2000 vs. 2002 196?

[FalconEddie]

I have an opportunity to buy either a 2000 with 900 some hours or a 2002 with 600 some hours. Price difference is $7000. The 02 has PP StarGazer while the 00 has old linear PP. I know 02s like the back of my hand. I feel a little better about the 02 but both seem nice and $7000 is a big difference. Insight please! Thank you.

[NautiqueJeff]

Which engines are in the boats?

[keithh2oskier]

Are the boats in similar condition including trailer? 7k seems like a massive difference between the 2 years. Figure stargazer is a 1k so that is more like 6k difference so your comparing apples to apples.

For that price I would go with the 2000 unless it was purple or yellow.

[Premiums]

i have a 2000 pro air that is about to hit the market. What price range are these at? You might want to look at mine. I bought it new in 2000. Kept at Lake Ozarks from day one. 800+ hours. Apex 5.7 motor.

[FalconEddie]

They both have GT40s.

[Quinner]

Hours on either of those boats could be questionable based on the history of gauges those years, on the 00 the PP hours could be a good crosscheck but still no guarantee, on the 02 SG hours should give you a base-point for hours since it was installed. In any scenario 7k is a huge spread for 2 model years if they are in same/similar condition.

[DaveNH]

Might help to give the actual prices being asked. $7,000 is a huge spread, but even more so given those boats should be priced in the mid teens if in decent shape.

[FalconEddie]

The 2000 is $11K, the 2002 is $18K. I haven't seen either. Both are rather far. I trust the 02 more...but $7K!

[Quinner]

11k is cheap for the 00 boat, it must have issues if it did not sell quickly. That is not an awful ask on the 02 if it is in excellent shape. The closed bow market has also been pretty hot lately

[swc5150]

I concur with the Quin man. $11k is cheap for a 2000, and the '02 is in line. If the 2000 is in good shape, jump on it.

[Blamey]

The hours difference is negligible so that shouldn't impact the cost much and the start gazer upgrade is about $800 and easy to do your self.

I know the 2000 had the old style gauges that may need replacing if this hasn't been done and I'd factor that into the price ($500), not sure about the 2002 gauges.

You'll need to research the hulls to decide if the difference between the TSC2 on the 2002, is worth the extra money vs the TSC1 on the 2000. There are lots of discussions on these but I think the general consensus is the 2002 is a small upgrade, up to you if this is important to you.


At the end of the day I think the difference will come down to overall condition of each boat. You could buy the 2000, replace the gauges, replace the interior, install perfect pass and still be money ahead.

If the 2002 is in much better condition means the boat has been looked after and will be less prone to issues and could be the better buy.

And don't forget the trailer, used trailers are hard to come by and new new trailer will run around 4k+. If one of the boats needs a new trailer, factor this into the cost.

[Blamey]

Lifted from another site

"97--2001 TSC. Great all around 3 event boat. Even at long line lengths and slower speeds, the wake is virtually nonexistent.

2002--2005 TSC2. Lifting strakes added to the hull with a wider "tunnel" and hook at the transom. Phenomenal slalom boat. Trick wake apparently was pretty bad. Slalom wake is probably the best of the three generations of TSC (at least at my level), but only slightly so."

[swc5150]

I've been behind more TSC 1 to 3's than I can count, and all things being even, you'd have to have amazing senses to notice a difference in the slalom wakes. I say all things being equal, as some prefer putting some weight in the bow, bring along more gear/observers, less fuel, etc. Comparing the wakes to each incarnation is splitting hairs.

[keithh2oskier]

I bought my 02 196 this time last year and paid 16.5 but the owners were originally asking 18. I had low hours and its the base model with the 5.0 instead of the 351 GT-40.

I think from a pure skiing perspective its a wash in terms of hull design. The 02 does get you into a more modern looking boat although the bubble butt Nautique is a classic and beautiful boat. The 02 goes give a sizable trunk space which now that I have is so nice to throw wet life jackets, ropes, and a trick ski in. I ski at a private site so space isn't really that important but its a nice touch that you will find useful. 11k on a 2000 might have some underlying issues and is priced "cheap" Perhaps its just a good deal since its the end of the year. You said they are far and you haven't seen them. Not sure how far and if you can commit to driving to see them in person and water test the boats.

Try and get as many photos of each as possible and talk on the phone with the owners to see if you can find details that were left out of the ad.

[Quinner]

00 and 02 used the same gauges, possible issue exists with boat boats.

FWIW, CC did not officially use the moniker 196 until 2003, prior to that they were simply "Ski Nautiques"