Alternative CC Model to a 211??

[boatbuddy]

As some of you know we are considering a 211 purchase.

What would be the closest CC model to the 211 if we were to look at a used boat older than a 2004 - 211?

[boatbuddy]

Further to my post I will add the additional information that somehow went into Cyberspace!*%+*!! just as I was ready to post.

I have been considering the 211 due to the claim it is a pretty good ski boat and wakeboarding boat. Since the model is so new there are very few used boats out there and if there is, they almost new price. So do I buy new or used.

If I am going to spend that kind of money I like to research things to make sure it will be the right boat for us for a long time.

Since I am not 100% sure on what model of boat we want or need, I am now considering other possible options such as buying an older (year say about 2000) boat and getting more familiar with these boats then trading up to a newer model once I know for sure what we need.

I have been stuck on the 211 since it is "tournament certified" so I assume it is a pretty good ski boat? But I have been wondering if this claim is more to due with the width of boat than the wake size. I would actually prefer a wider boat if I am not compromising the wake size.

I have also read that the wake size is good only at higher speeds which would be fine for me but not so good for teaching kids to ski. But I assume this is a fact with all V Drives?

What woukl be the closest CC model boat that is V drive - ie before the 211 - or is there a good compareable?

[DRAGON88]

Pre 211- there really was no crossover v-drive. There was the Super Air Nautique (210) which puts out a pretty mediocre ski wake, but an amazing wakeboarding wake. Unfortunately when you shift all the weight to the back you do have to sacrifice a bit of ski performance.

Your best bet would probably be a 216 Sport Nautique (Air Nautique.) It is a direct drive, but throws a nice ski and wakeboard wake. It is the closest boat CC made to a cross over pre '04 IMO.

You might also want to look into other brands. Malibu has a few offerings that are nice for skiing. The "diamond" hull sunsetter vlx skis good for a v-drive. The hull has lifting chines on both sides and picks the hull out of the water more. I believe the first year for the SV23D hull was 2001. It might be worth checking out if you don't want to drop the coin on a 211...

Of course no one can tell you if you will find the wake satisfactory , you have to go out and demo the 211 to decide on that one. Although I have heard the same thing as you, the wake doesn't really flatten out until about 34mph. However, for a v-drive I think that the 211 is probably one of the best ski v-drives.

[Mikeski]

As an owner of a 211, with a friend with a 216, I will say there is no true crossover boat.

The 211 is a wakeboard boat that throws a decent ski wake. The 216 is a good ski boat that can throw a decent boarding wake with lots of extra ballast.

The MC X1, Malibu Sunscape 21, Tige?, and a few other V-drive boats are said to have decent ski wakes when properly weighted. I have a friend that even ski's behind his MC X45 but it's not real fun unless you like wakejumping on a slalom ski.

From behind the boat the most versatile rig I have ever been around was the early 80's MC outboard (Barefoot Mastercraft). Using the motor trim and a 500lb fat sac you could make the wake do whatever you wanted. The major downside is the driveability of the boat which is very poor. Heavy steering and very challenging speed control are the biggest problems with outboards (not mentioning the smell of burning oil).

It is surprising how many people I see on this discussion board complaining about boat wakes. We are sooo spoiled with today's slalom rigs that people expect miracles. The wakes behind a 210 at slalom speed are not much worse than the 2001's from the mid 80's.

If you are going to continually compare you wake with the wake from other's you will be unhappy. Buy a boat that suits your families needs and learn to enjoy the water behind it.

Best of luck,
Mikeski

[MikeC]

I own a 211 and can say that the ski wake is tournament quality at 34 and 36 mph. At 30 if you get too aggressive cutting, you may find your ski without anything under it mid wake.

On the other hand I think it's about as good as your going to get in a v-drive. I have taught people from 8 to 48 how to ski behind it and there really are no complaints. There is no way you are going to get a direct drive like wake in an all purpose boat. Another benefit was experienced today, I rolled up the ski line, hooked up the wakeboard line, reset the perfect pass, added a little bit of ballast and in about three minutes my son was flying across the wake.

Is the boat perfect? No. Is it really good and suit my family? Yes. The only way to get everthing is to own two boats, or do like me, have a friend with a SN 196. When it comes time to ski the course for real, I toss him a couple of bucks for gas and off we go with a perfectly flat wake. Durning the other 14 hours of daylight, the boat of choice is mine.

If your anywhere near Atlanta, I'd be more than happy to take you out and show you what the boat is like. I agree with you that when you're spending this kind of money it is best to have al of the facts.

[boatbuddy]

Thanks for you insight.

MileC - that was my thought a while back that I could probably get 2 boats a few years old for the price of one new 211, and have the best of both worlds.

I our area there are some reasonably priced SN 196's.

But then again two of everything to maintain, insure, tow ....

How would the wake behind a 210 compare to a 211 at 34 to 36 MPH? I have heard that the 210 thows a decent ski wake at higher speed?

Is the wake that much better behind the 211?

How would the wake on the 211 or 210 compare to my existing 20' with a 230HP inboard/outboard?

[FLlongball]

I would tell you the wake at 34 mph and higher on the 210 is as good if not better than the 211. The biggest difference is that the 210 is much wider (98" beam) and therefore has no shot of driving a course. If you are buying a 211, I would submit that you are not going to use it in the course anyway. With that being said, I would tell you that I think the 210 is a better all around boat. The price difference is minute....$800-$1000 at the most.

[bkhallpass]

Too much going on here. When Mikeski referred to the ski wake on a 210, he was referring to a 06 and earlier 210, and he was comparing it to the wake of some of the 1980s Ski Nautiques. The 06 and earlier 210s were not wider than the 211.

I don't know if I've read any posts yet from anyone skiing behind the new, '07 210. BKH