2006 196s

[buzzard_buoy]

Been reading this forum for some time, but have not started a thread until now. I recently decided that I would like to upgrade to a newer ski boat in the next year or two (probably two). Never too early to start asking questions though. And maybe in a couple of years the price will be a bit lower. With that in mind, I'm looking to purchase a 2006 196. I've skied behind one and absolutely loved it. I also think the gel coat scheme and retro graphics are some of the best I've seen in years. I have not yet driven one, but plan to do so before I buy.

Can anyone tell me if there have been any issues with the 2006 196s thus far. Or additionally, is there anything unique to the brand that I should look for when I start kicking tires. I know they haven't been out all that long, but I figured it was worth asking. I recall reading that hole shot seemed a little softer than previous years due to the throttle by wire. Has that system integrated with perfect pass seamlessly?

Thanks in advance. Wish me luck on my admitedly prolonged search.

[Hollywood]

RE: 2006 196s

Just remember there were a few early 2006s with the TSC2 hull.

[buzzard_buoy]

Hadn't heard that before. Since I don't trick ski, would there be any difference between the TSC2 hull and the TSC3 with the fixed plate instead of the hydrogate? I've skied behind the TSC2 as well. With the passage of time since then, I honestly can't say I noticed too much difference in the wakes and from reading here, was under the impression that, apart from the hydrogate, they were the same.

[Hollywood]

read this thread

[MARK-S]

I have had an 01/02 and a 06 SN196. The only problm that I know of in all 3 was a temp gauge malfunction. Temp was ok, but gauge bad. That was after I sold it with 130 hrs on it. I thought the 02 was just like the 06, but softer. I used to use the switch at 10 with the 02, I dont use switch anymore. I think the PP chips have alot to do with the feel of the pull. I was down south at a tourney in sep, and skied practice with an 06 that had what was rumored to be a harsh pull. We swapped chips and dialed it in. The next day at the tourney, everyone who had skied the boat before, knew the pull was softer. The thing is , we told no one about the chip change.

[buzzard_buoy]

read this thread

Very interesting. Hadn't seen that before. Thanks.

[buzzard_buoy]

I have had an 01/02 and a 06 SN196. The only problm that I know of in all 3 was a temp gauge malfunction. Temp was ok, but gauge bad. That was after I sold it with 130 hrs on it. I thought the 02 was just like the 06, but softer. I used to use the switch at 10 with the 02, I dont use switch anymore. I think the PP chips have alot to do with the feel of the pull. I was down south at a tourney in sep, and skied practice with an 06 that had what was rumored to be a harsh pull. We swapped chips and dialed it in. The next day at the tourney, everyone who had skied the boat before, knew the pull was softer. The thing is , we told no one about the chip change.

Are these the same versions of the PP chip, i.e. 6.5ng, and one just happened to have a softer pull. Or was perfect pass doing upgrades in the chip for Nautique to get it dialed in with the throttle by wire, i.e., PP 6.5ng v 2.0?

[MARK-S]

They were both 6.5 ng on 06 196 promos. My 06 came with a bad chip. It was good for slalom, but jump and trick mode were bad. I swapped it out and the slalom pull was the same. Of course it was April, and I had only been in the water a few times, but it felt good.

[buzzard_buoy]

Did you find the hole shot any different with the TBW?

[skiinxs]

I have had '02, '03, '04, '05, and '06 196's (my '07 is on order). All have been 6 liter ZR6's except the '02, so obviously the hole shot is awsome. The '06 hole shot was the same as the other 6 liters. The 06 boat was actually a couple mph faster with the hydrogate up (in jump/trick mode) on top speed. All 5 have been perfect, no issues, (Something I can't say about ANY of the other 16 tournament ski boats I have owned previous to the Nautiques). As Mark said, there were a few early '06's sold with the same bottom as the '02 - '05 (with the strakes on the bottom). You wouldn't be able to tell them apart on slalom, trick wake is slightly larger without the strakes (06 TSC3 bottom), so I wouldn't choose based on that.
Dave

[buzzard_buoy]

Thanks, Dave. You answered the question I asked and the one I was going to ask (and which I know has been asked before about the slalom wake of the TSC2 versus the TSC3.

I can't believe I've put myself on a two year time table. I'm not patient enough for this. :mrgreen:

[skiinxs]

Well, if you get too impatient you can always buy my '07 at the end of the summer. Yellow_Flash_Colorz:
Dave

[buzzard_buoy]

If my money tree sprouts this spring, I may expedite the process. Barring that, it'll be a while in a boat that's paid for. Picked up a brochure from the dealer today. Got the nod from my driver when she saw the 196 with the silver cloud hull and deck with the red main stripe.

[skiinxs]

Yep that's the color. Actually all of them have been that color and the '07 will be no exception. Lots of pics at: http://www.printroom.com/pro/skiinxs http://pages.prodigy.net/skiinxs/index.html


Here is the '06:[/url]

[SGY]

As I've said before, very nice boat Dave. I think I've asked before, but do you ever get complaints about the 6.0 liter being too strong for slalom? I've heard tournament folks around here speculate that it might be too stiff a pull.