93' SNCB vs. 2003 196

buy a new boat!!

pdxcc wrote: I am a bit afraid to pull into my wake as I am catching air.

I think this is the main problem here. Any hesistancy to keep the ski on edge through the wakes will exacerbate the bouncing and "catching air". While it doesnt throw quite as nice a wake as a TSC1 or TSC2 hull, the "No Wake Zone" (1990-1996 SN) hull still throws a very decent slalom wake. Personally, I think the 2001-NWZ hull change was the most significant in improving the slalom performance of the Ski Nautique. Later generations certainly offered nice improvements, but the NWZ hull is so good, the changes have been incrementally smaller. That just my opinion though.

As far as improving your wake, there are a few things you can do. Certainly taking all of the weight out of the boat will help. Keeping the gas tank off the full mark will help a touch. Placing a bit of weight in the bow of the boat may help as well. My '90 runs pretty bow-down compared to most boats with the same hull, and it has a very nice slalom wake, IMHO. Not up to par with the '02-03 196's I ski behind regularly, but I have no complaints. The faster you go, the smaller the wake will be- but even the wake at 30mph shouldnt be "big" by any means. At 28 off you may be dealing with the rooster tail though- so I would suggest moving back to 15off and shortening the line only after you get up to 34 or 36 mph.

And keep your ski on edge!

Whoa. Great responses. Thanks for the input. I was defiantely looking for the input on the speed/line length. This is a rather new thing to me with trying to figure this out and refine my ski skills all at the same time. I actually got REALLY spoiled skiing behind my firends 196 as it is on their private lake with a course.

I will let everyone know how the advice works!!!

Cheers
Brett