Nautique Vs Nautique

[Bruce_Butterfield]

I've been wanting do this comparison for awhile and finally got around to it. This is a head to head with a 1997 Nautique with a 5.7L 343Hp Excalibur against a 2015 SN200 with a 6.0L 409Hp. Both have "standard" props - Acme 422 on the ‘97 and Acme 668 on the SN200 (same pitch and diameter as 422 with 0.100" more cup)

 

ZO set to 36, SN200 with Hydrogate in slalom mode

Consistently a full boat length ahead to 36

 

ZO set to 36, SN200 with Hydrogate in trick mode

 

A little better - 1/2 to 3/4 boat length ahead.

 

ZO off, WOT, SN200 with Hydrogate in trick mode

 

Both topped out at 47 and change - within a tenth or so.

 

It just doesn't seem fair.

 

My neighbor with the 2019, 6.2l was afraid to take his boat off the lift after watching this.

 

Oh, not to start another "how many hours does a boat engine last" discussion, but the 5.7l in the '97 has 1600 hours vs 570 on the 6.0l

[Kwoody51]

Impressive!

 

Do you know the weight difference between the 2 models? Curious if that is part of the reason for the difference.

[Bruce_Butterfield]

From the owner's manuals:

'97 approx 2340 lbs

SN200 approx 2800 lbs

 

Weight is certainly a part of it, but I think the hull drag is the dominant factor.

[keithh2oskier]

Looks like the Bimini was up on the 200. Think that had any impact?

[skimtb]

What if you run them both at 34.2 and point the camera to the back? (Wake shot)

[Bruce_Butterfield]

I think the bimini being up is in the noise. I forget the exact numbers, but at speed the SN200 runs several hundred rpm higher than the 97. That's even with the extra cup on the 200's prop.

 

The slalom wake on the 97 is hands down flatter than the 200.

[JackQ]

Not sure a drag race has much relevance to a ski ride, other than for those with a very short set up or are at altitude. The 200, has more wetted surface and weighs more, slightly less spray at very short lines and most significantly to your pull, tracks better than a 196.

 

Other than that, the 196 is more nimble to drive, more responsive, easier to get around in boat ( 200 can’t get past engine box and driver seat), uses less gas and has arguably a better wake at 22 and 28.

 

Basically doesn’t make a difference other than you are more likely to have your driver maintain a good boat path with a 200.

[Jody_Seal]

Been there done that with many cross models. However the bubble butt SN in most all category's seems to prevail. I had a 502 in one that was a rocket ship it approached 60 mph with a special built SS 4 blade prop by OJ.

Still IMOP the bubble butt SN is and remains the best overall 3 event boat ever produced by any company.

[TEL]

Drag racing boats how fun. Drag racing anything is fun. Don't over analyse

 

[ScottScott]

@TEL Let's race!!!

[TEL]

@ScottScott your on!!! boats and tow trucks

[whitecaps]

With all the talk that goes on about the latest engines ie Ilmor, Pcm, etc, I think this little comparison says alot. Maybe too much is made of the powerplants. Bring back the bubblebutt.

[Bruce_Butterfield]

@JackQ you are exactly right. This was just a fun experiment that highlights the drag of the 200 and how good the “old” nautique is.

 

And it was my last chance as ole faithful goes off to her new owner this weekend. 3200 hrs over the last 20 years and it still is an awesome boat.

[Wish]

We had a 2009 6L 196 on the lift for the winter months and gave the 1997 BB a nice break. When the 1997 was put back on the lift and used, the 2 main drivers noticed immediately that the 1997 had more torque and whole shot. And yes, a better wake but barely. It is simply the best hull for slalom. And short set ups from the looks of videos above. Bruce, you gave me a nice bench mark to shoot for ....3200hrs (with a repower at some point) and to know it can make it for that many hours and many more is comforting. Fun post.

[Jody_Seal]

Boats and tow trucks??

Cool! I have a ford lightning that has been in excess of 125 with a 200 on a tandem!

 

 

 

[skimtb]

That would be fun to see the look on the troopers face as you passed him.

[JackQ]

Bruce, I wonder if 3200hrs is a record? What is the most hrs without repower may be interesting, also. But I have seen more than a few boats that should have been/ need to be re powered and were dogs to ski behind and drive.

[swc5150]

IMHO the bubble butt is also the most aesthetically appealing tow boat ever produced.

[rockdog]

A GT-40 has even better torque and hole shot I think so that’s pretty impressive with the 343.

[Bruce_Butterfield]

I bought the boat in 1999 with 160 hrs so the actual hrs on the hull is almost 3400.

 

I did the repower at 1750 hrs solely to get ZO and the GT40 was still going strong. Sold it to a guy in the PNW that cracked the block in is boat.

 

More than 1600 hrs on the 5.7 since 2012 and still going strong.

[UWSkier]

Older boats are just faster. You could probably take a 1996 Echelon with 265 HP and whip a current TXi with it. I'd put my ski partner's 2001 MC Skier19 up against any ProStar to 36 MPH. Fun test @Bruce_Butterfield :)

[2Valve]

Further proof just how great the 350 Chevy mill is.

 

 

[teammalibu]

@Jody_Seal was The Chad driving?

[skierjp]

The 200 should have had the stock Acme 654

[skierjp]

Whoops, sorry, a 6 liter should run a 668

[Bruce_Butterfield]

@skierjp yes 668. My memory isn't what it use to be. Thanks.

[Greg Banish]

I recently ran my 2003 SN196 against my neighbor's new 2018 200 (5.3L DI engine).

 

I got about 3/4 length lead from the holeshot and we were frozen there all the way to 42mph together.

[skimtb]

Has there been a poll on how many people “drop the hammer” or even close to pull up a skier? Does that happen on short lakes?

[TEL]

I have a very short set up, my 08 196 with a 343 has no problem getting up to speed before the 55's I only use about half or a little more throttle. There are 2 skiers that like full throttle on the start but they want that with all boats they ski behind.

[swc5150]

I haven't dropped the hammer on a skier in years...maybe not since the old 240-285hp carbs. A 6.2 would remove someone's arms from the body, especially a dude my size.

[dnewton]

@Jody_Seal are you saying you went 125mph while towing a boat??

[2Valve]

@skimtb

 

Only one guy in our club wants the full hole shot treatment. The other guys and the four ladies like the progressive throttle approach. I would say most often I'm barely hitting 1/2 throttle.

2Valve

[jjackkrash]

In addition to higher-drag hulls and more weight, the new boats seem to have less bow rise on the start, which is a good thing, IMO, but I would suspect also costs some hole shot.

[Jody_Seal]

@dnewton

Yes!

[dnewton]

@Jody_Seal that is absolutely crazy. Seems a bit unreasonable though, maybe only 5%.

[EricKelley]

I'm a fan of the bubble butt, however the trough and spray at 38 and shorter line lengths are so much better with the 200. With the 200 you don't go through a hole. The bubble butt with perfect pass is a really nice pull.

[jercrane]

Are you guys just on a mission to make people like me that bought new 200s feel terrible about that purchase? :D

[Drago]

@jercrane I have a ‘97 w/GT 40. I’ll trade you straight boat for boat. Even though mine’s obviously faster and more nimble, I’ll foot the transportation

[disland]

Should definitely be using the old Nautique for jump practice. 200 with 5.7 not so great for jump

[pcmcon729]

I had a 96 Nautique with GT-40 3 blade prop that I bought when I was a new member of CC promo team that year. Fastest 0-36, 0-40,0-WOT that I ever drove to this day. Top speed was 50(calibrated). Dealer (Maloon Family member) told me that promos were tweaked at the factory to provide more power than stock. As a 23 yr Sr 3 event driver, I've driven more than my fair share of boats. Wish I still had that one.

 

[escmanaze]

Count me among those who love to have the hammer dropped when getting up. Regardless of boat, regardless of engine. I love it. Nothing better than just rolling right up on the ski like as if it was a wakeboard.

[A_B]

My ‘99 SN with GT40 Ford Block is my all time favorite. Killed the 2007 with Excalibur out of the hole in drag race and wake seemed better to me as well. Lots of interior and cockpit room. I feel cramped in the new SN’s and can’t fit past the motor box.

 

 

 

[BraceMaker]

@escmanaze the pull feels good till it rips all my calluses! So long as the ski is right for my weight I like it softer.

[liquid d]

@EricKelley there is no "hole" at 38 and 39 on a bubble but nautique. And spray only comes into play with a pretty strong headwind

[6balls]

So really dumb....panda me. My daughter likes to surf and we are dependent on s'one to give us rides which rarely works out. I broke down and bought some ballast and a friend gave me a wake shaper.

I have a 2000 SN 196 with a GT40. We put 2600 lbs of ballast in there taking up all the floor space. Remarkable how easy she holds it...and wide open she still does 43??????

 

At 10-12 throws a big 'ol swell for surfing...obviously unweighted the slalom wake rocks. My buddies wake pig can't pull slalom even unloaded, and has trouble reaching barefoot speed.

 

The 196 is a pretty classic hull for so many reasons...never thought I'd say for this one.

[escmanaze]

@6balls I want to see video of that boat surfing and the wave you're talking about. Maybe a separate thread or a PM so as to not hi-jack this one.

 

I would have thought 2600 pounds would have darn near sunk that boat.

[6balls]

@escmanaze sent u PM. My surfer is international for 2 weeks so when she gets back will load up and post some video.

[Keith_Menard]

I love getting the hammer dropped...but need to ask for a little less on my friends older Mastercraft with the Corvette LT1

[ALPJr]

Bump... ski boat drag racing. One of my fav’ threads. Good social distancing too B)

[GregHind]

@Jody_Seal do any of the drive by wire boats implement torque vectoring (rate of acceleration limiting)?