Nautique 216 2010 vs Nautique Ski 196 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Nautique 216 2010 or the Nautique Ski 196 2004?

For trailering, the Nautique Ski 196 2004 has the edge at 2 570 lbs dry weight versus 2 990 lbs for the Nautique 216 2010. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Nautique 216 2010 has a documented max rating of 343 hp. Engine specifications for the Nautique Ski 196 2004 were not available in our database - check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Nautique 216 2010 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Nautique Ski 196 2004 is certified for 6. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing - on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Nautique 216 2010 and Nautique Ski 196 2004 share an 91 in. (2.31 m) beam - meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Nautique 216 2010 and Nautique Ski 196 2004?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads - 29 gallons and 29 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Nautique 216 2010 and Nautique Ski 196 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Nautique 216 2010 and the Nautique Ski 196 2004 are built by Nautique. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Nautique 216 2010 vs Nautique Ski 196 2004

Nautique

Nautique 216 2010

2010

View full specs →

Nautique

Nautique Ski 196 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Nautique 216 2010 vs Nautique Ski 196 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Nautique 216 2010 vs Nautique Ski 196 2004 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story: intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The Nautique 216 2010 carries a rated maximum of 343 hp. Engine data for the Nautique Ski 196 2004 wasn't available in our records - check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 29 gal and 29 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Nautique 216 2010 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Nautique Ski 196 2004 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Nautique 216 2010 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Nautique 216 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 10 passengers and at 21,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Nautique Ski 196 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeNautique

Model216

ModelSki 196

Model Year2010

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam91 in. (2.31 m)

Beam91 in.

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Inches91

Draft [max] - Detail24 in. (0.61 m)

Draft [max] - Detail22 in.

Draft [max] - Meters0.61

Draft [max] - Meters0.56

Draft [max] - Inches24

Draft [max] - Inches22

Weight - Detail2,990 lbs. (1,356 kg)

Weight - Detail2570 lbs.

Weight - kg1356.24

Weight - kg1165.73

Weight - lbs.2990

Weight - lbs.2570

Length - Meters6.57

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet21.54

Length - Feetnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]23 ft. 3.5 in. (7.1 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 6.5 in. (6.57 m)

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 2 in. / w/o Platform 19 ft. 6 in.

Length overall - Meters6.58

Length overall - Meters6.45

Length overall - Inches258.5

Length overall - Inches254

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makePCM® Excalibur 5.7L V-8

Engine makenot available

Engine modelMulti-Port EFI

Engine modelnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal. (109.8 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeInboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max343-409 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,325 lbs. (601 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people10

Maximum people6 Passenger

Nautique 216 2010 vs Nautique Ski 196 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Nautique 216 2010 or the Nautique Ski 196 2004?

For trailering, the Nautique Ski 196 2004 has the edge at 2 570 lbs dry weight versus 2 990 lbs for the Nautique 216 2010. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Nautique 216 2010 has a documented max rating of 343 hp. Engine specifications for the Nautique Ski 196 2004 were not available in our database - check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Nautique 216 2010 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Nautique Ski 196 2004 is certified for 6. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing - on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Nautique 216 2010 and Nautique Ski 196 2004 share an 91 in. (2.31 m) beam - meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Nautique 216 2010 and Nautique Ski 196 2004?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads - 29 gallons and 29 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Nautique 216 2010 and Nautique Ski 196 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Nautique 216 2010 and the Nautique Ski 196 2004 are built by Nautique. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Nautique 216 2010 full specs ← Nautique Ski 196 2004 full specs