Upgrade to 99 Sport Nautique??

[BigBald]

I am looking at purchasing a 1999 Sport Nautique. It is mint with 150 hrs.

What concerns me is that I have never skied or wakeboarded behind a SN of any year. I have half of my family Skiing and the other half Wakeboarding. We are fairly new, but anticipate some great strides this summer. As well as my family's use, the boat will also be used for instruction (off the boom) thru the summers.

I am being told by the dealer (which I trust a bunch) that this boat is going to be a great boat for beginners to learn to slalom, as well as wakeboard. And, as we advance, it should do well for quite a while. I am also being told that the spray off of the boat (for the boom) is going to be comfortable.

Here is my perspective - I currently have a 1988 Ski Nautique. I performed all the above tasks last summer with this boat. I have also done a bunch of skiing and instruction from a 1998 Ski Nautique. My history previous to that was learning to ski as a kid behind a 1975 Ranger bass boat.

However, I want to make sure that I am going to like this boat come warm weather. It is a great deal, but I am also looking at at 2001 Malibu Response LX for about the same price.

Both boats have perfect pass wakeboard pro and towers.

Any advice would be great!!!

[Edwin]

The 2001 Response LX will perform on par with a Ski Nautique 196. The Sport Nautique is a nice family boat, will be a far cry from the Response in skiing performance. Sport Nautique should be able to make as good as or better wakeboard wakes than the Response.

If size is an issue, the Sport is definitely a bigger boat...walk through open bow may be a benefit. Drive them, ski behind them, board behind them - see which fits your style better.

[BigBald]

That is as they say "the rub"...It was 7 degrees last night. Not a lot of opportunity to test this time of year.

I am wondering what you mean by a "far cry"? How about comparing it to my old 88 SN?

Size is a big issue, also construction, comfort, power, storage, etc... I think that the SN out performs the Response in those categories, and seeing how the price is very close, then I am left with the water sports performance.

bummer that I am seeing these types of opportunities at this time of year.

[SGY]

Sport Nautique

I agree with Edwin. The Response will have a noticeably better slalom wake. The wake behind the Sport will be harder and larger. There probably will be more spray as you get into short line lengths. According to some, the Sport was built more as a runabout/family boat.

My buddy has a 94 Sport. In comparing that to my old 88 SN, I would say that the 94 slalom wake was much better. But, in comparing the 94 Sport to my newer 99 SNOB, I no longer wanted to ski behind the Sport. The 99 SNOB would be comparable to the Response. One thing I'm not sure about is whether CC changed the hull on the Sport between 94 and 99. If they did, I would expect the skiing to be better.

You might call Jeff Warner at CC for more information regarding the Sport. He is a good honest and frank source regarding the performance of CC boats.

That 99 Sport can't be cheap. For about $8,000 to $10,000 more you can buy the 03 206 that is under the Boats For Sale section of this forum. Then you would have the best of both worlds. Great slalom boat that is as good as the Response with intermediate wakeboard wakes. You'll probably save money in the long run--if you can avoid having to buy another boat that better suits you. Take the plunge.

[BigBald]

$8000 to $10000 is out of our price range....

we are still trying to decide what values are the biggest priority, size, comfort, and multi-use(ness) or wake characteristics.

Nothing's easy! :?

[SGY]

Sport Nautique

I hear you about money. It's never easy.

[skinautique]

The wake on the sport nautique is better than your 88 by a long shot. I don't agree with the hardness of the wake though. The Sport will have a little higher wake than a response but will still be soft to where it is a non issue. I have run deep 28 off behind a sport nautique at 36 mph. There is definately more room in the sport. Another thing that many people overlook is the windshield in these boats. Sounds silly but I prefer looking "through" the windshield in the sport versus looking at the black frame of the windshield on the response. What engine is in the malibu? The boat will also provide you with a great wakeboard wake. I know you can put the wedge on the malibu but I am against that for structural issues. Before you malibu owners start harping on me let me expand. I wouldn't put the wedge or a similar device on ANY boat. I personally think that there is too much stress created on the transom of the boat. I am curious to see how the malibu holds up 15-20 years later. It might be just fine but who knows right now. As far as what your dealer said, he is right on the money with the sport.

[Edwin]

SN - all due respect, running deep into 28 off at 36 is quite different than "we are all fairly new" as was mentioned in the first post. Skiers who are capable of skiing at 28 off are much less affected by wake quality than a beginner. You can obviously keep your ski on edge but new / learning skiers battle this all the time. Also, very few people have the ability to ski at 36mph. Let's say he and the family ski between 28 and 32, the Response will be night and day better than the Sport.

As for the forward visibility, last time I checked, people came in all shapes and sizes. What may appear to be a windshield frame to you might be nothing but crystal clear glass to me.

Bigblad - one problem with this question is you're comparing apples and oranges. The true Malibu competitor to the Sport Nautique is the Sunsetter LXi. You posted "Size is a big issue, also construction, comfort, power, storage, etc... I think that the SN out performs the Response in those categories, and seeing how the price is very close, then I am left with the water sports performance." If that's true, get the Sport Nautique.

That said, if you do look at a Sunsetter LXi, you'll notice it's bigger than the Sport Nautique, construction should be = or better on the CC, the Sunsetter is more open in interior (i.e. more comfortable), power should be similar, Sunsetter blows away the Sport with storage space, and will outperform the Sport in all categories.

Take a look at the "sales domination" thread - I posted a long review of the new 216 (supposedly a major improvement over the Sport) compared to my Sunsetter LXi.

My final advice - don't buy anything that you haven't had a chance to drive / ski / board behind.

Good luck

[curlytop]

Decisions, decisions, decisions!!! :?

[skinautique]

But these should be FUN decisions!!!

[curlytop]

This is Bigbald_SPLASH180's wife and I am ready to get a boat and get it done! 8) Although I will tell you that the Nuatique is a beautiful boat. I mean right purty and not even a scratch on it! And the extra room is so important to us. I think I can ski on whatever wake it produces. And our boys are split, one wakeboards and one skis with every intention of learning how to slolam this summer. Not to mention that is also a goal for me this summer. So we wait and think and think and wait some more. Thanks for everyones' input. It does help the decision making process along a bit!

[SGY]

Sport Nautique

There is no question in my mind that you will be very happy with the Sport. It is a quality boat and great for a family like yours. If it is in such good shape, is a great deal, and has the room, power, quality build that you are looking for, buy it. You won't be disapointed.

Good luck.

[Onthewater]

Seems pretty clear to me, over the years SN have higher resale value, hold up better(owner care is a variable though), and if room is an issue the response is a rather small boat in comparison.

[SGY]

1999 Sport

Ok, after this post, I'll shut up. The following link is an awesome deal on a 206. If the numbers are anywhere close, I'd take a hard look.

http://www.flipsell.com/Phase3/home/...VehicleID=5715

Sorry, don't mean to be too pushy. But I was just in the same position as you. Half the family skis and half the family rides. The 206 is a perfect fit for us.

Good luck.

[BigBald]

Man that 206 looks great...almost $6000 off on price. I told you the Sport was a deal.