SN 206 vs. Response LXi

[mlange]

It wasn't my intention to start a religious war so I'm sorry if this thread degraded into that.

I've been behind a 196 a number of times, but have never driven one so I don't even have a reference point for that SN "feel" vs. the 'bus in the driver's seat. The decision would be a **** of a lot easier if it were April and I could get out on the water with it.

I'd never get a tower so that wouldn't be an option for storing skis. And to be honest I do think losing the ability to throw a couple of 67" skis (or the boom) into the trunk is a big deal. That's one of the things I really like about the SN 200.

But definitely keep the comments coming. I'm going to try to make a decision by Monday so I've got some thinking to do.

Thanks,
Mike

[M3Fan]

Yea! All that from a guy who owns a 2000 Ski Nautique and skis Fifteen off!!! Hmm!

I drove the US National championships in WPB last year and the Malibu was the worst boat I have ever driven in a tournament. I pulled one out of Girls 2 jump event because it drove so bad and would not control speed ,well! The Chief judge said get in what ever works! it was not a Malibu!
I drove the Men 3 Top seed slalom group with Malibu!! What a Joke! I feel bad for the guys that Had to ski with that boat and me driving.
Where do I get my experiance??? OH Yea! I drove Two World records last year! one in a MC the other in a 09 196!!!

Buy the 206 you will never regret it!!!

No worries on the childish comments Jody.

I am not a fan of the 07+ RLXi in any way, so I agree 100% there. Completely different animal from the 03-06. I'm about as big a CC fan as anybody could possibly be, but I'm objective and fair enough to recognize an excellent boat regardless of brand name. The first gen RLXis are EXCELLENT boats, plain and simple. I'm not talking about Responses, RLXs, or new RLXis, or Malibus for that matter. I'm talking about this specific generation of this specific boat because I've had hands-on, real experience with it.

[ClemsonDave]

Buy my 200 and I'll work out any kinks all summer! ---shameless plug

How often would you use the open bow? They are quite small and too shallow for my tastes (on both boats). I would not put my kids in the front of either boat in rough water.

When I am skiing, I really could not care less which boat I am behind. Both the LXi and 206 are excellent. Haven't skied 22off in a while though. From my observation, there is almost no bump with the new 200 at 22off.

When I am driving, I'm not a fan of the LXi. I feel like I am sitting in a hole. Almost no lumbar support. I'm looking right at the windshield frame. When you pull next to the skier, you have to rise up to talk over the windshield. They track very well, but it's just not a comfortable seating position for me.

Jody, I'm wondering if the boat you drove was just not setup properly. I've never had a problem with the tracking of an LXi.

I'd go with a 196, then buy a 200 when you are ready.

[swc5150]

I personally wouldn't pass up a stellar deal on that 206. You're gaining 5 models years on your Bu, and getting a top-of-the-line boat. The '09 technology is higher-tech, ZO, DBW, etc, not to mention CC build quality. If deal is right, you probably won't lose much after a couple of seasons of use - if you intend to pick up a 200 at some point. I wish I could be of more help comparing it to a Bu, but I don't have that much experience with them. I've always liked the way they track and ski, but the construction materials seem to age faster. The vinyl seems thinner, the seat cushions not as dense, and the carpet is way wimpy compared to plush kind CC uses. One can usually save a couple of bucks on a new Bu, versus a CC or MC, and there's a reason. It's not that it's not a great ski boat, it's just all the extra little things CC does.

[mlange]

I rarely use the open bow, but it's unfortunately a requirement. We probably spend 90% of the time with three of us out skiing and I don't like to have anyone up in the bow while underway either. But the other 10% is lounging with the family, etc... and the wife likes to catch some rays up there while the kids wreak havoc in the back of the boat and off the platform. So a 196 is unfortunately not an option as long as I'm still married.

My understanding from talking to the factory guy at the boat show is that the bump moved up to 28-off on the 200 because of where they put the relief pockets in the hull.

[ClemsonDave]

I rarely use the open bow, but it's unfortunately a requirement. We probably spend 90% of the time with three of us out skiing and I don't like to have anyone up in the bow while underway either. But the other 10% is lounging with the family, etc... and the wife likes to catch some rays up there while the kids wreak havoc in the back of the boat and off the platform. So a 196 is unfortunately not an option as long as I'm still married.

My understanding from talking to the factory guy at the boat show is that the bump moved up to 28-off on the 200 because of where they put the relief pockets in the hull.

I have heard that too. Two of my ski buddies said they did not notice it. I was a passenger a couple weeks ago and didn't see anything. Of course, it was Chet Railey skiing.... They only thing I have heard is that the trough is in a different position which makes timing for some people different. They got used to it quickly though.

[teamseal]

No worries on the childish comments Jody.

No worries My fault on the over reaction.

I have been a skier and tournament driver for over 25 years and have been and driven every model of Malibu designed for tournaments since their inception in the 80's. Malibu has not built a boat worth a darn in over 10 years. Over hyped, under powered and problematic.
I currently own and run a inboard specific repair facility in the pan handle of Florida. I see a few of Malibus each year for various repairs and service and can tell all that your better of with the Nautique or MasterCraft when considering a new or used boat purchase of boats within the last 10 years of production.
As far a skiing behind the newer Malibus, they are under powered (even with the hammerheads) and are hard to drive in the course with larger skiers. Put A Tower on one and forget about having even a decent slalom boat.
As stated by some one else the visibility is bad in the driver seat, for a shorter driver you cant see over the dash. The Wedge function is one of the biggest overrated hypes in the boating world. Most all riders will tell you that it trashes the wake.

I think the only feature a Malibu has over the 206 is you can put a 67" ski in the rear storage area.
If some on this forum find my distain for newer malibus a problem,,,, Oh well! Team Seal has been screwed in the last number of years in regional and national tournaments because malibu brings their crap to the most prestegious national and regional events in the US and they dont perform for the skiers well. Case in point: Men 1 jump, Southern regionals 2009. Malibu brings a full on wakeboard prepared response to pull 200plus jumpers on a near perfect jump site. Winning jump 158' boat was going backwards when the jumpers turned for the ramp. I do have many more bad experiances with the Malibus and will share full as long as this thred continues.
Again buy the Nautique you will be more than happy for your decision.

Boats I have in my stable:
2009 Ski Nautique 196 ZR-6/409
1992 Ski Nautique
1984 Ski Nautique
1982 American Skier Volante
1977 Fish Nautique
1966 Rayson Craft LP (race Boat)
1965 Rickshaw Sprint (race Boat)

[Hollywood]

The 03-06 RLXi is as close to perfection in a slalom-boat-with-plenty-of-room as it gets in my opinion. Drives great, handles great, tracks great, and has as good a wakes as you could ever want with plenty of storage.

You forgot "for a Malibu"

[hollant]

If you dont take the deal on the 206, will you let me know where it is? I need it!

[mlange]

I'll fill you in on the deal hollant if I don't take it.

A couple of other questions for you guys...

Where is the stock amp location for the Team edition?

Is there an area between the sides of the boat and where the rear tank is to "hide" life jackets - basically right around where the rear cup holders are. One of my biggest concerns with moving to a 206 is the lack of storage over my RLXi. Today I can throw a few jackets up under the front seats (no problem there with the SN 206) but I can also get one of each behind where the speakers are on an RLXi. It sucks, but on those few days when the whole family does go out I need all the extra space.

Thx again.

[Quinner]

Where is the stock amp location for the Team edition?

Is there an area between the sides of the boat and where the rear tank is to "hide" life jackets - basically right around where the rear cup holders are. One of my biggest concerns with moving to a 206 is the lack of storage over my RLXi. Today I can throw a few jackets up under the front seats (no problem there with the SN 206) but I can also get one of each behind where the speakers are on an RLXi. It sucks, but on those few days when the whole family does go out I need all the extra space.

Thx again.

The factory amp on my 05' is up the side under the passenger seat, about where your right elbow would be if you were sitting there. If it also has the sub that would be under the passenger seat tight to the wall of the walkthrough.

In addition to the trunk storage, which is shallower if you have a trick tank, the bow cushions all have storage below, that's where I keep extra vests. There is also a floor locker at the walk thru, mine came new with a cooler insert which I have never used, with the insert removed there is quite a bit of storage there, it is low so if there is any water in the bilge it can travel into this area.

The sides of the hull, adjacent to the dog house front to back below the combing (sp?) pads, have netting which can hold items, I ordered the ski racks which are on the starboard side, they eliminate the net on that side if you have the racks.

You can put quite a bit of gear, cooler, etc. behind the drivers seat as well.

My boat is in the garage under cover for the winter, if you need some picks I could see what I could do.

[Quinner]

Some Pics I had in my photobucket, have a trick tank in the boat, if the one you are looking at does not the trunk will be much deeper:

[mlange]

Quinner,

Thanks much. Those pics really helped. I was going to ask about where th shower mounted so that really helped, too.

Mike

[LCNautiques]

I bet your dealer would refund your money back if you didn't like the boat. As a matter of fact - i know he would........You should grab that Awesome deal on the 206. My two cents......

[mlange]

Now that's funny Aaron.