Drove a spankin new 196

Had a small college tournement this weekend and I got to drive a new red 196 SN friday evening and all day saturday. It only had 5 hours on it when I stepped down on the new carpet and hit the push button starter.

All I have to say is it is an amazing boat. I only have 2 problems. The shifters suck and the drive by wire stuff sucks. They are kind of sticky and once it is in gear you have to move it an inch or so before any throttle response is seen. The drive line also has kind of a growl to it.

The rack and pinion steering is so smooth and responsive. They have huge power on the whole shot. The new zero off system is easy to use and works great. I treated it like it was mine al weekend long. The thing will move to we tickled 50mph on the analog speedo on a speed run. The drivers seating position is extremely comfortable too as Im short and my 2001 seat I cant sit back in so it hurts my back.

I couldnt whipe the smile off my face all weekend long.

I agree with Keith on electronic throttle. Our club's 08 Malibu has the snappiest throttle response I've ever experienced. Must have been that particular boat.

Also, phatsat67, is that the newest 196 you've driven relative to your 2001 model? You might be able to get into a boat with similar characteristics for much less than a brand new 196. I think that you'll find that the previous generation hulls behind the current TSC3 are all big steps up from your 2001 (I'm assuming you meant the 82-89 2001). The 90 and up SNs have lower bow rise, and much more agile handling at high and low speeds. The growl you hear is probably the reduction transmission. The rack and pinion steering has been standard since 1992 or 93.

Well Keith. The throttle is responsive once you get to the point when it starts to actually add throttle. Its just when you hit the in gear "notch" that you can feel in the shifter the throttle movement has no effect on the engine untill you push it an inch or so after that point. The girl thats dad owns it (she is on my ski team) also commented on the throttle being sticky and un resoponsive and she said her 07 was much more quiet as far as the drive line goes.

She is an awsome skier( slaloms into 35 off) jumps around 110 and has an amazing trick run. She has all the college records except for trick which she held untill last year. I got into 28 off at 34mph and ran 3 at 36 15 off so she still gives me crap that she can slalom better than the best guy on the team haha.

M3 im going to have to stick with the 2001(86) untill I graduate school at which point I will probably keep it to play with then buy a newer 00+ nautique for the main slalom duities.

Over all I really enjoyed the experience. I need to get tournement certified so I can drive at all the tournements instead of sitting on the shore untill its my turn to ski.

Oh I also liked the heater on my toes in the cold morning:).

Phatsat67, I have notice the same thing. We
went from an 90 SN to an 08 this year and
it has taken some getting use to.

My Bad, Welcome to the site Nawtique !!!!