It's all a matter of personal preference, but I think you'll find many prefer a CC.

For a budget slalom boat I would go for a supra comp ts6m.  If you do not barefoot they are a great economical slalom boat.

Tim

What speed and line length do you ski and what is your budget?  All of the big 3 have had good years and bad years as far as used boats.  If you are looking at newer boats, it is very subjective.  The CC 196 has a bigger wake at 22 than the 197 and RLXI IMO.  At 22-28 the RLXI has a slightly deeper trough than the 197, but I really like them both.  At 32 and shorter, I can't tell a difference between any of them.  I ski them all regularly and recently the 197 seems to have the flattest wake at all line lengths.  I have not skied the 200 so i can't comment.  I ski at 34.2, so i don't know about the wake size at other speeds.

With the exception of having a bunch of chine spray at shortline, I've heard nothing but rave reviews about the wakes of the '95 MC 197. In the last few years I've felt that the more important aspect of a ski boat is how the motor, prop, and speed control combine to pull the skier.

Oops, brain slipped there. I was thinking of the run between 91 and 94. Also, those boats are shockinly small compared to newer boats. The've got a great look though.

I agree with Scott.  The Malibu LX has one of the best wakes, even at 22 off, but the best wake in my opinion is the TSC1 hull SN 196.  It has a better wake at the longer line lengths, and the same if not better at 22 and 28 off.  Shorter than that, and even the MC 197 has a good wake. 

Disclosure:  I have a 1997 SN 196 as a family boat, and a 2008 196 as a club boat.  The 97 has a better wake.

Thanks for all the feedback, alot to consider. I currently own a 17ft ski boat with outboard, great little ski  boat but inconsistent speed and not much room. Wanted to get a roomier boat for the family and not comprimise the wake too much. Am from Australia so Malibus are more common here, due to finances might keep an eye out for a second hand Malibu response. Better go buy a new wetsuit water is about 14 degrees celcius (57 farenhiet) at the moment, very cold but keen to ski.

Another thumbs up for the Malibu RLX.  I have an LXi and skied behind an LX earlier this year on my way to put my boat in the water.  The LX does have a better, softer wake (even for tricking too).

Last edited by BrianM (Fri, Jul 23, 2010 1:43 PM)

Shane, keep dissing Malibu and you may never get your handle back.

I noticed a bunch of good skiers jumping the wake at 28off on the new SN 200.  I don't notice any bump, but it seemed like skiers who could start rolling edges right on the wake were getting a kick.  Of the three boats in tournaments now, I have no complaints.

The whole Wedge setup is lot lighter than a full tank of gas.  Adding some weight in the bow seems to help tracking and the wakes to me.

94 Mastercraft has the best wake, hands down.

I considered myself a Die Hard MasterCraft guy from 76-99.  I say Die Hard but I'm not a blind brand loyal type of guy, I believe in testing all competitors back to back and if all things are equal then I'll go with the incumbent.  In 2000 I decided to replace my 84 MC, my wife and I skied the MC, Malibu, and Nautique boats back to back, all 19 foot AWSA ski boats.  I typically ski 22-35off @ 34MPH and my wife skis 15-22off @ 27-32MPH.  We only Slalom ski so it really depends if you’re using it for other stuff or not. In 2000 the Ski Nautique was clearly had the softest and smallest wake at my wife’s speeds and where better at mine speeds and lengths too.  I also found the construction as good as the Mastercraft and significantly better then the Malibu.  My ski buddy had a 97 Malibu and bought a Nautique mid summer because we never skied behind his Malibu after skiing behind mine.  In 2003 we did the same test and ended up with another 196 Nautique.  They have been very reliable (700 hours) with the exception of the Faria (SP?) gage controller failure on his 2003.  I have skied behind new MC 197 at slalom clinics the last four years and there wake is still signgicatly bigger and harder then the Nautique.  I can't say much about Malibu because I have not skied behind them in the last 6 years.   I suggest just go to your local dealer and test them back to back it really easy to see the differences.  Good Luck & I hope this helps.

There was a great article in waterski mag. Not the current one that is out now, but the one before that had a great write up about older slalom boats. If you are looking at something used. Nautique 1997 or newer are awesome. They have the "bubble back". You can get one of those with 500 hours or less for under 15K no problem. Malibu Response LX (Semi Open Bow) 1996-2003ish. They where get super soft wakes as soon as you get shorter then 22' off. It also talks about supera's, mastercrafts and a couple others. Good years to look for and average price ranger. Great article. I just found it read it here: http://waterskimag.com/features/2010/06 … ski-boats/ this should help you make a some what better choice.

Oh if you are looking at doing some barefooting I would tend to look at a Malibu Res, best all-around ski boat you can buy, especially since in those years there where a few motor options which included the hammerhead which varied in HP (365-400HP) depending on year. They extra pony's for footing are well worth it. A few people mentioned about the wedge, which is all fine and dandy, when shopping though try to find one with at least the mounting plate for one so if you long line barefoot you can attach the barefoot plate to it (malibu makes on to fit the wedge mounting plate called the Scarpa Supression Plate aka SSP designed by Ron Scarpa him self) Just a heads if you foot long line.

Hope this helps.

Cheers!
CP