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Now I have another question. How many bunks, size, length, spacing, and orientation should I put on the lift for the 196? It is a cable lift, suspended from the boathouse ceiling. Nautique says they have no information on this.

Thanks to everyone who replied to my original post. Although it may appear I've been MIA, I've actually been looking hard and finally have a 2000 Nautique 196 under contract. I listened to what you advised and am getting a closed bow. A little work to be done on it but hull, rub rail, interior (except for engine box) look really good. GT40 engine. PerfectPass, though not powering up at the moment (I suspect a poor ground connection). Needs a steering cable. Nice single axle trailer with new bearings--I'll be towing it about 1000 miles before dropping it in the water in Saranac Lake, NY. The trailer is interesting--has a removable tongue (not folding). I hadn't seen that before.

Back end of the boat will be toward the lake, on a lift, in 10' deep water, so no access to the back of the boat to pull the platform or pins. I like the idea of a folding platform. Good idea. Thanks. I see there is some hardware available to do that though if I get this 196 I won't need to do it. Thanks for the link to that ProSport. I just sent a message and will follow up on that.

ETskier: Thanks for the question. The antique is a 1912 Fay & Bowen Special 25' that my grandparents bought new at the New York boat show. It was repowered in about 1950 with a 4 cyl. Graymarine Sea Scout 92 (25 hp). That was a big change--it has electric start! Sorry, I can't figure out how to post a picture so here is a link: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpes_3AuZpE/

Thanks for the prompt responses. The information is very helpful. I am going to see the 196 on Saturday; about 800 hours on the clock. The seller is out of the country at the moment but his friend who's helping sell it also has a 196 and tells me the ride is decent when there are whitecaps on the lake. Can anyone confirm this? I wasn't aware of the ProSport--that's exactly what I would like but I have found none on the market anywhere. If you know of any, please let me know. I'm guessing it wasn't popular and for that reason was quickly discontinued. However, the existence of the ProSport makes me more confident that I can replace the observer seat with a swiveling captain's chair with the help of a capable and imaginative upholsterer. I did have another thought--I'd be willing to have a good fiberglass shop cut 12" off the front of a ProStar 205 and reshape/refinish it. Would probably look a bit funky but shouldn't change the performance and would get me the clearance I need in the boathouse. I'd also be willing to cut down the length of a teak swim platform--though I would not eliminate it. But the 196 will likely serve me.

I've been lurking for a long time and have read lots of requests for advice on selecting a boat. I'm about to add to the congestion--apologies. I have a consideration I have not seen mentioned previously. My boat will be kept in a boathouse. The slip length is 21'7" (I have to be able to close the overhead door to keep sunlight off my antique boat in the next slip). I have an overhead lift so the boat will be out of the water unless it is in use. Use will be for water skiing and cruising. Any wakeboarding will be at the beginner level and not the least bit aggressive. I have not skied in quite a few years due to hip replacement and rotator cuff surgeries (both shoulders). I am a recreational skier and will never be in competition. There is a course on my public lake and I will likely use it some (to gauge my proficiency--not to compete) but mostly free skiing. Never having had a true ski boat--only skied behind outboards--I can't tell you how fast I ski. Have only skied long line. My budget is in the $20-25,000 range, at least until I find out how well an inboard fulfills my dreams. I'm in Florida for the winter but would take the boat back to the Adirondacks in a couple of months when I go back for the summer. In all the years I've been skiing and teaching others to ski I've encountered two accidents--a broken femur (my nephew) and a dislocated shoulder (mine). In both situations a swim platform was instrumental in getting the injured skier back into the boat and back to shore. In the (admittedly/hopefully) unlikely event of another serious injury it seems to me that the swim platform is an important safety feature, but a swim platform adds at least 18" to the overall length of a boat (remember, I'm limited to 21'7" overall). I had also wanted an open bow but am reconsidering that. To make a closed bow more useful for cruising, I've asked a local marine upholstery shop for a quote on removing the observer seat and replacing it with a swiveling captain's chair (any thoughts/tips/experience with that would be very helpful). I had hoped to be able to get a Response Lxi or maybe even an SSLxi but measurement of the slip length today rules those out unless I remove the platform, which, for the reason described above, I'm reluctant to do. Other thoughts had been a Nautique Sport/Air or a Prostar 205. Now I'm thinking a closed bow, especially if I can replace the observer seat with a swiveling captain's seat, would be acceptable. A couple of very clean boats (not interested in projects--I have enough of those already) have caught my eye: a 2002 Nautique 196 for $18,000 and a 2002 Bu Sportster for $20,500 (open bow but with that horrible step-over dash--whose brilliant idea was that?). There is also a nice looking 1995 Ski Nautique for $19,500 (in VT which would make getting it home easier but no way to inspect the boat quickly--besides it seems way overpriced). I'd appreciate any and all thoughts. Thanks.