Looking for advice on 196 purchase

[Westlotorn]

First a quick history, I am and have been an avid skier all my life, my first purchase after getting married was a Ski Nautique, we had many fun hours and loved that boat. After 1500+ hours use in 1990 I thought the older Nautique was about to lose all value because of the new influx of fancy gel coats and improved comforts in newer boats. Sold the Nautique bought a Malibu Skier. Great wake, not a great boat. The quality of Nautique has been missed since the sale.
Since 1990 we have only 770 hours on the Malibu, our ski time has been reduced by life in general but I still want to keep a boat for the fun we have with our Children and now Grand Children.

I have been looking to get back into a Nautique but not looking for a large investment. I have been searching for a garage queen, low hours, great shape. Hoping to get away from wood stringers and floors.
One major issue for us, my wife has had multiple back surgeries due to an accident and hard bumps in a flat bottom boat can make her hurt for days so I am hoping the newer hull, 1990 and up is smoother riding than the older hulls.

I still lean toward the 196 for the great ski wake and solid construction. I know there are boats out there that will meet my desires.
I just looked at a 99 Pro Star 190, fits my Garage Queen image but is not a Nautique, I know they build fine quality but I think the Nautique would be a better ride on less than smooth water.

I am not concerned about Horsepower, I can take any of the older engines and make them run quite well. My 78 Nautique ran well over 50 mph with a 13x14 prop. We modified the engine, heads, carb and it really ran well for Ski and Barefoot, we could keep up with the 454 powered Nautiques of the day, the old hull would start to porpoise on you above 52 or so.
Although it came up short trying to pull 5 deep water single skiers out. I think it would have done it easy with a 13x13 or 12x12 but I was running the 13 x 14.
Any words of wisdom as to what year / model to choose. Rough water ride is important equal to good ski wake. Wake board wake is distant consideration.

I know a new boat would have many great improvements but at 55 I think I won't ever wear out another boat, maintenance is not an issue we take care of that at home having owned direct drive boats for 30 years now.
I have had many good hours with our Malibu and it is still in great shape but I have wanted to move back to a Nautique since the first year we owned it.

[chris196]

No tournament ski boat is going to ride very well in rough water.
Have you considered a Sport Nautique or the direct drive 216? Not as good of a ski wake as you know, but still a decent wake and a more versatile boat with grandkids and all.
I own a 98 Ski Nautique and love it. If you're dead set on SN and not knowing your budget, I'd suggest 97-99. But a bigger DD boat might fit you better from what you describe.

[Westlotorn]

Thanks, I have not had the opportunity to ski behind the Direct Drives, I assumed the wake would be un acceptable. After owning the 78 with the large wake they have I really do not wish to go big in the wake department. I don't go to the course anymore we free ski at 15 off and 33 MPH these days just for the pleasure of a ski ride.
Any experience with a Direct Drive Nautique ski wake? I have seen a few for sale.

[chris196]

I have not skied behind a sport or the 216.
I suggested those (they are the same hull as I understand it) based on your comment that rough water ride is as important as good ski wake.
It's a trade off really, better rough water ride equals a diminished ski wake.

[NCH2oSki]

The 98 and 99 mastercraft prostar is nicknamed the death star... Not the best effort from them. As Chris suggested a a 98 or 99 sport would be ideal for you, the wake is really nice at 15' off and there is lots of storage and room.

[Westlotorn]

I appreciate the advice. Did not know about Death Star rating.

[east tx skier]

1998--2000 Pro Star 190s got this nickname. Pro Star 205s and Sportstar 19s were based on older hull designs and are excellent boats. Since you are considering open bows, I figured that clarification was in order. Having owned an older PS 205, I can say that the TSC SN's rough water ride is a big improvement. You still get beat up, but you walk away.

Good luck.

[swc5150]

We owned a '98 Deathstar 190, and it wasn't quite as bad as people make it out to be. It actually tracked much better then our '95 & '97 Prostars. It was named the Deathstar, due to one chine locking and running aground. Unfortunately for MC, it was the test boat for Waterski Mag as I recall! They retrofitted some odd looking wings onto the back sides of the hull to prevent this. I never had any chine locking issue, and also never installed the wings. The ride will make your kidneys bleed! However, it's apples and oranges when comparing it the SN's of the day. A 97 (TSC hulls) and on SN is simply an amazing boat. Wake and tracking are world class, and the ride isn't bad at all - when compared to other 3 event boats. A 206 will still give you great wakes, but also room for the family.

[Davidpsalt]

Agreed on the 206! Great ride in rough waters, skis very close to the 196 and have the additional room for family etc. With the factory tower and trunk there are no issues with gear and although a V drive would be more comfortable space wise - I prefer the slalom wake of the DD and have no issues with the beefy 343hp right there for all to see!!!

[DanielC]

Our ski team used a Malibu skier for a few years. My opinion, the newer Malibu Skier was not better than your old 1990 NWZ ski Nautique. That was a step backwards.

If I were you, I would look for a 1997 to 1999 Ski Nautique. It does not sound like you need the space of a 206, or a Sport Nautique. both the 206 and Sport Nautiques have pretty good ski wakes, but not Ski Nautique nice.

If you are a horsepower junkie, you could get a 1999 to about 2002 Ski Nautique with either a 502, or 501 GM "Python" engine. For a "normal" engine the Ford GT-40 engine is probably a better choice, than the carburetor, or throttle body injection 350 GM engines. After 2002 mid year, the Ford engine was no longer available.

2000 to 2003 Ski Nautiques got the "new and improved" Teleflex digital gauges, that had a blue indication on a green background, that disappeared when wearing polarized sunglasses, and they were also prone to failure. 1999 and earlier had analogue gauges, white face, black numbers, and black needles, you could actually read.

My 1997 Ski Nautique has 2448 hours on it, and it is running good.

However, if buying a boat, try to get service records, and do a compression test, or better, a leakdown test. You sound knowledgeable enough to assess the condition of the boats gelcoat, and upholstery, and a test drive is a must, ideally with you also taking a ski run behind it.

[Quinner]

Westlotorn,

What is your budget?? Do you want bow seating?

I have not skied behind a sport or the 216.
I suggested those (they are the same hull as I understand it)

Not quite, Sport (21' open bow) of 98-02' was one hull, in 03' that hull went away and the 206 (20'-6" open bow) was the new SNOB (Ski Nautique Open Bow) and the 216 (21'-6" open bow) was essentially the new Sport.

[swc5150]

Hey Quinner, how'd you get a rep power of 11? I know your advice is normally spot on, but isn't 10 the highest we can get? Are extra points given for the ability to woo the ladies or something?!

[Quinner]

That's just a 2 in roman numerals, lol

Actually that's how many balls I can get these days - 2, must be why you are a 6!!

[s_kelley2000]

Haha I like your reasoning on the Rep Power but I think it is solely based on your join date. You start at 1 and then it adds another point each time you reach the anniversary of your join date.

To get back on topic for the OP, I think the 98-02 Sport or a 206 might be the sweetspot of good rough water handling and ski wakes. The 206 will certainly ski better but the Sport might handle waves a little better.

[Westlotorn]

Thanks for all the information, I have been looking and kicking the idea around. I should have bought in December as I notice the same boats are now quite a bit more expensive with the season starting.
I wanted to stay under 15K and move into a better built boat that we could use for the next 10 years or so. We only use our boat about 25 hours a year these days so I really can't justify spending more.
The open bow idea I will remain open to but first choice for me is closed bow.
From what I have read the 196 will cross wakes softer than the Malibu but not as well as the 206. Far better than the Prostar 190
The Malibu wake at 15 off is pretty darn good so we are spoiled. Many with better boats have been surprised by the lack of wake when I pull them at 15 off. Recreational playing.
I never went deeper than 32 off so I am not worried about short line performance.
I have come to terms with the aging fact that at 55 I will not go deeper than I did at 45.
Thanks again for the quality advice. I appreciate it.