Ski Nautique 200 as a all around boat?

[Kenboat]

New to the site. Been boating for many years and have mostly had 20 ft semi V bottom boats by Checkmate with OB/IO's.
Keep the boat on Lake Bellaire in Mi, and we can cruise to Clam and Torch lakes via the grass river. Our lake does get 1 -1.5ft chop, Torch gets 2 ft chop.
I have always loved the look of the ski style boats, rapid acceleration, and maneuverability. We do ski and tube but that probably will be 25% of the time, the balance would be spent touring the lake normally in the 35-40 mph, and full speed runs just having fun.

I know it would be the perfect ski boat but how do you feel it will work out as a runabout?
Given I enjoy a fast boat was planning on the 450HP 6.2 engine upgrade and replacing the prop or max speed with a 3 blade ski jumping prop.
Please share your opinions!

[NautiqueJeff]

A 200 will have a pretty rough ride in any chop. The flat bottom of a boat designed for skiing will not do very well in rough water. You might be better off in an S-series boat.

[Shamsra]

I agree with Jeff. Our 200 is perfect for us on our lake in the early mornings and late evenings when the water is reasonably smooth. It handles like a sports car, and we LOVE it. Wind chop isn't usually a problem, but heavy boat traffic makes cruising at 35-40 mph impossible. We can cruise comfortably enough in the afternoons around 20 mph while staying alert for giant wakes. If it is very windy though, the low profile nature of the boat means everyone is getting wet. We just grin and bear it, deciding that it's a "feature" not a flaw.

I long for a G21 about 2 or 3 times a year when we have lots of company on Summer holidays. Otherwise, we're very happy with our 200 purchase.

[bturner]

I'll start with Jeff is spot on.

I've owned a couple ProStars over the years, boat in Lake Erie and the Detroit River frequently and will tell you that if driven properly you can get an inboard to go through most anything if you have the skills. I got caught not watching the lake one summer and ended up making a 3 mile trip back to the marina in 2.5 to 3 foot cross chop in Lake Erie with my 97 ProStar, not once did I think I wouldn't make it. Would I recommend it? No, absolutely not. Was I comfortable? No, absolutely not. Did have to drive the heck out of the boat? Absolutely. So as to 1.5 to 2 footer's.... You can absolutely do this but you won't be going fast and you won't be comfortable.

I currently have a 200 Sport V. It would probably be a better choice due to the balance of the boat, It will give you very good ski characteristics and still preserves much of the "ski boat" feel while making it easier to deal with larger chop. It still won't be inline with many of the deeper boats out there but it would be a good compromise. The boat is built on the 200 Nautique hull so you still get that very light, responsive feel but have better storage and deep water characteristics (in comparison to a true inboard).

[SilentSeven]

I ....our 200 is perfect for us on our lake in the early mornings and late evenings when the water is reasonably smooth. It handles like a sports car, and we LOVE it. Wind chop isn't usually a problem, but heavy boat traffic makes cruising at 35-40 mph impossible. We can cruise comfortably enough in the afternoons around 20 mph while staying alert for giant wakes. If it is very windy though, the low profile nature of the boat means everyone is getting wet. We just grin and bear it, deciding that it's a "feature" not a flaw.

Owned direct drive ski boats for 30+ years (ouch!) - this is a perfect summary of most all 'ski' focused boats. And I've been caught out in a blow like bturner and his summary of getting home is also dead on. Only thing I will add is that a closed bow setup is really desirable if it's mess out. Open bow is useless in the wind and you have the risk of stuffing the nose and getting a lot of water in the boat. Closed bow will ship water a lot better (but you still may get the infamous 'over the windshield' shot if youre not careful).

Unless you want this type of experience, not sure a low freeboard ski boat is what you want for your situation.

[srock]

The boat will give you the speed especially of you spin a larger wheel but you are not going to happy with the ride. Don't expect to come off plane in a 2' chop without taking on water.

[Kenboat]

Good advice guys, I normally don't go out in the rough water but wanted to get an idea of how bad it is to get home. I see a lot of the larger wake/surf boats out on rough days and some ski only boats. My other small boats had very shallow V's (13%-14%) open bows and never sank one! No doubt you can get wet. Love getting out on a day with light wind and ripping around. I assume with the inboard you stay off plane and more or less plow in rough water and it still will be a rough ride. Went for a ride in a 24 ft 1930's Chris Craft on a rough day and the driver did just that. I really don't want to get into a wake boat with weights of 4500 lbs! Trying to find a boat for a test ride but the dealer are sold out this year for sure.

[Kenboat]

Srock, coming off plane, does the water come over the bow or the stern?

[SilentSeven]

When you come off a plane, spray will come in from the direction of the wind. On a choppy day, typically you'll want the bow or the bow quarter into the waves so you get a lot of spray over the bow blowing aft. If you come off plane fast, the stern lifts pushing the nose down into the incoming wave and you get blue water over the bow (aka stuffing the nose).

When it's crazy rough, it's mostly impossible to come of the plane with the bow into the waves without stuffing the nose and so you have to come off plane with the waves abeam (90 degrees to the bow) - this is when the **** gets' real and it's all about the pilot being smart.

Edit: the only time I've ever had water over the stern was due to getting tossed while floating from surf rig waves. Surf rig waves are super steep and narrow and can crest over the gunnel.

[jjackkrash]

Given I enjoy a fast boat was planning on the 450HP 6.2 engine upgrade and replacing the prop or max speed with a 3 blade ski jumping prop.
Please share your opinions!

I have the 6.2L in my Ski and it is awesome. It is not going to have near the top speed of a Checkmate, but it is a hoot to drive and the handling characteristics are ridiculous.

[Kenboat]

What top speed and gallons per hour when skiing should I expect from the standard 400 hp vs 450 hp 6.2 liter engine?

[jjackkrash]

The 200 and the Ski are designed with a lot of wetted surface for tracking, to keep the spray down, and to get the best ski wakes at the same time. Adding HP won't net you much top end; although a jump prop might help. I get about 48 mph out of my 6.2l with the 4 blade ski prop in my 2021 Ski and I got about 43 mph out of my '16 200 with the 5.3l. The gas burn at skiing speed seems about the same, although I don't really track fuel burn. The big difference in the engines is through the mid section; the 6.2L accelerates like an animal.

[Interjon]

My (2019) 200 with 6.0 tops out around 42. 1/2 chop is fine. Anything more, not comfortable. Only use in the morning or late evenings for course runs. For that, it is an excellent boat. I love the boat, for skiing. It is not a family boat for open water. The GS is that, but unfortunately GS is no good in the course. The GS is what you are looking for. I have owned both.

[Kenboat]

For sure going 6.2, enjoy hard acceleration and want a close to 50 mph boat. In Mich they have 50 mph speed limit on inland lakes so the old days of going 90 dont make sense.
Lakes are busy most of time and they have Radar!

[Kenboat]

Question, with the 200 how shallow of water to you dare tie off the boat. lots of time we toss out the anchor and wade into shore at my buddies place.
do you 2 ft to be safe?