Ski Nautique - 196 - What Changed each year

[mcbridek]

Looking at selling my 1999 Sport Nautique (GT 40/ ND FCT /ballast / 428 hours) and buying a 196 and trying to understand what changed each year. My guess is I would look between 2003 and 2007 year models. More important if there was any years I should "avoid". In looking at the brouchures seems like 2006 alot of changes were made - TSC3 hull (what ever that means) and hydro gate and then in 2007 throttle by wire and it looks like the front windshield opens.

Would love to hear any comments and opinions

[Hollywood]

RE: Ski Nautique - 196 - What Changed each year

Walk through windshield was an option since 1994.

None of the changes you mentioned should be avoided.

[swc5150]

RE: Ski Nautique - 196 - What Changed each year

'06 forward had drive-by-wire, and they eliminated the plastic grab rail inserts in the interior for a cleaner look. '07 forward has the chrome rub rail insert. Nautique cruise was introduced in '08, for what it's worth. Most boats will have PP or ZO. '08 also introduced the 343hp Excalibur, versus the 330 of previous years. Any year you buy will be sweet in my opinion. I also think an LE's bells and whistles are worth the extra cost, but again, that's just me.

[DanielC]

RE: Ski Nautique - 196 - What Changed each year

My opinion.
I prefer a 1997 through 1999 hull, with analogue gauges you can read with polarized sunglasses, a Ford GT-40 engine, or maybe a GM 502 Python engine. 1997 and 1998 models also had a back seat that was easily removable, and the gas tank was behind the seat, not under it, taking up floor space when the seat was out.
If you have to have a newer hull, go with a 2003 on boat, and avoid the teleflex digital gauges.

[swc5150]

RE: Ski Nautique - 196 - What Changed each year

Right on - those Teleflex digital gauges suck!

[Hollywood]

RE: Ski Nautique - 196 - What Changed each year

2002+ (TSC2, new hull) has a rear trunk/sunpad, which might be a big deal for your storage needs (skis and sunbathing wife).

99+ tunable rudder

Motorbox changes

2000+ Driver side radio + molded gauge/speaker pod

[WA-H2O-SKI]

RE: Ski Nautique - 196 - What Changed each year

I would say 2003-2009 are pretty small changes that most people and skiers would not really notice. I agree, get the LE version as it has all the bells and whistles that are nice to have. I am not a trick skier or wakeboarder,so the hydrogate was not imprtant to me. I believe that was aht really changed in the updated hull.

[Hollywood]

RE: Ski Nautique - 196 - What Changed each year

If you are a barefooter you'll like the hydro-gate as you will pick up 2 mph in the "up" position over a fixed hook hull.

[east tx skier]

RE: Ski Nautique - 196 - What Changed each year

I'll throw in that 98 had the down swing tach. Everything I've skied from 97 to present was superb from a behind the boat perspective.