V-Drive vs. Direct Drive

[mcbridek]

Red57Bird - Where are you on Gaston - We have a place on Songbird - 99 Sport Nautique - Do all our skiing in there - the covert keeps alot of the traffic out.

[Red57Bird]

Red57Bird - Where are you on Gaston - We have a place on Songbird - 99 Sport Nautique - Do all our skiing in there - the covert keeps alot of the traffic out.

Hello fellow Gastonite :!: Not familiar with Songbird, but then again it is a big lake. Our place is in Will's Landing up on Six Pound/Jordan Creek. We are way back in the far south-end part of the cove and we really don't get much traffic in there that isn't local. We have some great areas to ride and the good thing is that we start right out off our dock and stay within half a mile of our house. I know some folks have to ride a good ways to get to smooth water. I definitely have an advantage in not burning up fuel just to get somewhere.

[Grover777]

I too have been going back and forth between a VD and a DD. I thought I had my mind made up on a DD, however now am thinking about the V. Does the VD really lack in performance compared to a DD? I am leaning toward a V now because of more space/storage, ability to surf, wake board etc. Is it possible to surf behind a DD?

Perhaps I should just flip a coin!
This boat search is driving me crazy!! Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[SkiTower]

Only you can answer the question on performance...find one of each and drive it. As a basic boat, the V-drive is better (space, storage, etc...) but there is a reason DD's exist.

[SkiTower]

I made the switch, and I'm a skier (though not very good). I don't own a surf board or wake board. I bought the 211 for the family functionality and because the wake is 'good enough' for me and my buddies. However, the 206 wake I saw (didn't ride) was AWESOME. Your call.

[Justin1933]

I have a 211 and love it...Before my 211 I had 1999 Sport Nautique DD. I will never go back to a DD. The better wake, the storage, open layout, seat configuration, lack of water coming over the bow, handling in rough water, etc is far superior on my V-Drive.

People mention that the handling on the V-Drives is worse than a DD. I agree, but wonder what are people doing that they are having issues with the V-Drives not responding? Are they racing there boat around a track like it was a race car? I personally spend most of the time driving in a straight line.

Unless you are a hardcore skier, I don't see the need for a DD. Just my .02

[DuckDawg22]

This thread is 17 years old and the boats in OPs original question are still holding in the same 25-30k range that they were in 2008. Pretty remarkable testament to this era Nautique.