Should I get a 200 or a 196??

[boatbuddy]

Getting close to deciding on a late model 196, new 196 or a 200

Any of the above .... I am sure will suit our needs just fine

Question: Is there much difference in the wakes at slower speeds for some in the family/friends that are more recreational skiers and/or for beginners

What is the primary difference between the 2 boats with respect to wake

Any major differences for barefooting

Opinions: resale values in 3 years or so on a 196 versus a 200 ?

[SkiTower]

The 196 wake is great, the 200 wake is even smaller. If you're looking resale, I'd buy a late model 196, then you won't take the new boat hit. The 200 comes at a price, but depending on how critical you are of the wake will determine if it's worth it.

[skiinxs]

Should I get a 200 or a 196??

"In my opinion" the wake is better for all slalom speeds and line lengths on the 200. The amount of the improvement varies with the speed. The shortline wakes on the 196 are phenominal, so the improvement is less pronounced, but still there. In deep shortline the real benefit on the 200 is the total lack of spray and lack of trough in the wake. You will REALLY notice an improvement in the slower speed wakes. I have been watching kids sking at the really slow speeds where the wake isn't much bigger than the 34mph wakes on older boats. You should see the big grins on their faces when they come out of the water and disappointment when they end up behind another boat. The 196 has a little more top end for footing, but the 200 shouldn't be a problem unless you like to foot over 41mph.
Dave

[ClemsonDave]

The biggest difference in the wake is for slower speeds and longer line. If you are a 28off and shorter skier, there is not a huge difference. Anything longer and the difference is dramatic. My 8yr old daughter just started slalom. At 17mph, the wake is about 1/2 that of the 196, MC and Bu.

Barefooting - top speed of the 196 is higher than the 200 (with stock prop).

Resale on both is pretty darn good right now.

[Racerdj]

Try to get a pull behind both. THe dealer left us a new 200 for 5 days and after 7 sets, the rest is history. We have 3 196's at our lake and we will have within a month 2 200 CB's. The 200's track better IMO. I did not think I would ever be a Nautique owner...until I skiied my best behind the 200...first set thru set number 7. Very low wake at 32 and 34.

[j2nh]

I will echo Racerdj and urge you to ski and drive behind both.

We do everything behind 196's and after driving and skiing behind one I am not a huge fan. Installing a boom, a wonderful tool for teaching kids to ski, might be a problem on a 200 since the windshield extends behind the pylon. A little slow for barefooting, and the instruments could be easier to read at speed.

200 has more room, arguably tracks better, louder inside, and costs more. Do a search there are several threads on the subject.

No boats to sell, no axe to grind, just my opinion.

[Racerdj]

I ment to say, if possible ski several sets.

[DanielC]

You can pretty much find out all the advantages and disadvantages of both boats with a little research on this site, and I am guessing you have already done a lot of that.

If it helps to make the decision, go old school, and write down on a sheet of paper all the pros and cons of each model.

GO AND TEST DRIVE, AND SKI BEHIND EACH BOAT!

Add your pros and cons to the list you made doing the research, decide on a budget, and then make a decision.

[swc5150]

I'd say drive both and decide if the 200 is $20k nicer than a late model 196. The 200 has a better longer line wake and less spray at shortline. The saddlebags are sweet too. I own a 196 and have no spent a ton of time in a 200 now, pondering the upgrade as well. In fact, my 196 is for sale (not a plug!) Quite a few have mentioned that the 200 tracks better, but I'm not convinced. Both are awesome - to me, it's like saying a 911 handles better than a Z06. The view from the 200 is great, but the lowered gauges are kind of weird, and the Link is kind of hard to see on a sunny day with shades on. With that said, the Link is very cool. The engine volume is probably a little louder, but only due to pulling more revs at the same speed compared to a 196. If I run my 196 at 4400rpms, it's pretty loud too. Again, nothing when compared to the old boats we all used to have. I still love the "cab forward" design of the 196, as there's noticably more room between the observer bench and the motor box (my girlfriend feels the 200's box is too close for her comfort). Also, I still don't like the 200's wrap around windshield. Just splitting hairs now!

If money isn't an issue, what the heck buy the latest and greatest. If you want to save a bunch of money and get an awesome boat, buy mine:-)

[boatbuddy]

The biggest difference in the wake is for slower speeds and longer line. If you are a 28off and shorter skier, there is not a huge difference. Anything longer and the difference is dramatic. My 8yr old daughter just started slalom. At 17mph, the wake is about 1/2 that of the 196, MC and Bu.

.

This is what I was wondering about - especially for beginners or older recreatioanl skiers-

Anyone else have similar experiences.

I would like to see my kids and their friends doing both "wakeboarding behind our 230 .... and skiing behind a 196 or 200"

[swc5150]

This is what I was wondering about - especially for beginners or older recreatioanl skiers-

Anyone else have similar experiences.

I would like to see my kids and their friends doing both "wakeboarding behind our 230 .... and skiing behind a 196 or 200"

My girlfirend is skiing at 22mph 15off (just started skiing this summer), and she couldn't really tell much of a difference in wake height. I was even bragging up the 200 wake before she skiied. What was interesting is that she felt the 200 wake was wider, and didn't care for that much. She feels she can zip back and forth behind the 196 with greater ease, due to the narrowness of the wake.

[actman]

There is no doubt in my mind that the 200 is best boat. This weekend I took my friend daughter who is 12 behind my 200 and she skied in the course so much better due to the lower softer wake. She was not bouncing out of control much like she did last year behind my 196. Rest assured the 196 still is an excellent boat

[raygunclan]

200 Open Bow. enjoy.

[2gofaster]

I think it comes down to economics. If paying $50k+ doesn't burn your shorts, then by all means go for the 200. But if you want to pull a footer over 40-41, or the extra $20k hurts you, then a late model 196 is hard to beat. My 196 with the 343 pulls a footer at almost 44mph with the hydrogate up. And it's for sale. It pulled 2 at 41off(34mph)twice in a tournament on saturday.

[SNMike]

. In fact, my 196 is for sale (not a plug!)
If you want to save a bunch of money and get an awesome boat, buy mine:-)

Well, so much for it NOT being a plug!! hehehe

Mikey