2001 Air nautique / 206 ski wake

[MI-skier]

Have a friend looking at an 2001 "air nautique". I'm not a CC guy (although I do ski regularly beind 2000, 2003, 2004, and 2005 196's and love them, especially the 04), so I wanted to ask the experts... The boat in question is a direct drive, so it is a stretched version of the 196 hull, or is it a wakeboard hull that would have more "V" to it, thus trashing the ski wake. It has the tower, ballast, and air nautique graphics, but all of that could easily be added to a "ski" boat.

Boat's use will be mixed, skiing, boarding, I'm sure tubing, and some hanging out. Just want to make sure the owner will no be entirely dissappointed to ski behind it, his last boat was 80's or 90's supra closed bow.

Thanks.

[mcbridek]

The 2001 Sport / Air Nautique is based on the same hull as the 196. The 206 was basically the slalam skiers replacement that came out in 2002 or 03, new hull design (6 inches shorter) and was positioned as a open bow tournament qualified boat. The brouchures are on correctcraftfan.com. Correct Craft did have a direct drive wakeboard model called the Pro Air. The 2001 Sport / Air is a great all around boat which leans toward slalom. I had a 99 Sport/Air for 4 years.

[teamseal]

2nd gen Sport Nautique hull basicly was un refined from it's inception in 1993 till 2001, A few minor touches to aid in handling but for the most part unchanged. Not a hole lot of bottom changes but a few deck changes. the Pro Air was an off shoot of the sport with side vents or Steps in the bottom to allow the hull to set deeper in the water at slower wakeboard speeds.
The Sport Nautique has it's heritiage from the 1982 2001's ski Nautique with a v-pad keel bottom as did the 90 Ski Nautique and all Ski Nautiques since. As far as ski-ability a light loaded Sport Nautique makes a fair slalom wake at longer line lengths better then most other direct drives in it's class. Short line slalom (28off and shorter) is great slalom boat agin lightly loaded. A little trenchy in the middle at 32 and 35 but very skiable none the same.
The 206 is a different cat all together. from the sport. The 206 again lightly loaded no tower is a great slalom boat at all speeds and line lengths. It is basicly a 196 wih 12" of bow added to it. From the windheild back it shares the same wetted surface as the 02-05 196 ( rear strakes were removed from the 196 in 06.
Your friend will not go wrong for a overall ski machine that puts out a fairly decent wake when weight is added.

[DanielC]

The best way to know is to ski behind the boat in question.

If your friend is used to a late 1980's or early 1990's Supra, He will find the wake of a 2001 Sport Nautique an improvement. Not quite as good as a 196, or a 200, but an pretty good improvement none the less.

[74green]

I pulled a skier a couple months ago. I think there were 6 people on board plus the 400lbs stock ballast tanks (I had just got done wakeboarding, but they were in the draining process…) I’ll try to see if I have any other pictures on my laptop this evening.

Also for kicks here is a wakeboard and surf picture. The wake isn’t as big as the Super Air (V-drive) but with some additional ballast it throws a nice wake. I am more than happy with my 2001 AIR.

[Cornut]

74green, that surf wave looks pretty awesome. How did you have your boat weighted for that pic?

[NCH2oSki]

Have a friend looking at an 2001 "air nautique". so I wanted to ask the experts... The boat in question is a direct drive, so it is a stretched version of the 196 hull, or is it a wakeboard hull that would have more "V" to it, thus trashing the ski wake. . Just want to make sure the owner will no be entirely dissappointed to ski behind it, his last boat was 80's or 90's supra closed bow.

Thanks.

My 99' Sport is on the TSC 1 hull, so yes, its basically a stretched ski nautique by 1.5'. The wake is good, not 196 great, but its a family friendly boat that can make morning course runs, and then hang out the rest of the day with the family.

[MI-skier]

My 99' Sport is on the TSC 1 hull, so yes, its basically a stretched ski nautique by 1.5'. The wake is good, not 196 great, but its a family friendly boat that can make morning course runs, and then hang out the rest of the day with the family.

OK, that'd good. IMO, the TSC1 is much better than the early 90's CC boats. At least at 15-22 off and 32 mph-ish.

Main issue is the boat is already winterized and it is a bit chilly to go for a quick rip, thus the reason for doing some "internet research". Agree the best way to go is to ski behind the boat in question, as well as others...

Nice ski (sixam 2 point) - I just got one of those mid season this year. Much quicker than my old KD Lithium.

[74green]

74green, that surf wave looks pretty awesome. How did you have your boat weighted for that pic?

Surf picture was with 4 people. 3 people on port side, me driving. I would guess that day i had the back stock 400lbs in tanks, 500 lbs on port side, 200-300lbs b/w motor and back seat, & 200lbs on top of stock more so to port side. And port side slight turn.

[causewayskiier]

206 skiability

Someone mentioned the rear strakes were removed from the 196 in 2006. What and where are the rear strakes and what do they do? Were they also removed from the 206?

[jchamlin]

I've got a 2000 Air and I slalom and wakeboard behind it. It's good enough at both to be a good all around boat. If you want a big wake, fill the ballast and put about 8 people in it. The wake will have enough size for a good pop but not too steep that you're off balance.

We also do a lot of cruising and hanging out and it works well for that too. You may want to consider a SV 211. I have not skied behind it, but the wake is bigger than mine for boarding and it's not as weight sensitive (side to side).

[MI-skier]

Anyone have any tips on what a 01 air nautique, 600 hrs that needs some cosmetic TLC (maybe a bit of wetsanding on the hull from a hoist / trailer, and some vinyl cleaning - not re-upholstered, just cleaned) should go for to make a deal not to pass up?

[74green]

In texas i usually haven seen them listed for $20-23k average on boat trader and craigslist.