2002 Air vs Sport Nautique...differences

[BeaverLake02]

Morning. I just bought a Sport because A) I don't really care for the ballast tanks, B) I really liked the colors of the unit purchased, and C) because I felt like the decals "AIR" added at least 20% to the price.

That being said, what are the main differences between the Sport and the Air?

Also, when I bought it, I thought I was getting a 216 model but have since learned it isn't. Are there major differences between my 2002 (which doesn't seem to have a number model assignment) and the 216?

Really enjoy the site and all the collective knowledge!




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[Quinner]

Stickers are the only real difference, The Hull is exactly the same. You could order a base boat and option up or opt for packages which would include certain options which when purchased separately could actually cost more. Certain years "Air" was an option package. "Air graphics" was an available option for a Sport. Bottom line it's the same boat.
Sport is a 21' boat, 216 is a 21'-6" boat, IMO the sport is a better all-around hull. 2002 was the last year for the Sport, the 216 is a similar but different model then the Sport, different Hull and deck.

When I ordered my 99' Sport/Air the "Air" graphics was about $150.00 option.

[BeaverLake02]

Quinner- Thanks for the response. Any reason why you think the Sport is an all around better hull than the 216? Is it due to the TSC VS the TWC hulls? Please excuse my ignorance with the accronyms. I go pretty cheap on the boat purchases but pay for them with cash. Anxious to see if I can surf behind the '02 Sport. I always sort of laughed at all the people on the lake with $80K+ boats going 8 miles per hr just watching someone sit there on a surf board but since its something different, might give it a try this summer.


Anyway, thanks for the info and I look forward to your reply.- John

[Quinner]

John,

The sport has a better slalom wake then the 216, after that they are very comparable with the 216 having slightly more room as a result of it's additional size. For me I would give up a tiny bit of room for a better slalom wake when everything else after that is mostly equal. The Sport and 216 are both TSC hulls just different versions, TWC was a wake enhancing hull used on the Pro Air, Pro Air is a Sport/Air with a different wetted surface/Hull, they were offered from 99'-02'.
Thirfing is not my Gig so can't help you out there, find a floating dock and stand on it, that should give you the general idea of what it's all about, lol

If you have a chance take a look at the various brochures in the reference section at www.correctcraftfan.com, lot's of good info within them.
1999 has a good graphic and description of the TSC vs TWC Hulls. Sport you own was pretty much the same 99' thru 02', 216 was offered 03' thru 09' as was the 206.

[BeaverLake02]

Thank you sir for that helpful bit of info! That's pretty funny about the board and the floating dock! I have thought about replacing the Sport logo for the Air after this coming season when I get it trailered and do a total wet sand and polish. Suppose that is a dumb idea? I used to have a Mustang Cobra and could always tell when people "cobra-fied" their GT's. It used to bug the heck out of me. But since Nautique offered the different decals, I guess it might be okay?

By the way- your '05 Air is sweet. The blue hull is really clean.

[swatguy]

It's up to you in the decals. That is a very sweet looking sport. Nice find. It's a classic that will never go out of style. As mentioned there is a small difference between the 216 and the sport. None of which comes into play except space in the wakeboarding and surfing side. The "air" package was just that. A package. You could get all the air graphics tower and not get the tanks ordering it that way. I know plenty who likes the sport lines better on the graphics. Pulling the Sport graphics and adding the Air graphics wouldn't be like re badging a gt to a cobra.

Otherwise besides graphics, ballast,and tower standards you could option a sport identical to the air version. You can surf the boat ropeless. It's nothing to write home about, but it can be done. The driver just needs to be well aware of what's going on as there isn't much freeboard left when you weight it to surf. The wakeboard wake is money tho. Not a better direct drive out there to wakeboard behind. ENJOY