CLOSE
Sign up to get news on contests, pro events, new products and special offers.
WATERSKI Magazine
Nautique 226 Limited
www.waterskimag.com/boats/nautique226l
Recommendation: Family
The 226 has a few things that set it apart from other Nautiques. The 96.5-inch beam is nearly half a foot wider than the typical Correct Craft model's, and the length of 22 feet, 6.5 inches surpasses anything else in the lineup by about a foot. The walk-through transom is also unique to the 226.
That all adds up to a boat focused primarily on family cruising rather than high-end ski or wakeboard performance (notice this Nautique isn't called “Ski” or “Air”). Yet after years of R&D that culminated in its 2003 debut, the 226 still shares the on-a-rail tracking, supreme responsiveness and rattle-free construction worthy of the Nautique name. The fact that it can host a party for 12 with a 100-quart cooler, two spots for the optional table and ample legroom makes it all the better.
Skiing
True, this is a rare Nautique that isn't engineered for super slalom wakes, but it does provide some of the best free skiing you can get, especially compared to the I/O runabouts it competes against. The V-drive configuration and swim platform provide a safe setting for kids to learn how to ski.
Wakeboarding
The Limited package on the 226 doesn't come with wakeboarding amenities. Advanced riders will be happier with the Team package, consisting of the Flight Control Tower, rear and center ballast, and Perfect Pass Pro Wakeboard, to get the most out of the well-shaped large wakes.
Lowdown
-The Nautique 226 is Correct Craft's biggest boat, marketed to families looking for smooth cruising and casual water sports.
–Access to the boarding platform and rear sun deck is made oh-so-easy with the walkthrough transom.
-The bow itself seats four, plus there are two cushy benches near the helm.
-Storage compartments are everywhere you need them, including the 14 cubic feet of space under the observer's seat and the 9-cubic-foot in-floor locker.
-Solid handling makes this pleasure boat a pleasure to drive.
