Is there a big difference between the 2005 ski nautique 196 and the 2006 I know there is a lever  call the hydro gate,

thank you

I've skied several times behind a 2006 model year TSC3 Ski Nautique 206 and the wake feels identical to my TSC2 Ski Nautique 206.  I couldn't really feel any significant difference between the two.  I haven't skied behind a TSC3 Ski Nautique 196, so I can't help you there.

JQ

2008/2009 were the best years for that hull as a couple new clean molds were involved and the older screwed up molds were replaced.

2002 through 2007 the boats were very inconsistent from hull to hull as over the molds life span they were cut on, revised and generally wore out due to exothermic layup usage.  for starter the 2002 had many issues. they leaned, they had excessive chine spray and were really not what had been envisioned by those that brought it to fruition. keep in mind Nautique boats brought 3 completely new hulls to the market. 196,206 and i believe the 211 that year (2002). at that time they were trying also to bring out a big V-drive that did not pan out in R&D.

2002 there were many customer complaints and Nautique boats bought back a number of them from unhappy customers. they addressed the hull issues in the molds however along about 2005 or 06 they removed the bottom strakes on the 196, again utilizing the original molds to facilitate this change. 2006/2007 it was a hit and miss from mold to mold, some hulls coming out of them were better then others from other molds.

Over all the issues these hulls were still in most way's superior to what Malibu and MasterCraft had to offer. they did Drive straighter as well as easier and for slalom and jump were the sports standard. Trick skiers hated the boat as it had lots of turbulence in the table area along with small wakes.

Good luck with your 196.

JQ

The 206 did not have the issues the first 196's had as they were far more consistent, they actually spent more R&D time as well on the 206. they tried to push it into the front line as a tournament boat, it just had wakes to harsh for many in the competitive side. 22 off 34/36 mph with a tournament load was pretty brutal. then add a tower the skiers that had the misfortune to try the boat rebelled as did tournament organizers via leaving the boat on the trailer and utilizing something else. i skied a lot behind a 2006 206 with tower.  28 off 34/36 mph was pretty good. mostly free sking with that boat and not course skiing. I was mostly skiing courses behind a 197 MC in 2006 so the 206 was a nice departure!!