Air 216 - why not tournament approved?

[VikeGal]

We are considering buying a 2007 Air 216. We demo'd one last weekend and LOVED the ski wake! Why isn't this boat tournament approved? Its required if I want to use the course by my house.

When we are out on the lake we also like to board and surf. Has anyone had any luck with getting a good boarding wake on the 216? How much weight does it take?

[VikeGal]

RE: Air 216 - why not tournament approved?

Also, I should have mentioned, I have skiied behind the SV211 and we aren't considering it. We are actually moving from a V-drive toward a direct drive and the 216 seems like a good choice. Just the two concerns about why it isn't tournament approved, and how good the boarding/surfing wake might get. Thanks! Vike Gal

[ag4ever]

RE: Air 216 - why not tournament approved?

I think it is because CC just did not have it certified. They decided the 196, 206 and 211 would be OK, so they did not submit the 216.

[AbunDiga909]

RE: Air 216 - why not tournament approved?

ag4ever is right.. I wondered this a while ago, and found out that the only reson they didnt have it tested was b/c it obviously costs money and CC didn't want to spend it, knowing that it IS approved. No one should stop you from using this boat on your course just b/c some magazine didn't test it--CC just didnt want to spend the money. As you know, the wake is great, esp. for its size, and the boat should have no problem fitting in in a slalom setting/environment. (211 you might have had some trouble)

Another thing, do NOT group the wakeboarding and surfing wake together. Behind this boat, they are TOTALLY DIFFERENT. My friend tried to surf behind a 216, and it just isn't going to happen under normal circumstances. Sure, you could throw in 2K of ballast and get 8 of your friends and it would work, but then you could say a 196 has a great surfing wake, with 3-4K of lead. The wake surfing wake will be medeocre at best.

As for the wakeboarding wake, it will satisfy ALL young kids, and any one beginner-intermediate. It is not a pro wake at all, so do not expect to have experts satified. But, it is a great boat to learn off of b/c the wake is perfect for beginners, and with the (small) ballast filled, you will have a medium, nicely sized wake just the right size to pull off a roll and progress. Anyone who isn't inverted won't complain. Anyone at that stage learning to invert won't complain. The best wake is between the speeds of about 16-21 MPH give or take conditions. If you go much faster, the boat starts to plane out and it thinks your slaloming so the hull will make the wake very small at those faster speeds. Since its a DD its weighted pretty evenly, so the larger the crowd, the better. I had 10 people on it once with gear all over the place and the wake was huge, about the same, maybe slightly larrger, than a friend's 211 wake with normal weight. Hope this helps, you'll love the boat.

[pj]

RE: Air 216 - why not tournament approved?

Ya, it's not a magazine that gives it the certification there kiddo.

[SGY]

RE: Air 216 - why not tournament approved?

I at one time understood that the 216 was approved by AWSA--back in 2003 when the boat first came out. As of 2006, the hull had not changed--ICBW. If it hasn't changed, you can tell your club that the boat was approved just not re-upped. That should be sufficient. For example, 1997-2005 Ski Nautiques are no longer tournament approved--but I bet they are allowed to run.

Besides, usually the wording in club bylaws require tournament approved type boats. That usually means "inboards". You should be ok. They just don't want I/O's trying to run through the course.

[ag4ever]

Re: RE: Air 216 - why not tournament approved?

Ya, it's not a magazine that gives it the certification there kiddo.

Ya beat me to it old man.

[Hlymons]

RE: Re: RE: Air 216 - why not tournament approved?

Try this
http://www.usawaterski.org/graphics/...story83-06.pdf

[AbunDiga909]

RE: Re: RE: Air 216 - why not tournament approved?

oh... whatever.. u knew what i meant...

[redelf75]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Air 216 - why not tournament approved?

Try this
http://www.usawaterski.org/graphics/...story83-06.pdf

How did that Cobalt get approved?! Just goes to show that the whole thing is @*$&@#^$*~!

[redelf75]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Air 216 - why not tournament approved?

If they don't let you use the course with any CC built within the last two decades, they need to update their bylaws...

[Quinner]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Air 216 - why not tournament approved?

Try this
http://www.usawaterski.org/graphics/...story83-06.pdf

How did that Cobalt get approved?! Just goes to show that the whole thing is @*$&@#^$*~!

Didn't Cobalt make an inboard comp boat at one time?

http://www.cobaltofnewmexico.com/UsedBoats.htm

[Hlymons]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Air 216 - why not tournament approved?

Here is one on boat trader,
1999 Cobalt 203CS, 20' Competition Series

http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/4/8/81398948.htm

[redelf75]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Air 216 - why not tournament approved?

I stand corrected, thanks. But the point still holds.