Newbie with embarrassing (?) questions.

[dadgu3]

Blessed Easter afternoon!
Friday, I made a very calculated (like almost 40 years) impulse purchase: a 98 Sport/Air. Why the slash? Because I have seen and heard various seemingly conflicting information, and nothing definitive.
The seller did not represent the boat as an Air, b/c he thinks it is really a Sport. The old man in me loves the simple conservative look of the Sport, but the (grown) kids think it is awesome to own an Air.
It has two factory ballasts, the tower, and Air graphics.
I have seen some factory pics that look like the tower, and some that do not. Options include GT40, Perfect Pass, heater, and ??.
Tandem trailer (magnum brand with hyd brakes and funky latch) rides too low for my tastes (drags the rear very easily and the 3/8 plate is about worn thru). Have already gone to a drop 4" lower than what i pull everything else with!
Boat runs, rides, and drives *great*.
Has SPN cast into gelcoat on port side of stern. Does not appear to have any paintwork done to make me look for repairs.
The ADHD/OCD in me now wants to know stuff!

Thanks for your patience, knowledge, and willingness to share!

[Bigdogsuperair]

Wow that brings back memories. I had one of these with the monster python engine. That is the tower that came from the factory and started it all in the wakeboard world. You are correct in that it is essentially a sport nautique with the tower and ballast added as a "air" package. Have fun!!!

[dadgu3]

Thanks for the quick reply! I guess I purchased a Sport but scored with an Air!

[hal2814]

A Nautique dealer can tell you exactly what you have with your hull id. I know back then Super Sports and Super Airs were just option packages on the same boat. I don’t know if Sports and Airs were the same way. Whatever you have looks very nice.

[Michigan210]

Since it is a direct drive configuration, I feel like this would be considered a "Pro Air" instead of a "Super Air" which would have a V-drive setup. This could also be considered a "216 Pro Air" or its predecessor since I believe it's 21'6" in length. Growing up, we had a 2001 Pro Air which has very similar lines, same trunk mounted ballast, but with updated graphics and tower. Thinking back, I convinced my parents to let me remove the rear seat (should come out with thumb screws if my memory serves be well) and I added a "fat seat" which was a 1300 pound ballast bag in the shape of a lounge seat. Wake grew exponentially! Great boat, congrats, and enjoy!!

[charlesml3]

Since it is a direct drive configuration, I feel like this would be considered a "Pro Air" instead of a "Super Air" which would have a V-drive setup. This could also be considered a "216 Pro Air" or its predecessor since I believe it's 21'6" in length. Growing up, we had a 2001 Pro Air which has very similar lines, same trunk mounted ballast, but with updated graphics and tower. Thinking back, I convinced my parents to let me remove the rear seat (should come out with thumb screws if my memory serves be well) and I added a "fat seat" which was a 1300 pound ballast bag in the shape of a lounge seat. Wake grew exponentially! Great boat, congrats, and enjoy!!

No, not really. The Pro Air had a different hull than the Sport/Air. The Pro Air was a direct drive boat.

-Charles

[Michigan210]

No, not really. The Pro Air had a different hull than the Sport/Air. The Pro Air was a direct drive boat.

-Charles

Charles,

I said the Pro Air was direct drive, or maybe you misinterpreted me.

According to the model specifications posted here (https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...n-down-by-year) there does not seem to be a hull difference between the 1998 Sport/Air. Both are direct drives.

1998

Sport Nautique

2,700

24"

91"

21'

22' 5"

30

50 Gallons

260 HP / 290 HP / 310 HP / 320 HP

1.23:1

1998

Air Nautique

2,700

24"

91"

21'

22' 5"

30

50 Gallons

260 HP / 290 HP / 310 HP / 320 HP

1.23:1

Back then, I think it was a trim package difference.

In 1999, the Pro/Super names were introduced. The hull length was stretched 3.5" inches on the Sport/Air/Pro, but there's no hull differences. Big differences when talking pro/super.

1999	Sport/Air/Pro Air Nautique	2,700	24"	91"	21'	22' 8.5"	30		400	260 HP / 285 HP / 310 HP / 320 HP / 435 HP
1999	Super Sport / Super Air Nautique 210	3,000	28"	91"	21'	22' 5"	34		400	260 HP / 285 HP / 310 HP / 320 HP / 435 HP

Cheers,
Jeff

[charlesml3]

No. The Pro Air hull was different than the Sport/Air in 1999. It was the same length and width, but it had a different shape to it. I know this because I bought a 1999 Air Nautique and when I was looking, I seriously considered a Pro Air. I looked all around (and under) both boats. I ended up going with the Air because we really weren't that good at wakeboarding and the Pro Air was somewhat more expensive.

-Charles

[ScooterMcgavin]

Yep different hulls for sure.

[Michigan210]

Sorry, I completely forgot about the TSC vs. TWC hull differences. You are correct.