one if it skied similarly. But here's the thing. If they ski similarly, you can bet that guys like MS who are ordering promo boats will be ordering the open bow version because it's proven they are easier to sell.

[cotton]

An even better comparison would be on the mastercraft 190/197 from 03 to now. Same hull, different top deck for closed and open. How many of the closed bow were produced? I would put money that the 197 production is 10 times what the 190 production is and they are marketed to the same group of people.

Good point. In February I looked at a MC promo boat locally and it was the 197 open bow. I wonder if MC gives their promo guys the option of choosing the 190 or 197. He was not able to choose the color; it was solid black.

[2gofaster]

At one point, they could choose 190 or 197. The last two years, the Tournament Team Boats have only been available as a 197. And yes, MC makes all their TT's with the same paint scheme. I wasn't crazy about last year's black. But this year's metalflake red over black is the best paint combination on a boat i've seen.

[east tx skier]

An even better comparison would be on the mastercraft 190/197 from 03 to now. Same hull, different top deck for closed and open. How many of the closed bow were produced? I would put money that the 197 production is 10 times what the 190 production is and they are marketed to the same group of people.

I talked to 5 CC196 owners this week. All said that if CC made replaced the 196 with a boat 6" longer and offered it in both closed and open bow, they'd buy one if it skied similarly. But here's the thing. If they ski similarly, you can bet that guys like MS who are ordering promo boats will be ordering the open bow version because it's proven they are easier to sell.

Not quite a current statistic, but in 2006, MC produced 8 Pro Star 190's.

[2gofaster]

There ya go. That's what I'm talking about. It's even a bigger disparity than I thought. Because there were at least 100 tournament teams made for the promo team every year. No dealers are ordering closed bow 190s.

[east tx skier]

Actually, Mike at MC Charlotte ordered one for the showroom around that time and it was sold in a week. Better resale or not, my current closed bow will not be my last. I regularly ski behind an 06 TT 197. It's fine, but I wouldn't trade my SN for it.

[M3Fan]

The reason CB sales with MC (and Bu with the RCB) are/were so low, in my opinion, is that their CB version brings nothing to the table since it's the same hull, motor placement, dash placement, etc., just different deck. In those boats you get a huge closed bow area in front of the windshield with nothing to gain. The 196 brings something to the table with a very "cab-forward" seating position that is as far up in the boat as possible. 196 vs. the 190 and RCB is just not apples to apples.

[east tx skier]

The reason CB sales with MC (and Bu with the RCB) are/were so low, in my opinion, is that their CB version brings nothing to the table since it's the same hull, motor placement, dash placement, etc., just different deck. In those boats you get a huge closed bow area in front of the windshield with nothing to gain. The 196 brings something to the table with a very "cab-forward" seating position that is as far up in the boat as possible. 196 vs. the 190 and RCB is just not apples to apples.

Exactly! This is one reason why I am so curious about the view from the driver's seat. But on top of that, I'm not convinced that the 190 isn't a better ride for the skier than the 197. Apart from the view, with seating in the bow, there are bound to be weight differences that change things behind the boat.

[cotton]

But on top of that, I'm not convinced that the 190 isn't a better ride for the skier than the 197. Apart from the view, with seating in the bow, there are bound to be weight differences that change things behind the boat.

The 09 MC 197 is 180 pounds heavier than the 190 with all other advertised specs being identical including the capacity of 7 people or 1,087 pounds.

We have been rotating skiing behind a 92 MC 190, a 97 SNOB and an 09 206 each week for several now and an 08 Malibu LXI yesterday. The MC 190 closed bow does have the smallest wake of these 4 boats and I'm also interested to find out the differences between the 190 & 197.