216V or 226

[skullman]

Currently own a 2006 Malibu Wakesetter VLX but am interested in the 2010 models of the 216V or 226.

The family likes to surf, wakeboard and I also like to ski so my qauestion is - which is the better boat? I prefer the 226 due to the larger size but is the wake acceptable for recreational skiing?

Which options would you recommend for either boat?

Thanks for your help and comments!

[innov8]

The 226 is a great boat, but so is the 216v, I would say demo and ride behind both and see what you think, thats really the only way to go.

Not a lot of riders have been in the 2010 226 yet.
I can say it handles like a dream, has a good wakeboarding wake, great surf wake, but I never have skied behind one.

[green210]

i would go with the 226, but you should probably test drive them. The 226 is pretty much the 216v but longer.

[NautiqueJeff]

I am hoping to be able to get behind a new 226 Thursday or Friday. If I do, I will give a full report.

[AuMDLST]

Depending on ski ability - I believe you will not be satisfied with either. It is very difficult to please both the skier and boarder with one boat.

[green210]

The hydro gate helps put two boats in one but it totally doesnt. The 210 i know you can waterski behind at around 36mph. It has a pretty flat wake.

[skullman]

Thanks for all the comments so far - NautiqueJeff, look forward to your report!

Any recommendation for other boats in the line up that I should be considering (DD is not an option for the interior space limitations).

[SkiTower]

211 for V-drive skiing. My understanding it surfs well too.

[familytoy]

We just purchased a '09 216v. We also demoed a '08 226 (not sure how different it is between the 2010 226). We liked both boats but liked the styling of the 216v better and really did not think we needed the extra room provided by the 226. Now after 2 weekends with the 216 we are very happy, though 2 of my ballast tanks are not working. We tried to slalom behind it today and were disappointed with the wake. At 32 the wake looked good for boarding, not so good for skiing. I must add, I'm not sure the hydro gate was working correctly. The gate is only coming down about 20 - 25degrees. I thought it was supposed to go a full 90 and really lift the *** end. Also, this afternoon we were boarding and had 4 adults, 1 teen and 2 children in the boat and still had room to spare and move around. Since our cottage is on the lake we noramly do not spend all day on the boat, if we did then we would have gone with the 226.

Hope this helps.

[aerenson]

I am finishing my 2nd year on the 226 and have not regretted it for a minute. I ski and my kids wakeboard. At 20-22 mph, they say the wake is great and has a wonderful pop. At 30-32 mph the wake flattens out plenty to make for great skiing. We are certainly not pros, but we have become admitted wake snobs, and the 226 certainly passes the test. We are usually hosting another family, so 8 on the boat is average. The space is really nice. I think the 226 rides a little higher in the water, so the bow almost never takes water. This matters if you have lots of people and someone prefers to stay dryer. Good luck

[NautiqueJeff]

You guys that are talking about two-year-old 226's are talking about a totally different boat. The 226 is all new for 2010.

I just got off the lake from testing out the new 226 and the SN 200 with Greg Meloon. They have done it again. If you like the layout of the 216v, the 226 is similar, but bigger, and you will love it! Here are the things that really stood out to me:

The wakeboarding wake looked great! It was large, steep and clean with just stock ballast between 21 and 24 MPH, where most of us ride. I was surprised at the quality of the wake. It looked like it would be almost as good as a 230.

The handling was great, as we would expect from a Nautique. The ability to make quick, predictable turns makes it very easy to drive.

The Nautique Linc system is just unreal. It will be available in 2010 without getting the Coastal Edition option. Everything is integrated extremely well. It controls the ZO, the stereo (which now has speed-sensitive volume!), GPS mapping capability, and tons of other features. My next boat will have this option for sure.

If I bought a boat today, the 226 would probably be my #2 choice (behind the 230).

[BKinSoCal]

Great info, Jeff. Thank you for your summary. This is one of the boats I am considering within the next year to year and a half.

[frozone]

How does an older ('05-'06) 226 compare to an 08-09? Are they completely different or pretty similar? Did they change the hull design at all or just add hydro gate in the later model years?

[J]

i was told by cc that only the interior was significantly changed. I would opt for the ZR6 cuz she is a big machine.

[gotpwr]

i was told by cc that only the interior was significantly changed. I would opt for the ZR6 cuz she is a big machine.

I'll take Jeff's word over whoever "cc" is. :rolleyes: