School me 1998 SN 196 w/ gt40

[windsurfnut]

idahosan
Don't stress about the different TSC hulls they are all really good from a dedicated slalom point of view. If you break it down by year to the pro's and cons you are really splitting hairs:
TSC 1 - Best 15'off slower speed wake
TSC 2 - Improvements at 22'off compared to TSC 1
TSC 3 - Same as TSC 2 in all slalom regards. Possible to get a Zero Off factory equipped boat in later years.

Personally..and owning a TSC 2 2002.. at 15'off I wished I had a TSC 1 to improve my early course experience. At 22' off currently, I'm glad I have a TSC 2 progressing me into shorter lines and greater speeds. Ultimately, I'd love a Zero Off boat so I can stop messing with the Perfect Pass system.

Cons: Each series newer will empty the wallet more. Depending on your budget you can't go wrong with any of them. Good condition well treated boat should be more important.

[gcam4]

My personal favorite is the 99. You get a few features, tunable rudder, for one, that the 97 and 98 do not have. The hull is the same thru 2001 maybe 2002? I know 2001 for sure. The 99's also have simpler electronics and gauges than the newer boats. Someone else can comment on the years the gauges were an issue as I'm not sure. I've skied behind basically all of them and they all ski good. The one you posted looks mint to me and the owner has advertised that in the price. If you want zero off, you will have to go much newer unless you want to perform an engine swap.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[windsurfnut]

TSC 1 hull up to and including 2001. 2002 was beginning of TSC 2 hull (for closed bow's anyways, open bows may have some slight differences).
Dud gauges came in 2001 I think. 2002 for sure. Mine had them and long since replaced.

All good reasons to like the 99 vintage, and that one looks very well taken care of.

[idahosan]

So which is the better value, the '99 I previously listed or this '09?
https://www.ski-it-again.com/php/ski...t&postid=53988

[Fast351]

That 09 is a very nice boat for the money. Not too many ZO boats cheaper than that and looks like it's in great shape. I personally am not a huge fan of the 97-99 dashes, I like the 2000+ dashes better, a little cleaner layout. I think the ****ty digital Teleflex gauges was 2000-2002. 2001 for sure had them as I replaced them in my boat.

Hard to go wrong with a TSC hulled 196 tho. Every single one will be an awesome ski boat.

[Fast351]

found another possible boat. Price seems about 3k high. Boat looks immaculate. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...12233695926625

Any other year besides 2020 I'd say you're right slightly high, but this year that's a decent deal. I like that white/black combo too, that looks really nice.

[idahosan]

I sent a message to the owner of 09 and he has a potential buyer but will let me know next week if it’s still available.

[THE HECKLER]

I have a 98 open bow sn 196 with the efi gt-40 engine. I love it. My friend has a '95 sn and there is a really noticable difference in the wake. Like mine much better. The open bow is definately a plus as well since our summers here in central Alabama are extremely hot and humid. As well as the Nautiques are designed - the electrical systems leave a bit on the table. Imagine the six figure current versions have all of that ironed out but just thought I would mention it here.

[gcam4]

So which is the better value, the '99 I previously listed or this '09?
https://www.ski-it-again.com/php/ski...t&postid=53988

I will say that based on the fact the 99 doesn't have modern perfect pass, I would say the 09 is a better value. It will cost about $1500 to get a new stargazer system with zbox and it still will not pull or drive like the 09 with zero off. That is the downside of the gt40, it is mechanical throttle and just doesn't behave like a DBW system. I think either one of them skis excellent.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[dskier]

I am interested in some opinions on the different hulls at "shorter line lengths. Like 28-38 off. Especially the "99" vs the Nautique 200.

[windsurfnut]

I am interested in some opinions on the different hulls at "shorter line lengths. Like 28-38 off. Especially the "99" vs the Nautique 200.

This is where much of the improvements were made in the TSC2/3 hulls versus the TSC1

If the 2009 is in your budget its a no brainer to grab it versus the 99. Not knocking the 99, beautiful boat and wake, but getting a ZO boat and better shortline wakes would be my priority if you're skiing 28+ off and have the budget for the newer boat.