Attn Skiers - need your opinions/reviews..

[SGY]

Can't personally comment on the 1991-95 PS 190--although I have heard exactly what Brodie says about the wake. Very soft and small. But the boat doesn't track as well and has some pretty nasty spray at short line lengths. (A guy at my lake has a 94 PS 190 and he was complaining on Sunday about the spray on his up wind run.) So, I agree that the 196 is a much better all around boat. Its been about 4 years since I skied the Air Nautique (2002) but I recall that the wake was not much better than my buddy's 1994 Sport Nautique wake which has a large hard bump. I also recall the owner of the ski school that had the 02 Air complaining that no one wanted to ski behind that boat because of the bump.

Just my .02 cents.

Brodie--how long is the 02 Air? I can't remember.

[M3Fan]

I belive MC changed the hull of the PS190 in 1995. It is not the 91-94 Hull. MC hull years are:
7x-86
87-90 (may just be a deck change to the star wars-looking windshield)
91-94
95-97
98-2000

and after that I lose track...I don't recall hearing the 95 having a great wake. I know it became the sportstar in later years, and even a smaller wakeboard boat in one form or another in the late 90s/early 00s. You always hear about the 91-94 being awesome wakes though.

[brodie]

Can't personally comment on the 1991-95 PS 190--although I have heard exactly what Brodie says about the wake. Very soft and small. But the boat doesn't track as well and has some pretty nasty spray at short line lengths. (A guy at my lake has a 94 PS 190 and he was complaining on Sunday about the spray on his up wind run.) So, I agree that the 196 is a much better all around boat. Its been about 4 years since I skied the Air Nautique (2002) but I recall that the wake was not much better than my buddy's 1994 Sport Nautique wake which has a large hard bump. I also recall the owner of the ski school that had the 02 Air complaining that no one wanted to ski behind that boat because of the bump.

Just my .02 cents.

Brodie--how long is the 02 Air? I can't remember.

The 02 Air is 21' 2". The wake is a lot better than the pre-98 sport, due to the TSC hull on 98+ sport/air. The Air wake isn't the flattest out there, but it is definetly course capable. I ski behind 3 boats regularly: 02 air, 05 196, and my 90 ps190. The 196 obviously is the best overall ski boat, (and the 206 is similar), but slalom is the only thing you can do with it. I primarily ski(into 32-off) but I also like to surf and wakeboard, and my boat of choice would be the AIR, based on the versatility. If slalom is the primary concern, then the 206 would be the best choice(aside from the 196) You are right about the spray on the 190's, which is the downside of that hull, mine is known as the "pelter".

[SGY]

Good info Brodie. I'd forgotten that CC had changed the hull to the TSC2 variant after 1997. I would like to ski behind an Air again just for a refresher. Regarding the PS 190, I suggested to the guy at my lake with the PS190 that we cut some relief pockets in there. He didn't "cotton" to the idea too well.

The Air is bigger than the 206 but not by much. The 206 is 20' 7.5".

[brodie]

98+ sport/air has the TSC hull, 03+ 206 has TSC2 hull. TSC2=better slalom wake, worse boarding/surfing wake.

I wish I could cut some spray relief pockets into my boat, but then I would lose my argument with the wife about upgrading the boat.

[Bikeman]

Re: RE: Re: Attn Skiers - need your opin

Whoa, whoa, whoa. The 206 does compare favorably to the closed bow 196. And it has a much better wake than the Air Nautique or the MC 205. The wake at 15 off/30mph is as nice as the 196. Wakes above 22 off are equally as nice as the 196. The 22 off wake is a bit bigger than the 196 but still not a hinderance. I've skied the 206, 196, TSC SNOB, TSC SN, MC 2004 and 2005 197, 1995 MC 205, Malibu 2000 Sunsetter LXi, and Malibu 2003 Response LXi, and can honestly say that the 206 is dang hard to beat. Many of my friends have their PB's behind the 206. I know I do.

Frankly, the 206 is not really a dual purpose boat. It's a hard core ski boat with the room of an Air Nautique. However, the TSC2 hull does, at slower speeds have a nice shaped wakeboard wake (not big) for the intermediate boarder/kneeboarder.

very interested to hear your comapro between Responose LXI and 206? I'd love to have the wedge but have heard several people tell me malibu is no comparison to quality of CC or MC. I'm hearing from PN and CC dealers that 206 is the best combo wakeboard/slalom boat made in the 02-04 range. It certainly is the most $$ - I love MC but as an owner don't see the Q in their boats in the 00-04 range and that's where I'm priced. I'd like to think a 197 w/tower woudl be ideal but for the price I could get CC w/ballast, tower, etc... Comments requested please...

[bkhallpass]

RE: Re: RE: Re: Attn Skiers - need your opin

The 206 is great. But as far as a ski/wakeboard boat, I like the 216 better.
I think the 216 does a little better with the wakeboarding, and not much
worse in the skiing. I also think there is a little more room in the 216. I am not a course skier however. If I were, I would probably lean toward the 206.

[Quinner]

Attn Skiers - need your opin

The 206 has a good slalom wake, I had a 99' Air w/the TSC hull, that boat was about 6" longer than the 206 and had a slightly larger wake and harder table. I ski behind an LXI regularly as well, the LXI has a slightly softer and smaller wake than the 206 however the Malibu in my opinion and experience does not compare in quality, dependability and durability.

[SGY]

RE: Attn Skiers - need your opin

Bikeman. All good info above regarding the 206, 216, and Response LXi. When you start talking about wake size and softness, its pretty subjective. I'd ski behind a Response any day--very soft and small wake. Is it better than a 206? I don't believe so. I didn't see "noticeable" difference. I've heard the 22 off wake is a bit more friendly behind the Bu. The 2005-06 MC 197 also has a nice wake--but for a family, the 206 and RLXi are bigger and have a little bit nicer wake. Again, its subjective. I'm very used to the 196/206 wake so those boats are my preference. I'm also a CC loyalist--always have been. But if I didn't love my 206, I would get a Malibu as very clearly my second choice.

Frankly, I think both Malibu and MC make very fine high quality boats. CC boats are a bit quieter and ride a bit better in the chop. The tranny on a CC is the quietest and smoothest I've ever driven. The 206 also tracks better than the only Malibu I've ever driven--a 2000 Sunsetter Lxi. I've heard from promo guys that a Response tracks very nicely if set up properly. Bottom line: The 206 and RLXi are great boats and very comparable overall. In some ways the 206 is better--in other ways, the RLXi may have an edge.

Comparing the 216 and the 206, I think the 206 is a hard core ski boat. Like Bk said, if you are a course skier, get the 206. If you go to the lake with the famiy and friends and have to spend a bunch of time on the water in the boat, the 216 might be a better option. The trunk on the 216 will hold an adult sized ski. The 206 trunk, while deep, won't accommodate a 66 and up ski. The 206, IMHO, is a significantly better ski boat with world class wakes. The 216 wakes are good as long as you keep your ski on edge. But again, you get a much better wake board wake with the 216. So, pick your poison.

Good luck and have a great time looking/comparing. Don't be afraid to drive the MC and the Bu.

[redelf75]

I like to keep it simple.

The 197 is the hardcore ski boat.
The 206 is almost a hardcore ski boat with an open bow.
The 216 is a crossover boat and does neither ski nor wakeboard great, but offers more room, in a traditional direct drive. It leans towards wakeboard, yet is nothing compared to the V-drives and only has a slalom advantage at 30+mph.
The 211 and 220 are V-drive wakeboard boats that attempt to accommodate the slalom skier. Both offer innovating interiors.
The 210 is a hardcore wakeboard boat.
The 226 is a really big wakeboard boat.

CC builds the 197 for competition skiing. They build the 210 for competition wakeboarding. Everything else is a compromise for the general public and offer things besides the perfect wake.

Also, keep in mind that when you add a couple of friends and some gear, all that technical wake analysis in the above posts, goes right out the window.

I have an '04 216 w/ ZR6 and would be happy to answer any specific questions regarding that model/engine.

Hope that helps.

[SGY]

Redelf75, I assume you mean the SN 196, not the MC open bow 197.
CC offers the 206 to its promo dealers for use in tournament skiing as well as the 196.

[redelf75]

Yes, my mistake, 196 not 197. Thanks.

But in regard to the 206, I think CC makes those offers to help promote the boat, not because it's as good a slalom boat as the 196. Also, the INT had to stop using the 206 because the competitors like using the BEST ski boat. So they had to go with 196's.

[SGY]

Having skied behind a 03 206 and an 03 196 numerous times, the only difference I can see is the 22 off bump. The 196 bump is more user friendly. Other than that, the wakes from 15 off 28mph and up are virtually identical--especially when you get to 28 off and 34mph. Now, the only other issue I've seen with the 206 is the wake at 26mph is bigger than the 196. So, perhaps the kids don't like it as much.

As far as the tourneys are concerned, CC pushes the 196 to create market share. Not the other way around. A open bow with the capabilities would be much easier to sell than a hard core closed bow boat. So, CC does not need to promote the 206. It sells itself. In 2004, CC started backing off on making the 206 available to promo drivers, especially on the national circuit to keep the 196 heritage alive. They don't want the 196 to go the way of the closed bow Bu and MC. It's the Ford Mustang of ski boats and means alot in terms of identity for CC.

Regarding INT folks, some people have the attitude that a open bow is just simply not as good a ski boat--regardless of brand. Most of those folks are CC fans. I've met a few. I would love to put them behind each boat and blind fold them. I would be a months salary that most could not tell a difference between the 206 and the 196. The differences people percieve with their eyes open are based more upon subjective bias or attitude. If you're distracted or uncomfortable, your ski goes flat and then you say, wow, what a bump. Well I gotta tell you, I've felt that bump behind the 196 many times--not because I'm distracted but because I can't ski worth a darn sometimes.

So, in sum, I don't have a problem tagging the 196 as the "hardcore" or "best" slalom boat CC offers. But at the margain, there is simply very little difference between the 206 and the 196 and certainly not enough to make a difference in someone making a pass in the course or not. And, we are not even talking about resale issues.

[Adrian]

91 - 94 MC PS 190 was excelent, one of the best of any boat ever (not very good tracking and huge spray). MC changed the hull in 95 and this hull is not as good for slalom (22 off bump) . Anyway I think since TSC hulls and last Response the boats have better slalom wakes, maybe skiing 34 / 36 there is almost no difference with a 94 PS190 but slow slalom speeds (kids) wakes are much better with new boats.
Honestly if I could blind ski the course with a 05 196 and a 05 206 I'm sure I could not tell any difference between both wakes.
The biggest difference I see is how beautiful the little 196s are.