Difference in hull between 2002 196 and a 2004 196?

[cgouley]

Hello,

My wife and I are looking at purchasing an early 2000's 196 and are wondering which one we should be looking for, is there a difference in the hull between the 2002 196 and the 2004? Thanks!

[NigelC]

The hull between the 2002 and 2004 Ski Nautique's was the TSC2 hull. The major changes around the 2002 era were the migration from Ford based engines to GM based engines. The Ford based GT40 is well renown, torquey and rock solid. The introduction of the GM excalibur 330 in 2002 remains the basis of today's excalibur 343.

[tracyda]

Actually, the 2002 was the intro of the TSC2 hull along with the GM motor. I am not sure what changed for 2004 as I thought virutually identical, but can tell you the 2002 was a great design and great wake from slow speeds all the way up at the various line lengths.

[TRBenj]

You could get either engine (Ford or Chevy) for '02, but the hull itself was unchanged 2002-2005. An '02 still had the problematic Teleflex digital guages. They went to the Faria gauges in '03, and updated the graphics and windshield color for '04... but changes were pretty minor.

[vtjc]

Here is a image with the hull generations.

[cgouley]

Perfect, thank you all for the response, now finding a boat that's close to Idaho. If anyone knows of one let me know! Hurry up summer!!