206 or Air 206 shortline. Hows the wake?

[ripfish]

Has anybody driven, or skied the course with the air 206 or ski 206. How does it compare to my 2002 ski 196? I would like to have a wakeboard able boat, but my priority is Slalom and do not want to compromise. Is the 206 with walkthru open bow the real deal?

[gatorgates]

I have had my 206 Limited for a month and have probably 20 hours in the course. From the driver's perspective, this is the easiest boat I have ever driven through the course. It tracks perfectly and handles the power turns in a small like without a hitch. My boat has the 330 hp engine and the perfect pass so the pull is effortless. In fact, I have started dialing the perfect pass skier weight down 20% to get a softer pull (times stay within tolerances)

My buddies and I are all old enough to enjoy 34 mph so I have no experience with this boat at 36mph. At long line through 22 off, the wakes at that speed are as soft and small as anything I have seen. At 28 off 34 mph there is a single, fairly hard bump in the center that took a few passes to get used to. Now it is not a problem, but at first it bummed me out. At 32 off, the wake and roostertail completely disappears and stays gone through 38 off. None of us have ever made it past 3 ball at 38 off so who knows (or cares really) what happens after 38 off.

As a fairly hard core slalomer with a young family, I am convinced that there is no better boat for me.

[ripfish]

Thanks for the reply, It is great to get first hand feedback from another slalom skier. I know my 196 is the best slalom boat out there, but as more and more of my friends like wakeboarding, I need to have that capability also. The extra space of the 206 would be nice also. I just got our course set up with magnets. That is the greatest thing ever to dial in the passes.

[NautiqueJeff]

Has anybody driven, or skied the course with the air 206 or ski 206. How does it compare to my 2002 ski 196? I would like to have a wakeboard able boat, but my priority is Slalom and do not want to compromise. Is the 206 with walkthru open bow the real deal?

I can't speak to the wake on this boat, but as you probably know, the open bow isn't exactly walk-through. This picture is from the 2004 Correct Craft brochure.

http://users.adelphia.net/~jcarrol4/206.jpg

[NCH2oSki]

The 03' seats are not like that, is that an option for 04 or all the walk thru's like that? It does make for better seating when you skiing with 2 observers.

[NautiqueJeff]

The 03' seats are not like that, is that an option for 04 or all the walk thru's like that? It does make for better seating when you skiing with 2 observers.

As far as I can tell from the documentation that I've seen, all 206's for 2004 are like that. If anyone knows differently, please post.

[gatorgates]

My dealer told me that the full width seat is an option in 2004. I asked because I was thinking about retrofitting it to my 2003. Apparently, this is possible, but the more I looked into it, I decided that I preferred a true walk through and was willing to give up an additional observer seat. Just personal preference and it is nice to have the option.

[SprintCar39]

That is an option in 2004. It is called a Tournament Love Seat Extension. It was only going to available on the Limited and Team but now it is also available on the SE model. Yes you can remove your seat on your 2003 and then purchase this seat. I dont have a price on that yet. But I have had several of our customers asking about a retro fit. It is a $504.oo MSRP option on a 2004 SKI 206. I like the Jump seat option like previous years myself. You can remove it all together if needed. It has a $251.oo MSRP.

[MARK-S]

The 206 is awsome. I would say the 34 mph bump is more at 22 than 28.
I dont feel anything from 28 and in. Small bump at 22 is very nice if you compare to other makes (malibu/MC/OTHERS). I agree with gatorgates, that you can tone down the RPMs for a very smooth pull. As far as the walk tru. its up to each person to decide what style you like. I would go for the love seat style that can be retro fit to the 2003. If you have a open bow, you probably will have more than a driver and observer in the boat. Otherwise you may as well get a 196. If you want to sit 3 accross get the extended seat. I have a 2003 for sale with 90 hrs..Promo with a 5 yr warrenty that will transfer. Mark.Schneewind@Mesaba.com.

[NHskier]

I have a 96 closed bow but will eventually trade it in for a 206

I love the idea of having a full observer's seat, closed windshield, and curtain for cool mornings, early and late season skiing and and an open bow for the kids in the warm summer days and benefits of tying up to a mooring.

Great concept

[SprintCar39]

If anyone is thinking about upgrading thier 2003 206 with the Tournament Love Seat Extension here is some information. This seat will cost you $1,215.oo MSRP. This price does not include any labor. It should be a pretty easy conversion. It should bolt right in with no modifications.

Mark S. i will post this here to help avoid any confusion on anyones part but I will keep it short so if you have any questions please feel free to email me or your Correct Craft rep for all the details. The 5 year warranty is not transferable on a promo boat or any other 2003 boats, but the second owner will recieve a 1 year parts and labor warranty. There are several guidelines that have to be meet for this program and other details. Hope this clears up any misconceptions.
eric@midohionautiques.com

[lakecskier]

I upgraded from a 1999 sport nautique to a 206 last year and love the 206. I would have bought the 206 if it had existed a couple of years ago but I needed the space and open bow for a growing family.

I ski with some hardcore skiers and we take turns on our boats (they wouldn't even use my sport nautique). They have 96 and 98 ski nautiques and were "closed bow snobs" --that is until they skied behind the 206. One of the guys ran 38 off 5 times this summer --all behind the 206.

Driving and skiing behind all 3 boats, I have found the 206 tracks better than the ski nautiques....the one adjustment we make (and we do this on all the boats now) is to set the perfect pass kx setting to - seems to give us a smoother pull. My ski buddies love the boat and there wifes want them to get one for the extra room.

I can't say enough good things about the 206 ..I got the limited package with the amp and sub woover and the stereo rocks. Kids love the boat and it has as much room as my old sport nautique.

I did a lot of testing before buying this boat --I'm debating as to whether retrofit the observer seat but I'm leaning to keeping it as is (I have the jump seat)

As I'm typing this I'm getting psyched to ski tommorrow ..even though it's 50 degrees here in New England

I also have driven/skied behind Malibu's and Mastercrafts....you won't see me buying anything but nautiques...you do get what you pay for with Nautiques

I do wish they had made a longer door for the floor ski locker ...there is enough room for adult skis but you can't get them in because of the angle...so the kids skiis go down there.

GO SOX