Response or new Ski Nautique 200?

[Dougger]

Okay, I own a '99 Response LX and like it better then the SN 196's that I drove for a camp this last summer but I just got a chance to see (in person) the new SN 200 open bow with tower. Most of what I saw I really liked. Did not like the ski lockers over the trunk but otherwise it was nice. The question is... which has better performance, the new 200 or a RLX or RLXi? Wakes, tracking, etc? I don't want just speculation, as I have enough myself, but I want to know from a good skier that has skied behind them all and knows. Anyone?

[j2nh]

Can't speak to the comparison between a SN 200 and an RLX or RLXi but I can tell you first hand the difference between the 196 and 200.

There is NOT a huge difference in slalom wake from 15 to 32 off between the 196 and 200 at 34 MPH.

Trick wake is much better on the 200. Great table and much more defined wakes.

200 is slow. I drove and skied the 200 with the 343 hp excalibur and it is noticeably slower out of the hole and the top end is around 41. This is not a boat you would want to barefoot behind without the 409. Big Dawg slalom final was pulled with the 409.

If all you do is course skiing the location of the speedo and ZO will not be a problem. If however, you do any free skiing the speedo is down and to the right and is not easy to see when driving. ZO display is not visible at all.

What didn't you like about the 196?

[Dougger]

What didn't you like about the 196?

At some line lengths (and I don't go into many of them) I felt that the wake was a little harder. Not that it was bigger, just harder. Much of my issue was not really that the SN 196 was bad by any means but that it felt and sounded differently. I don't like the sounds in the Nautique... very whiney with some resonant frequencies at times. The RLX just feels and skis right to me. I will say that the visibility out of the 196 is far better. Versitility in the RLX is much better with the open bow and Wedge.

[j2nh]

What didn't you like about the 196?

At some line lengths (and I don't go into many of them) I felt that the wake was a little harder. Not that it was bigger, just harder. Much of my issue was not really that the SN 196 was bad by any means but that it felt and sounded differently. I don't like the sounds in the Nautique... very whiney with some resonant frequencies at times. The RLX just feels and skis right to me. I will say that the visibility out of the 196 is far better. Versitility in the RLX is much better with the open bow and Wedge.

200 is quieter than the 196 (slightly). If you are a hardcore slalom course skier the 200 is a great boat. If you mix it up with other kinds of skiing the 200 may not be the boat for you.