SV211 Questions

[Escondido]

I have been researching boats, looking at the sv211 and something similar from other manufacturers. The 20v, 22v and 22ve Tige, 21LSV, and several MC's just not sure which one is a good crossover fit. Like the others that have posted on the 211, looking for a boat good for many tasks: boarding, skiing and something that feels safe when the crazies are out on the holidays but everybody has to go for a ride. Time to upgrade my 10 year old 18' runabout. I hope to get the similar amount of time on this new one. The 211 seems to fit my needs but want to fully cover all the bases (manufacturers). Trying to trim the list before we get them on the water.

I have several questions for 211 owners.

1) The rear seat that is "optional/removable" - Is it an afterthought or will it hold up overtime.

2) Is the capacity really 9 people? I look at the seating and that seems pretty crowded.

3) Electronic ignition. Like the idea but what if it fails? Any reported problems, if it goes out is there a back up plan.

4) The lake we stay on does not have big chop but is does get a little rough. More like a wide river so most of it is created by traffic not white caps for sure. But there are several events at night, especially on the 4th where the boats are leaving at low speeds and creating huge surfing wakes that can can be pretty freaky. I have been in an old 23' MC and was swamped by a few waves. How's this one going to handle it?

5) Lights - What is the distance that the docking lights will illuminate? We spend quite a few nights cruising around at sunset and later. Was considering the tower lights. Not for activity but for lighting turns into channels or if some idiot is coming at us.

6) Any thoughts on the automatic fire extinquisher?

7) Platform - Any thoughts on fiberglass vs teak? While the teak has maintenance issues, seems like the fiberglass will have issues with boards/skis banging them and that eventual dock bumping that will happen. I think I saw, but can't remember, that it was trimmed vs the other ones that are strictly fiberglass, might allow better protection plus the rounded design probably helps protect it.

8) If Fatboy reads this - Why did you already move to a second 211. Assuming since you bought the same it is not a model issue but wanted to confirm.


Thanks for your help.

ps - This forum is very informative and you all should be commended on your treatment of guests. Long on honest opinions and short on bashing/attacking. As you probably know, some of the other boards are not so nice/helpful.

[NautiqueOasis]

1) The rear seat: We much prefer this removable seat over the jump seat. It has worked well for us especially when 7 or more in boat. I have only been thru 1 season so only time will tell on how it holds up.
2) Is the capacity really 9 people? We have had no problem at all with 9 people. We love the room; but then we had a 196 prior, how could we not like it!
3) Electronic ignition. We have had no problems; my back up plan is to take it to the dealer and go back to the houseboat and drink a few cold ones. We had electronic ignition in our previous nautique with no problems.
4) Huge surfing wakes: Just hang on, the 211 will handle them just fine.
5) Lights - We did no select this option; option is not important to us.
6) Any thoughts on the automatic fire extinquisher? Just hope I don't ever have to use it!
7) Platform - Love the fiberglass. We have had teak on our past 4 nautiques over the past 25 years and don't want to go back! I really like how the fiberglass looks with the 211.
Good Luck!

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: SV211 Questions

I can comment on a couple of your questions, and I'm sure others will jump in soon.

I did have a problem with my keypad on my 2003 210. Even so, I will never go back to a keyed ignition. Having the keypad is so convenient that I could never go back. I haven't heard of very many issues with the keypads. Mine has worked flawlessly since being replaced.

I have a black fiberglass swim platform, and although it looks GREAT, I will probably go with teak next time. I worry too much about scratching it up with my boards. If mine was white (like most are) I probably wouldn't worry so much. I don't think they even offer black swim platforms anymore.

[Mikeski]

1) The rear seat that is "optional/removable" - Is it an afterthought or will it hold up overtime.

No problems after 150 hours but when somebody big stands on the end I get nervous.

2) Is the capacity really 9 people? I look at the seating and that seems pretty crowded.

I have had 12 in mine more than once, it was tight but not bad.

3) Electronic ignition. Like the idea but what if it fails? Any reported problems, if it goes out is there a back up plan.

They figured it out more than 10 years ago, no issues.

4) The lake we stay on does not have big chop but is does get a little rough. More like a wide river so most of it is created by traffic not white caps for sure. But there are several events at night, especially on the 4th where the boats are leaving at low speeds and creating huge surfing wakes that can can be pretty freaky. I have been in an old 23' MC and was swamped by a few waves. How's this one going to handle it?

It does quite well in rough water, the V in the nose is pretty deep.

5) Lights - What is the distance that the docking lights will illuminate? We spend quite a few nights cruising around at sunset and later. Was considering the tower lights. Not for activity but for lighting turns into channels or if some idiot is coming at us.

Don't waste your money on them, I usually can't even tell that mine are on.

6) Any thoughts on the automatic fire extinquisher?

Not necessary.

7) Platform - Any thoughts on fiberglass vs teak? While the teak has maintenance issues, seems like the fiberglass will have issues with boards/skis banging them and that eventual dock bumping that will happen. I think I saw, but can't remember, that it was trimmed vs the other ones that are strictly fiberglass, might allow better protection plus the rounded design probably helps protect it.

My dealer had a fiberglass platform on my boat when I went to pick it up, I requested he put the teak one back on. I tend to use my teak platform as a rear bumper. I prefer teak for this and many other reasons.

8) If Fatboy reads this - Why did you already move to a second 211. Assuming since you bought the same it is not a model issue but wanted to confirm.

Fatboy wanted to add ballast tanks to his first boat, it made more sense to get a new boat instead. Get the ballast tanks.

[FatBoy]

Re: SV211 Questions

1) The rear seat that is "optional/removable" - Is it an afterthought or will it hold up overtime.

It will hold up and on those days that only two or three go out it adds more room in the boat by leaving it in the truck. I like it.

2) Is the capacity really 9 people? I look at the seating and that seems pretty crowded.

Have had 12 in my boat, that was tight. Nine is easy.

3) Electronic ignition. Like the idea but what if it fails? Any reported problems, if it goes out is there a back up plan.

No problem, works great.

4) The lake we stay on does not have big chop but is does get a little rough. More like a wide river so most of it is created by traffic not white caps for sure. But there are several events at night, especially on the 4th where the boats are leaving at low speeds and creating huge surfing wakes that can can be pretty freaky. I have been in an old 23' MC and was swamped by a few waves. How's this one going to handle it?

Handles the chop very well, and drives like a dream for a boat of it's size.

5) Lights - What is the distance that the docking lights will illuminate? We spend quite a few nights cruising around at sunset and later. Was considering the tower lights. Not for activity but for lighting turns into channels or if some idiot is coming at us.

I have had them on both boats cause I think they look good but they provide very little illunimation. They do help when actually putting the boat on the trailer after dark.

6) Any thoughts on the automatic fire extinquisher?

I did not get that option on either of my boats.

7) Platform - Any thoughts on fiberglass vs teak? While the teak has maintenance issues, seems like the fiberglass will have issues with boards/skis banging them and that eventual dock bumping that will happen. I think I saw, but can't remember, that it was trimmed vs the other ones that are strictly fiberglass, might allow better protection plus the rounded design probably helps protect it.

I got Teak and am happy I did for a couple of reasons. My son is a pretty good kneeboarder and he like others straps in his kneeboard on the platform and slides off into the water. On the fiberglass platform with the non skid rubber top it is almost impossible to slide off after you are strapped in. I Sky Ski and the T bar on my Sky Ski would do a number on the side of the glass, with the teak I can clean it up and make it look like new.

8) If Fatboy reads this - Why did you already move to a second 211. Assuming since you bought the same it is not a model issue but wanted to confirm.

Of course I'll read this, I read everything on this board. hehehe. I had a limited and wanted a team so I traded. If I traded again today it would be for another 211. I will add that we do a lot of stuff, my wife ski's, wakeboards, and kneeboards. My son kneeboards, wakeboards, Sky Ski's and surf's. I Sky Ski and surf. The 211 is the best crossover boat I have ever ridden on and I highly recomend it.

Also one of my favorite things about the 211 that no one has mentioned is the snap out carpet. I love being able to take the carpet out and shampoo and clean it on the patio while swabing the deck in the boat with a mop.

[Escondido]

Thanks - one more question

Thanks for your answers.

One more question, anybody know if I will have to modify my cradle on my lift. On a standard lift with I think carpeted 2x6's. I think the fins (not positive) and prop/rudder will not be over the actual cradle arms. Any guess how much clearance I need from the boat to the bottom of the fins?

On the platform, the dealer has the fiberglass as standard and an upcharge for the teak. That's a switch.

[NautiqueJeff]

Re: Thanks - one more question

On the platform, the dealer has the fiberglass as standard and an upcharge for the teak. That's a switch.

Yes, if I remember correctly, this is the first model year that it has been like that.

[skinautique]

RE: Re: Thanks - one more question

Last I saw, teak is only an option on the 196 and 206 and fiberglass is the only option on the other boats

[NautiqueJeff]

Really? That's too bad.

[jonfo]

I have the fiberglass on my 2005 sv211 and it is very solid. it doesnt look all that tough, but its heavier than the teak, i know this from removing it for storage. it is grippier with the rubber, but i like it better than the teak now.

[Mikeski]

Escondito,

About the lift. I keep mine on a hydrohoist, the bunks had to be moved out about 3 inches from where it was originally set to hold the 2001 hull. I made no mods to the lift when I had a 196. My lift is rated at 4000lbs which I didn't even consider before buying the boat. The 2005 is stated to be 3800lbs but I think it's really more like 3500lbs. My lift doesn't start sinking until there are two people with gear and a full tank of gas. Some day I will find a public scale to satisfy my curiousity.

[ScarletArrow]

About handling the chop...I test drove a 211 on a big public lake...on a Saturday afternoon in the middle of the summer...tubers and chop everywhere...the 211 handled great.