Which Nautique has the Best Slalom Wake?

[swc5150]

Does anyone have an opinion on the 206 open bow wake? Thanks again for the help.

Great boat, great wake. Not quite a 196, of course, but still great. What is your primary need - are you chasing buoys and always looking to beat your PB, or looking for the best family ski boat option? What's the budget you're working within?

[aswinter05]

Great boat, great wake. Not quite a 196, of course, but still great. What is your primary need - are you chasing buoys and always looking to beat your PB, or looking for the best family ski boat option? What's the budget you're working within?

Primary need is a boat that will help me chase buoys. The boat will be used 80-90% in the course and the remaining time will be used taking friends and family out on a public lake for various types of watersports. Budget is $10K to $30K

[swc5150]

80-90% in the course, I'd stick 196. You could find a late model, ZO boat with $30k in the budget.

[qstufflebeam]

I've had a 2002 196. The boat came with the digital gauges that crapped out the second year I had it and were replaced with the telflex. Wake was great. Sold it for an 08 196 to get ZO. There was no noticeable difference in wake. Still world class. Bought a 2012 200 this year. With the stock prop there is a weird bump at 22 off 34-36 mph. 28 off is harder than the 196 but does not effect skiing. When you replace the stock prop with the 422 the wake is equal to the 196. My .02 is if you are looking for a slalom tractor the 196 hands down. Better hole shot, more fuel efficient, less side to side weight sensitivity, and cheaper. The 200 is more family friendly, tracks better, and has better wakes at slower speeds(main reason i purchased it).


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[tracyda]

I've had a 2002 196. The boat came with the digital gauges that crapped out the second year I had it and were replaced with the telflex. Wake was great. Sold it for an 08 196 to get ZO. There was no noticeable difference in wake. Still world class. Bought a 2012 200 this year. With the stock prop there is a weird bump at 22 off 34-36 mph. 28 off is harder than the 196 but does not effect skiing. When you replace the stock prop with the 422 the wake is equal to the 196. My .02 is if you are looking for a slalom tractor the 196 hands down. Better hole shot, more fuel efficient, less side to side weight sensitivity, and cheaper. The 200 is more family friendly, tracks better, and has better wakes at slower speeds(main reason i purchased it).


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I actually felt the 02 196 had better wakes at slower speed from my experience. Totally agree, I had the same observation of prop on the 200 wake when added 422. Lost a little hole-shot, but improved wake that was already great.

As for weight sensitivity, my 196 was way way more sensitive to weight (where passenger was sitting, how much fuel in the tank, etc), where as the 200 seems to be far less sensitive.

At the end of the day, can't go wrong with either choice.

[jdarwin]

When looking at a SN w/ a GT-40, be aware of the low hour boats. The water jackets around the #7 cylinder were not of sufficient size and if the boat was not run regularly, those jackets can clog and score the cylinder walls. Low hours are not always the best boats. I've heard this from several reputable dealers. In regard to what model, I would stick w/ an 08-09 196 w/Zero Off if you can find one. They tend to fetch a premium these days but for $30k, you won't find a 200 that has depreciated that much in its two years of existence.