Advice on upgrading our Air Nautique 216 to what?

[etwman]

I’m pretty sure I’ll find my answer on this forum, lots of Nautique owners here and a lot of wisdom.

Our family has owned 2 nautiques over 18 years. We had a ‘94 Ski, then sold that and got a 2003 Air 216 TE. Which we’ve had for 12 years. Still in immaculate shape. We have 3 kids. 8 (boy), 13 (girl) and 16 (girl). Our family has grown and so has the need for a bigger Nautique. Here’s some facts so you can help me with what to go after:

1. The kids ski, slalom, wakeboard, tube, kneeboard, and I think they’d get into surfing. They aren’t serious about any one thing, just like to have fun.
2. We don’t live on a lake. We trailer about a half hour, and obviously the kids want to bring friends. So we really need a boat that can hold 10. We do vacation at a lake a few times a year and do get use out of it quite a bit when there.
3. We live in the northeast, so our season is about 3-4 months.
4. While I’d love a GS22, its hard to justify the price of that.
5. I do like the barefoot boom, but realize I may need to give that up with a V drive.
6. We tow with a newer Suburban.

If I budget around $50k-$60k for a newer boat, what would you do? I was eyeing up some of the 2006-2009 220’s, which I see mostly in that mid-upper $40k’s. The layout is nice, but they only made that model for a few years. Not sure if I want to jump into a 230/236. While I like the layouts of the 200 sports, 216V’s, etc. I’m just not sure if it’ll be big enough for what we need.

Ok Nautique owners, where would you go from here?

[Nautiquehunter]

Sounds like the 220,226,230 or 236 is in line with that budget. I would go for the 230,236 I like the interior layout better . Slalom skiing will be more like survival skiing but you will have the room you need. Take a look at the 2nd generation 210s if you can live with the size it will do better at slalom.

[etwman]

Thanks for the info, I figured that was the direction most would say. Little concerned with towing a 236 behind our suburban. Several times a year we go 6 hours north, could be a lug. We only have the 5.3 in it.

Do you know if there were any issues with the 220? Or years to stay away from? I'm just wondering if they discontinued it because it was too close to the 210/230 and there wasn't much demand.....or if it was something else.

thanks.

[MTRBTR]

I’d say the 210. 2009 and newer. I don’t know if most will agree but don’t count out the SV 211. I was in a very similar situation as you with a 97 sport and ended up with a 211. I love it. It doesn’t really hold more than your 216 but I will hold them more comfortably. Not bad at all for towing and a great do everything boat.

[tgi100]

Finding a boat that can slalom ski well and bring along the family is hard to do! IMHO, you will be hard pressed to beat the 216 DD since you mention the barefoot boom and slalom skiing in your family's to-do list. I think you may give those up a lot by going with any of the large V-drives listed above. It does not look like Nautique filled what the old 216 did with the newer lineups. I suppose the slalom crowd gave up on bigger DDs and they were not selling. Perhaps consider the X14/PS214 DD?? They are newer and the owners seem to really like them. I looked hard at an X14 DD before getting our 216, but could not afford the price bump for the newer ride (and I prefer Nautique).

[jc]

I cant say enough about the Sport 200V. It really surprised my family, we all Course ski and like to Surf and Wakeboard. Fits our group of 6-7 Adults easy, surprisingly roomy.
Skis wakes are great for a V drive, Centre pylon holds a boom, and surfs really well out of the box.
We just picked one up after owning many DD Ski Nautiques, I was very sceptical that it would be really any good at all 3 disciplines, but it does it all well.

[Lakejackson]

I echo what JC said. I went from the same 216 to a sport 200v. We barefoot, ski, wakeboard, surf. It does all well, obviously not great as it is a crossover, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. We use a tower boom and it works great. PM me if you have any specific questions


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[swatguy]

This is a complete no brainer. 210 all day long. I have 2 girls. 15-12. The 210 handles 6 kids and 4 adults no problem for us . It’s skis well for a big v drive. It wakeboards phenomenally, and surfs excellent. The reversible lounge seating was well ahead of its time. The only major drawback was the lack of a true ski pylon. It has a small pop up one on the transom . You’ll want to go 2008 and above for the seating config. Adding NSS makes it a great 21ft surf boat

The 220 isn’t much bigger, but the seating is more chopped up. So it feels like the 210
Flows better inside. The 220 has a bit of a deeper v on its hull than the 210 which helps it surf easier . But the downfall is you have to wakeboard a little faster when weighted , and it is sensitive side to side where people sit.

The SV211 definitely is much smaller than the 210 inside . It’s has a much narrower beam as well. The seating layout also makes it feel it’s bit tighter as well. It definitely skis better than the 210 . The 226 would be a worthy look, but I feel due to the fact you have to tow the 210 is where you want to be. It’s surfs better , wakeboards better and skis on par with the 226 . Believe it or not it also has more useable storage than the 226. 10 people won’t happen on an SV211 regularly

You’re borderline 230 with the 10 people. You’re going to give up quite a bit on the ski wake , but gain much more space and comfort . You’ll be pushing the tow range on the suburban for sure , but it can do it. If you don’t mind skiing a bigger bump for the gain of comfort and convenience then the 230 is definitely the ticket.

[Cadesun]

I went from a '98 Super Sport to a 2013 210 and was amazed how much bigger it is. Even with a full crew of adults it is roomy. Wakeboarding and surfing are great, slalom is OK at 28+MPH.

[etwman]

I found a pearl. One owner, 185 hours, 2007 Super Air 220 Team. ZR6 engine. Mint shape. Brought it home from Tennessee this week.

[etwman]

By the way, thanks everyone for your input on this. I looked everywhere for the one owner, low hours boat. First time to TN to bring one home. Talk about going into he lions den on a lake in central TN to test drive it, on a lake where there’s tons of Mastercraft boats.