Ski 200 OB problem

Never seen such a bunch a poo flingin monkeys! Yikes This thread needs to be burried!

I was surfing the ski-it-again site today and came across a post for a promo 200 OB. The picture in the add shows the boat at a low speed and the bow is very low in the water. I can only imagine how easy it would be to take on water over the bow, especially with additional passenger weight up front. I would also like to point out that over the bow water intake could all be avoided with proper driving technique. Also, if I did take water over the bow in calm water, I sure as heck would not repeat the same driving technique to make it happen again.<-----THINK ABOUT IT!
I have included a link to the 200 OB post to show the bow riding low in the water.
http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?topic=Search&category=Comp_Boat&postid=15956

I was unable to make it to the Masters waterski tournament this year. However I did not notice any of the drivers struggling with water over the bow during the 2010 masters. All of the masters tow boats have three people on board in front of the pylon, but not in the bow. I wonder how many hours those drivers have under their belts?

My original post did not ask for driving advice, but all of you except Luchog were quick to accuse me of driver error, stupidity and inexperience followed by driving lessons. I was only trying to ascertain if it was only my boat or all 200 OBs that have the submarining problem. I especially find it very interesting that all of you are so knowledgeable, willing and able to give advice on a boat that it appears not one of you own and have little or no actual driving experience (with the 200 OB or CB). This Nautique is completely redesigned and unlike past Nautiques and while your driving techniques do work well on other boats, they don't on this boat, at least not mine. Also my boat was special ordered and handles quite differently than the OB & CB boats I demoed, even though some of you insist they are all identical. In fact, before they took my boat in for a coincidental "rudder port recall", while driving with no one in the bow and when coming to a stop the boat submarined more that a foot under water and continuing down as I was throttling down slowly as everyone here has so highly recommended and it was the continued forward thrust that caused the boat to continue downward. Had I not immediately jammed the throttle in reverse, my new boat would have definitely sunk. This happened time after time after time until they made a repair, which CC denies, obviously trying not to blemish the image of their new design. I can give the names of about 10 different passengers who were witness to this before and after CC's repair. I assure you that I have absolutely no trouble and am perfectly capable of driving my boat or any other boat without ever dunking the front end even into my own wake or any other wake, except with someone in the bow. Even after CC's initial repair, my 200 OB still submarines when people are in the bow. My only complaint is that CC sells and markets the 200 OB as a "family" competition ski boat because of the seating in the bow. The boat is great on the slalom course but, I'm sorry to say, that as a family boat it's absolutely useless. The bow area can only be used for relaxing while parked. If the bow seating is used while under way the passenger(s) in the bow get sprayed and often get soaked as the boat submarines when coming to a stop fast or slow. I only started this dialog after Greg Meloon, VP of Nautique product development refused to offer even a suggestion on what I might do to fix my boat even at my own expense. I told him I would pay for making a slight hull design change to the front of the boat so that the bow could be used safely and comfortably. I am very happy with the boat, but my wife is terrified to ride in the bow. The reason I purchased the open bow version was for my wife as she likes to ride in the bow. Obviously I don't ski on the slalom course with someone in the bow and even limit the number of passengers. I only hope this appeal gets to Nautique and that they offer to help me before my next round of publicity which I assure you will be much more resourceful and will hopefully reach perspective 200 OB buyers that might as I did believe Nautique and dealers who sell the open bow for actual use under way.

Hollywood wrote: Pete and Intel, you guys went too far with the name calling IMO.

My initial responces like others, were trying to help but then when Rick didn't seem to be listening and started coming down on the CC design, I went into defense mode and yes, went too far. I apologize for that.

I don't know what prop. It's what came with the boat. When cruising with or without bow passengers I put it in Cruise/Slalom mode as manual says- I believe that's up. That's a good point, but I've tried it both ways with similar results. Unless I put it in reverse just as the bow begins to pivot downward the bow goes down.

Rick, Pretty sure there are less than 1000 of the 200s out there.
Jody Seal (FL Inboards) is a World level driver. He pulls the Moomba tournament in Australia, and other world events. He has both an open and closed bow 200. He also worked at CC for many years, and now makes his living repairing these boats. I would think he would be a good resource. Apparently he hasn't been on here much lately. You might want to send him an email. You should be able to find him in the directory or diaries.

BKH

Hate to admit it but I actually agree with HW (lol) with regards to some reactions, from my perspective he is a person looking for help, perhaps a bit frustrated his very expensive ski boat is not performing as he had expected or hoped, perhaps not stating his case as graciously as he could have, however in the end Richey is just looking for some help.

I can tell you my 206 will submarine quite easily if you have even 1 person up front, with the 200 being 6" shorter it could be even more prone to it. Additionally my boat will handle like crap if not weighted evenly side to side as well.

Until you figure it out (Call Jody), reserve the bow for your wife only while putting as many bodies in the back seat as you can to even things out more, this should make a big difference.

Rick, where in Texas are you?

I'm near Marble Falls. I'm going to talk to Jody as suggested. Thanks

It's very nice of you to offer but I'll be in Virginia and then Florida returning Thurs or Fri after Labor Day.

WildH2OSkier wrote: I'm not a troll. When I say my bs is bs, its because I'm just happy go lucky person and don't sweat the small stuff. I hope the original poster in this thread has found the answer he was looking for. I should have never jumped in the way that I did and for that I apologize. I'll post some pics of the Ski Nautique of the Apocalypse as soon as I can get it cleaned up some. The pics of yalls boats have me well humbled and ashamed that I have let it get into such a neglected state.

I enjoyed your comment and was laughing, that's all. My boat sounds similar to yours...

Tell you what, rode in a sport 200 for a demo day last saturday, with the v-drive, 6 guys in back and 2 in front the bow was dang low. Couldn't believe it.

Also felt like driving a stubby I/O with it being so short and wide.

If you pull into a driveway too fast in a Ferrari, you'll likely scrape the front air dam too. Big design flaw on those Ferrari's.

Who sold you the boat Rick? Sounds like you just "got sold"..

When I bought my first Ski Nautique open bow SNOB, man did I have to change my driving habits big time.. But hell, once I got good at dumping the nose, it was a great way to get the kids to stop fighting up front haha. That water coming over the bow was awesome.... OK, bad jokes, I know..

Hell even now my SV211 rides awefully low with three teens in the front, and they will get wet when the water isn't flat. (No jokes about GL guys )

Sure, they are certainly sold as more cross-over, family type boats now. But for the exception of maybe the 211 on up in size, they are still small ski boats that are used for what they were built for. In your case Rick, the 200OB just doesn't suit your overall needs.. It's the reason why so many of us have pontoon boats or some other boat to relax on, while the hard work is done by the real machine !!...

I would be super pissed too, especially if someone didn't warn me of the possible problems when buying an expensive little boat and loading up the nose... Or maybe they didn't know at the time of the possible submarining problem, or that you planned on having someone up there all the time.. I would seriously look at selling it and buying something more suitable. Why boat with something you don't like. Life's too short dude..

Best of luck. Hope the rest of the summer goes better for ya..

Moj'

All your non-related analogies and experience are quite amusing. The fact still remains that Nautique promotes & sells the Ski 200 Open Bow as a competition boat for the whole family. IT'S NOT- PERIOD. It sucks as an open bow- IT SUBMARINES. And now I know why the Naval Architect is such an expert.