216 vs 211

[rli2]

I am new to the ski boat market and was wondering if I could get some advice. I have heard that nautiques are the best made ski boats available and that the direct driver versions are awesome to drive.
1) I was wondering if someone could compare the driveablity of the 216 and the 211.
2) I live in Madison, WI and was wondering how useful the heater system is in the 216 and would you recommend it?
3) How useful is the warm shower- is it worth the money?
4) Does correct craft manufacture trailers? If not, what type of trailer would you recommend?
5) What is the deal with the bimini tops? These are also not manufactured by correct craft? If not, my boat would be coming through the midwest distributor- do I need to specify who should make the bimini top? Do I have a choice?
6) Has anyone had problems with the keyless ignition? I am somewhat nervous about the safety issues (i.e., how secure is the system?) and how reliable is the system compared to a standard keyed ignition system?

I know this is a lot of questions, but I plan to buy either a nautique or a mastercraft in the near future. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[skinautique]

RE: 216 vs 211

1) The two boats will drive similar but the 211 feels bigger. I would put the Excalibur engine in this boat The 216 is also a little bit more responsive due to the reduction of weight in comparison to the 211
2) Definately get a heater whether you get a 216 or a 211
3) Probably wouldn't waste my money on this. You can always get a cooler full of hot water if needed
4) Correct Craft used to manufacture a trailer but they don't have room to do so any more. I would highly recommend a Ram-Lin trailer. These guys are essentially making the old Correct Craft trailer and they are the company that CC reccommends.
5) Correct Craft offers bimini tops. They are nice but very expensive. If you put a tower on the boat, I would recommend a bimini from towerbiminis.com and if you don't get a tower you have a few other options (the company names escape me right now)
6) The system is very reliable and very safe. It is also very convenient. You have a five year warranty on it as well. If you don't want to deal with it, order a signature edition and upgrade the engine to the Excalibur as opposed to the Pro Sport.

Correct Craft is clearly the way to go! Very high quality boat and nothing out there performs and lasts like one. Not even close.

[Hollywood]

RE: 216 vs 211

We ski in Wisconsin and always are the first ones on and off the water. We don't have a heater or shower, but if were ordering a new boat, definitely would. Once you're in that inboard all you'll want to do is ski/board anyways.

[Mikeski]

RE: 216 vs 211

My new boat search started over a year ago and just picked up a new 211. The 211 has many new features like snap out carpeting, hydrogate, fusion construction that will most likely show up in the rest of the boats in the coming years. From a performance standpoint the 216 will probably handle a little better then the 211 but my wife described the 211 handling as "sporty" and she has no preconception as to how the boat should handle. If you ski more then wakeboard you may prefer the 216. The ultimate factor that pushed me toward the 211 was having the luxury of not having to move any passengers to waterski off the pylon.

[FatBoy]

RE: 216 vs 211

I agree with everything skinautique said except for the hot water shower. My new boat has it and my wife went wakeboarding Sat in 50 degree water with a wet suit, she filled the wetsuit up with hot water before she put it on and used the shower again when she finished. Her first comment was, "I can feel my toes again, I love this shower thingie".

[redelf75]

I bought a 216 last year and love it. But I think the 211 is the way of the future. Unfortunately, I needed to make a decision before getting an oppertunity to drive the 211. Something I'm looking forward to this summer. But I love the lines and handling of the inboard and have no regrets. But I'm not sure I agree with Mikeski since the 211 was recently approved for ski competition and the 216 was not. As far as the heaters and other options go, buy everything and don't use them if you don't like them. It may help your resale value; heaters and showers are very popular.

[skinautique]

The 216 was not approved because CC didn't spend the money to send it to the boat tests. They will never use it to pull a tournament. The 211 was sent to prove the point of how good the boat is for not only wakeboarding but also slalom skiing.

[AbunDiga909]

Thats good to know. I was a little dissapointed to find out that the 216 wasn't approved after all that talk about it having the TSC2 hull, and the fact that MC's 209 was approved. Maybe its worth it to get it tested...