Need help deciding on ski boat - What years were/are the best?

[beamons]

Hi all,
I am looking to buy a ski boat but I heard differing opinions about which boat is the best. I am partial to Nautique(hence posting here) but I would like a few more opinions to which boat puts out the best ski wake. I have heard that from 98 to 2008 had the best hull ever. What are peoples thoughts?

[charlesml3]

OK, we're back to what's "best" again and there's no right answer to that. What's best for you might not be best for someone else. All this question does is ignite a religious war. Many people believe the early 80s' Ski Nautique 2001 was the best. Some say the Prostar 190 was the best.

It would be much more productive for you to list out the criteria for your search.

- Budget
- Features/Options
- Description of the kind of wake you really like.

[beamons]

Flat.

This won't ignite a religious war. [sigh] It is simply a chance to hear others opinions of their experience of wakes behind ski purpose boats. If this isn't a place to share then, I guess direct me where these religious wars have been had and I will read the thoughts given there.
I read on this forum all the time about the surf wave, I would like to hear about the ski wake.

[Tom_H]

That age range of 196's certainly put out a great wake, but for further recommendations, some of the info Charles mentioned would be helpful, budget especially, and any other sports you're looking to do behind it. For instance, if you were adding any barefooting to the mix, frankly, there's better boats out there for slalom/barefoot than a Nautique. If this is just a ski-machine, it's a great boat. Ages then get into what features you want (i.e. speed control - PP, ZO, PP with Z-box; open/closed bow; mechanical/drive by wire, etc.). The 200's are awesome machines too, if your budget allows. Otherwise, the Response and PS 197 were also excellent ski wakes in that general time-frame as well.

[beamons]

Thank you for your input. I found a good thread on another forum. https://www.ballofspray.com/forum#/d...-from-95-05ish

[swc5150]

Best wakes from non-modern hulls:

'91-'94 MC Prostar 190
'97-'09 SN TSC hulls

New hulls: All great at -28 and beyond. Prostar best for lower speed, longer lines (24mph -15 for example).

FWIW, it's nice to see a ski boat thread on PN. Even with Nautique introducing a new SN for 2019, there's hardly a peep about it here.

[Blamey]

Hi all,
I am looking to buy a ski boat but I heard differing opinions about which boat is the best. I am partial to Nautique(hence posting here) but I would like a few more opinions to which boat puts out the best ski wake. I have heard that from 98 to 2008 had the best hull ever. What are peoples thoughts?

From just the Nautique side the Ski Nautique hull just gets better with each iteration. So the current hull is the best....

Budget basically determines where you go from there.

I know that if you are looking for an excellent wake then you'll want a 1997 or above (first TSC hull).

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[Evening Shade]

What does TSC stand for?

[charlesml3]

What does TSC stand for?

I think it was "Total Surface Control"

-Charles

[whitecaps]

Great thread. Obviously he is looking for a used ski purpose boat. I have a 98 ski nautique and I'd say the wake is unbeatble. You most likely wont have zero off unless you find one that has been repowered with drive by wire version powerplant. Our ski club has a 15 SN 200. I perfer the wake of the 98 SN but it's a nit picky difference. Depends on your budget and if ZO is important to you. I Love the TSC1 for slalom! You can find one for a third of the cost of a ZO SN200.

[whitecaps]

By the way. I have owned a 93 Mastercraft 190, a 2001 Mcraft 190, 1984 Ski Nautique and the 98 SN is the hands down winner.

[swc5150]

Agreed bang for the buck far and away winner is a ‘97-‘09 SN.

[CHassmann]

I love my '02 196. I skied behind a friends 2012 and didn't think the wake was better. You're can't go wrong with anything '97 or newer. Even though I loved my '87 and '90 boats, I would never go back.

[Wake.BC]

Definitely heard 98-08 are the best


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[swc5150]

'09 would be included in that, as it was the last year of the SN 196.