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WATERSKI Magazine
Nautique 226
www.waterskimag.com/nautique226
Length 22 ft. 6.5 in.
Beam 96.5 in.
Seating capacity 12
Fuel capacity 50
Test prop Acme 13.5×16 4-blade Nibral
Test engine PCM Excalibur 5.7L EFI, 330 HP
Top speed 44.9 mph, 5,100 rpm
Accel. to 30 mph 5.7 sec. 129.5 ft.
Accel. to 36 mph 7.3 sec. 212 ft.
Noise levels (db) Neutral 62 D 62 R, 36 mph 90 D 90 R
Correct
Craft makes it look so easy. The company wants to make a splash in
the pleasure-boat market in 2003, so boom, here’s the
brand-new, hot-off-the-mold Nautique 226. But behind the scenes,
this is a debut that has been years in the making.
Correct
Craft is obsessive about performance, so no way was it going to
launch a big boat that didn’t have the nimble responsiveness
and precision characteristics at the core of the Nautique
reputation. Earlier versions were scrapped, redesigned, overhauled,
tweaked and tested on the development road that has led to the 226.
This nearly 22 ½-foot V-drive truly handles like a
Nautique.
With the performance taken care of, dabbling with the interior
was much more fun. This spacious beauty offers room for four in the
open bow, which features directional speakers, cup holders, grab
rails and a 12-volt plug. There are even two — count
’em, two — places for optional tables, one in the bow
and one in the main seating section. Turning those spaces into
picnic areas only adds to the family fun. Refreshments are stored
inside the massive 100-quart cooler that’s integrated into
the arena seating area. With cavernous storage space under the
observer’s seat and an enormous glove box, there’s room
not just for 12 friends and family members, but for all their
stuff, too.
Besides its larger size, the 226 also has a walk-through
transom, the only one in the Correct Craft lineup. That opens up a
kid-friendly path to the swim platform, while the boat’s
width still leaves enough room for a cushy sun deck.
This
luxury liner isn’t just about the smooth ride or the big
space, either. Outfit the 226 with the Team Package, which includes
the patented Launch Control System (rear and center ballast),
Flight Control Tower, Perfect Pass Digital Pro and more, and it
becomes a great wake generator, with well-shaped large swells that
advanced riders will enjoy. Correct Craft has done the hard work;
now all you have to do is enjoy the fruits of their labor.
The Lowdown:
•This all-new boat for 2003 aims to optimize cavernous
space with cruising, boating, skiing and riding performance to
redefine the standards of the pleasure-boat market.
•The walk-through transom offers extremely convenient
access to the sun pad and the boarding platform.
•The tracking and handling are true to the Nautique
reputation.
•Special options enhance the wakes for riders who can pull
themselves away from the luxury interior.
• The 5-inch gauges from Faria provide superior
visibility and accuracy.
