Boat buying decision-Nautique 220 or 226, prices, pics, etc.

[Jmass03]

Well guys, after that whole entire cherade with the Malibus, we've steered over to the Nautique side. The dealer here has always been awesome, the sales guy we've been dealing with for over 10 years since we bought our first jetski, and well, for the price, I think its worth the extra little bit, for peace of mind. At least the boats haven't been destroyed by the dealer/salesman himself, and then we lied about.

Anyway...first decision. We have to work with deciding on whether we want a Nautique 220 or the 226. Both are 2006's. The dealer has about the same amount of 220s and 226s. Four boats of each, I believe. In the 220 there are three boats we like, color and option wise. In the 226, there is only one boat we really like color wise. In regards to interior configuration, I think I'd say I like both. The 220 has more in it, as far as configurations, where as the 226 kind of resembles a Cobalt interior with its walk through transom, etc.

The dealer is giving a $4,000 dollar rebate on the 226s. I think they are going to be discontinuing this boat pretty soon so I think the dealer is in a hurry to sell them, with the 236 replacing it in 07. Thus, this is kind of a worry to me as well, being I want a boat that will be a current model in the Nautique line up, such as the 210 which will always be there, same with the xstar changed to x-1. However, the boat was Nautiques flagship model for some time, retailing for over 70 grand.

All of the boats, the 220 and the 226 are Team Editions, meaning they are fully loaded. The dealer is ASKING $58,500 plus tax for the 220 with the Excalibur motor with 330 hp. He is asking $59,500 plus tax for the 220 with the ZR 6.0 motor with 375 hp. I've heard the 330 hp does fine for wakeboarding since it has better low end torque. I test drove the 375 hp motor and it was fine either way. The 226's are all ZR 6.0 motors, and I think the prices are around the same ball park. Now on to pictures to get a better idea.

The Gray and Black 220 as well as the Gray and Orange one, are the ones with the 330 hp motor. The all black with a light blue is the one with the ZR 6.0 motor.













Here is the ONLY 226 we are interested in. The interior shown is of another 226 but we're not fond of the color of the exterior.







Give me your thoughts and opinions guys. Price wise? Colors? How much do you think for 2006's these boats are really worth. Is 15% a solid place to start negotiating?

[Ntron]

Nautiques are all great boats but my vote would be the black and blue 220 with the 6.0. The 6.0 has plenty of power to get out of the hole quickly. Two weekend ago we went to nationals and saw a couple of 220 on the water and what a great looking boat. Very functional with the rear facing seats, and plenty of room. There were 7 people in the main cabin area and they all had plenty of room. The wake look great. Good luck on your search.

[thekpan]

first one has wacky seats but i like them lol..second on i like the side entry its a bad ass feature and its bigger? i like that one better... negotiate especially casue the 07 stuff is coming out you should get a good dea.. good luck nice looking boats which ever one you come out with

[DRAGON88]

Have you ridden behind a 220 or 226? The 226 was NEVER the flagship wakeboard boat. I love CC's but I seriously would ride behind the 220 if you haven't already if you're expecting anything like a 210 wake you'll be severely disappointed... Color and engine wise I'd definitely go for the ZR6 (Even that might be a bit underpowered IMO once you weigh the boat down, which from what I hear the 220 requires quite a bit of weight to get it "there".) and the Blue/Black.

[Jmass03]

What about price wise? How much should I negotiate?

Jonathan

[wake_quake]

i test drove a 210 team on the weekend, bloody awsome boat, great wake, tonnes of room. why would you want something thats bigger and more expensive?

[Jmass03]

[E.J.]

[GCN-01]

Was in the same situation when ordering my new boat last week... we have had quite a few 220's come through the shop & they have been really well received by their new owners and everyone who has tested them...

If wakeboarding is your thing, the 220 is the pick of the two... I am not sure what level of riding needs more than factory ballast as most people over here arenb't running much more in it than factory... Even the Australian Pro Tour boat only runs an extra 4-600L of ballast on board... The wake size is pretty close to the 210, but it is no where near as abrupt.

I ended up running a 226 for this summer as we are doing way more social boarding & cruising than hard core riding & two of our crew are running 06 210TE's so we are sorted if we are just heading out for a quick set. The 226 wake is still quite poppy, but not as large as the 220 out of the box... The seating layout of the 226 is not as user friendly for viewing the boarding compared to the 220...

I would take ZR6 any day of the week over the EX330, but it is still a competent motor in the 220/226 if you aren't going to be loading it...

I like the Black/grey & grey/orange 220's for looks

At the end of the day you won't be unhappy with either boat

[midwesty]

the first boats interior is FUGLY! never in a million years would i get that interior

[Jmass03]

What about prices guys??

[mcfatty]

This is a clip of the local news doing a story on wakeboarding all done behind the 220. We all liked the wake and layout.


http://wakeboardnashville.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=6&pos=1