Bring back the 196

[swc5150]

If there are plenty of '08 to '09 promos out there, Mark's club would likely be interested. Post some links. Nice advice telling us to just buy a used boat and get on with it. I hope you're not a member of the CC promo team. It's been a fun thread... peace out:-)

[teamseal]

Currently on E-bay their is 1 196. In the boat trader their are 22 196's including a leftover 08 and many nice pre-used 07-09 196's, a lot of these boats are on Nautique dealership lot's.
Not sure what the fuss about bringing back the 196 is all about their are and will be plenty of these boats available that are in near new condition on the market for years to come.
Bottom line is Nautiques are moving forward and to try and convince them to go backwards and build a lesser product will not happen. Again they are in tune with the market and if enough voices are heard that their is something diifferent or a trend that customers will purchase then Nautiques will respond with that product and changes will be made.
To a degree I am on the Promo Program. I guess I should introduce my self for those who I have not had the privilage to meet. My Name Is Jody Seal I have been Employed By Correct Craft since 1992 and worked in the product design and R&D departmnent. I left day to day employment with the company in 2005 and am retained as a senior Field tech providing on site tech support and company representation at majior functions around the world and here in the USA. I have a current ski 200 and in the past have had a 07,08 and a 09 196 that pull in upwards of 20 tournaments a year including the US Masters, Southern Regionals and US Nationals along with many REL&C tournaments thru out the summer. I am a senior Driver and senior Judge and have driven The Moomba (11 times), The US Nationals and Southern Regionals, also in the last 3 years I have driven 6 world records in all three events including Freddys 243 and Reginas slalom record. I do opperate a independent inboard repair facility In Panama City, Florida and that is where I make my daily bread.
Hopefully as I participate on these forums I do not offend anyone with my advice and meerly want to promote the product and the family values the Nautique product represents.

Jody Seal

[G-man]

jody

Your welcome to be here, your a wealth of knowledge. We haven't met but you did email me some information without hesitation.

[bxroads]

Jody, why did you leave me off your resume? Plus, you served me the kool-aid, and I'm liking it. For sure, your opinion isn't "guessing".

[cotton]

For the past 2 years I've heard complaints about price with my '07 and '09 196.

If I had a nickel for every time I heard..."I can't believe their charging $k more this year"...I could buy a couple of boats.

It is amazing what these boats cost (especially the wake board boats/glad I wasn't a prospect for one). When I got back into boating early last year I had absolutely no idea how expensive they had become.

However, the complaints about ski boat prices are not limited to Nautique's, at least in our area. Bu, MC and Nautique owners all pretty much say the same thing: "it’s amazing what kind of vehicle one can buy with the same dollars these ski boats cost." Since they are all very expensive, one has to assume the cost to build a very high quality performance ski boat is just high. Otherwise, would competition not bring these boat prices down?

[TRBenj]

Looks like Im at least a week late so maybe this is beating a dead horse... but I have to agree with j2nh on all accounts. We were very excited when the 200 debuted, but the more I read, and when I saw the boat in person, it became very clear that this is a compromise boat. Yes, I hear it performs better in the slalom course than anything else, but otherwise, there are a whole lot more negatives than positives with the 200, IMHO.

I dont doubt that CC designed the boat with greater market appeal in mind- clearly the trend in the tournament boat industry is toward larger, open bow "family" ski boats. Unfortunately, there are a number of people that dont need a larger, heavier boat with more storage. I see the lower top speed and pushed back windshield (which negatively affects using a straight boom and walking between the driver's seat and motorbox) as pretty big steps in the wrong direction- at least for my use.

Someone mentioned that there are better barefoot boats on the market than the 200- no kidding... but none are Correct Crafts. The 196 had an acceptable wake and enough top end- it sure doesnt sound like the 200 will get the job done, at least without the 6.0L.

Someone mentioned that if you prefer the 196, go buy a used one. Thats a viable option. I know my father was very hot on the idea of upgrading his '03 when the 200 came out, but when we started identifying the compromises, he and I went out and bought an old Barefoot Nautique instead (and is keeping his '03 for the forseeable future). With the increased appeal of the 200, Im sure Correct Craft wont miss this sale- but you can chalk us up as "disappointed". I think there are a handful of people that would agree with us, judging from this thread.

As far as bringing the 196 back, I cant say that Im for that. MC has had luck with giving life to old models (see the 1995-1997 PS190 turned into the Sportstar/PS195 in the 1998-2001 timeframe), but I would rather CC didnt go in that direction. Like Jody said, look towards the future. I would rather CC build a smaller (18-19') closed bow with a really good barefoot wake and a slalom wake that was comparable to the 196. I wouldnt want to call it a "pricepoint boat" as CC hasnt had much luck selling those in the past (eg 176, Ski Nautique Standard), but rather a decently optioned boat that was only a few ticks below the 200 in slalom performance, and slated just below it in their model lineup. It would be good for small lakes or people skiing off the dock. Give it an option for the 409hp and some Barefoot Nautique graphics- now that would be cool. Maybe give it a retro option package, complete with a plush interior and front bench seat (bring back the Mustang name) and sell it to people who cruise and ski recreationally. Maybe the R&D for the new hull could be spread over several "models" with the same hull, and would fill a gap in their lineup... who knows, maybe it could even be made to throw a decent wakeboard wake with some weight. Just my 2 cents. (If someone from CC reads this and wants me to help design this new boat, let me know!)

[MARK-S]

I could not find info on 08/09 196s in stcok

Not sure where all the boats are. I have sent PMs to the dealers on the web and have not been responded to.
I did see a used 08 for 35k on SIA

[2gofaster]

Not sure where all the boats are. I have sent PMs to the dealers on the web and have not been responded to.
I did see a used 08 for 35k on SIA

Mark, I've got a sweet 196 that I'd be willing to sell for less than 35k.

[jdarwin]

196 vs 200

I had the chance to drive the 200 for several rounds at a record tournament this past weekend (where CP broke the WR) - I personally own a 2007 SN and prefer it over the 200. The dash layout is not user friendly for a driver - you must take your eyes off your path to check times on the ZO. I always confirm speed before entering the course. Again, you must change your field of vision to accomplish this. The RPM's did not seem to be an issue for the skiers or the drivers but it certainly was for the LOC. The SN burned significantly more fuel than the Malibu on site. The interior doesn't "flow". Very choppy. The pads on top of the saddle bags snags the tow line. You can't sit on the back of the boat when putting on your ski - you'll slide off. The fuel fill in the middle is a joke - very hard to access while in the water and probably worse when on a trailer.

I would not agree that the boat tracks better than the 196. A significant amount of torque is required on the rudder and that tends to make the boat want to veer left constantly. My 196 seems to be more on a rail and has less "float" in the course. The 200 seems to "slide" while the 196 rotates on the axis of the pylon.

The boat is extremely nice but for $50k+, the 196 is a better value. I've been approached about selling my boat more frequently since the 200 introduction. The value of the 196 will remain high and in demand for some time.

[jdarwin]

196 vs 200

Another point - the "smoke and mirrors" surrounding the demand of this product needs some clarity. The production may have been "sold out" but it was due to several factors:

1. CC made every dealer purchase a 200 this year - was not the case w/ the 196.
2. Suppliers (of which several are clients of mine) either do not have sufficient inventory on hand to meet demand or do not issue credit to mfgs any longer. Therefore, CC won't make it unless its sold - no excess inventory - and only if they can get the parts necessary to construct.

[gride300]

how much do you think cc would sell the cad design for the old 210 hull or the old 196 hull? or at least license it.

[HVL2010]

Old 196's

Are for the hardcore skiers. The more I try to use mine for a family boat that also gets used for skiing, boarding, skating, and yikes.....tubing....the more I see the flaws withat that. I prefer inboards for lots of reasons, but CC is way late to this dance. VTX, X2, and the Tige 20V have been around a long time sucking up the market. Tige actually makes a DD version too, while the others still make competition boats geared to slalom and 3 event. With the advent of a 200V, can you see them making the DD version CB only perhaps? Have a little vision folks.

[swc5150]

I've been approached about selling my boat more frequently since the 200 introduction. The value of the 196 will remain high and in demand for some time.

I've been approached a couple of times about selling mine as well. I purchased mine last fall, and went used out of no other option. I bought the newest, nicest one I could find. I'd upgrade to an '09, if I could find one, but it's been a challenge. If you do find one, they'll want top dollar for it.

[MARK-S]

Used 200 prices

http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skii...h&postid=12167

ouch

[cotton]

http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skii...h&postid=12167

ouch

Is this high? If so, what would a similar 196 sold for?