226 vs 220

[Ch308]

We are buying a new (used) boat and I've narrowed it down to two boats. A 2005 226 and a 2006 220. Both boats have less than 200hrs and are in great condition. Hoping to get some input on both boats. We don't ski only wakeboard, surf and hangout on the boat.

[swatguy]

I would say the 220 is a much better boat for your need simply based on configuration alone. The seating layout in a 226 makes it hard to really load up the boat the with extra ballast without having sacs everywhere. The standard V-drive hatches in the 220 give you the option to throw some nice size sacs back there for surfing. The walk trough is a nice touch on the 226 for some with families and groups of people who tend to hang out more in chunks of time to swim.

Wakeboard wakes are going to be pretty equal. Just the 220 having a touch more vertical pop and steepness. The surf wake on the 220 is just a touch better. It has a little deeper V to the hull which helps get the wave building faster. Wakeboard wakes are pretty subjective to the rider between these boats. Both are capable, but the 220 edges out the 226 in the surf realm ever so slightly in performance.

[Kenv]

I agree with swat. I've owned two 226's, a 2005 and a 2010 and I would go with the 220 just as he describes above. Harder to get the 226 surfing and both wakeboard wakes are about equal. I personally liked the open walkthrough on the 226 but if you get the 220, you won't miss it. Good luck on your choice.

[josemolino]

Agree with everybody. Yo haven't mentioned the engine options. 325 is tight if you are going to add extra ballast and a lot of people...
A couple of upgrades you can do are:
-Star gazer: gps is a wonderful upgrade to better dial the wake. I would say it´s a must
-I think there is a DYI for the 220 to do a open walkthrough in the middle
-Seadeck

[Ch308]

The 226 has the 6.0 liter and the 220 is the 5.7.

Thanks for the input!!!

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[Evening Shade]

Hmm... That makes it a little tougher. I was gonna definitely say go with the 220, but the 6.0 is nice option over the 5.7 IMO. Some my disagree with me, but where I live a SAN 220 will get a lot more attention than a 226 when it comes time to sell.

[evanrude]

I have a 220 with a 5.7. Its me, my wife, and two boys (5&6 yrs old) We love it. I surf, my boys wake board, and we hang out alot. The 5.7 is plenty for what we do.

[swatguy]

the 5.7 will push either boat unless you're planning on running pro-level 5k ballast and filling it with 8 of your buds. There's no doubt tho the 6L is the right choice for the 226 tho.

The 5.7 handles 3k over stock when you get the right prop on there. The 6.0 does make it little tougher to dismiss...... Do you plan on having over 7 adults in the boat frequently?

[Ch308]

We usually have 4-6 people in the boat. Occasionally we will have more.

I haven't given resale any thought, thanks for bringing that to my attention.

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[Kenv]

Don't worry about resale...lol. Too many people on here panic when they hear that word. Just buy the boat that fits you now...the future sale of your boat will take care of itself. SOMEONE will buy it. Also...both of my 226's had the smaller engine and it was just fine. Now 8 people and ballast in either boat...yeah...you might want the 6.0.

[Ch308]

Thanks Kenv. Good point!!

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[swatguy]

You're good to go with either. Pick your fav, but I still like the 220 in this case.

[cedarcreek216]

Right wrong or indifferent, the SAN badge of the 220 will bring more attention than the standard Air badge of the 226. I speak from experience with owning an Air badged boat prior to our 210. But, if resale is not a consideration then just buy the ions you like better, they are both plenty capable boats. What boat are you coming from?


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[Ch308]

Sold my boat at the end of summer. 2007 Centurion Elite V C4

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[Evening Shade]

I have to respectfully disagree with Kenv and agree with cedarcreek216. SANTE 220 will get a lot more attention than a 226 at resale. I personally would rather have the 220 and most people will feel this way as well. Therefore there will be more people interested in the boat and willing to pay a little more $ because after all it is a SANTE. Name recognition is big in this situation. It is a popularity contest!

The one caveat to my above statement is color. Any boat with undesireable colors with be tougher to sell. Bad color choice will trump the SANTE name recognition. Like I said it is a popularity contest and popular colors draw more attention.
I hate to belabor resale, but anyone who has sold a boat that took a long time to sell will understand that it is a very time consuming, frustrating, and costly position to be in. I wouldn't take it lightly. You will be happy in either boat while you own, but do yourself a favor and pick a boat that will be easy to unload when you are ready for your next boat purchase.