wake compare 196 Ski nautique vs 206 Ski nautique OB

[nautiboat]

I am looking for 196 Ski Nautique, probably 1998 - 2004 era. I am advanced skier at best.Currently ski behind 89 ski nautique 2001. The little woman informed me that a new boat must have an OB and probably a tower as to not have a rope strangle the passengers in the back. How would the ski wake compare between these two boats? Trying to figure out if I would miss the 196 more than the little woman. Thanks for your response.

[TRBenj]

No such thing as a 98-02 196 (that moniker was new in 2003). The ski nautique hull changed in '97 and 02, your year range doesn't make much sense. The 206 didn't debut until 2003. Ski nautique open bows were made 92-01, FYI.

The slalom wake on a tsc1 or tsc2 ski nautique (or later the 196) is noticeably better than the 206. Still, the 206 will be worlds better than your 2001.

[SkiTower]

if you're used to a 2001, go for the OB (anything after 1993 should suffice). Happy wife is a big plus!


2007 SV211 SE

[nautiboat]

Ok, my ignorance bleeds thru...I ski only slightly better... what is a 19'6' ski nautique 1998-2002 refered as ? A while back I had a short pull behind a 2002 (not and open bow, it had the rear bat wing opening storage) and the ski wake was very smooth (28-30 mph?). I am looking for that type of wake. What is the tsc1 tsc2 hull? Does the 206 have this type hull or just the 19' 6" ski's ? The 89 pulls like a john deere on steroids, I like that and want to keep that type of pull. I am not a fan of the Euro rear and want EFI. What does that criteria do to my search?

[SkiTower]

start here: http://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/fo...owners-manuals

designations through the years is nothing close to consistent but 1993 removed wood stringers from the boats, so that is critical. Ski Nautique is a CB. Sport generally means DD OB until 2011 (I think) when the 200 Sport came out (v-drive). 2003 started the number designations, prior to that it's in the wording (ski vs air, etc). post 2003 look at 196 CB, 206 OB, 216 bigger OB. All should ski significantly better than your 2001. To put it in perspective, the 2001 is popular now as a wakeboard boat.

And whatever you do, don't ski a 2010+ 200 DD. That will spoil everything 😉

2007 SV211 SE

[Quinner]

No such thing as a 98-02 196 (that moniker was new in 2003). The ski nautique hull changed in '97 and 02, your year range doesn't make much sense. The 206 didn't debut until 2003. Ski nautique open bows were made 92-01, FYI.

The slalom wake on a tsc1 or tsc2 ski nautique (or later the 196) is noticeably better than the 206. Still, the 206 will be worlds better than your 2001.

The wife is looking for a Ski Nautique Open Bow (SNOB) or a 206, best years on those will be 97'-02' SNOB or an 03'-09' 206 aka SNOB, 97'-02' was the same hull as a Ski Nautique with the helm moved back slightly for the open bow, believe it was the TSC1 hull.
The 206 is a foot longer then the closed bow (196/Ski Nautique) and has a true walk thru to the bow. 03'-05' was the TSC2, hydrogate added in 06' which was TSC3.

The closed bows are as Timmy mentioned, 97-01 was TSC1, 02-05 was TSC2, 06 Hydrogate and TSC3. 02' was an oddball year as the new closed bow hull/deck was introduced with the new SNOB following in 03', the 196 and 206 monikers were added in 03'.

Adding any weight or a tower will have a negative effect on the slalom wake of the 206, probably would be the same for the SNOB. All will provide outstanding tracking and make a great ski machine, the 206 will have a slightly bigger wake then your friends 02' SN.

Check out the brochures in the reference section at www.correctcraftfan.com for additional info, they may be here and on the Nautiques websites as well.

Good Luck in your search

[nautiboat]

Thanks much to all, appreciate the direction, and the website!

[NCH2oSki]

I've got a very sweet 2005' ski nautique 206 with tower, perfect pass stargazer, bimini, trailer, 380ish hours and a bunch of other goodies. I'm seriously considering a 200 open bow. If you are interested let me know. I'm in Knoxville TN. BTW from the windshield back the 196 and 206 are the same boat, I skied mine for several months before we added the tower and afterwards and could not tell any difference.

[Quinner]

I skied mine for several months before we added the tower and afterwards and could not tell any difference.

Interesting comment, have exact same boat and definitely feel a wake difference with heavy fuel or for each observer, surprised the tower did not have the same effect.

[NCH2oSki]

The tower weighs less than 75lbs if I remember correctly, and we don't have any speakers on it. I was surprised at how light the tower was. I went by new dimensions and picked up a couple before I had mine installed or I would have never believed they didn't weigh more. The actual fct from CC may be heavier. No backseat, less than half a tank of gas and only one observer (or two kids) is my preference.

[swatguy]

coming off a 2001 series boat I think you will find the 206 and possibly even the 216 have flatter wakes. I know you stated year model didn'tt quite qualify the 216 in there but figured I would throw that out there since u need the open bow it seems. Hardcore guys will say that the 216 bump is noticeable, but coming off your current boat I think you will still find it flatter than what your used to. The open bow really is something I never understood in the SNOB. It is so tight and uncomfortable not to mention you lose so much storage i just dot see the appeal. Has the wife ever sat in one? It may changer her mind. The 206 I think is a much much better option if you can't change her on the open bow. IT gives you a true useful open bow

[Quinner]

98-02 Sport/Air would be another open bow option, 98 is a play pen open bow, 99-02 is a walk thru. Sport slalom wake will be better then a 216 and not as good as a SNOB or 206. The CB, SNOB & 206 will all track and handle noticeably better then the Sport or 216.

[196 die hard]

The 206 has a fantastic ski wake, it would compare to the MC PS 197 and Malibu LXI. If you ski -28 and in, it is the same as the 196.

[swc5150]

If you need an OB, don't bother looking at a SNOB. As mentioned, it's a waste. There's no walk-thru, and it's just a sand box in the bow "seating" area. I don't think it would pass the "wife" test, but a 206 would with flying colors. Great boat, and nice wake. Like 196diehard said, -28 and up, and it might as well be a 196.

[Davidpsalt]

Agreed on the 206 - I have a 2008 SN 206 with Tower and love it. Wife loves the room - Kids love the open bow and I love how it skis! It is optioned with the "limited" goodies as well as the 343EX Motor (avoid the smaller 305 motor if you can). I upgraded the stock Clarion with Fusion Audio, bluetooth and Roswell Factory like tower speakers with LED cabin lights built in. Plan on keeping this boat for years to come.