8Wake improvements over the years.

[mpost]

I am thinking of selling my 84 2001 and buying a newer Nautique. Been skiing some behind my Cousins 95 Mastercraft 190 and notice the wake is significantly softer than my boat.
What years and models were the improvements made for the best slolom wakes. I will probably be restricted to the pre 2000 year age due to cash on hand???
Any help and comments would be appreciated.

[chris196]

RE: 8Wake improvements over the years.

Try for a 97, 98 or 99 with a GT-40.
97 was when the TSC hull came out and those years have the analog guages.

[mpost]

Does the TSC hull compare witht he Pro star 190 of that era? I hear :?: :?: they were the best, but I imagine that is a personal preference. :mrgreen:
I definetly notice the difference with the 84 Nautique compared to the Prostar. Same ski, driver and speed.

[chris196]

I don't know much about the Mastercrafts. I have heard that the 190s had very good wakes. Other folks on here have first hand knowledge, hopefully they'll chime in.

When I said the 97-99 models, I meant the 196. Not sure if that was obvious or not.
Disregarding the new SN200, it is my understanding that the TSC hull hasn't really changed much from 97 till now. (I know some will correct me here) I think the changes from 97 till 2009 have been refinements. So as far as the Ski Nautique closed bow, you had the 2001 hull for most of the 80's, then the 90-96, then the start of the TSC hull in 97 with refinements for TSC2 & TSC3 at some point after 2000.

I have a 1998 196 and really like the boat and wake, but I'm no tournament skier.

[swooddc]

97 and up 196 (Ski nautique closed bow) will compare very favorably to the prostars.. like chris said others will know more about the specific differences in year models.

[M3Fan]

Just a little pet peeve here- the "196" nomenclature didn't come out until the 2002 model year- if you're talking about a 19' 6" boat made by Correct Craft before 2002, that model is known simply as the "Ski Nautique".

As for the original poster's question, the 90-96 Ski Nautique also puts out a respectable slalom wake as well. Really, from 1990 on you can't go wrong as far as wakes.

[sfjakey]

Having owned an 84 Master Craft, 94 Nautique, 96 Nautique, 01 MalibuResponse and 03 Nautuque206, and currently 07 211, I would rate the 90-96 hull as by far the worst. The 211 is similar, but since it is a big heavy v-drive pig, it is quite amazing it does what it does. Buy a 97+ Nautique
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[Laptom]

The 2001 Ski Nautique from 1982-1989 are really not the best ski wakes available... They have a good wakeboard wake though...

Go for a '97 + Ski Nautique closed bow with a GT40 engine.. You won't be disappointed!

[DanielC]

I second Chris196's opinion. 1997, 1998 Ski Nautiques, you can remove the back seat completely, I do not know if you can with a 1999 Ski Nautique.
You want the GT-40 engine. Accept no substitutes.

[2gofaster]

The TSC hull which started in 97 has a very similar wake to the ProStar you've been skiing behind in height, width, and softness/hardness. The difference, and this is worth the money, is that spray is less and the tracking is FAR better than the ProStar.

[TRBenj]

Just a little pet peeve here- the "196" nomenclature didn't come out until the 2002 model year- if you're talking about a 19' 6" boat made by Correct Craft before 2002, that model is known simply as the "Ski Nautique".

As for the original poster's question, the 90-96 Ski Nautique also puts out a respectable slalom wake as well. Really, from 1990 on you can't go wrong as far as wakes.

Actually, the '02 was still a Ski Nautique- the 196 nomenclature started in '03. :grin:

I agree that the 90+ hull is a huge improvement over the 2001. The TSC1 was a much smaller refinement in comparison, and the TSC2 in '02 even smaller still- but still noticeable.

I ski behind a '95 PS190 on a regular basis and love the wake. I think its comparable to a TSC1 (97-01). If money allows, Id be looking for a 97-99 TSC just like others have recommended.

[M3Fan]

Tim, that's right. The 206 came out in 03 so that's when they started with the 196 moniker. Still.

I wouldn't leave out the 00-01 and 2002 Ski Nautiques if the budget allows. Yes, they have digital speedos and tachs that have been known to fail. Mine have been fine since 2003. However, with Perfect Pass, you really don't need a speedo or tach since it is both. IMO you get a more modern interior and far better looking dash with the 00-01 and 2002 than the 97-99. The Airguides and push breakers really make the boat look dated in my opinion. You're also ditching the old-school rat's nest of wiring, spade connectors and push breakers in the dash with the SmartPod. Until mine fails me, if ever, I'm a huge fan of the SmartPod.

[vthokies]

I feel I can give a little insight on your question regarding the hulls for skiing. I have owned a 1992 Ski Closed Bow, 1993 Ski CB, 1995 Ski CB, 1997 Ski CB and finally a 2002 Ski Closed Bow. My 1997 and 2002 ski relatively the same with soft, narrow wakes and very little spray even deep into shortline. The 90-96 boats still skied extremely well and had very little to no spray.

I was very close in 97 to buying a Prostar 190 due to the dealer I had a relationship with changing over to Master Craft but in the end after driving both boats back to back I could not or would not purchase the Prostar 190. The drivers view, tracking, fit and finish was just not on the same level as the Ski Nautique. I have a good friend who purchased a 97 Prostar and he only had problems from day 1 and eventually sold the boat within 3 months of purchasing it and buying my older 95 boat.

I loved both my 97 and 02 boats but bought the 02 due to the rear storage, the smart pod, etc. I just liked the look better. I have also never had issues with the digital gauges except on bright days they seem to fade in and out. But like someone mentioned I utilize Perfect Pass Pro and now Stargazer for both my tach and speedo.

[east tx skier]

As a former MC owner and current 98 SN owner, I think that you will not be dissatisfied with the wake behind either the 97 and forward SN or a 95--97 PS190. However, I think the tracking is better on the SN. Also, if it were me, I'd pick the GT-40 seven days a week and twice on Sunday. Again, I'm not knocking MC in the least. I've always liked MC. My father in law still owns a MC and I wouldn't ever turn down a pull from one.

[Mikeski]

I helped a buddy buy a nice little ski boat earlier this year. The criteria was a 97+ Ski Nautique, a early 90's MC or other similar boat. He ended up getting a great deal on a 1995 MB B0SS 200, it has a great ski wake, was in fantastic condition and came in well below the $10k mark. The wake on this MB is much better than the wake on my 1995 Ski Nautique. Of course the build quality of the MB is not on par with Nautique or MC but it's good enough for the price.