wakes for 196, 206, 216

[78LS2]

How different are they? I used to have a waterski mag that compared them all, and showed pics of the wakes at certain speeds, but I lost it.

Assuming no ballast, equal gear and passengers, are they way different?

I'm sure this has been asked in the past, but I couldn't find the threads. Thanks

[SGY]

RE: wakes for 196, 206, 216

There is no question the 196 has the best wake--especially slow speed/long line--of the three. I had a 2003 206 that I traded in for a 2005 196. I don't miss the open bow and I prefer how the 196 skis and drives over the 206. The 216 is more wakeboard biased and will have a bigger wake than the 206.

The only way for you to know for sure is to go ski behind all three. Don't take my word for it.

[igkya]

RE: wakes for 196, 206, 216

The wakes of the 196 & 206 are very close... do you want an open bow or not? While the 216 isn't as good at longer lines, it isn't so bad in front of the bump (28 off @ 34mph). The Q's you need to ask yourself are 1 - How hardcore are you? 2 - Will you use this for anything esle?

[78LS2]

RE: wakes for 196, 206, 216

No wakeboarding; skiing only. Not really sure on the open bow. Never had one, but I guess the extra room would be nice at the expense of storage space and slight handling differences. I guess that it is time to go see the dealer.

[MARK-S]

RE: wakes for 196, 206, 216

You have more storage space in the 196 as the whole bow is storage when you lift up the observer seat. The 196 is the finest slalom skiing machine out there. I have a 2007 with under 100 hours FS. There are pics over in the boats FS section.

[jjackkrash]

I used to be hard-core, and I would have probably gone with a closed bow in the past, but now I have a bigger gut, a kid on the way, and two Boxers who love to ride in the bow. Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

In any event, the wake on the 206 is a little bigger than some of the older closed-bow slalom tractors I used to ski behind, but the boat tracks very nicely and skis nicely as well. Also, I really like the trick table (I don't jump any more, so I can't comment on the jump wake). I'd ski behind a 206 before I bought one, if I were you, but I don't think you will be disappointed in the way it skis and drives.

Jack

[ScarletArrow]

On a scale of 1 - 10...10 being the best slalom wake possible (not actual).

If the 196 is a 9 (the best wake out there yes, but you can always improve)

Where is the 206?

[MARK-S]

IMO, 9

[NCH2oSki]

I went from a 196 with the tsc1 hull to a sport 216.

The wake on the 216 is very skiable. I have run 15' off at 30-34mph and its fine. It does get better at 32-34 but still very skiable at 30mph. It tracks well in the course and has plenty of hole shot. Its not as nimble as the 196, but still handles like a dd ski boat. There is plenty of storage, the trunk will hold 2-3 slaloms with high wraps, and multiple vests. There is also the usual storage in the bow seats and under the observers seat that connects with the bow storage.

Overal I'm very pleased with my 216. It works ideally for our family on day long trips to the lake, and for hitting the slalom course with my friends.

[MarkP]

Where is the 206?

IMO 8.5 using ScarletArrow formula which I agree with.

[igkya]

I had a 90 Ski & currently have 04 20. Also skied behind a 02 216.

IMO - 206 is 8.5 at bump or longer, 9.0 in front of bump.

[Edwin]

196 vs 206

Drop SGY a PM for his thoughts. He's commented that very few at his club willingly took sets behind his 206...this has not the case with his 196. While MS claims it to be the same as the 196, I feel the CC Kool-Aid induced buzz is affecting his judgement. I'd gladly own a 206 today if the trunk would hold a full size slalom. It's a fine machine but not on the same level wake wise as the 196...just the facts.

I had strongly considered a 216 some years ago, put together a pretty lengthy review. http://planetnautique.com/index.php?...ighlight=#1130

[MARK-S]

RE: 196 vs 206

IMO, I think that at 28 and in, the 206 will give me better performance due to the driver haveing a more stable ride due to increased tracking with the extra foot out front. There is no wake change at 28 and in. That said, I do drink lots of the cool aid.

[SGY]

Re: 196 vs 206

Drop SGY a PM for his thoughts. He's commented that very few at his club willingly took sets behind his 206...this has not the case with his 196. While MS claims it to be the same as the 196, I feel the CC Kool-Aid induced buzz is affecting his judgement. I'd gladly own a 206 today if the trunk would hold a full size slalom. It's a fine machine but not on the same level wake wise as the 196...just the facts.

I had strongly considered a 216 some years ago, put together a pretty lengthy review. http://planetnautique.com/index.php?...ighlight=#1130

All true. The biggest complaint I heard about the 206 was the bump at 22off. Pretty sharp. The bump at 220ff on my 196 is much softer.

[scoke]

perspective...

If you are going to be buying a CC after skiing behind a fourwinns/bayliner/rinker and need a bit more "family space" for cruising the river, then the 206 is an awesome ski boat, well made and the wake is world class.

If you are skiing the course and looking between a few different boats and the 206 vs 196 debate is out there, then hands down the 196 is the most hardcore ski machine on the market.


IMO, every 206 I rode in, drove and skied, i thought the boat seemed like a pig as I kept comparing it to a 196. The 22' bump was significant but if you are used to something worse, no big deal.

The open bow doesn't have more storage as other people have said, it just has more places to stick arses when you are cruising down the river. Yellow_Flash_Colorz: