Replacement for 196

[MARK-S]

I am a die hard 196 guy, but if it sells and skis nice, I would look at it.
Shane,
I saw the pics from the Craw Fish tourney and it looks like that is a great time and ski tourney. I may have to get down there next spring.

[2gofaster]

Mark, Any time you want to come down you have a place to stay. I'm 5 minutes from Lakes At Cypress Hill, 30 min from Lakes of Katy, and about 30 min from our lake. Plenty of places to ski! I actually missed the crawfish tourney this year, ****it!

[skijones]

I am the happy owner of a 1999 SNOB. Having skied quite a few boats, I can say that mine is (IMHO) at least equal to any other slalom boats out there.
I ended up with a open bow because of the family. "If you want this to be a family sport, we need an OB" wife said.
Moving the cockpit back does make things slightly tighter, but have never had a problem with it other than mounting a boom.

Having said that, if I were to buy another boat, it would be a 196. Nothing else like it.

[MARK-S]

Sounds good Shane. You know I work for the airline and can fly when things are empty, so you will here from me.
If you ar in MSP, I am an hour south of the airport and we can ski any time but bring your dry suit if its not July or Aug.

[cotton]

I am the happy owner of a 1999 SNOB. Moving the cockpit back does make things slightly tighter, but have never had a problem with it other than mounting a boom.

How many inches farther back is the SNOB cockpit verses the 196? Thanks in advance!

[east tx skier]

After two years of driving my SN almost exclusively, I got behind the wheel of a 20'7" open bow last weekend. I think I strained my neck trying to get the same or similar field of vision to what I've become accustomed. I'm a lover of all boats and these two are an apples to oranges comparison to be sure. Moreover, I'm sure that extra 7" makes a difference among other things. But suffice it to say that I'm looking forward to getting my little closed bow boat back out on the water this weekend.

[Aarons01]

I am the happy owner of a 1999 SNOB. Having skied quite a few boats, I can say that mine is (IMHO) at least equal to any other slalom boats out there.
I ended up with a open bow because of the family. "If you want this to be a family sport, we need an OB" wife said.
Moving the cockpit back does make things slightly tighter, but have never had a problem with it other than mounting a boom.

Having said that, if I were to buy another boat, it would be a 196. Nothing else like it.

I have an 01 SNOB and totally agree, except the boom part, I have no troubles mounting mine

[east tx skier]

Anyone have any pictures of the SNOB's and 206's from the cockpit looking out. The open bow I drove this weekend was a MC, so I'm curious what the view looks like from an open bow CC compared to a 196.

The MC (205) is probably more comparable to a Sport, but I'm still curious as to the various cockpit views.

Here's mine.

[Chexi]

If field of view is an issue, look into a Buttzup from Nautiqueskins.com. I have one and love it. It puts my eyes well above the windshield.

[etwman]

It'll be a Ski Nautique 200, redesigned hull, same flat wake as the 196. You'll be able to get it in a open or closed bow. Eliminating the 196 and 206......you watch.

See if I'm right.


On a side note I was in Bermuda last weekend. Skied along a coral reef behind a 1990 Ski Nautique in turquiose water. The boat had 4800 hours on it. and was in decent shape. Who says these things don't last in salt water.

[SkiTundra]

If field of view is an issue, look into a Buttzup from Nautiqueskins.com. I have one and love it. It puts my eyes well above the windshield.

OT - one of the most annoying websites I've seen in years. They really should do away with all of the flashing pictures and just have static images that allow someone to see what their products are and what they offer and what kind of work they do.

[BrennanK]

I will be so angry if the 196 is discontinued, even if the "200" has the same wake and such, it just isn't the same world record towboat.. I would rather have a older 196 IMO.

[etwman]

I have a feeling they'll nail this one, just a gut thought.

We're talking consolidating two lines into one. Adding 6" to one boat, that's the length from your thumb to middle finger. Its not like they are tacking on 2 feet and still trying to pass it as a Ski Nautique, its 6 inches. I really don't see it as the end of the world, see what they come out with, especially if they perfect that wake.

Time will tell......

[2gofaster]

I agree, replacing the 196 and 206 with a common hull is a smart business decision if it skis the same. Like I said, I'll step up to the plate for one as I've given serious thought to buying one of the red metalflake Promo MC197s around here at the end of the year.

[skinautique]

This talk has been going on for about 5 years with this boat. A few years back, they had proto types, but they could only run the boat with a ZR6 because it was so weight sensitive. I'm sure they will have that figured out by the time the boat comes out, if it does. It makes sense to combine the two boats into one. That's one less mold to design and less molds to maintain. I would imagine there will be more consistency in that one boat than the variances you might have see in 196's and 206's overall in the past.