Sport Nautique Questions

[MattieK27]

I have been looking around at boats, deciding whether to get a mid level new boat or purchase an older boat and save some cash. I am drawn to used Nautiques for a number of reasons, mainly though they seem to hold up better than other brands.

I came across a 99 Sport Nautique with factory balast. I am aware I will probably need to add more, but I just started wake boarding so its not a huge deal to me. What I am concerned about is surfing. I understand a v-drive is the best option for surfing, but can it been done with a Sport? I am not a huge fan of sacking a boat out to dangerous levels, so what kind of setup in necessary to have a decent surf wake with a Sport. (If possible at all)

Also, can any sport owners tell me what the overall length of their boat is on the trailer once the tongue is folded and the swim platform is removed?

I have researched some of these questions and have seen differing opinions in various threads, hence the new thread.

Thanks!

[crkdskier]

Sport Surf

Hey,
I and my wife surf behind my 91 Sport, granted its not nearly as big a wake as the v drives with ballast, but I learned to surf behind the very same boat you mention and it was more than adequate.

We didn't use any extra ballast but It wouldn't take much to make it pretty excellent in my opinion. The ski locker in the back would make it pretty handy too to add a small ballast bag

That boat in particular responded really well to subtle changes in loading by shifting passengers we noticed.

I love my sport for its do it all ability (I love my slalom sets) and i would love my next boat to be a 99 or 2000 like you're considering.

Just my .02

[Chexi]

The 99 Sport with factory ballast is really a 99 Air (or someone took the hard tanks from an Air and put them in a sport). The hulls are identical (as an Air is just a Sport with a tower and ballast). At any rate, the 98-99 Airs/Sports do not have the same hull as the other poster's 91. The 98-99 Airs/Sports are a unique hull not shared with any other boat from any other year.

All that said, yes you can surf behind a 99 Sport/Air. The surf wake will not be as clean as behind a v-drive (at least I never got it as clean), but it is surfable. On mine, I ripped the hard tanks out and plumbed in a ballast puppy system with 2x 400lb fat sacs in the rear locker (fills the entire locker when full). I also would run with another 400 on the back seat. I also have 160 lbs on each side of pop bags, and would use another 2x 40lb bags to move around as needed. Note, I only had my non-surf side locker sac about half full. That gave me the best surf wake with the most push.

[crkdskier]

Agree ^^^^

That was an Air that I surfed behind, with the tower and factory ballast. I was under the impression that the Air and Sports of that time were closely related hull wise, (Earlier perhaps?)

Anyway the point is that the hull of mine with its molded in platform is less than ideal. The wake is not clean due to the platform shape and location and not nearly as big as some V drive with factory ballast boats I've been behind.
It IS very surfable and a lot of fun.

The Air Nautiqe was even more so, and a variety of riders of all skills had a blast behind it.

Best option, see and try before you buy

Maybe check out youtube too for some videos?

Good Luck!

[NCH2oSki]

. The 98-99 Airs/Sports are a unique hull not shared with any other boat from any other year.

I'm not sure thats totally correct, my 99' sport is on a tsc1 hull, and we couldnt get a decent surf wake out of it for a kid with just human ballast, and a full cooler. I dont have any ballast to see if it would have made a difference, but it has a small soft wake.

My boat measures just over 21' on the trailer with the tounge and platform removed. I can get you exact measurment if you need.

I really like our sport, and if your interested in one for sale, pm me....I know of a very nice one.

[Chexi]

Let me clarify. The 98 and 99 Sports/Airs all have the same hull. But it is only for these 2 years. Prior to 98, the Sports had the same exact hull as the Super Sports, the only difference being d-drive instead of v-drive... but the hull shapes were the same. Beginning in 98 and carried over into 99 the Sports (and also the Airs... which began in 98) changed their hulls slightly from the prior Sports. The hull was then changed again in 2000. So, you just have to be careful not to assume that a 98-99 Sport or Air will have the same wake or weighting characteristics as an earlier (or later) Sport. They don't. Do they have a decent wake? Yes. Is it touchy? Yes. Do you need to add extra ballast to surf behind one? In my experience... absolutely.

[teamenzo]

mid level new boat?

Regarding a new versus used, that is a big question. I would go used and I would look for a vdrive. It is not that hard to find a well taken care of boat if you are patient. Many to most CC owners take exceptional care of their boats. Nearly all of the boats I looked at (especially if they were 1 owner boats) where mint.

If you want to wb and surf you will likely be better off with a vdrive, and I find the extra room and layout much more accommodating for family and friends.