1st Time Nautique buyer looking for recommendation

[ebbjak]

Hello, I'm new here. I've been a lifelong Ski Nautique fan. I've been a long time boat owner, but this will be my first inboard. I also have years of experience in driving skiiers behind a Malibu. I am mostly interested in skiing, not wakeboarding or surfing, so I'm focusing on Ski Nautique rather than the Air or Sport models. It will be used in MN and it will be kept on a lift in the summer. Based upon budget, I'm looking at 2015 and older. So a few questions:

1. Other than the length are there significant differences between the various models (176, 196, 200, etc)? What is the right length for my usage? (Recreational skiing and slight tubing)
2. realizing there is a big difference between how a boat can be maintained and a well maintained boat would have a longer life than a neglected boat, in general assuming all is equal, what is considered high hours? My initial research indicates 1000 hours is similar to 100,000 miles to a car.
3. Are there any models or years I should avoid?
4. Recommendations?

Thanks so much!
John

[NautiqueJeff]

The Ski Nautique 200 came out in 2010, and would probably be your best bet. The 196 is also a great boat, but if your budget allows, the 200 is generally considered a better boat. The 176 is smaller, and while still a great boat, the extra 2' on the 196 versus the 176 can be valuable.

Hours can be something to consider, but if the boat has been maintained well, I am never afraid of a high-hour boat. I bought a '98 Ski Nautique in 2016 and when I sold it last year, it had over 2,000 hours on it, and it was still going strong. Condition of the boat is more important than the number of hours.

[jmo]

2007 model year or higher boats will have Zero off speed control and is the standard for tournament skiing. 2006 and earlier will have perfect pass/stargazer. Both work well, but the pull experienced by the skier is different, hence folks that compete want to train behind a zero off boat...

While not critical if your not running the course, if you go to sell it later on having zero off will make it easier to sell.

The 200 is a wider boat and has more room, better slalom wake, and newer tech. I have a 196 and love it, I would upgrade to a 200 as it's even better, but one of the lakes I ski on has a tunnel that a 200 will not fit through.

Take the boats for a test drive & ski to help inform your decision.

[ebbjak]

Thanks for your help, great information. Now the challenge becomes finding one of these. It might be slightly early here in MN since the lakes are still frozin, but there are only 2 for sale currently, ones a 92 and the other is a 96. I'd love to go newer, and ideally I'd love to go 07 or newer. There is a course set up on our lake that I'll probably run, I won't be competing though.

[jmo]

Check out www.onlyinboards.com - you will find several boat in neighboring states...


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2006 SN 196 Limited Excalibur
2001 Super Sport Limited GT40