Direct drive 216 - difference in year models

[TexasA&M]

Howdy All -

I'm beginning my search for a 216 direct drive in good condition and am wondering if anyone can give me the general changes to them over the years. I've looked through the brochures and what not, and all they do is make me wish I had bought one in 2008 or so. haha. I believe they switched away from the GT40 in 2002 or so and wend to the PCM 330 5.7 sbc. Did they offer a teak swim deck all years, or did that stop in 2004 or so? Any major differences in any year model other than stereo options? That and paint schemes are really some of the only differences I could discern from the brochures.

At the end of the day, I think it will come down to finding a boat in the best condition regardless of year. That said, I would prefer to find as new a boat as I could.

Any thoughts or anything else for me to consider in my search?

[Quinner]

216 Model ran from 2003 thru 2009. Biggest differences were the addition of the available Hydrogate in 2006, drive by wire came in 06 or 07 and all the available motors had a reprogram and HP increase in 07 or 08 and the gauges changed in 07 or 08. Slight Gel scheme and interior changes over the years which you can see in the brochures. The available motors throughout were all small block chevy, 5.7 L (Excalibur 330 or 343HP) or 6.0 L (ZR6 375HP or 390HP then ZR-409, 409HP). 5.0 L 275HP was only available in the Signature Editions. Teak was available in the first few years, thru 05 for sure, may have been discontinued at some point after that.

[TexasA&M]

Thanks for the info! I wasn't aware that the 6.0 was available in these boats (I haven't seen any for sale with it yet), but that would be awesome to have.

[Quinner]

Last pages of the brochures usually gives you a list of each models standard and optional features. If you like big HP a Sport/Air from 99' thru 02' could be equipped with a 496 or 502 BBC 425-430HP Python, rare beasts but they are out there.

[charlesml3]

Last pages of the brochures usually gives you a list of each models standard and optional features. If you like big HP a Sport/Air from 99' thru 02' could be equipped with a 496 or 502 BBC 425-430HP Python, rare beasts but they are out there.

Yea. Buddy of mine had a 2001 SAN with the 8.1L Python in it. Incredibly loud boat. TERRIBLE wakeboard boat but load a bunch of weight on one side and it surfed like a bandit. At about 11 gallons/hour, but it surfed great!

-Charles

[xlair]

Yea. Buddy of mine had a 2001 SAN with the 8.1L Python in it. Incredibly loud boat. TERRIBLE wakeboard boat but load a bunch of weight on one side and it surfed like a bandit. At about 11 gallons/hour, but it surfed great!

-Charles

^how was it a terrible wakeboard boat. The SAN has one of the best wakeboard wakes- ever. The only way I can see you saying that is if you ran only stock rear ballast and everyone was sitting in the cockpit. Since those boats had no mid ballast the wake would be quite steep given the extra 300 lbs in rear from Python as well. In that case I would agree with you. But otherwise, no.


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[TexasA&M]

While the 8.1 would be cool, I think it'd be overkill (the 6.0 probably is too). I'd definitely take a look if I stumbled across one though. I'm mostly interested in the slalom wake wake though, so the goal would be to keep any unnecessary weight down. Wife and kids want to do other stuff though, so that's why I'm looking at the 216 as opposed to a 196 or 206.

[charlesml3]

^how was it a terrible wakeboard boat. The SAN has one of the best wakeboard wakes- ever. The only way I can see you saying that is if you ran only stock rear ballast and everyone was sitting in the cockpit. Since those boats had no mid ballast the wake would be quite steep given the extra 300 lbs in rear from Python as well. In that case I would agree with you. But otherwise, no.

Well, OK, tell us about your direct experience riding behind a 2001 SAN with the 8.1L Python in it. Then we can compare notes.

[Quinner]

Well, OK Chucky, was it really an 8.1 cause those did not come out till 02', or was it really an 01', lol
Not sure what the attitude is all about, XL just asked a question and really everything he is saying makes perfect sense??

[charlesml3]

Well, OK "Quinny" it may have been an 02. It's exactly the same boat. And you have no experience whatsoever behind one.

[Quinner]

While the 8.1 would be cool, I think it'd be overkill (the 6.0 probably is too). I'd definitely take a look if I stumbled across one though. I'm mostly interested in the slalom wake wake though, so the goal would be to keep any unnecessary weight down. Wife and kids want to do other stuff though, so that's why I'm looking at the 216 as opposed to a 196 or 206.

The Excal in the 206 performs very well and would likely be the same in a 216. One difference between the 5.7 and 6.0 is the 6.0 are all closed cooling.
You certainly should not rule out the 206 as a do-it-all boat, slalom wake and handling/tracking will be better, find one with a hydrogate and that will help make it a better wake boat.

[TexasA&M]

Good to know on the 6.0. Does the closed cooling bring any additional maintenance, or is it a wash because you don't have to replace the impeller? I haven't ruled out the 206, but I haven't run across many of them either. I'll keep my eyes peeled though and definitely take a look if I see something out there.

[Quinner]

You still have an impeller but less raw (lake) water in the system, maintenance is probably a wash or slightly less with closed cooling as winterizing is a tad easier. Heater will work better with closed cooling. If you ever get to Chicago I would take you behind a 206, but you better hurry as this years skiing days are numbered, probably putting it back on the trailer in a couple weeks.

[DaveNH]

While the 8.1 would be cool, I think it'd be overkill (the 6.0 probably is too). I'd definitely take a look if I stumbled across one though. I'm mostly interested in the slalom wake wake though, so the goal would be to keep any unnecessary weight down. Wife and kids want to do other stuff though, so that's why I'm looking at the 216 as opposed to a 196 or 206.

Yes, definitely pass on the Python Sport then. I test drove one before buying mine, sounds great, really cool boat that I considered buying but at the end of the day I primarily slalom and that very heavy engine works against having a decent slalom wake.

For slalom and wakeboard and family fun I'm not sure that a 310 HP GT-40 vs. 330 Excal vs. 343 Excal are noticeably different in performance.

[James]

I have owned a 2006 216 with an Excal 330 since new. The 330 is more than adequate for the boat. As far as I know and I believe the brochures thru 2009 will confirm, the Hydrogate was never available on the 216.