CC Boat Search; Howdy and a few questions

[MattieK27]

I have posted a few comments over the past day or so, but I figure I would take the time to say hello and ask a few questions I have. I have searched the site for a while and found most of the answers, I just want to clarify.

I have been boating for over two decades, but most with Sea Ray runabouts. Recently my parents upgraded to a 33' Sundancer, leaving me to do the grown up thing and buy my own smaller boat. I have a budding interest in learning to wakeboard/ski, so I started looking in the Ski Ray line Sea Ray offered from 93-96. After doing some research, I found that those boats are relatively rare, and almost impossible to find with EFI.

So I started looking around at the different companies, and really liked what I saw out of Correct Craft/Nautique. My only attempt at skiing when I was 10 or so was in an old Nautique, I still remember the blue graphics and the the blue astro-turf like carpet in that boat. Just like anyone else here, I would love to buy a new SAN or even 200, but a mortgage and maintaining two cars comes first. Below $15,000 is preferred.

I really want a smaller boat, living in a townhouse community I do not have tons of room. I have found some Nautique 176/Air Tiques, but I can buy some good condition full size Ski Nautiques for the prices those are listed at. I really like the 1997 on Ski Nautiques (I believe they are all basically the same after 1996) but I have been told their hulls cannot produce a decent wake for wakeboarding. (keeping in mind I will want to do both skiing and wake boarding) I then stumbled across the Air Nautique 196, which upon further research is apparently just a rebadged Ski Nautique open bow? (and only offered in 2002) Does the Air 196 have a slightly different hull bottom that allows it to produce a better wake when weighted? Or is the hull the same as the regular 196 of that time period? Open bow is great, but for my price range I would take a closed bow that was in better condition.

I am just looking to get some of this confusion cleared up, and make a good purchase. I am in no rush, quite frankly I am just starting my search. Excuse the beginner inboard questions I might have, I have driven and worked on stern drives my whole boating life.

Thanks!

[behindpropellers]

I always suggest buying what you can easily afford that is in excellent shape. The '93 and up boats have no wood in them so I would go for that. '97 they changed hulls. I like the '97-'98s. I personally have a 176 now.

The size of the wakeboard wake probably won't matter for a couple years as you progress so I would go for a Ski Nautique for now.

Time behind the boat is what makes you a better skier/boarder....not the boat.

[Chexi]

I'm going to make a suggestion that is the other route. Look into a late 80's Ski Nautique 2001. This ski boat has a good ski wake (what it was built for) with the added benefit of a legendary wakeboard wake. Further, it is small. Finally, it can be found for $10k or less. Thus, it meets all of you needs. The only rub with these boats is that they have wood stringers. Do some searches about what to test for when looking at a boat with wood stringers, or better yet have someone go with you when you look at them who is familiar with wood stringer boats and the tests that should be conducted. If you can find a late 80's 2001 (preferably the '89) with solid wood, then (assuming it has a good motor) you will have exactly what you are looking for. It might even be the same boat you skied behind when you were 10.

[Cornut]

The 196's are primarily meant for skiing, so the hulls are designed to make the smallest wake possible. However, we had a '94 Ski Nautique (196) for our first boat, and for us, it was perfect. Like you, we were looking for something around $15k. CC stopped using wood in '93, so we liked not having to worry about rot.

Although it's a ski boat, with a few fat sacks in the back, the wake was more than sufficient for beginner wakeboarders like us. Ours did not have a tower, but we got a pylon extension from FlyHigh & that worked fine. I think the next 196 hull came out in '97, which makes an even smaller wake than the SN's from '91 to '96.

Like Chexi, I've heard that the 2001 hulls from the 80's make awesome wakeboard wakes. But you have to deal with wood floors & stringers, and non fuel-injected engines (if that makes any difference to you).

Just my 2 cents.

[MattieK27]

Thanks for the responses guys! I too have heard the 2001 is a great boat for the plans I have laid out, and I even have looked at one locally. I have a few issues though. The two big ones are EFI and wood. Back in 1997, we had one of the first run-abouts with an EFI stern drive, and I will never forget how much easier it was to start. (Especially after being stored for long periods of time)

Also, I do not want to mess around with boats that have wood floors, stringers, etc; especially ones that are over 20 years old. I know good ones exist, but they are the exception rather than the rule.

The other thing is, at least locally, I can get a good condition 96' Ski Nautique for almost the same price as a good condition 2001. To me, a few less years of abuse, EFI, and 100% fiberglass construction is worth it. Its only worth it though if I can actually use the boat for both skiing and wakeboarding.

[swc5150]

Being that you also need a small boat, I'd go for a the latest model 196 you could swing and add an extended pylon and fat sac for wakeboarding. An old friend of mine could easily manage a backflip off my 196 wake with the standard pylon and no additional weight, so maybe you won't need any additional components for a while? You understand the benefits of EFI, so I don't need to go there. Good choice on narrowing it down to Correct Craft, as you won't find a better built boat. I spent many years with the other market leader, so I speak from experience.

[GoBig]

Go with a late '90s Sport or Air (216 I think?). If you have room to store a 196, you should be able to fit a 216. This hull really is not that much bigger to store but seems so much bigger when you're in it. Open bow with walk through, more cockpit space, and a wake that wakeboarding was born on. This is the boat all the pros rode behind in the late 90's. Pick up a DVD of "Hit It" or "Mayday". I think Hit It was the one where Byerly's '97 Sport was torched? That was sad. My point - most of the original wakeboarding tricks were created behind these boats by legendary riders, and there are so many available now in your price range.

[MattieK27]

Go with a late '90s Sport or Air (216 I think?). If you have room to store a 196, you should be able to fit a 216. This hull really is not that much bigger to store but seems so much bigger when you're in it. Open bow with walk through, more cockpit space, and a wake that wakeboarding was born on. This is the boat all the pros rode behind in the late 90's. Pick up a DVD of "Hit It" or "Mayday". I think Hit It was the one where Byerly's '97 Sport was torched? That was sad. My point - most of the original wakeboarding tricks were created behind these boats by legendary riders, and there are so many available now in your price range.

Are these boats ok to ski behind? (Obviously without the ballast)

More to the point, they are almost 2 feet bigger in overall length, which does matter with the small garage spaces we have here. The other issue I see is the cost. The sports cost less than the Airs, and I have not seen too many in good shape for less than $15,000. CorrectCraftFan.com's pricing index backs this up.

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forsa...&Search=Search

I want a boat without wood stringers, so it has to be newer than 1992. It just seems I am going to be able to find a better condition newer Ski Nautique for the max 15k budget. Airs & Sports under 15k seem to be rare.

I do appreciate the input though. Thanks!

[Rick]

196 for Both

I have a 2000 196. I scored a killer deal while looking for a post 95 boat. Keep in mind the 94 and some 95s had throttle body injection and propak(?) ignition. If you can swing it 97 or later would be good. My 196 was used as practice at the Malibu open in 2005 and went into 41 off. That being said with a Skylon pole and three big guys sitting in the back seat it throws a wake that will get you to the intermediate level in wakeboarding. With a swing away tongue and the swim platform removed mine fits in a 21" garage with inches to spare.

[GoBig]

Are these boats ok to ski behind? (Obviously without the ballast)

More to the point, they are almost 2 feet bigger in overall length, which does matter with the small garage spaces we have here. The other issue I see is the cost. The sports cost less than the Airs, and I have not seen too many in good shape for less than $15,000. CorrectCraftFan.com's pricing index backs this up.

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forsa...&Search=Search

I want a boat without wood stringers, so it has to be newer than 1992. It just seems I am going to be able to find a better condition newer Ski Nautique for the max 15k budget. Airs & Sports under 15k seem to be rare.

I do appreciate the input though. Thanks!

I did a quick search on www.allofcraigs.com and found this for $14.5K asking...

http://austin.craigslist.org/boa/1754438005.html

This boat looks pretty sweet! This almost makes me miss my old boat. You can ski behind this one but it certainly will not be as good as a 196 for skiing. All depends on your primary purpose. If you really want to wakeboard with skiing secondary, I would highly recommend going with the Sport (216). Yes, it is 2' longer, but the standard garage is 19' long. So a 196 won't fit anyhow, unless you can slide it in on an angle.

[swc5150]

Mattie,
You will definitely get two schools of thought here. I, personally, would recommend a 196, but that's my bias. If you're looking for a small, nimble boat, that drives like sports car and skis second to none - the 196 is your boat. If you plan on getting big into wakeboarding, go with a sport. I would recommend driving them both and let nature guide you (196) ;-)

[MattieK27]

Mattie,
You will definitely get two schools of thought here. I, personally, would recommend a 196, but that's my bias. If you're looking for a small, nimble boat, that drives like sports car and skis second to none - the 196 is your boat. If you plan on getting big into wakeboarding, go with a sport. I would recommend driving them both and let nature guide you (196) ;-)

I really think I am leaning to the 196, but I have just started looking for boats. I am definately not in any rush. I am still curious about the Air 196, which apparently was only available in 2002. That takes the looks and size of the 196 and adds an open bow and tower. I still am not sure if the bottom of the boat is any different than a standard 196. I guess I have some time to figure it all out. (of course this is when the perfect boat will surface, right when I'm not ready)

[nsteffens]

Go for a 93 - 96 sport. The hull design is the same as the SAN and when weighted down it will through a super wake. You can find them with a tower for around 15k

[Chexi]

Go for a 93 - 96 sport. The hull design is the same as the SAN and when weighted down it will through a super wake. You can find them with a tower for around 15k

I think you can go to 97 too. The hull changed in 98, slightly, and was no longer the exact same hull as the SS / SAN. That said, I have a 99 and it throws a very nice wake when properly weighted (needs weight in the bow).

[HVL2010]

I'll make you a screaming deal on my 92 196...with a New Dimension tower/racks and a Rankin cover with skirts. Nothing wrong with the boat, I am just in a position and frame of mind to move up.