School me 1998 SN 196 w/ gt40

[idahosan]

Looking at a clean 1998 SN 196 w/ gt40. Tell me the good the bad and the ugly. I am waiting for more pics and hours but boat looks clean and taken care of. TIA

[gcam4]

What are you wanting in a boat? That will help me answer your questions.

One great thing,no matter your answer, is that is a very dependable engine and with proper maintenance should last 2000 hrs.

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[idahosan]

We have our gs22 and will be keeping it at our mountain place. I have always wanted a dedicated slalom tug for our home and maybe even join the local private ski lake. My boys are wanting to ski more and I am really wanting to slalom more. I am not great at it but enjoy it more than any other water sport. My first boat was a 1990 SN 20 years ago and have kicked myself for 20 years for selling it.

[kylant]

lol that you mention this.

I am in the same situation. I want an older Ski Nautique for the same reasons. I want a dedicated slalom boat. The GS is OK. Bump is hard with the lead, I am not taking the lead out every time we ski.
The GS is sure hard to drive straight when a skier is cutting. It is super hard to keep it straight in the course...
We have been running the course on our lake. so much fun


The Ski Nautiques of that era are my favorite. My first boat was going to be a '99 Ski, but we ended up getting the 2000 Air instead.

The only thing I would be concerned about is the ECU of the GT-40. They are know to go out, and from what I understand, are not that easy to come by. Ford doesn't make them any more.

My buddy has a '97 Ski and I don't think he has had any problems with it. He bought it for the same exact reason, to ski. He has his Wakesetter for the other stuff.

The GT-40 I had, was great. Really no issues in the 18 years and 600 hours I had it.

[idahosan]

Apparently the boat sold this weekend and somebody forgot to tell me. Oh well the hunt continues

[idahosan]

lol that you mention this.

I am in the same situation. I want an older Ski Nautique for the same reasons. I want a dedicated slalom boat. The GS is OK. Bump is hard with the lead, I am not taking the lead out every time we ski.
The GS is sure hard to drive straight when a skier is cutting. It is super hard to keep it straight in the course...
We have been running the course on our lake. so much fun


The Ski Nautiques of that era are my favorite. My first boat was going to be a '99 Ski, but we ended up getting the 2000 Air instead.

The only thing I would be concerned about is the ECU of the GT-40. They are know to go out, and from what I understand, are not that easy to come by. Ford doesn't make them any more.

My buddy has a '97 Ski and I don't think he has had any problems with it. He bought it for the same exact reason, to ski. He has his Wakesetter for the other stuff.

The GT-40 I had, was great. Really no issues in the 18 years and 600 hours I had it.

Still on the hunt but now I have the wife's blessing. It sounds horrible but I am tired of towing 3 hours every other weekend.

I love our gs22 but have same gripes about steering and wake. It works great for a couple rips but I have skied and driven SN before and nothing compares.

[gcam4]

I dont think you can get a more pure ski boat than the 97-99. Skis and tracks great. Others and myself consider it one of the best ski boats ever produced. You get the benefit of simpler electronics too. I'm not knocking the new ski or even a 200, but those bubble butts are just awesome. They are also reasonably priced and hold their value.

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[CHassmann]

I don't disagree with the opinions stated of the TSC1 hull of the 97-99 era, but from experience of skiing behind a friend's '97 and my '02, I think there was an improvement in the wake from the TSC2 hull. I currently have no desire to upgrade. Not sure of your price range, but you should be able to get into a TSC2 hull for under $20K.

[idahosan]

I’m sure I will be happy with either TSC hull

[SilentSeven]

Not too far from you....looks like it would clean up well and price is right.

https://bend.craigslist.org/boa/d/be...170255360.html

[idahosan]

Not too far from you....looks like it would clean up well and price is right.

https://bend.craigslist.org/boa/d/be...170255360.html

Just sent them an email. Thanks

[whitecaps]

We have a GS22 and also a 98 Ski Nautique with a GT40. Love them both, if I could only have one it would be the SN. My family would probably choose the GS22. Love, love, love the wake. I am in a ski club and our club boat is a Nautique 200- its a great wake also but I still like the TSC1.
By the way the ECM that is often talked about has now become readily available as several folks have figureed out how to program a Ford ECM for the GT40. So its not so hard to find anymore.

[NautiqueJeff]

I went over and looked at this one today. VERY nice boat, but I believe there may be an issue with the engine. It seemed to me to be running on 7 cylinders. Plugs, wires, and cap are new, but there was a definite unevenness to the way it ran, and it seemed to lack some power. This may be a good option for someone who is willing to deal with a potential engine rebuild. The price would be decent if the engine ran well.

This one is literally right across the cove from my house.

https://charlotte.craigslist.org/boa...173053787.html

[idahosan]

So in my research, I have come to a crossroads. I am dead set on a 97 to 09 SN 196 but balancing the pros and cons of each year and hull has me chasing my tail.

[idahosan]

found another possible boat. Price seems about 3k high. Boat looks immaculate. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...12233695926625