Can the old Super Sport be a good family boat?

[PStew67]

Hello, I'm looking at purchasing a 96 Super Sport and wondering if the wake will be too large to go tubing/skiing with the 7 year olds. It's a family boat so here is what we would like to do with it in order of frequency; tubing small kids, waterskiing small kids, wakeboarding 250lb adults, wake surfing if possible. Also, looking at a Sunsetter VLX/LSV but I'd rather have a Nautique. Thanks

[verhagmr]

I think the Super Sport is a great family boat. Although I have never owned one, my family looked at that model but went with a Super Air. The V drive will create a bigger wake especially at those low end speeds you would be towing your kids at skiing. That said I still think young kids can manaage the wake. If fact the table between the wakes is bigger with a V drive allowing them an area to cut back and forth in without crossing the wakes. You will find it the same with the Malibu's you are looking at being V drives. My vote is would be the Nautique! I hope this helps!

[steve-o]

Mine works great for that. Wake isn't that unmanageable, plus you can add rope if you need to. 7 year olds don't cross out the wake much. You are going to need ballast to surf. The stock SAN is just a little bit too low for me to free ride. I weigh 210-215 depending on how much boudin I eat the night before.

I have a 99 SAN. Same boat essentially. I have room for all gear, can strap a tube to the sun deck, and still have room for 4 adults and 5 kids under age 10. I had 4 dads and 5 kids with gear and had plenty of room this past summer. I probably could have fit 2 more kids on there. I think my kids like swimming off it more than being pulled. I could have bought a large floating raft and saved $15k.

[PStew67]

Thanks for the comments. You bought a 99 SAN for 15K? Where do I get one of those? This 96 SS is around 15K and no tower.

On a side note, I'm on the shallow end of the lake and I won't be able to get this 24" draft boat to my dock the second half of the summer. Leaving it moored is not an option. The only solution I see is a 12K Sunstream floatlift, 300 feet of track for a rail system, or buying a jetboat. Anybody have a cheaper/better solution? Thanks again...

[Chexi]

Yes, use the public launch and your trailer during the dry season. Alternatively, go with a direct drive boat and make sure you don't have a lot of weight in the boat when you go in and out. A direct drive will actually suit your purposes, assuming you don't need all the space of the v-drive. If you don't buy that SS, let me know. I might be interested. Of course I won't ask for any details unless and until you decide not to buy it. Your find is your find!

[verhagmr]

Our cabin is in a shallow bay on a lake in northern WI, the first few summers up there we had to load our gear and people at the public landing, but over time we "naturally" dredged a channel (my friends and I would also have to dive for some of the bigger rocks to move)... just make sure you clean your water filter after going into the shallow water. I think you would be disapointed with a jet boat! I tried to get up wakeboarding behind one this summer, forget it! Also they soo loud!

[Batman]

I have owned both a Malibu and Nautique. If it has a GT 40 buy the Nautique because the VLX probably has 325 and GT40 is a beast comparatively

[steve-o]

Thanks for the comments. You bought a 99 SAN for 15K?

Not quite.

[CradGen2]

On a side note, I'm on the shallow end of the lake and I won't be able to get this 24" draft boat to my dock the second half of the summer. Leaving it moored is not an option. The only solution I see is a 12K Sunstream floatlift, 300 feet of track for a rail system, or buying a jetboat. Anybody have a cheaper/better solution? Thanks again...[/QUOTE]

How much water do you have in the dry season. "Based on Globel warming" you might get lucky this summer and have pleanty of water. I have an 08 210 (newer version of the 96 Super Super) and think i draft about 17 inches of water. Depending 0n the botton for your lake you might be able to get it in. What do you have now in there?

I have been looking at the SunStream lifts, but can't bring myself to that kind of cash. If you are thinking of buying a 12K lift, I'd get a new Nautique and use the trailer, JIMO..

CW

[wake_fun]

Hello, I'm looking at purchasing a 96 Super Sport and wondering if the wake will be too large to go tubing/skiing with the 7 year olds. It's a family boat so here is what we would like to do with it in order of frequency; tubing small kids, waterskiing small kids, wakeboarding 250lb adults, wake surfing if possible. Also, looking at a Sunsetter VLX/LSV but I'd rather have a Nautique. Thanks

It's an awesome family boat. I've had my 95' since 2003 when my daughter was two and had one in the oven of that year The oldest is now turning nine and the young one is now six........wow time goes quick! Anyway, you will love it as a family boat!

[Quinner]

I have an 08 210 (newer version of the 96 Super Super) and think i draft about 17 inches of water.

Not even close, a newer 210 has a draft of around 28", my 206 drafts 24".

[WakeSlayer]

Both the 08 210 and the 96 SSN draft 28" at rest. Note that these specs are at dry weight. No gas, gear, or passengers.

[CradGen2]

thanks for the info. I was guessing. I've used ramps that I felt were 20 inches, but the trailer must have been helping.

[MrSluggo]

I currently own a 96 Sport with a Titan tower / GT 40 and it has been a Great all around boat! I pull skiers / tubers / wakeboarders etc and we have had this boat for about 6 years and has been a very versatile. We are in the process of selling it and are going to upgrade to a 210 or 230 as it seems that my crew spends a majority of the time now Wakeboarding / Wakeskating. Bottom line is it should be a great boat for what you are looking for.

[PStew67]

I waited too long and the 96 Super Sport sold. What can you guys tell me about a 2000 Super Air Nautique, again in terms of being a good family boat? The year 2000 lineup had a Nautique Super Sport and Super Air, are they the same just differen't options? Thanks