Which Nautique??

[TT]

Well, my husband and I have narrowed down what we are looking for in a boat. Anything will be better than what we currently ski behind, which is a 1994 18 foot sea ray outboard...but hey, at least we gotta boat!

My husband loves Nautique, and is mostly a barefooter, I have recently rediscovered slalom, and trick. We both are liking to wakeboard, and since we are lucky to have a club in town, will likely do more barefooting and boarding at the lake than skiiing. We both have young siblings and nieces and nephews that are into tubing and kneeboarding to boot. Oh, and size is an issue as the area we dock doesn't allow for really big boats, so we are trying to stay under 22...that will be huge to us and a lot of work to learn to dock since we are just barely used to having an 18 footer LOL!

So...with the multitude of things we like to do, we are thinking of two boats. A super air nautique, and I personally have fallen in love with the layout of the sv211. I can see the differences in the hull of the traditional Nautique ski boat, to the SAN to the SV...what are the ramifications for slalom, vs barefoot vs wakeboarding.

The best deal is obviously going to help a lot in the decision, but are wondering if these two boats are good choices for us, and for resale if we find we are not using it enough. I would love any feedback we can get!

Thanks a Bunch!

TT

looking for her first 'Tique to call her own!

[cedarcreek216]

My wife and I were in a similar situation in that we kind of liked to do everything, but are not experts in anything and we chose to get the 216V. It's sold as their crossover and has a great layout, in my opinion, and pretty much does every sport at or above average. Just my two cents, but I'm sure people here will have much more educated and informed advice.

[Hollywood]

So you want to get a SAN and an SV211? That doesn't make sense.

SAN 210 + SN [196]

[TT]

Sorry Hollywood, didn't make that clear! If we could afford two boats our problems would be solved LOL! We felt that the SAN and the SV211 would be the two to choose between for purchasing, one or the other, not both. I am wondering about which one would be the best choice since we do a bit of everything, but currently are more 3 eventers that have just started wakeboarding and other things. We had always liked the idea of the SAN because it is supposed to be a good ski boat with a ballast to make a good wakeboard boat, but then I saw the layout of the SV211, and it seems to have most of the things that the SAN has for features. I love the idea of the walk through back as we have kids and dogs hopping in and out, and I feel this would be great for helping them in and out of the water without wrecking a seat.

In looking at the specs and the hull design, I am seeing there are some differences, and am looking for practical experiences from users to see what they feel would be the best choice. Resale of course is going to be of great importance, pricing will likely trump all, but both boats in the used market seem to be comparable in price.

Thanks for any ideas or advice! Leads too for that matter!

TT

[AirTool]

...Anything will be better than what we currently ski behind, which is a 1994 18 foot sea ray outboard...but hey, at least we gotta boat! .....Oh, and size is an issue as the area we dock doesn't allow for really big boats, so we are trying to stay under 22...that will be huge to us and a lot of work to learn to dock since we are just barely used to having an 18 footer LOL!

Note you also need to know that you can't "steer" most single engine inboards in reverse. Some "back left" and some "back right" depending on the prop rotation. You will definetely need to practice docking FAR AWAY FROM THE DOCK until you figure out how to control the boat.

[TT]

Ahh, very very good info to remember as we get closer to finding the right boat. No one in our family has ever had one like this, so that would be very timely info to tell all of them especially my father in law who will insist on driving it...we might be lucky to drive...what am I saying?!!? Heck then we can be skiing...perfect pass will be sooo nice to help my hubby, and me for that matter when he is barefooting. He has had the fortune (or not, depending on the day LOL) of me driving or his dad. Now when I get out there and his dad isn't around I pay the price with him at the helm, speed control is not his forte! Ahhh, dreaming of our first Tique.

TT

[SkiTower]

If you're into skiing and don't want a direct drive (engine in the middle), the 211 is the boat for you. I HIGHLY suggest driving everything you can get your hands on to form your own opinion, though. I LOVE my 211, particularly the walk-thru. Only thing is it's 23' (you had a limit of 22'?). We got it because I want to ski but my wife didn't like working around the engine.

That being said, ANY Nautique should ski better than what you have. One word of advice, if you don't want the engine in the middle, don't ski behind a direct drive. Better you don't know what you're missing.

[NautiqueJeff]

The 211 is only 23' if you include the platform. Without it, it is 20' 9".

[TT]

Thanks for the info...yes, we have skiied behind the instructors direct drive Tique at the lake...we know we are hooped in that way, but we are really in need of the space in the boat and since wakeboarding is the up and coming sport at our lake, the v drive is what is going to sell afterwards unless someone is a hardcore skiier.

Just to make sure I am right, as I didn't realize what lengths the different boats are...

The VS211 is 20.9 without the platform, 23 with?

What is the SAN then before and after platform?

Thanks for the info, that might make a bit of difference, but boy oh boy, do I like the idea of the walk through.

What about differences for slalom? For barefooting? Because we are coming off of a Sea Ray outboard, as we say, anything will be an improvement. The likelihood of us getting to drive one or more of these boats before buying is not good. I am sadly going off of older boats we have been in with our club and our instructors. There are so few of them around where we are.

So again, thanks everyone for all the advice...keep it coming, nothing to trivial for this newbie!

TT

[Nautiquehunter]

Drive and ski the 211 and 210 I have herd both claim best ski wake. IMO the 210 is the best all around boat Nauti makes I own a 08 and can attest to the quality of the surf, ski and wakeboard wakes. It tops out at 39 mph with the 5.7 L engine if that's not fast enough for his barefoot then go for the 6L. Eather way you will get a great boat.

[TT]

Nautiquehunter,
which one do you find is best for 4-6 people moving around all taking turns skiing? Wear and tear on the seats from in and out...oh and lets add a dog coming in and out into the mix? I know, many of you might find that sacriligous, but he really is our best spotter! As soon as someone goes down, he starts barking LOL! do you find enough difference between the wake from the 211 to the 210 that you would not let layout play a part in the decision?

I really appreciate the insights!

TT

[AirTool]

There are two 216 DD's for sale on this site. (bigbald and cradsv21104 IIRC) You should just buy one of those and get out on the water.

[TT]

If it were that easy AirTool, I would already have one! If I am going to put out the cash for this kind of boat, I want it to be the right one, or as close as I can figure. People on this board have a lot of experience, and if they are willing to help with their input, I am willing to learn! Both my husband and myself agree that we want a v drive, even if it sacrifices a bit of the wake for skiing, as we are going to mostly ski with our club in town. At the lake, we will be doing more playing with wake and kneeboards things like that. We are not the type to keep our toys too long either, we tend to flip them after a couple of years to move on to the next level of what we need, or in a totally different direction. Resale is very important, and the average family looking for a performance boat where we are from are looking for v drive that can do it all, hence Tique.

Come on there must be more opinions on the SAN vs the SV211...also, what does a team edition get you vs non? I haven't quite been able to figure that out, except maybe some different graphics?

Thanks for your help!

TT

[Nautiquehunter]

I must say i am bias I dont like the 211 interior layout. The walk through rear breaks up the seating. As for walking on the rear deck it would take many years of abuse to hurt it after all its a nautique. My 210 holds 10 max 6 is very comfortable. The team option includes all the equipment for wakeboarding. That would be worth every penny at resale.
For the dog my wife made a clear vinyl cover[ it replaced the white terrycloth one in the pic] for the sun deck it works great to shed water also. I also found a product called Softpaws from the moomba forum they are soft plastic nail guards glued on the dogs nails. I ordered them and will try them this year. My best suggestion is to demo as many boats as possible and see witch one is for you .
It took me 2 years to find the correct boat. If you are near IN. or IL. let me know Ill take you out for a day. Also if you are looking for a deal I think my dealer has a 08 210 in stock let me know if you are interested.

[Chexi]

I have always been under the impression that the 210 had a good wakeboarding wake (and hence a bad ski wake) even without ballast. The 210 has the best wakeboard wake. If the 210 also has the best ski wake of the v-drives, why bother making the 211?

That said, I also am not a fan of the walk-through. It not only breaks up your seating, but you only get 2/3 of the sun pad (not enough to lay on).