196 Pricing

[jdarwin]

I purchased a 2007 196 w/ 300 hours and ZO back in May. Paid approx $27k. I've seen a half-dozen 2008's for sale recently and the average asking price is $34,875. I thought I paid a fair price back in May but maybe I got a better deal than I originally thought. Supply and demand on parade.

[196 die hard]

As long as the 200 comes in at 50-60K, the late model 196s with ZO (07,08,09) and most of the 5.7l PCM 02-06 that can have ZO added to them pretty easy, the price should stay high. As a 196 guy that hated to see the high 200 prices and high RPMs, I am now glad that the 200 is out. It is just proof that the 196 is the greatest 3 event boat ever made.
We bought our 2008 with 119 hours for 32K and sold it 3 years later with 600 hours for 30. We just upgraded to a 09, 196 with 160 hours for 34k.

[swc5150]

I sold my '08 for $30k (and only paid $27k for it), however I personally couldn't stomach paying in the $30's for a 196 now. Wait until the dead of winter to buy one, and there will be deals to be had. It is indeed one of the greatest 3 event boats in history, but paying top $$ for one, with the mindset that another won't surface is not financially wise, IMHO. Also, used 200 pricing is coming down, which will dent 196 values at some point soon I'd assume. Of course, if you find a clean one, and money isn't really an issue, jump on it. A 196 is only worth what someone will pay, like everything. If I would've had a crystal ball, I never would've sold my '06, that I bought new as a non-current in Feb '07

[196 die hard]

It is easier to stomach 30k then it is to stomach 50K. I dont think you will see a drop in prices for this model. If anything, we should be in the low prices now and after xmass we will see them move higher. If we could get a better boat for 34k, we would sell our 09 right now. Carbon Pro is the only thing close to it but the 196 is a better boat.

[swc5150]

That's kind of what I was thinking too. One may be able to get into a 2012 Carbon Pro for the mid to upper $30's, and get a full warranty. It's not the build quality of a CC, but it's a lot of boat for that kind of money.

Good luck getting a 2013 200 for $50k too

[JayG80]

I would not mind upgrading to a late model 196 or a 200 CB but I dislike ZO.

[swc5150]

Just looking at SIA, and it appears a few are jumping on the $34k bandwagon. SIA is a great and easy resource to find used boats, but the pricing sometimes gets out of hand. The best deals I've found were on craigslist. Also, CA 3 event boats seem to be the best deal right now.

[Nautiqueman]

I bought a '97 Ski 196CB in 2009 for 10K and sold it a year later for 17K. Then bought a 2000 Ski for 15,600in 2011. Seems to me people are holding on to things and that is driving pricing up on used boats and RV's etc. I wish I had bought a 230 in 2009 for $42K, since it would bring in the high 50's now.

[DanielC]

I have been on this soapbox before, but I wish Correct Craft would take what they have learned in designing the 200 Ski Nautique, and being out a designed as a closed bow 196 TSC4 hull.

I honestly believe that if CC were to design a new 196, without the constraints of accommodating an open bow, we could get an even better slalom boat than the 200 is.

[swc5150]

I hate to even bring it up, but a friend of mine who owns a dealership has been bending the ear of CC to make a 196 as a "training boat" - so it won't step on the toes of the 200. The fact that he has a dozen potential orders on the table doesn't hurt his cause either. I personally think the 200 is the best boat ever made, but I also can't afford one of my own. With that, I'd buy a new 196, and I have no doubt I'm not the only guy out there in that situation. At the same time, I'm not sure how much cheaper they could produce a new 196 versus a base CB 200? Raw materials are considerably more now than in 2009.

But back to the thread theme, the 200 is certainly not hurting the 196 values, and helped me on resale.

[196 die hard]

SWC, here are my issues with the 200.
Price. I would only buy the 6L knowing what I know about the 5.7 history in the 200. The price for the 5.7 is out of control and to add another 5k for the right engine is insane.
fuel
RPMs
Gate. Why cant CC make a hull without the hydro gate? The CP and TXI dont need them and the wakes on those boats are as good as the 200.

Now, lets pretend that you know nothing about 200s or 196s, or even Nautiques for that matter. Pretend they did not exist until today when you go down to the lake to test drive/ski both boats and could care less about useless open bows. After driving and skiing both I would bet most people would love the sports car feel of the 196. It skis better and handles better at slow speed in tight quarters. I still think it tracks every bit as well as the 200. I cannot believe that they do not make the 196 anymore.

[swc5150]

I have to respectfully disagree - somewhat. And just to be clear, I love the 196! BUT...Combined, my brother and I have owned 4 196's, and now are running his 2012 200TE 343. For us, the 200 exceeds the performance of the 196 in every way but WOT - but for us, the boat only needs to go 34, so we don't care. It's also a rocket ship out of the hole, even more so than our 196's were. Fuel economy blows on the 200, but is wasn't purchased with gas mileage in mind. I don't think the 200 lost any of the fun factor (handling ability) either, which was my first fear when it came out.

If I had no knowledge of either, I'd actually think the 196 appeared outdated, when jumping into the 200 with Linc display (which is absolutely awesome!). I also think the 200 out-tracks the 196, and produces less spray at shortline. Wake - I love them both. In regards to price, I'm with you. The 200 is expensive, but you get a LOT for the money. In fact, I believe everything you get is overkill for a private lake, 3 event tow tractor. I completely understand why those folks would want a 196. Again, I'm not sure a 2013 196 would really cost that much less than a base 200, so the price factor could be eliminated from the equation. If it would still be a sub $40k boat, I'd jump right back into one - but only until I could afford a 200 of my own

[196 die hard]

I would agree that CC would put a nice price tag on a 2013 196. I dont need or like the TVs on the dash and like you say, I just need a tow boat with ZO.

[swc5150]

I would dig a 196 with a saddle bag on the driver's side, and eliminate the trunk and replace with an easy step over. Sea deck floor, to get rid of the carpet. A simple private lake tow machine.

I miss the 196 windshield in the 200. I liked the open-air feel, and ease of high-fiving my bro after a PB pass.

[DanielC]

"I miss the 196 windshield in the 200. I liked the open-air feel, and ease of high-fiving my bro after a PB pass. "

Lets see, a barefoot boom fits on the boat, the driver can reach the rope that was released from the boat on a trick, or in my case a swivel run, I can reach and steady a young skier on the side of the boat. In short, the windshield ending position is functional, not styled to look pretty on the showroom floor.

As far as storage, you can pack a lot of stuff under the bow of a Ski Nautique. On the earlier TSC hull, I liked the removable rear seat, that cleared the entire floor.