Upgrading from an old direct-drive. Need some input on SV211 and SAN 210.

[umatilla_matt]

Hello,

I currently have a 1997 Malibu Sunsetter LX direct-drive that we wakeboard behind. We load it with about 1,500lbs of ballast and the wake is just right for our experience level.

I'm looking to upgrade to a newer Nautique v-drive with built-in ballast. I've been looking at 2004-2006 SV211's and SAN 210's.

I'm just wondering how the factory ballast on the SV211 and SAN 210 compares to what I am used to behind the old Malibu. We only wakeboard and wakesurf, never ski. Will the wake on the SV211 be enough for us or should I look exclusively at the 210's? I like the layout of the SV211, but the 210 has more factory ballast. I don't want to have to break out the fat sacs on my new boat unless we're wakesurfing. How does the wakesurfing compare on the SV211 and the 210?

I know the 210 is supposed to be the ultimate wakeboard boat, but I'm wondering if the SV211 will be fine for a couple of amateurs without us outgrowing it. Hopefully someone out there has ridden behind an older direct drive and can give me some feedback.

Thanks in advance!

[SkiTundra]

The 211 is great as a crossover/compromise boat. Good but not great for everything. If you don't want to ski though then I'd think you'd be much happier with a pure wakeboard boat like a 210. You don't want to be two years down the road and wishing that you had just a bit better wake.

[HS]

If you want to surf, you should be looking at the 210 in my opinion, becasue the port walk through on the 211 reduces the available locker volume (height) for a plumbed in sac. If you are willing to go all manual, with sacs in about 3 locations, the 211 will make a good surf wake. If you want a great surf wake look for a 210. My comments are based on the 2008 and newer 210 hull / deck (which compared to the 2004 - 2006 211s are likely at a different price point. . . so you might want to get comments from folks with pre-2007 210 experience).

[hondaprlud]

in 2008 We upgraded from a 96 Sport Nautique to a 2004 210. we ran about the same amount of ballast as you do in the Malibu, maybe closer to 1200lbs IIRC. I didn't look @ the 211 because we don't ski at all just wakeboard, and surf. We now run stock ballast and about 400lbs of lead weight for wakeboarding and get about the same size wake as the old boat while boarding.

[umatilla_matt]

Thanks guys! Sounds like I need to be looking at the 210's only. We don't ski at all so I guess it's pointless to get the SV211.