What nautique is this?

Obsessed · Criminal Joined: 22 Feb 2011 Posts: 74 City: Bahrain

Can anyone recognize which nautique this is? Is it a ski nautique, or is there an old air nautique in this shape?
It looks a bit different to the 1992 ski nautique i saw recently.
Whats the deal with "Air Tique" being written on the side?
Im looking at possibly buying it, the picture is the only detail I have right now until i get to go see it, but it looks pretty clean and is at 10,000USD and supposedly very good working condition, so with that monster tower it seems reasonable if its in good condition.

Wkerat · Soul Rider Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 317

It looks like the nautique 176 that they offered for a few years. It was the minature version of the regular nautique. I believe they did offer a air version, which may have thrown a ballast tank in it and the extended pylon as stock.

DRAGON88 · Posted: May 16, 2011 4:34 pm Post subject:

It's the baby wakeboard boat from the late 90's. IIRC it was 17'6".

Here: http://www.correctcraftfan.com/reference/1998_brochure2/index.asp?page=27

FlyZone CR · Posted: May 16, 2011 9:11 pm Post subject:

No built in ballast. Won't throw a fantastic wake, but if it's in good technical condition I think 10K is a nice deal. Don't know too much about 176/Tique prices though so double check. Correctcraftfan has loads and loads of good info!

Obsessed · Criminal Joined: 22 Feb 2011 Posts: 74 City: Bahrain

Thanks for the responses, very helpful.

PimpinD2 · Posted: May 17, 2011 4:31 am Post subject:

buy my 1994 prostar 205 for $11,000

Commodore · Ladies Man Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11636

Look at older Supra Sunsports/Saltares. Open bow, 21ft or 23ft, very big freeboard for weighting, and throw good wakes. The Sunsport is the best for wakeboarding. And you can easily find a 1989-1994 Sunsport for the amount you are wanting to spend.

Obsessed · Criminal Joined: 22 Feb 2011 Posts: 74 City: Bahrain

I'm kind of limited on my selection. I live in Bahrain, so these boats are pretty rare here especially when on a budget. I currently have a bayliner with an outboard engine, it throws a nice wake after figuring out where to put ballast, but am just keeping my eyes open for an inboard in good condition that could replace it. Im in no hurry, so just waiting for a good deal to come along, this seems like a good deal, I just need to ensure the wake is decent and the boat in good condition.
Im going to go out on it on Friday.

Bowen · Posted: May 24, 2011 6:56 pm Post subject:

I have a buddy who used to have one. We would sack that thing out until it was nearly taking on water, but the wake really wasn't bad, never huge, but much better than any I/O and even some ski boats I used to ride behind. It was the miniature version of the original Air Nautique hull.

Definitely a tiny little boat though. After you throw sacks in it there is 0 seating. Brings back some good memories though.

Obsessed · Criminal Joined: 22 Feb 2011 Posts: 74 City: Bahrain

I went out on the boat on the weekend, it was a nice little boat I did like it.
The wake wasnt huge, but was very clean, the boat wasn't sacked and had 3 people in it while I was having a quick pull on a wake skate to get a close view of the wake.
I think that with weight, the wake will probably be better than my current boat with an outboard.
Also I usually only go out with 2 or 3 friends max and we are purely wakeboarding, so I think the seating space should be just enough even when sacked.

I am tempted by it, but its going to be complicated to get home, so I am still thinking about it.

Ralph · Posted: May 24, 2011 10:33 pm Post subject:

There are far better boats at that price point for wakeboarding IMO. Skiing sure, it is hard to beat, wakeboarding not so much. That hull doesn't respond well to weight and the wake doesn't ever really get big or loose the mellow shape

kartman · Posted: May 26, 2011 11:08 am Post subject:

for the money you can find alot bigger boat. but being 17' and having 260hp, that thing has to be a rocket ship!