Nautique Ski 200 Information

[schroed911]

My Nautique 196 is spending too much time in the shop. Time to consider a new boat.

What are the problems and issues with the Ski Nautique 200 Ski?

[DealsGapCobra]

I absolutely love my SN200OB that I use as a family boat. The only ongoing issue is taking rollers over the bow but, as my crew has gotten more experienced, it is a rare occurrence now.

[actman]

I have the 200 OB as well and it's the best Nautique I have ever owned! With the open bow I have the option of taking more people for a cruise and still getting a perfect
slalom pass every time. Mine is a 2011 and the 12's now have a larger higher res screen that would be an aset since some of the fonts are small and tough to read. If you want to long line foot you would need the larger engine.
This boat is a few mph slower then your 196. My footing days are over other then cheating off the boom! The fit and finish has been stepped up and trust me I tell you they don't only ski behind there product they stand behind it!!!

[swc5150]

200's use more fuel than your 196, as they run higher rpms throughout the band. You can tame that somewhat on the 343 (with an Acme 422), or really tame it on the 6.0 with an OJ (talk to Jody Seal).

Fit and finish is ridiculously nicer than the 196. The ride and view for the driver are also dramatically improved. It's almost weird how well you can see the first time you drive one. There is also hardly any bow rise out of the hole. The longer line wake is much improved, and spray wouldn't be an issue in a hurricane with it. The saddle bags are the best thing since the swim platform! They offer plenty of storage, plus they make great seats for hanging out. Sticker shock is an issue over the 196, but you get a lot more boat for the money.

I could go on and on how awesome the boat is, but what you really need to do is go drive one. I didn't want to like it when it came out, as I hated the idea of CC no longer producing my beloved 196, but I became a full-blown convert. However, I do understand how the hardcore tournament guys would prefer the small, no frills 196 for private ski lakes. The 200 is kind of overkill as strictly a slalom tractor, as it offers creature comforts abound. One more nugget, MC has put off introducing their new Prostar for 2 years now (it's looking like it'll be a 2014 model now), essentially due to the 200 setting the bar so high - and that info came directly from a buddy who his half owner of an MC dealership.

[cotton]

swc5150 nailed it. I too dealt with sticker shock as compared to the 196 but also have been converted. We sold our promo 2011 200 OB last week and just filled out the options form to order a 2013 today.

The 200 really is in a league of its own. The only thing I can think of Nautique needs to change is the prop. We installed the 422 on day one and our 200 still got up to speed pre-gates faster than the 2012 Mastercraft on our lake. With the 422 our 200 used about the same amount of fuel as my 2009 206.

[schroed911]

Thanks for all of the feedback.

I discovered water in the crankcase of my 196 - 305PCM - before causing engine damage. The dealer replace riser gaskets, cleaned out the oil and ran it in the shop with no water in the crank. One hour pulling skiers and the oil was milky. The engine ran great, but water in the crankcase after running under load. Compression test is perfect. No water in the cylinders. Pulling the heads tomorrow to look for blown head gasket. If no signs of a gasket problem, we'll pull and magnaflux the heads. If we find a crack we'll replace. If not, then on to a bigger project. The boat and trailer are spotless and very well maintained. Each year I seem to spend $2K or more keeping it nice. Trailer been completely gone through with new radials, master cyl, brakes, winch. Engine has had new rear main, 100 hr service. Faded guage and old perfectpass replaced. Teak platform refinished. The gelcoat and interior are spotless. Made to order carpet overlay.

I'll see how the repair goes this week and decide on 196 or the 200DD.

I like the closed bow to reduce taking on water from the wakeboard boat tidal waves and occasional trip across Lake Tahoe - we usually ski the smaller mountain lakes or New Melones.

Any input on 200 Ski pricing? I've asked two dealers and one says $55K for 200 Ski CB with single axle trailer. The other says $53.9K for 200 Ski OB with dual axle trailer.

[cotton]

Schroed911, you either just found that pricing varies from dealer to dealer since the OB is probably $1,500.00 more than the closed, and the dual axle trailer is probably another $1,500.00 or more as well, but options could have been the difference. The OB might have been the Nautique Edition and the CB a Team, which comes with the LINC digital helm, Zero Off and Stereo with 4 speakers.

As for CB verses Open, the OB is rated for 9 people and the CB is rated for 7 and if re-sell down later on is a factor, the OB sells better. Good luck!

[schroed911]

Understood regarding options.

What would be a good discount from MSRP?

What is the dealer cost?

I do wish for more seats in my 196, but also like that I don't take on water from the wakeboard boat rollers or on an occasional trip across Lake Tahoe. 7 is pretty good and with a jump seat behind the driver I can carry 5 on board while using the ski pylon with 1 on a ski/board and up to 4 on two rafts. My kids are grown so they're pretty heavy for the bow seats. Does this make sense?

[schroed911]

Understood regarding options.

What is the range for discount from MSRP?
What is the dealer cost?

I do wish for more seats in my 196, but like that I don't take on water from wakeboard boat rollers or during an occasional trip across Lake Tahoe.

Does anyone out there use a jump seat behind the driver seat? Does it help?

Are the snap-on bow covers effective? Do they look ok?

[81nautique]

Unless you are a serious slalom skier you should take a look at the 200 sport. It may fit the bill for your family and larger water conditions very well with a little sacrifice to your slalom wake. The other benefits of the sport are huge though.

[swc5150]

Understood regarding options.

What is the range for discount from MSRP?
What is the dealer cost?

I do wish for more seats in my 196, but like that I don't take on water from wakeboard boat rollers or during an occasional trip across Lake Tahoe.

Does anyone out there use a jump seat behind the driver seat? Does it help?

Are the snap-on bow covers effective? Do they look ok?

PM sent

[River Monsters]

Boater's Choice in Brooklyn MI still has a new 2010 Ski 200. I sat in it in the showroom yesterday and looked pretty sweet. After he gave me all the reasons i shouldn't buy it i could see why he still had it. I wasn't really shopping, so maybe he was just be conversational.

http://www.boaterschoiceonline.com/N...ockNum=sn77423

[schroed911]

What reasons did he give you not to buy?

What boat do you have now?

[River Monsters]

What reasons did he give you not to buy?

What boat do you have now?

He didn't tell me not to buy it, i should be less cavalier with my posts. Primarily he indicated it is only a ski boat and certainly a world class ski boat. I mentioned I like the simplicity of direct drive and wondered if it would be a nice jump up from my 1992 ski. I kinda think burping sacs would get old, but i would likely supplement any setup with additional sacs anyway. However, he explained I would never get a good wake boarding wake off that boat even though it is the same hull as the 200 Sport. I expressed some skepticism but he was sure the ski nautique could never generate the sport nautique wake for wake boarding. The ski nautique is 400 lbs lighter and the heaviest thing in the boat is farther forward, so maybe he is right.

He also expressed a personal dislike for the direct drive dog house.

I have a 1992 Ski. Really like our boat but could certainly use more space. Again, I also like the simplicity of direct drive. Not sure what the next step is for us.

[vtjc]

I think AKD Marine has a '10 SN 200 left over as well: http://www.adirondackmarine.net/list...php?boatid=144