New to the forum and looking for some advice on a 226

[Bgould]

Hello Everyone,
I am new to the site and am looking for some advice on a 2004 Air Nautiqe 226. I currently have a 1995 Tige open bow and the boat takes on a lot of water over the bow. I had a bow cover installed and that helped out a lot but the boat isnt very fun to drive. It has very low freeboard. I am considering trading this boat in on a 2004 Air Nautique 226. I just want to make sure that this boat will suit our needs. We are a family of 3. My son is 9 and when we go out on the lake we usally have a bunch of his friends with us. We are looking for a boat with room that we can surf, wakeboard and also tube off of. One of my main concerns is how this boat is in rough choppy water. Can anyone tell me if there is any issues with taking water over the bow. I am very carefull how I drive my current boat, when a skier falls I put the boat in neutral, let the wake pass, then turn the wheel all of the way and turn around. That works under perfect conditions, but there is always time when I rush back to pick someone up and I get hit by a big roller. I am hoping that a bigger boat like this will be better than the boat I currently have.
Any tips, info, suggestions that you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

[TxHr]

Welcome to the forum. The main requirement for my Nautique model selection was it must handle chop well. I can say my 226 does a great job in rough watermand I have yet to take water over the bow. The 226 has plenty of room and has a nice starboard surf wake and nice wakeboard wake. You will have to sac out the boat for surfing and most likely for wakeboarding, depending on skill.

The 226 is a great family boat that should serve every need you have described. Good luck w/ your purchase!


Brandon

[Neverenough]

We have an 03 226. We have two boys 6 and 8. All we do is the exact thing you want. Often will hav other family with us with other kids. Plenty of room and I'd say handles rough water better than most of the ski boats I have had. Never had water over the bow or transom. Unlike the supra we had that would keep the bilge pumps running. Great boat! if you get a newer one with snap in carpet and glass floors. That is the only thing I'd do different.

[Bgould]

Thanks for the info guys. Is there anything that I should look for before making the purchase? Are there any known problems?

[DanielC]

If my memory serves me correctly, some of the first 2003 226 boats had the Excalibur 330 engine without the serpentine belt.
Changing a water pump impeller on these boats can be described as a "female dog".