Opinions on new boat

[ckstephens]

After 14 years in the family, we're going to have to make a change. We bought our '88 in 1992 when it had about 180 hours. Its been a great boat, but now I think it's going to be too small.

Man, I hate to do this, but I think we have to. My wife and I had triplets on Thanksgiving. Add to that our 4 year old and a dog and I think we may be a little crowded.

I thought I'd registered on this site a long time ago, but I guess not. But anyways, I'm glad I finally did.

Question is, I've been looking at 206's. I know some of you guys out there have great experience with them. I just haven't had the chance to get in one personally. Do you think we'd have enough room or should I be looking at a 216?

I've been skiing since I was 6. I taught my wife to ski when we were dating in the late 90's. Two years ago we bought a wakeboard on a whim and love it. We enjoy both, but I'm partial to skiing. Most of our boating friends only ride wakeboards.

What do you guys think?

There is NO way I'd even consider an I/O. We're way too spoiled by the '88.[/b]

[efox]

RE: Opinions on new boat

Personally, I would prefer the v-drive set up for the kids/dog situation. It will allow you to keep a closer eye on all the young-ins that having a motor box in the middle. You might consider a 211 as I think it is a AWSA approved boat..though I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong.

[NHcrossfan]

RE: Opinions on new boat

It all depends. Do you just ski and/or wakeboard or do you take the boat out for long rides and day long activities. We love our 206 but mostly use it for skiing and short rides on calm days on a smallish lake. If you are going to load up the family and go out for the day then I'd lean towards the 211. I have no experience with the 216 so can't opine.

[ckstephens]

RE: Opinions on new boat

I do like the 211's, but right now I can't justify the price tag. There is a boat show here in K.C. later this month and they will have a 211, so I'll take a look then. Who knows, maybe we'll fall in love with it. I've always been a huge fan of the DD boats. Just a personal preference.

We've been on vacation with a boatful of nephews and nieces and never had a problem with the motor box. The kids thought it was really cool.

[ag4ever]

RE: Opinions on new boat

I have a 210 (actually a SANTE), and really wanted a 216. My wife on the other hand did not want the engine in the middle of the boat taking up space, so I got the SANTE. It was either that or we got a cobalt, and I really wanted an inboard. In hind sight, I should have fought more to get the 216, but I have loved the SANTE.

In the end it boils down to one thing: Are you ok with a bigger wake to make room for the family. If the answer is yes, get a V-Drive. If no, get a DD.

I do love surfing behind the SANTe, I don't think I could do it as well behind a 216 though.

[ffmedic74]

RE: Opinions on new boat

We just bought a new 05 216 this past summer and love it. Yes it is a bit rougher in choppy water, but I you feel harsh wakes on any tournament boat. I also could not bring myself to go the a vdrive yet. Our 216 has a great trunk, ballast tanks (descent wake with a couple people in the back), does great for footing. If you foot or slalom I would recommend this boat over a v drive.

[ckstephens]

RE: Opinions on new boat

OK, forgot to add one last thing.

Currently, the '88 is in the garage and it fits quite nicely. Anything new we buy needs to fit in 23 feet so I'm really needing the folding tongue and removable platform.

Am I really asking for too much?

[MARK-S]

RE: Opinions on new boat

Not much diff in 206-216 space. No problem with 23ft if you get a swing away tongue and the platform will come off. I would go with the 206. IMO, the wake for boarding is not that much better then the 206, but the 206 will ski much better and wakeboard about the same. I had 3 206s and loved all 3.

[NHcrossfan]

RE: Opinions on new boat

all of the above plus you can get a tournament extention on a 206, not available on the 216. Very handy for getting 3 adults in front of the pylon without using the bow.

[ckstephens]

RE: Opinions on new boat

I've seen the extension on the 206. It would be almost necessary if we went that route, but we might get by without it.

Also if we go 206 we really want a tower.

There is a 206 on ebay right now. I've talked to the sellers a few times about it. My wife loves the boat, but she wants to physically see it first. They're willing to bring it up to KC just so we can look at it, but I think they'd want a firm commitment first.

I just don't know. BUT - this is a great problem to have.

NH - we're primarily slalom skiers with a little wakeboarding thrown in recreationally. We really don't care what we do as long as we have a good time.

My 4 year old son has been riding a tube for 2 years now. He loves the water. This year if he wants we're going to work on skiing. No pressure, just as long as its fun.

[LT206]

RE: Opinions on new boat

I have the 206 - this is how we set it up. For slalom course we put the jump seat in the bow walkway to create a true closed bow setup - no one sits up there when running the course anyway - usually don't have any kids in there for course sets either. If you're serious about course skiing you won't like this boat loaded with people and gear. The wake tends to get bumpy when you load it up -even with the ballast empty.

When out with the kids (I have three) we put the jump seat behind the driver seat and put the kid skis in the floor behind and beside the jump seat, boards go on the tower obviously. That area really becomes the catch all spot - for wet jackets, etc. We try to keep the floor clear in front of the back seat and between the back seat and the observer seat on the port side. Most of the time we have a barefoot boom on which you have to climb over when moving from the rear to the observer seat - this also makes it really hard to get access under the observer seat when someone is sitting there.

I guess what I'm saying is - the 206 can get crowded fast with 5 people and no dog. I would want something bigger if I had 6 plus a dog. On the other hand - this is the perfect boat for others like me who have a slalom addiction, but still want to wakeboard occasionally and have a family that loves to ski.

[G-man]

RE: Opinions on new boat

One advantage to a tower is storage, when I had a tower one side had a bard rack the other had a ski rack. This freed up a bunch of space. I would only have a factory installed tower.

[bkhallpass]

Re: Opinions on new boat

Most of our boating friends only ride wakeboards.

What do you guys think?
[/b]

My $.02. Don't ever by a boat based upon what your friends like or do. Get a boat which suits your family's needs. If your friends don't like it, tell them to get their own boat. BKH

[FLlongball]

Re: RE: Opinions on new boat

I have the 206 - this is how we set it up. For slalom course we put the jump seat in the bow walkway to create a true closed bow setup - no one sits up there when running the course anyway - usually don't have any kids in there for course sets either. If you're serious about course skiing you won't like this boat loaded with people and gear. The wake tends to get bumpy when you load it up -even with the ballast empty.

When out with the kids (I have three) we put the jump seat behind the driver seat and put the kid skis in the floor behind and beside the jump seat, boards go on the tower obviously. That area really becomes the catch all spot - for wet jackets, etc. We try to keep the floor clear in front of the back seat and between the back seat and the observer seat on the port side. Most of the time we have a barefoot boom on which you have to climb over when moving from the rear to the observer seat - this also makes it really hard to get access under the observer seat when someone is sitting there.

I guess what I'm saying is - the 206 can get crowded fast with 5 people and no dog. I would want something bigger if I had 6 plus a dog. On the other hand - this is the perfect boat for others like me who have a slalom addiction, but still want to wakeboard occasionally and have a family that loves to ski.

LT206 - What line lengths/speed are you running? In your opinion, how does the slalom wake on the 206 rate/compare to other DDs?

[ckstephens]

RE: Re: RE: Opinions on new boat

BK - Very true. We've always looked at it that way. Also, a very belated congratulations to you and your wife on your new addition. Hope all is well.

You helped me out about a year ago on CCFan when I was looking for a trailer for the '88. I probably spend way too much time "on the clock" reading these forums.