Considering moving to a 220 (2006 model) looking for some advice

[ally505]

I currently have a 97 sport, which was fabulous up until the kids came along! Same hull as the Super Air/Super Sport so produces an amazing wake when weighted correctly. However, as we now have two kids and when we are out on the water we usually have another family with us, the lack of storage and engine in the middle of the boat are a pain. Cue plan to buy a new boat. In the UK, we don't really have much second hand stock to choose from, for the money I have an early/mid 2000's Super AIr, 211, 220 are in my price range. Alternatively I could jump camp and pick up a Mastercraft X1 (older X Star etc) but Mastercrafts command a premium which Nautiques do not - so the sensible money buys the Nautique.

There are absolutely no 210's (super airs) for sale so I am mulling the idea of 211' and 220's. From what I have read on the 220, the wake is more mellow (suppose like a Mastercraft!), wider, takes more weight (how much?) to deliver a good wake and can be a little temperamental with regard to weight positioning. Is this correct?

I don't wakeboard quite as much as I used to, and when the kids are a little older, I am sure this will change. For now, main duties will be wakesurfing but I want to future proof my purchase. Ultimately I would go for the 210 but as I said there are very few around and would probably be more expensive for equivalent age and condition as they are more "hardcore" for boarding...

So, I welcome your thoughts and comments to help the purchase decision.

[djmekinac]

I have had one for 4 years, we had fat sacs over the stock ballast, really nice surf wake, wake was huge with sacs + people (7-8). Just have to learn to manage weight, but the I also have to that with our 210. I miss the added storage of the 220, garbage, over the engine bin (ropes, skimboard). It is a great family boat, the 236-230 would be another good choice but not the price!

[Miljack]

I replied on WW, but will echo here. 220 would be a great boat given your description of what you're looking to do with it. Surfing wake is probably the best in the CC lineup, but you'll want to add some extra ballast for that.
Wakeboarding wake is good, steepness is between the "legacy" 210 and the '07+ 210's. Compared to your 97 Sport, it will be steeper and bigger! For wakeboarding, you'll need to adjust your side to side weight to keep it clean, but it's more of an issue when adding ballast over the stock. Tons of storage on the 220, and the Excalibur engine is fine for that hull.
Compared to the X1, way more storage and better surfing wake, the X1/205V will produce an excellent wakeboarding wake, but you'll need to add alot of weight, and then most of your storage will be taken up with sacks...

[sacramentia]

I have a 220 and the wakesurf wake is great. We run on soft sacks on top of the factory ballast 600 up front and 750's in the back. For surfing I load up one in the back and the front, push the hydrogate forward. For wakeboarding I tyipcally run the front full and the stock + 250 in the back. Any more than that and we porpoise. Also as you put more weight in the boat it becomes way less sensitive to the side to side balancing of people. I'm running 1235 with the ZR6 motor -- the lower pitch prop was a must with the additional ballast.