Super Sport Vs Sport Nautique

The key difference is that a Super Sport is a VDrive. The Sport is a Direct Drive. The Vdrive is typically a much better wakeboard boat, and "not-so much" for skiing. The sport is a relatively large direct drive boat. It is very good for skiing, but not world class. With proper weighting, it can also be a good wakeboard boat, but will probably never be at the level of the Vdrive.

Without seeing it, I can only guess about the 83. The Ski Nautique is Correct Crafts flagship competion water ski boat. It was also offered in an open bow configuration, with it's hull dimensions being identical to the closed bow version. The windshield was moved back a couple of inches and a playpen style open bow was featured.

BKH

bkhallpass wrote: The key difference is that a Super Sport is a VDrive. The Sport is a Direct Drive. The Vdrive is typically a much better wakeboard boat, and "not-so much" for skiing. The sport is a relatively large direct drive boat. It is very good for skiing, but not world class. With proper weighting, it can also be a good wakeboard boat, but will probably never be at the level of the Vdrive. Without seeing it, I can only guess about the 83. The Ski Nautique is Correct Crafts flagship competion water ski boat. It was also offered in an open bow configuration, with it's hull dimensions being identical to the closed bow version. The windshield was moved back a couple of inches and a playpen style open bow was featured. BKH

Brian,
Thanks for that post. I did not know that the Sport was a direct drive, and the Super is a V-Drive..

Do you know if the Martinique is a direct drive or a V-Drive?

Direct drive is the only way to go..

There have been a number of threads discussing "which boat is better" type topics, and you can hear strong opinions either way. My thoughts are that by even being in the discussion of inboards, and Correct Crafts in particular, you've already made the most important decision. My first question would be how you plan to use the boat. I'd assume that without a strong opinion already, you aren't a hardcore skier or boarder. Generally, as mentioned above, the Direct Drives are considered more slalom type boats, and the V-Drives wakeboard boats. That is not at all so say each can't be used reasonably well for either. I'm a slalom skier first and foremost, and even with two little kids, I have and will continue to have a direct drive boat. But for friends that ski a little, board a little, have kids and are more about family time on the water, I've recommended the V-Drives (and the Super Sport specifically, given their budget for a used Nautique.) One friend in particular had been exposed to my Ski Nautique for years, and loved how it sat low in the water, handled like a sports car, etc, but he isn't hardcore about skiing or boarding. He was more afraid he'd lose some of those "cool" qualities in a V-Drive, but he has a 2001 Super Sport and loves everything about it. My brother is a hardcore wakeboarder and he also has a 2001 Super Sport and feels about it as I feel about my Ski Nautique.
Boats feel weird to me without and engine in the middle, but I will admit with kids and a wife, the roominess in the V-drives is nice. If you do your own maintenance, it is much more difficult to get to everything in the v-drive.
In answer to your last question, I don't believe there is a power loss, but the handling characteristics of a v-drive are not as good as the direct drive, as you could expect given the difference in weight distribution. They are still light years beyond an inboard-outboard, however. (except at idle speeds)

robertbruder wrote: Would you recommend putting a tower on the Barefoot Nautique for wake boarding or would that ruin the boat for Barefoot skiers?

Some may argue adding a tower to a boat that originally was not available with one will deter it's value or take away from the factory original theme, that decision is all about personal choice.

Really do not think a tower would negatively effect the Barefoot capabilities of your boat, in fact it would enhance them as many barefooters prefer a higher pull point such as a tower or extended pylon not to mention the other enhancements a tower offers.

Where a tower would be considered a negative is on a slalom boat primarily because it adds weight and that typically will create a larger or harder slalom wake.

dip wrote: There have been a number of threads discussing "which boat is better" type topics, and you can hear strong opinions either way. My thoughts are that by even being in the discussion of inboards, and Correct Crafts in particular, you've already made the most important decision. My first question would be how you plan to use the boat. I'd assume that without a strong opinion already, you aren't a hardcore skier or boarder. Generally, as mentioned above, the Direct Drives are considered more slalom type boats, and the V-Drives wakeboard boats. That is not at all so say each can't be used reasonably well for either. I'm a slalom skier first and foremost, and even with two little kids, I have and will continue to have a direct drive boat. But for friends that ski a little, board a little, have kids and are more about family time on the water, I've recommended the V-Drives (and the Super Sport specifically, given their budget for a used Nautique.) One friend in particular had been exposed to my Ski Nautique for years, and loved how it sat low in the water, handled like a sports car, etc, but he isn't hardcore about skiing or boarding. He was more afraid he'd lose some of those "cool" qualities in a V-Drive, but he has a 2001 Super Sport and loves everything about it. My brother is a hardcore wakeboarder and he also has a 2001 Super Sport and feels about it as I feel about my Ski Nautique. Boats feel weird to me without and engine in the middle, but I will admit with kids and a wife, the roominess in the V-drives is nice. If you do your own maintenance, it is much more difficult to get to everything in the v-drive. In answer to your last question, I don't believe there is a power loss, but the handling characteristics of a v-drive are not as good as the direct drive, as you could expect given the difference in weight distribution. They are still light years beyond an inboard-outboard, however. (except at idle speeds)

gOOD POINT..

skicat2001 wrote: V- DRIVE boats feel like you are driving a 18 wheel boat, direct drive jump out of the hole much quicker and turn on a dime. Different qualties, and also direct drive is from the old school, that V-DRIVE is recently new. I say this I'll keep my FREEDOM, YOU CAN HAVE THE CHANGE!!!!!! LOL

Sounds like I better test drive a V-Drive before buying one.

bkhallpass wrote: I am not that familiar with Martiniques. Every one I have seen is a direct drive. The hull shape of the Martinique changed quite a bit over the years. The earlier Martinique's were smaller boats with fairly flat hulls. The later Martiniques were bigger hulls with a more V bottom. Maybe some of the Martinique owners will chime in. BKH

So I have narrowed my search down to this.
I decidely want an open bow Correct Craft.

With price range restrictions of $7000 to $15000 my choices become. Martinique, Open Bow Ski Nautique, Sport Nautique, Super Sport.

A friend told me that,
"Martiniques are a 21ft boat with 230hp engine. They are under powered"

Has anyone experienced this?

The trade-off for the Super Sport is a V-Drive which we have discussed the advantages and disadvantages of.

But what about an Open Bow Ski Nautique vs a Sport Nautique? What is the key difference?

Does the Sport Nautique have any lifters on the underside of the hull etc similiar to the early Air Nautiques?

Your friend is not a good source of Correct Craft information.

robertbruder wrote: A friend told me that, "Martiniques are a 21ft boat with 230hp engine. They are under powered"

bkhallpass wrote: I would search for a Super Sport Nautique. In your price range, you may even find a Super Air Nautique which would be the same boat, but would include a tower and ballast system. The Super Airs are not easy to find in your price range but they are out there, usually needing some upholstery or cosmetic work. You should be able to find a Super Sport 1995-1999 in your price range, and may even find a later model in that range.

Hey Brian,
If you happen to come across any SS's / SAN's in that price bracket over in your area of the world let me know.

I'm always looking but never seem to find.

bkhallpass wrote: I'll keep an eye out Chopper. Saw a 2000 Super Air 20 miles from house last year for 13,500. Needed a complete interior. Guy in Utah bought it site unseen and had it shipped. Had it up for sale 6 months later for 20K. I also believe DavidF found his 2000 Super air for about 16 a year and half ago. It too needed upholstery. I've seen a 95 and a 97 SS, both looked to be in good condition for 11K. Just a matter of being in right place at right time. BKH

Cheers Brian.
Anything similar to any the above will do. Would definately prefer the SAN though for the factory tower.

I've got the cash ready to go, just need to find the hull.

It's all about the hull.   

OOPPPSS, Long as it is a Nautique... you good to go...

Thanks again everyone for the info.

BKH, I believe you are right about the Martinique. It might get me through the next year or so but then I would just be looking to upgrade again.

Probably best just to sell one and keep one of my current boats (BFN and Ski Supreme) until I find the SSN or SAN. Although I would not turn down a Sport Nautique at a descent price.

The BFN needs new floor and interior. Should I attempt to sell it as a project or what would you guys suggest? I know that some people race the BFN's and they may want to build it up themselves. Someone mentioned that the BFN is a starter boat? I was under the impression that BFN's are sought after by the Barefoot community. Are there any barefooters that could chime in? Is the BFN preferred to a Sport Nautique for instance?

Rob-

Do yourself a favor and go drive both boats. Personally, a Vdrive is out of the question because I do all of my own work on my boat.

Tim