216 slalom wake - not impressed

[scottrob]

All those 216 owners (Austin, etc.).

I finally got out this weekend to be able to ski more aggressively behind my 216 (only have 18 hrs on 'er).

I was very disappointed with the slalom wake - this was the first time I really was able to get comfortable enough to attempt to rip it up. I skied at: 15, 22, and 28 off and really did not like any of them and 28 off was pretty rough. What gives? Do you guys have issues with a big bump when cutting across? Yes - tanks were empty 8-)

Very disappointed at the moment - let me know. Thx.

[Aarons01]

RE: 216 slalom wake - not impressed

196

[peteSki]

Thanks for your post, I have been hearing some people here in Australia promote this boat as the perfect cross over boat for slalom and boarding. Always I had the attitude 'for slalom... don't think so regardless of the hydro gate' in my mind but I never had the chance to slalom behind any of the wakeboard line.

If anyone else has some shortline slalom experience behind 210 or 220 I would be interested to hear your opinions regarding performance for shortline and recreational.

I personally love my 196 as I do slalom, trick and foot, but I'm also into foiling and of course the wakeboard wakes are great for that. My thinking is ski 206 with ballast would be great for both worlds, still a tournament hull with options to fill the tanks for foiling.

Pete

[patoloco]

If your a really hardcore slalom skier (I'm not) and have skied behind the the 196 or 206, your probably not going to think the 216 wake is that great.

My buddy is a great slalom skier and loves to slalom behind my boat, but says the 196 beats it hands down....BUT as hardcore as he is about slalom skiing, he' s still not going to buy the 196 because of his desire for more space and better crossover capabilities.

A couple of things to make sure of...run all water out of the ballast and then close off the valve on the floor...I had some water sneaking in there that threw off my wake....load everyone upfront...wake gets much better at 34mph.

Of course, this is from a guy who wakeboards 95% of the time. I should really own a v-drive.

[bkhallpass]

Scotrob,

What speed? As others said, it's not a 196. Also, as they said, make sure you turn off the
seacock so no water can sneak back in the ballast.

Peteski, I don't believe there is a hydrogate on the 216. ICBW. BKH

[peteSki]

Scotrob,

What speed? As others said, it's not a 196. Also, as they said, make sure you turn off the
seacock so no water can sneak back in the ballast.

Peteski, I don't believe there is a hydrogate on the 216. ICBW. BKH

You're probably right, I have not seen a 216 here in Australia so I can't comment on its hydrogate availability, only 210s and 226s.

I agree the 196 has the best wakes for slalom at any level, but the people space is limited. I will most likely upgrade to the 206 for a little more creature comfort while still maintaining a competitive slalom hull. This will work for me. I'm still interested to hear any opinions of slaloming behind any of the wakeboard boats. Please state your speed, number of people in the boat and whether you are using the hydrogate and its position.

Cheers,

Pete

[redelf75]

I'm sorry you're so disappointed. That's terrible if you just bought the boat for its slalom wake and don't like it. I happen to agree with you completely; CC spoke highly of its slalom capabilities above 34mph but I get the bump too. That said, I'm not half the skier you are and the wake isn't critical to my family. Unfortunately, I don't think there is anything you can do to change it.

[BigBald]

I would completely agree with patoloco. The 216 is bigger than the 206 and the 216. It just stands to reason that it's wake is not going to be as good as the smaller boats. But, what you get in trade is more versatality, space and creature comforts. If someone told you that the 216 is as good as a 196, then I can understand your dissapointment.

Having test skied behind the 206 and 216 last fall, I can tell you that there is a difference. But for me, not being a super slalom skier, I found the difference was not significant enough to give up the space you get in the 216.

One thing that I did get to notice quickly after the testing of the 216 and 206, is that the wake from those boats are a bit softer than a similar boat by another manufacturer. So, from that standpoint, I think that the 216 does have the best slalom wake in its "class". Of course I haven't tested all the competition.

Also, at 34 MPH, the wake is better than my 99 Sport. So CC has definetly made some hull improvements over the years.

[Edwin]

I was very interested in buying a 216 some years back and found the same thing you did...206 was great but the 216 just didn't cut it from behind the boat on a stick. Best of luck, hope it works out for ya.

[peteSki]

Alas, it seems that you must choose the correct Nautique to meet your own personal skiing needs. Whether its tournament slalom, wakeboard, foiling or a cross of all.

I guess that's why they're called 'Correct Craft'.

Pardon my limited humour, I don't get out much!

Pete

CC, Having the best boat for any discipline.

[cooperwoods]

make sure that you are going thru the wake on edge - if so, the wake should not be a problem. If your ski is flat thru the wakes, then you will definitely feel the bump/hump. I have a 206 and some find a bump and most do not. Again, the ones with the problem seem to be skiing flat rather than on edge thru the wakes. Good luck

[SGY]

You have to put it into perspective. You have a boat with tons of room which is great for the family. It's not a 196 or 206 and it's not going to ski like those boats. However, even a 196 is going to pop you if you don't have your ski on edge. Cooperwoods is right. Put your ski on edge flex your knees a bit more and you'll be fine. Moreover, after a few sets, you'll get used to the 216 wake and it won't be an issue. I used to ski behind a 1988 SN 2001. Talk about a wake. But if you crossed it on edge, no problem. And, the wake behind the 216 is waay better than the 1988 SN. Don't be discouraged. You have an awesome boat. Get out, ski behind it and enjoy.

[Mikeski]

I guess I am a little too old fashioned. Last year I skied behind my 211, a 216, BKH's 210, a MC X-star, Tige 22dd, and a few others. The only one I really had much of an issue with was the X-star, which did not have a center pylon so the rope was dragging going under the side spray pulling on my line in the turn.

I didn't find any of them too much worse than my 1995-SN196 with a boat load and my 400lbs of lead in back. Unweighted, that's a different story. But since I tend to have more wakeboarders in my crew I just learned to keep my knees bent and keep the ski on a good edge through the wake. I find most boats to have an objectionable bump at 34/22off but not too bad otherwise. I guess it helps having grown up skiing behind Ski Nautiques from the 70's and 80's with challenging wakes.

Sorry that it did not meet your expectations. Crossover = compromise

[talbertini]

Cooperwoods, the guy is skiing @28off. I'm pretty sure he knows how to cross the wake!

[Hydrofoilmaniac]

Ski slalom behind my old girl and you'll think that 216 is a dream come true. Though, mine does produce a great trick wake....and a pretty good hydrofoil wake.