Best Slalom Boat

What late model year of SN boat stands out as the greatest hard core slalom boat, and in what configuration ie. engine/tranny combination? Also, what makes it the greatest?

Bill

That's funny. Doesn't help much, but funny just the same.

Nautiques, anything 97 and later is incredible. Some say the 97-2000 (TSC1) is the best. But, I've skied an 02 and 03, and they were incredible as well. BKH

TSC2 ('02-05) has a slight advantage over the TSC1 ('97-01)- it has a slightly smaller rooster tail. TSC3 ('06+) should be the same as TSC2 for slalom.

My boat has a pretty decent slalom wake, but the newer boats are even better.

For the second part of your question, the GT40 MPI engine is generally considered the best skiboat powerplant out there in terms of reliability and performance (Sorry Rob).

M3Fan wrote: Speed is an important factor here- my TSC1 28 off wake felt like a brick wall at 30MPH- right at the rooster. Hopefully that goes away at 34.

Agreed- thats where the TSC2 is noticeably better than the TSC1, IMHO.

Also agree with Joel on the GT40- Ive never lined up a 330 Excalibur against the GT40, but the Ford feels stronger, at least out of the hole.

TRBenj wrote: M3Fan wrote: Speed is an important factor here- my TSC1 28 off wake felt like a brick wall at 30MPH- right at the rooster. Hopefully that goes away at 34. Agreed- thats where the TSC2 is noticeably better than the TSC1, IMHO. Also agree with Joel on the GT40- Ive never lined up a 330 Excalibur against the GT40, but the Ford feels stronger, at least out of the hole.

If somebody brings an EX 196 to GL we'll line 'em up.

Darrel wrote: M3, why are you running 28 off @ 30mph?

I was just screwing around freeskiing at the end of the season. My form is not the best, but it certainly was not sauteed butter!

M3Fan wrote: For the second part of your question, the GT40 MPI engine is generally considered the best skiboat powerplant out there in terms of reliability and performance (Sorry Rob).

M3Fan wrote: GottaSki wrote: At that speed and line the roost is 6-8' behind you. I have this run on video - I'll review the footage.

Cool. I spoke in regards to 28 off @34, to avoid ambibuity.

SGY1 wrote:     The TSC2 seem to handle better at docking speeds.

I completely agree. Probably the first ski boat I ever drove which backed up almost straight. BKH

What years have the TSC2 hulls? How does the engine make a difference in the feel behind the boat?

I don't know for certain why the Excalibur motor feels softer. Maybe its the torque curve on the motors. As has been said here before, the GT-40 has lots of torque, more than the Ex330. As a consequence, it doesn't give in the same way as the lower torque motor.

I noticed the difference in pull immediately when I went from my GT-40 beast to a 2003 206 with the EX330--and then to my current 2005 196. One thing to keep in mind is that my 99 SNOB didn't have the most updated Perfect Pa$$ chip. That may play a role in it as well. And, I'm fairly sure you could adjust the pull of the boat by playing with the KX/PX. The prop may also play a role. In 99, CC wasn't using the Acme prop.

To qualify this a bit further, several guys who ski tournaments here in Colorado have mentioned to me that they prefer the EX330. FWIW. P.S. On all other counts, I loved my GT-40 motor. That thing was a beast and it was bullet proof.