Advice on buying my first (used) Nautique

[jhoffy22]

Hi all,

I'm looking for some advice on purchasing my first nautique. I grew up with a 1990 ski nautique and always said that I'd get one when I could!

As for features and requirements, I really don't have anything special in mind. I'd like to get something with an open bow and want to spend less than $35,000. Otherwise, I just want something that performs well for skiing, barefooting, wakeboarding, and surfing.

Generally speaking, I'm looking for recommendations on what model(s) I should focus in on that would fit the above criteria.

Outside of that, are there any must haves that I shouldn't be willing to compromise on? Any models or years that I should totally avoid? Anything else I should be on the lookout for? Should I be concerned with hours?

Thanks in advance for the help!

[MTRBTR]

An SV211 would fit the bill. Maybe a 2003-2006 210. Those would be both V drives. A lot of it depends on what’s more important. I.E.Surfing vs skiing. If you are really into surfing get a v drive. If skiing is more what you want to do a direct drive Sport Nautique would be good and be considerably under your budget. Hard to find a boat that does both well. I have the SV 211 and I like it. Another consideration is how many people you think you will have in the boat.

[jhoffy22]

An SV211 would fit the bill. Maybe a 2003-2006 210. Those would be both V drives. A lot of it depends on what’s more important. I.E.Surfing vs skiing. If you are really into surfing get a v drive. If skiing is more what you want to do a direct drive Sport Nautique would be good and be considerably under your budget. Hard to find a boat that does both well. I have the SV 211 and I like it. Another consideration is how many people you think you will have in the boat.

Thanks for the advice. On a regular day, no more than 4-6 people at most. Probably 4 on most days.

I figured that it would be difficult to to find something that exceeds at both. I've skied behind just about everything. It would seem any nautique is going to be proficient enough to ski behind. I don't need a competition-level ski boat, I just don't want to deal with a giant wake all the time.

From my research, it seems like the boat matters more when it comes to surfing, so that's something I want to be cognizant of.

[NautiqueJeff]

I agree that you sound like the perfect candidate for an SV-211. It does everything you want to do, and your price range fits this model perfectly.

[jhoffy22]

I agree that you sound like the perfect candidate for an SV-211. It does everything you want to do, and your price range fits this model perfectly.

Awesome, thanks for the advice and information.

Any common issues with the SV211 I should be on the lookout for? Should I try to stay below a certain hour threshold?

[SilentSeven]

Everyone is spot on with split between wake/surf and skiing. If you're a hard core skier, direct drive will be your preference but at the expense of a big pop for wake boarding. Surfing a direct drive is almost an unnatural act...it can be done it seems but only with a lot of work and even then marginally.

If you are a pretty serious skier and haven't skied behind a boat like a SV211, I'd suggest you get a pull to make sure its in line with your expectations.

I'm much more a skier and thus skipped the v-drive and went for a 206.

A 216 is the largest direct drive Nautique made (IIR) and might also be a boat you want to look into. As it's bigger than the 206, better for ballasting. Again, easily in your budget.

[MTRBTR]

Some might argue with me but I think the ski wake on my SV211 is as good as my Sport Nautique was.

[charlesml3]

Another vote for the SV211. It does a lot of things quite well and fits right into your budget. Don't worry too much about hours. Look at the overall condition of the boat. Look for maintenance records. You'll know if it's been looked after.

-Charles

[SilentSeven]

Just for eye-balling. Here's a Nautique 216 that was recently listed in the Portland Oregon area.

https://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/...137275653.html

[jhoffy22]

Just for eye-balling. Here's a Nautique 216 that was recently listed in the Portland Oregon area.

https://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/...137275653.html

That's a great looking boat and priced considerably lower than the SV-211s that I've ran across.

I'm assuming that it would be superior for skiing and barefooting because of it being direct drive, but how is the surfing and wakeboarding on a 216?

[SilentSeven]

See all the comments above; there will be lots of opinions. You'd need to sack it to surf it...again I think if you're really all in on surfing, you'll want a v-drive.

IMO, they won't get asking price for this boat unless it has some really nice upgrades not listed. This boat should be maybe a $20k to $22k boat..assuming it's a LE or better. Last year, I purchased my 2004 206 LE with 100 less hours and a factory tower for $21.5 - basically this boat but 1 foot shorter.