Considering a change

[mlange]

I know you guys are going to hammer on me for this, but I'm considering a change to an 08-09 CC 196. I've been waffling on this for the last few weeks, which probably is a good signal that I should just stay put, but I'd like to get some insight from you guys.

For those of you that have spent time both behind the boat and behind the wheel of both an 08-09 196 and an 03-06 RLXi what did you consider the pros and cons of each? I'm not interested in comments re: looks. I think the 03 - 06 RLXi is gorgeous. I'm more interested in storage, creature comforts, drivability, Indmar vs. PCM and those little things that you don't really get a handle on until you've spent a bunch of hours with a boat. I probably ski 90% and barefoot half 5' and half long line 10% of the time. So any comments on the chine spray and curl/table at long line would help, too.

For storage... I don't care about the open bow. I don't like people being up there unless we're floating. And I don't need a whole lot of storage or the CC would already be ruled out, but I do need to be able to get two slaloms in the trunk along with a rope, a few handles and gloves.

My current dealer is awesome and that's one thing that has definitely got me thinking I should stay with the RLXi. The CC dealer is apparently good, but I have no personal experience with them so there is a bit of a question mark there.

I'm aware of the rumors that CC is going to dump the 196 and 206 in favor of a 200. That doesn't really sway me one way or the other. I'm assuming given the current economy that Malibu won't be changing the RLXi for a couple of years or more.

Any help you guys could provide to help me make a decision one way or the other would be appreciated. If I don't make a change now I'll probably stay put until at least the next change to the RLXi is made.

Thanks!

Mike

Edited June 7, 2009 by mlange

[Sixball]

I ski an 03 cc196 very often. and I have a 07 RLXI.

The 196 is a very nice boat I think the prop wash is much more noticeable than my RLXI at 35 off. That is were we usually ski. But with that said it is still a great wake. nether boat is anything to speak poorly about.

I think my Rlxi handles much better after drooping a skier. The 196 does not want to turn until the boat settles in and speed drops off. This is well coming off the throttle not at speed. Well pulling the 196 is very solid no better but no worst than my Rlxi.

I don't like the ski locker on the 196 under the observers seat. People are always moving around to get another ski out. My 67" ski will not fit in the rear locker.

I looked very hard at the CC196 before getting my Rlxi. I could not see the cost difference. Both my CC and Bu dealers are very good.

I think the CC 196 is less weight sensitive if you ski with just a driver. CC prop rotation is reversed from Bu and I think it helps the boat if not loaded even.

I also wanted a bit bigger boat than the 196.

I don't think you will dislike a 196 it is a great ski boat but is it any better than a Rlxi? I have not barefoot behind the 196.

The 196 we ski has the I think 295 HP I have never had a problem with ether Indmar or PCM.

[UWSkier]

Can't really comment on the newest 196, but I have a lot of time behind a 2006 206. I prefer the wake on the LXi personally. Less of a kicker at 22 and 28 off. Handling is considerably different. The CC feels like it's going through the water while the Bu sounds like it's on top of the water. The CC doesn't spin and the steering effort is higher. The Bu feels like a lightweight, nimble dance partner. That said, the CC definitely feels more solid and the drivetrain is smoother.

[davemac]

I agree w/ UWSkier as to the handling. If you are concerned about CC dealer, you could always search or inquire on correctcraftfan.com or planetnautique.com for some feedback. I haven't driven or skied behind an 08-09 but most of my friends have 196s. Despite not looking near as good, they obviously are capable, and do have a real solid feel to them. If threatened, I might even admit to being a little partial to the wake.

Storage not as good, rear locker is (oddly) too short to hold a slalom ski, & to me the floor when you get in does not has as solid a feel as the Bu, and walking space is tighter around the CC motor box.

To me, I opted for the RLXI due to it being more "practical" and family friendly..which I needed.

If you are not in need of the storage/ amenities/ bow seating/ better looks.... just a workhorse to pull you skiing and footing, then it certainly is worth taking a look. I would think that a test drive&ski should be your deciding factor. They drive distinctively different....just be ready for the stern to kick to the left when you hit reverse.

Enjoy the research and decision.

Dave

Edited June 7, 2009 by davemac

[MalibuTime]

I ski an 03 cc196 very often. and I have a 07 RLXI.

...

I think my Rlxi handles much better after drooping a skier. The 196 does not want to turn until the boat settles in and speed drops off. This is well coming off the throttle not at speed. Well pulling the 196 is very solid no better but no worst than my Rlxi...

droop off - Is that when you are so tired from skiing that you can't even drop off, you just droop off after your run?

[mlange]

Thanks for the input guys.

I sure don't need much storage, but if you can't even get a 67" ski into the locker much less a couple of 68" skis it's going to be an easy decision because pulling up the passenger seat between every set isn't an option I'm willing to live with.

Mike

[davemac]

The CC hull design is widest at midship, then noticeably tapers back at the stern....which presumably makes it tough to allow the locker to be wide enough. A little deceptive IMO how they show a picture of a ski in the locker on the website when you click on the locker. Not sure what length it is.

196 specs

Edited June 8, 2009 by davemac

[JohnDoe]

I'm more interested in storage, creature comforts, drivability, Indmar vs. PCM and those little things that you don't really get a handle on until you've spent a bunch of hours with a boat. I probably ski 90% and barefoot half 5' and half long line 10% of the time. So any comments on the chine spray and curl/table at long line would help, too.

Storage: lxi hands down

creature comforts: if you have 3 people in a 196, you're squished

drivability: all ccs are smooth, it may even track a little better, but not near as nimble

indmar v pcm: as a former PCM owner, I can sing their praises, but indmars as well. You will find that the indmars are slightly more powerful motor for motor

If you barefoot on boom or longline, you will absolutely prefer any malibu. Look at the spray pattern on a 196, you you get hammered if on the boom! As for longline, the table is a frothing mess, far inferior to a response, lx, lxi or otherwise. If you're looking for a CB, talk to Galaxytoad about his switch from an lxi to a CB response. I spend the majority of my time in a CB response, and if you're not needing the bow for seating, is a great boat, and barefoot performance is far superior. Try to find some pictures of the 196s wake from the boat (there may be some on ccs website) and look at what turbulent mess it is. Soft for skiing, sure, but if longline you want a consistent table with minimal turbulence, far from what the 196s looks like.

[SmoothWaterMan]

a couple of cents -

The 196 compares very nicely to a Response. (that's a closed bow, not a LX or LXi)

- The Response will blow the 196 away for barefoot, and be comparable for slalom.

The 206 is what CC tried to compare to the RLXi, but the wake is vastly different than the 196 and the RLXi.

- Shortline skiers love both the 196 and the RLXi.

- RLXi handles much better from a drivers perspective, particularly around the dock. With the forward tracking fins the 196 is purely a straight running machine.

The RLXi is great for shortline slalom, exceptional handling, no spray, rougher water.

- Absolutely no spray for the shortline slalom skier. Will have spray issues on the boom unless using the extended boom from Bemman.

The Response is great for longer line lengths (32 or longer), slower speeds, boom work and all barefooting. If skiing on choppy water and shortline (35 off or shorter) you'll have spray up in the wind. But, no spray when using the boom.

I had a customer tour both plants, test drive and ski behind both (even with Mapple at CC - nice treat), and bought a RLXi. The 206 option was quickly dismissed. He was purely a slalom skier and if it was between the Response and the 196 it would have been a hard choice. Between the 196 and RLXi it was an easier choice for him. (2008)

Hope that helps.

Peter

[Sixball]

I ski an 03 cc196 very often. and I have a 07 RLXI.

...

I think my Rlxi handles much better after drooping a skier. The 196 does not want to turn until the boat settles in and speed drops off. This is well coming off the throttle not at speed. Well pulling the 196 is very solid no better but no worst than my Rlxi...

droop off - Is that when you are so tired from skiing that you can't even drop off, you just droop off after your run?

Uneducated and doing two things at once.