Hull design

[Dave F]

Hey Y'all! I'm an old SN owner and new to the forum. Seen lots of good stuff here! Thanks for all your posts!
Looks like I'm back in the market for a boat. Sure could use help understanding latest hill designs!
My interest is skiing primarily, but want the ability to offer recreational wake boarding. Also want something w/open bow.
Been looking at everything 1993 to mid 2000's. Models I'm considering are SNOB, SN 206, and Sport Nautique.
What are differences in wake for these models?
Blessings! And thanks for the help!

[Dave F]

Lol!! That would be "hull designs"!!

[Dave F]

Me again. Couple of other q's - this re powerplants. Chev or Ford? I know a lot of you have personal prefs. My experience has always been Ford in my previous boats.
Anyone want to offer a comparison between the GT-40 and the Excaliber?
Oh, and I find myself leaning toward the SN 206!


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[CincinnatiCC]

We have a 2008 206 and love it. Great ski wake, which is what we mostly do. Not as good a wake boarding wake as the V drives, but decent for a DD. It's nice to have a bit more room than the SNOB. We like having the in floor cooler and use the tower racks for both skis and boards.
Had a 1989 SN with the 351 Ford engine (carburetor, pre-fuel injection) before this boat, and this one has the 343 Chev. Both have been very reliable and more than enough for this size boat.
Good luck with the search.

[Dave F]

Hey CinnCC, thanks for sharing!


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[Blamey]

What do you want to do with the wake? Just ski or would you also want to wakeboard or surf?

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[Dave F]

Primarily ski. Wake boarding and wake surfing secondary.
Thanks!

[Blamey]

So there is always a trade off. Great ski boat are not great surf or wakeboard boats. Some of the newer boats do it better but it's always a trade off of some kind.

I don't know much about the 206 but know about the sport vs ski, the ski will be a great ski wake and average wakeboard wake pre 1997 then in 1997 the ski wake becomes much better at the expenses of the wakeboarding wake. SNOB and SN are the same boat so the above is true for both of those years.

For the sport, you'll want to look at 1993 or newer. It has a great wakeboarding wake and average ski wake. The boat was once ski tournament rated so it is still a pretty good ski wake and much better thank earlier boat but still not like what the ski can produce. It is a great all rounder.

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[Blamey]

Ford vs Chevy, it doesn't matter too much. The GT40 is a great engine and can be argued is better than the Excalibur but both do the job just fine. I think it's easier to get parts for the Chevy.

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[Quinner]

They started to run out of Fords in 2002 so what you will find 2001 and earlier most common is the GT-40, 2003+ it's the Excalibur. Either one is a very solid engine, slight nod to the Excal for ease of parts and service. Based on your needs I would focus on either a 98-02 Sport or a 03+ 206. By a slight margin 206 will be the better slalom wake while the sport will provide better board wakes.
For the Sport; 99+ is a true walk thru bow, 00-02 have known gauge issues so true hours are always a question, floor locker will hold skis where the 206 will not.
For the 206; tracking and handling are much better and feels more like a SN, better BF wake then the Sport, 04+ Excal w/serp belt is a very easy engine to service & maintain

I have owned a 99' Sport and 05' 206, either one is a very nice do-it all boat.

[Dave F]

Hey, I want to thank y'all for the great input!!
Blessings!


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