Any slalom guys using the 216v???

[heliskier]

Let me start by saying, I have been an avid Nautique guy for 25 years & have owned 5 different Nautiques starting with the old 2001 model (SKI-Nautank as we used to call it) then moving to a SNOB, & then a Sport. I presently have a 2009 216TE. I have loved all the boats and all have had that Nautique quality they are famous for. If you can not tell by the models: as I got older,I had to begin getting into non-slalom specific boats due to a family & growing kids.

That being said, I am still looking for a better all around boat for the 2 disciplines of skiing & wakeboarding than the 216 (mid-engine). The 216 is a very good boat & is probably all 99% of the boating public will ever need,but I am still in search of a more high end slalom boat for me & still give a very good wakeboard wake that the teens will love.

I have actually considered going over to the dark side and looking at other brands. Malibu makes a VEE drive that is a very good cross over & I have also seen the new Mastercraft X-14 that I would like to look at.

I would like some input from the 216v owners & tell me what they think. I tried the 211 & 206,but was not happy with either. The 211 was not a good slalom boat & the 206 was not a very good wakeboarding boat (and yes I tried the tanks & tower on the 206).

I know what I want is 2 boats, but that is not something I really need to do.

Help me out here guys. I love my Nautiques. I just feel I have a few more good slalom runs left in me & miss my world class wakes.

[Noelb]

Why don't you just get a second boat just for slalom, like a 5-10 year old 196? You'll probably end up saving money, as any boat upgrade for a newer boat (like going from 216 to 216v) will hit your wallet big time! Good luck!

[cedarcreek216]

Let me start by saying, I have been an avid Nautique guy for 25 years & have owned 5 different Nautiques starting with the old 2001 model (SKI-Nautank as we used to call it) then moving to a SNOB, & then a Sport. I presently have a 2009 216TE. I have loved all the boats and all have had that Nautique quality they are famous for. If you can not tell by the models: as I got older,I had to begin getting into non-slalom specific boats due to a family & growing kids.

That being said, I am still looking for a better all around boat for the 2 disciplines of skiing & wakeboarding than the 216 (mid-engine). The 216 is a very good boat & is probably all 99% of the boating public will ever need,but I am still in search of a more high end slalom boat for me & still give a very good wakeboard wake that the teens will love.

I have actually considered going over to the dark side and looking at other brands. Malibu makes a VEE drive that is a very good cross over & I have also seen the new Mastercraft X-14 that I would like to look at.

I would like some input from the 216v owners & tell me what they think. I tried the 211 & 206,but was not happy with either. The 211 was not a good slalom boat & the 206 was not a very good wakeboarding boat (and yes I tried the tanks & tower on the 206).

I know what I want is 2 boats, but that is not something I really need to do.

Help me out here guys. I love my Nautiques. I just feel I have a few more good slalom runs left in me & miss my world class wakes.

I wish I could help you, we just bought our 216V this winter and put it right into the shed. I think we're going to take it in next week and get it ready for the summer so maybe I'll be able to get some photos of the wake for you soon. How fast do you ski so I'll know what to set it at for the photos.

[jmo]

I can't speak to what it's like to slalom behind a 216v, but based on my experiences going to a v drive from a direct drive will always degrade the slalom wake and reduce the drivability of the boat as you ski through the course given with a vdrive the ski pylon is near the back of the boat and the hard pull from the skier as they go around the bouy causes the back of the boat to "waggle" which the driver will need to correct for to keep the boat tracking through the gates.

[CradGen2]

Heli,

Personally I think you have the perfect set up today. I've owned the 211, driven, skied Boarded the 216V. The 216V is a great boat, but far (IMO) from a good slalom boat. I'm not a big WBr, but I have friends doing everything off my 216 they do off their 210's. How are you weighting the 216 DD for WBing? We put a 300lbs on each side of the motor and a 190lbs in the bow. Your comments are correct about the 211.

I might try to weight my 216 different then taking a loss on selling a 09.

I've done a 3 boat plan, but I still love to ski off my 216. Although I have access to a 196 I still don't mine, in fact love my 216 for skiing. The 216 is the best universal boat on the market.

I would go to the dark side. You made the comment about the X14, which one, DD or VD? The DD they had to put a tank in the passenger side to balance the boat. To me RED flag. Also the VD looks like an I/O with how they did the motor box.

Good luck.

[Chexi]

I don't know about a 206, but my 99 Air needs extra ballast beyond the measly 400 lbs of factory for the wake to come alive. But once it does, unless you are doing 1280's, it would be more than adequate.

Many of the 90's super sports came with the pylon in the center of the boat, which is affectionately referred to as the midget stripper pole. Of course most people take it out.

[swc5150]

Sadly, the X14V is probably the best bet for boarding and skiing. The slalom wake is definitely great for a V drive - heck it's better than many closed bow slalom boats I've skiied behind. On the flip side, it does have that nasty I/O look on the inside and handles, well, like a V drive. If you're used to a DD inboard, it ain't the same. You could find yourself with a case of buyers remorse. Just my two cents.

[heliskier]

Thanks for the replies. I truly loved my 99 Sport I sold for slalom. It was my favorite boat. I just did not think it would be wise to spend a lot of money upgrading with a tower,speed control,etc. So, I sold it and went with the 216. The slalom wake to me up pretty good. I ski at 34 MPH & do love to ski the course when I can,I just know the Sport had a much better slalom wake.

I guess the reason I do not want to do a lot of extra weighting is because my son & swap out between sets. It is one thing to let tanks drain, but if I have to unload an extra 1000 lbs of ballast to get my slalom wake, I will not be very happy ( I will be too tired to ski then)

I am going to a least give the Mastercraft Vee drive a spin. It will have to make a HUGE impression on me though.

[NCH2oSki]

I am going to a least give the Mastercraft Vee drive a spin. It will have to make a HUGE impression on me though.

I doubt it will, I have skied the dd 214 and thought it was terrible, and I cant imagine the vee drive version would be an improvement for slalom. Just out of curoisity, how does the 99' sport vs the 216 slalom wake compare?

You might try beating your son into submission with a wakeboard till he see's the light and no longer wants to wakeboard!

[heliskier]

The wake of the 99 Sport Nautique for slalom was even better than the 96 SNOB in my opinion:and the shorter the line got, the better the wake got. I had buddies who liked that boat better in the course than their closed bows. It was truly a great slalom boat to me. If Correct Craft would take that hull & make that the 216, I would buy it in a minute.

The current 216 has a pretty hard wake to me. I do not ski less than 22 off & will work to 35 off, with not much difference in the wake as far as hardness & size goes. You definitely have to cut thru the wake hard at all lengths. So, I have to ski 22 off like I do at 35 off.

I usually ski with only 2 people in the boat & dry ballasts tanks to try to make the boat as light as possible in order for the wake to be as small as possible.
.
I will say one thing though,;the 216 has made me be a better technical skier due to the fact you have to very aggressive thru the wakes to keep the ski from bouncing. If you don't edge thru, you are likely to go out the front. I was bad to lazy my way thru the course at the longer line lenghts. Now, I do not do that. I try to use good technique all the time.

[toddrswenson]

I'd like to know how the X14V handles. I saw one at the boat show in January and I will admit it was very appealing. A v-drive that is Class R rated has got to say something. Being married with 3 kids gets a little cramped in my 97 Ski. I was looking hard for a sport or 216 last year and stumbbled across a private lake. Turns out the lake was a better fit for me than a new boat. I even got my friend, who has a 210, to join the lake. I can leave all of the extra gear and people on shore. I can't see going to the "dark" side, but you guys have to admit, the top three manufacturers all make a pretty decent boat. A lot of it is personal preference.

[NCH2oSki]

The wake of the 99 Sport Nautique for slalom was even better than the 96 SNOB in my opinion:and the shorter the line got, the better the wake got. I had buddies who liked that boat better in the course than their closed bows. It was truly a great slalom boat to me. If Correct Craft would take that hull & make that the 216, I would buy it in a minute.

The current 216 has a pretty hard wake to me. I do not ski less than 22 off & will work to 35 off, with not much difference in the wake as far as hardness & size goes. You definitely have to cut thru the wake hard at all lengths. So, I have to ski 22 off like I do at 35 off.

I usually ski with only 2 people in the boat & dry ballasts tanks to try to make the boat as light as possible in order for the wake to be as small as possible.
.
I will say one thing though,;the 216 has made me be a better technical skier due to the fact you have to very aggressive thru the wakes to keep the ski from bouncing. If you don't edge thru, you are likely to go out the front. I was bad to lazy my way thru the course at the longer line lenghts. Now, I do not do that. I try to use good technique all the time.

Thanks for the info, I've wondered how the 216 would compare to my current sport. I've been very pleased with the ski-ability of it, and so have everyone that have taken passes behind it, even MC and Bu employee's. Sorry for getting off toppic.

I was by no means bashing MC's, just stating my opinion of the 214 dd that I skied. I would like to to take a pass or two behind Malibu's 20' vee drive LSV with the diamond cut hull, (if I have all my initials correct). I've heard it ski's quite well for a vee drive.

No matter what brand of boat, its going to be a comprimise on one discipline or the other, and usually its the parental sacrifice for the kid...

[Mikeski]

As a 211 owner I too am somewhat challenged by the slalom wake. Since we are bringing other boats into the mix, I might suggest you take a look at the Malibu VTX. I found my buddies VTX to be a very good crossover. Unfortunately I did not actually ski behind his, just wakeboarded, surfed and drove him. After spending a day in the boat my opinion was if it was available in 2005 when I bought my 211 there is a good chance I would own a VTX instead of the 211.

[CoryZ]

Drive the X-14 then drive the 216V you will notice a major difference in handling especially with the boat full of ballast or if you have a boat load of your sons friends. Every hour spent behind the boat someone is driving. Don't you want to be comfortable and have a great handling boat? You should also check with your local Nautique dealer I believe Correct Craft has one left over 216V at the factory that is heavily dicounted. Either way good luck! Let us know what you think of the X-14 if you decide to test drive. Heck I would make both dealers bring the boats to the lake at the same time.

[srock]

In search of the holy grail.