196 Limited vs Signature etc

[boatbuddy]

Have been looking at some used 196's

What are the main differences between these models

[2gofaster]

The SE has a keyed ignition and is more of a base model without a lot of options. The LE has the keyless ignition, stereo and remote, pop out cleats, etc.

[east tx skier]

More likely than not, the only difference you'll see is the keyed ignition, which I never saw as such a bad thing. A lot of people would get the SE and then rig it out with the Excalibur, Perfect Pass, and a stereo that suited their preferences over what came stock. Some people wanted some options of the LE, but not others and could save a few bucks by going the upgraded SE route.

[boatbuddy]

Are there any significant differences in the 196's between 2000 and 2009?

[east tx skier]

That year range technically spans three different hull designs. For slalom, the variances are not terribly significant. For trick, there is a pretty significant difference from the trickers with whom I've spoken. I have a TSC (97--2001) and love it. It has been a while, but I recall the TSC2 (2002--2005) being pretty unbelievable (but I didn't own a Ski Nautique at that point. I have skied a TSC3 (2006--2009) about once or twice per year since 2006 and can't tell a whole lot of difference as a longliner.

Here's a post concerning hull differences.

http://planetnautique.com/vb3/showth...tsc1+tsc2+tsc3

Back with a picture in a minute.

[east tx skier]

Or not. TRBenj has that picture of the rear of the three different hulls I know. I think I looked at it for hours before I bought my boat.

[2gofaster]

The 2002+ TSC2 and TSC3 hulls have a softer wake in comparison to the 97-2001 TSC1. We ski both at our lake and there is a difference in the sharpness that almost everyone feels. By no means is the TSC1 bad. It was the defacto standard. But the TSC2/3 is just a bit softer.

[swc5150]

If it helps, I went from an '06 SE to an '07 LE, and definitely enjoy all the bells and whistles. Little things, in addition to the keypad, include chrome inserts for the stereo controller and keypad, nicer gauges, courtesy lights under the gunwales, gauge backlighting color is much cooler that white, etc. The keypad and gateway make it easy to install options, like a 3 speed heater - it eliminates the need the install the power switch. You also get a built in depth finder, air temp, water temp, hours until empty, digital oil pressure, digital speed, etc. - the more I write, the more I notice the additional goodies the LE offers. Having now owned both, I wouldn't go back to an SE - but that's just just my opinion.

[firefighter]

SE Vs. LE

What everybody is saying about the SE and LE are true. the SE is a basic gauge pod. All the gauges are analog. Where the LE gauge package has both digital and analog read outs including air/water temp . The LE may also also has a depth finder built into the pod package. The stereo is a nice bonus for the LE package but for the money you can got to your local shop and but what ever you want. the Se is wired for a radio and I believe the cut outs for speakers are underneath the gunnel pad .

The hull designs are all great. From 97 to 01. The trick wake is great and is was a one of the best wakes for slalom. In 2002 when the new hull came out they add lifting streaks in the rear of the hull. By doing this it softened the slalom wakes and made them a bit smaller because the lifting streaks forced the nose of the boat down. By doing this it affected the trick wake in a negative way.

In 06 they took out the lifting streaks and then added the hydro-gate maybe 07 for the hydro-gate can't remember. By adding the hydro-gate they tried to get the best of both worlds. With the hydro-gate down it puts a .25 inch piece of metal down past the hull which would force the nose down and creating a better slalom wake. With the hydro-gate up the boat would ride on the true hull thus making a better trick or even wake board wake.
You can't go wrong with any of these hulls.

[2gofaster]

Yes, the SE is prewired for a stereo. My SE was not ordered with one. I bought a take out clarion and it plugged right in. Just had to cut the upholstery to mount the speakers into the holes already in the coaming pads.

[SNMike]

In 06 they took out the lifting streaks and then added the hydro-gate maybe 07 for the hydro-gate can't remember. By adding the hydro-gate they tried to get the best of both worlds. With the hydro-gate down it puts a .25 inch piece of metal down past the hull which would force the nose down and creating a better slalom wake. With the hydro-gate up the boat would ride on the true hull thus making a better trick or even wake board wake.
You can't go wrong with any of these hulls.

Could be wrong boss, but i'm pretty sure on the hydro-gate, slalom position, the gate is (up) closed against the hull, and goes down for smoothing out the wake table for trick. No biggie, just sayin'.

Regards!!! Mike

[east tx skier]

I could be wrong, too, but I'm pretty sure it's down for slalom, kind of like the hooked hull on a MC. Then again, when they don't have the hydroplate, there's just a fixed plate in place, so SNMike may have it right.

[2gofaster]

Slalom is the down position(handle is forward, though), which creates the hook.

[SNMike]

Slalom is the down position(handle is forward, though), which creates the hook.

Forgive me gents, but I'm confused. What's new right?!

Just checked my 196, the plate is what I call "UP" as in vertical to the hull, pulling the gate handle back to the trick position, brings the plate "down" in a 90 degree angle to the hull. Am I confusing "up and down"? Thought I had a handle on that when I was one year old. >;-)

Regards to all!!

Mikey

[2gofaster]

Potato/Potato. lol. Down is with the bottom edge protruding past the keel, creating the hook. Up is when it's retracted so there is no lip.