2001? Ski 196 with tower

[NBaas]

New Nautique owner. I think I have a 2000 year 196 based on the spec sheet on this forum?. It has a Chev 305, no ballasts (but has ballast controls on the dash), open bow, "air" decals, and a flight control tower. The serial number tells me its a 2001 year with a "2" as the model number (I'm guessing this is for the open bow)? I'm thinking someone added the decals and the tower at some point? Anyhow the craft is in amazing condition. It's running an ACME 654 prop. Great pull from stop. Myself and my friends are old, heavy, and not professionals at water sports. This boat makes us feel like we are way better than we are. Prev owner also installed a Perfect Pass system that works like a hot ****. This pic was taken late September west of Edmonton, Alberta.

[NautiqueJeff]

It appears that you have a 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow there.

The 196 moniker didn't start until 2003.

The Air graphic was likely added later, but the tower MIGHT be original. I had a 2001 Ski Nautique that I recently sold that had a factory-installed tower like that.

Looks like your boat is in very nice shape! Enjoy it!

[NBaas]

Thanks NautiqueJeff. I floated the question to my local N dealer and they figure it is an early production 2001 year Air Nautique which may explain the 305 power plant. Whatever its called, it makes me grin ear to ear. In the spring I will take a lot more photos of it in action so I have visuals when I explain to my daughter why she is going to community college... (mostly kidding).

[NautiqueJeff]

That is not a 2001 Air Nautique. Your boat is a 2001 Ski Nautique with a tower that someone put an Air decal on. The 2001 Air Nautique was based on the Sport Nautique hull at that time, and had a true walk-through open bow. See the 2001 brochure for more info.

In 2002, they came out with the Air Nautique 196, which is the closest thing to what you have, but that boat would have had a different gelcoat pattern, like the one below, and it would have been a 2002 (at least).

The 275 HP engine is not unusual for that time frame at all. It was an option on all boats except for the Super Air Nautique. I have a 2000 Sport Nautique in my collection right now that has a 275, and I recently sold a 2003 196 that had that engine too. It is a great engine, and uses slightly less fuel than the GT40 or the Apex, which would have been the main other engine options for that boat, and WAY less than a Python, which was a very rare option for that boat.

For more info, check out the Spec Sheet.

[NBaas]

Thanks again NautiqueJeff. I have learned a lot in the 24 hours I have been part of this forum. I think you nailed it. The 305 IS a great engine I agree, and relatively good on gas. Low enough compression that you get a lot of "horsepower hours" out of it. I am wondering where you found such a great picture of my wife and I on that 2002...

[NautiqueJeff]

You guys must have been the models in the photo shoot for the 2002 Nautique brochure! That's where I found that picture.