First Nautique and first post on PN.

[scoke]

That looks like a late 2002 where CC started moving toward Faria gauges. My buddy has the same vintage boat sans the GT-40. Scoke, that's probably one of the last 196's equipped with the GT-40.

I found two other 2002's on Correctcraft fan with the faria gauges and key equipped ignition. there were a TON of them with keypad and I suspect the Excalibur engine. I love the GT40 engine and then the TSC2 hull. It really doesn't get any better than that. I have always been suspect of the Excalibur then add in the electronic throttle, :???:

SGY, how come you didn't go back with a 206? how was that boat?

as far as water temps. Febuary and March are the only times we are concerned with reading what it is. After end of March it's ski able with only a b-suit....

[east tx skier]

Scoke, I think something's wrong with the gauges on your Nautique. Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[MARK-S]

Dont forget about needing the temp gauge to show us northerners how hot the water is in July.
When it hits 102F, I am staying in the cool waters of my home lake.

[ski36short]

Sharp boat indeed. I almost bought an identical one out of Ohio a few years ago. It took me a couple more years to get in a 196 but it's all good now!

[SGY]

That looks like a late 2002 where CC started moving toward Faria gauges. My buddy has the same vintage boat sans the GT-40. Scoke, that's probably one of the last 196's equipped with the GT-40.

I found two other 2002's on Correctcraft fan with the faria gauges and key equipped ignition. there were a TON of them with keypad and I suspect the Excalibur engine. I love the GT40 engine and then the TSC2 hull. It really doesn't get any better than that. I have always been suspect of the Excalibur then add in the electronic throttle, :???:

SGY, how come you didn't go back with a 206? how was that boat?

as far as water temps. Febuary and March are the only times we are concerned with reading what it is. After end of March it's ski able with only a b-suit....

The 206 was a nice boat indeed. But I moved to a private lake and didn't see the need for an open bow. And, there was some resistance to skiing behind the 206 by some of the tourney guys at my lake since they wouldn't see that boat at tournaments. The 196 fit the bill perfectly for me. The only thing I disagree with you on Scoke is the Excalibur. It's been a great motor so far. Very nice pull. The GT-40 is tough to beat, for sure, but I prefer the EX. Very smooth and nice soft pull.

[scoke]

The only thing I disagree with you on Scoke is the Excalibur. It's been a great motor so far. Very nice pull. The GT-40 is tough to beat, for sure, but I prefer the EX. Very smooth and nice soft pull.

I can respect that as my experiences have varied.

When my boat buying flared up in November, I test drove a 1997 196 CB with the Gt40. WOW that thing was a rocket even with 1500 hrs. My '02 isn't a rocket but more like a freight train due to a hair of weight increase.

Back in 2004-05, JD had a 196 with Excalibur that was nearly perfect. there were a ton of PB's behind that boat and everyone loved it. If i had the need at the time, i would have scooped it up. Then, i have ridden in, skied and driven various 03-08's with Excaliburs that just didnt tickle my fancy for some reason. Some of them "just weren't right" if that makes sense but they all had the Exc.

Our clubs MC has the 330 MPX (or something) but with the electronic throttle, it really kills the power band for some reason. Makes it feel sluggish.

I am just leery of the electronic throttle personally.

SGY: any pics of the new 196?

scoke.

[SGY]

I remember hearing about JD's boat. My boat is a 2005--so no TBW or gate. I do agree with you regarding the throttle feel/response of TBW boats. It's not the same as the mechanical throttle--even though CC still uses a throttle cable running to the engine.

I have pics but they are on my office computer. I'll shoot you some by email tomorrow.

[skisix@38]

The only thing I disagree with you on Scoke is the Excalibur. It's been a great motor so far. Very nice pull. The GT-40 is tough to beat, for sure, but I prefer the EX. Very smooth and nice soft pull.

I can respect that as my experiences have varied.

When my boat buying flared up in November, I test drove a 1997 196 CB with the Gt40. WOW that thing was a rocket even with 1500 hrs. My '02 isn't a rocket but more like a freight train due to a hair of weight increase.

Back in 2004-05, JD had a 196 with Excalibur that was nearly perfect. there were a ton of PB's behind that boat and everyone loved it. If i had the need at the time, i would have scooped it up. Then, i have ridden in, skied and driven various 03-08's with Excaliburs that just didnt tickle my fancy for some reason. Some of them "just weren't right" if that makes sense but they all had the Exc.

Our clubs MC has the 330 MPX (or something) but with the electronic throttle, it really kills the power band for some reason. Makes it feel sluggish.

I am just leery of the electronic throttle personally.

SGY: any pics of the new 196?

scoke.

Scoke,

SGY needs to fess up with what he has his PB behind! I agree with youse guys on the TBW- I think that they have reduced the pwoer sent to the engine from idle and that's a large part of the reason they all feel a little different these days. I've been skiing behind a EX343 lately and that thing is a rocket out of the hull whereas most of the promo boats from last summer were very soft outof the hole.

SGY's boat is very nice and gives a great pull!

[east tx skier]

The only TBW boat I have driven was a 2005 MC. My initial complaint was that there wasn't any driver feedback like you have with a wired throttle. I couldn't tell if I was giving the skier too much power or dragging him. And with a 350 hp engine, you ought to be able to tell the difference. Scoke, if that MC was an 06, then you also might consider that the cat converters add on to a potentially different feel from the driver's seat as the MCX had them in 06.

As for the TBW on the 196, I haven't had the pleasure. The guy that runs a nearby ski school raved about it in 06 (said it was the best one he had driven in the few years he's used Nautiques at his school---since about 2004 I think). He said he had trouble with it in 07 for some reason (but apparently, it was a mechanical problem that was quickly fixed).

[SGY]

Thanks skisix. Did you get to ski yesterdday?

I suspect the manufacturers will keep working ont he TBW until its just right. Already, 08 are reprtedly better than 07's. Good things to come. I can't wait to start hearing the feedback on the ZO aond PP Stargazer this spring.

My personal best in a tourney is behind the 07 Bu. Sweet pull. My personal best in practice is behind Skisix's 03 RLXi, a classic.

[skisix@38]

Thanks skisix. Did you get to ski yesterdday?

I suspect the manufacturers will keep working ont he TBW until its just right. Already, 08 are reprtedly better than 07's. Good things to come. I can't wait to start hearing the feedback on the ZO aond PP Stargazer this spring.

My personal best in a tourney is behind the 07 Bu. Sweet pull. My personal best in practice is behind Skisix's 03 RLXi, a classic.

No skiing yesterday- too many peeps had to go watch the Cowboys lose. Would have been a good day for it though!

[east tx skier]

We were driving back from New Braunfels. I kept telling my wife that it was a great day to ski. The outside temp gauge on the car read 51 degrees. She did not agree.