Are 196's rare?

[CAN'TSKI]

I need a 196 with zero-off quickly. There don't seem to be a lot out there. Any ideas? I've done onlyinboards, ski-it-again, yada-yada. Thanks!

[teamseal]

196's are not that rare but 196's with Zero Off are fewer and far in between. A couple of things to consider PCM 330 excalibur's are easily converted to E-control so as to support and utilize Zero Off, it is not inexpensive but many are doing it. This conversion can be be done to excaliburs from 2002-2006. Cost will depend on whether the boat is a limited or SE. The most inexpensive is a 06 SE and most costly is 02-05 limited's. So that opens up your search window if you find a pre 07 196 with a excalibur you can convert it. Their are many great buy's on pre ZO 196's right now, many with real low hours.

[hdultra]

My boss is selling his 07 that all ready has zero off on and it has the zr6 engine. He also does the zero off conversion so he would be a good person to talk with if you went with an older boat and converted it. His website is http://www.inboardsolutionsllc.com It has pictures of the boat his email and phone number to get in touch with him.

[CAN'TSKI]

Here's my problem. My 16yr old son just started skiing about three years ago. He can ski 28 off at 36mph behind my old PS190 with perfect pass. He is improving rapidly. When he gets behind a 200 with ZO on B2, he struggles at 15 off.
He marvels at the 200 wake, but gets shelled by ZO. He cuts very hard and fast. He just got a GOODE 9900SL (used to ski A1) and skis much better on PP, but the ski seems to exacerbate the issue on ZO.
I would love to get a 200, but we are getting ready to build a house. I really don't want to finance a boat.
Would switching ZO settings to A1 help. Is the ZO pull behind a 196 the same pull as behind a 200 (other than wake)?

[jjackkrash]

ZO Conversion

Jody (or anyone else who knows), can any PCM Excaliber in any boat brand be converted, or is there something special about the one in a Nautique? Does it need to be a DBW boat?

[jjackkrash]

Here's my problem. My 16yr old son just started skiing about three years ago. He can ski 28 off at 36mph behind my old PS190 with perfect pass. He is improving rapidly. When he gets behind a 200 with ZO on B2, he struggles at 15 off.
He marvels at the 200 wake, but gets shelled by ZO. He cuts very hard and fast. He just got a GOODE 9900SL (used to ski A1) and skis much better on PP, but the ski seems to exacerbate the issue on ZO.
I would love to get a 200, but we are getting ready to build a house. I really don't want to finance a boat.
Would switching ZO settings to A1 help. Is the ZO pull behind a 196 the same pull as behind a 200 (other than wake)?

Call Buxton's in Dallas and ask for Phil. He will likely know if there are any local Dallas boats in the pipe ready to come in on trade. He is a straight shooter. I'd call the Houston dealer as well and ask the same thing (I am not familiar with them however).

You also might want to post your ZO question on ballofspray.com. I am sure you'd get lots of feedback. My take is that he needs to be able to ski behind a variety of boats if he wants to ski tournaments, ZO being the only variable you need to eliminate, so no need to break the bank to get the 200 if that's your only concern.

[teamseal]

Any PCM Excalibur can be converted to E-control DBW. Also since somone threw out a shameless plug for Inboards solutions, Florida Inboards Inc. was the first to do these Conversions and have them available.
Another option is to wait and see if Perfect Pass Comes thru with their ZO emulation program. Their are a few mechanical prototypes running in the field right now and so far so good. We will just have to wait and see.

[gride]

Boo inboard solutions. Owner (former employee of ski club) is main reason I didn't get a nautique but an mc. Ended up selling mc for nautique 3 years later. Thanks t.w. Anyway, try putting z.o. On a looser setting and see what happens

[2gofaster]

Call Buxton's in Dallas and ask for Phil. He will likely know if there are any local Dallas boats in the pipe ready to come in on trade. He is a straight shooter. I'd call the Houston dealer as well and ask the same thing (I am not familiar with them however).

You also might want to post your ZO question on ballofspray.com. I am sure you'd get lots of feedback. My take is that he needs to be able to ski behind a variety of boats if he wants to ski tournaments, ZO being the only variable you need to eliminate, so no need to break the bank to get the 200 if that's your only concern.

Call the Houston dealer at 888.577.5470 and ask for Charles. He doesn't have anything now but at least he could keep an eye out for one.

[swc5150]

Don't hesitate on pulling the trigger, if you find one you like, as they're popping quickly right now. If you really would prefer a 200, I'd bet you could get a heck of a deal right now. There are quite a few out there, even some new non-current 2010's.

It seems like every few days I hear of another person in search of a late-model 196. This boat is rapidly becoming a classic.

[AirTool]

It seems like every few days I hear of another person in search of a late-model 196. This boat is rapidly becoming a classic.

And its big brother the 206 family model. There have been several WTB posts recently....gotta luv it.

[swc5150]

Two years ago I sold my '06 for a few grand less than I'm seeing them listed for now. An '09 196 seems like a really rare find right now. Either they didn't make many, or owners are hanging on tight! I only found one that fit my criteria while searching the last couple of months, and it had too many dings and nicks for me. BUT, it still sold the day after I passed on it.

[CradGen2]

Check this boat out.

http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skii...h&postid=12218

I just picked up a 06 196.

The boat listed above I will personally put my reputation on the line saying it is the nice/newest 196 you will find. Mark (owner) more then likely had 10+ nautiques over the years. If you are looking for a great 196 get this one. Tell him I sent you (Crad). I'd say if you want me to look at it for you, I would, but I know it will look new. It is located in Pittsburgh, PA

The reason I didn't buy it, well, I wanted a cash deal, I don't ski the course, so ZO wasn't as inportant and I like the look of the one I bought. Basically, It was about the cash deal, being my 3rd boat in the fleet (see below).

I'm sure it will save you 10-15K over a new 200.

[CAN'TSKI]

Thanks Crad,
I already have that boat on my list. I may have found a 08 limited close to home. PA is a long way from SoTex.

[cotton]

And its big brother the 206 family model. There have been several WTB posts recently....gotta luv it.

I agree AirTool. The NADA average retail on my 2009 Team 206 was $41,430 in late 2009 but increased to $44,830 in late 2010. Like you said, "gotta luv it."