Nautique 226 2012 vs Nautique Air 216 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Nautique 226 2012 or the Nautique Air 216 2004?

For trailering, the Nautique Air 216 2004 has the edge at 305 lbs dry weight versus 455 lbs for the Nautique 226 2012. 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 226 2012 has a documented max rating of 409 hp. Engine specifications for the Nautique Air 216 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 226 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the Nautique Air 216 2004 is certified for 10. 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Nautique 226 2012 measures 98" wide, compared to 91" for the Nautique Air 216 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Nautique 226 2012 or the Nautique Air 216 2004?

The Nautique 226 2012 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Nautique Air 216 2004. That 53-gallon difference translates to roughly 159–265 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Nautique 226 2012 and Nautique Air 216 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Nautique 226 2012 and the Nautique Air 216 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 226 2012 vs Nautique Air 216 2004

Nautique

Nautique 226 2012

2012

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Nautique

Nautique Air 216 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Nautique 226 2012 vs Nautique Air 216 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Nautique 226 2012 vs Nautique Air 216 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 226 2012 carries a rated maximum of 409 hp. Engine data for the Nautique Air 216 2004 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Nautique 226 2012 carries 56 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Nautique Air 216 2004. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Nautique 226 2012 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Nautique Air 216 2004 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Nautique 226 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Nautique 226 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 22,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Nautique Air 216 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeNautique

Model226

ModelAir 216

Model Year2012

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam98 in. (2.49 m)

Beam91 in

Beam - Meters2.49

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Inches98

Beam - Inches91

Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.79 m)

Draft [max] - Detail24 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Meters0.61

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inches24

Weight - Detail4,550 lbs. (2,064 kg)

Weight - Detail3050 lbs

Weight - kg2063.84

Weight - kg1383.46

Weight - lbs.455

Weight - lbs.305

Length - Meters6.88

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet22.58

Length - Feetnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 10 in. (7.57 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 7 in. (6.88 m)

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 5.5 in. / w/o Platform 21 ft. 7.5 in

Length overall - Meters6.88

Length overall - Meters7.16

Length overall - Inches271

Length overall - Inches281.5

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makePCM®

Engine makenot available

Engine modelCatanium CES

Engine modelnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel tank capacity - Gal3

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeV-drive

Drive typenot available

Horsepower343 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine max409 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,150 lbs. (975 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people15

Maximum people10 Passenger

Nautique 226 2012 vs Nautique Air 216 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Nautique 226 2012 or the Nautique Air 216 2004?

For trailering, the Nautique Air 216 2004 has the edge at 305 lbs dry weight versus 455 lbs for the Nautique 226 2012. 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 226 2012 has a documented max rating of 409 hp. Engine specifications for the Nautique Air 216 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 226 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the Nautique Air 216 2004 is certified for 10. 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Nautique 226 2012 measures 98" wide, compared to 91" for the Nautique Air 216 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Nautique 226 2012 or the Nautique Air 216 2004?

The Nautique 226 2012 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Nautique Air 216 2004. That 53-gallon difference translates to roughly 159–265 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Nautique 226 2012 and Nautique Air 216 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Nautique 226 2012 and the Nautique Air 216 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 226 2012 full specs ← Nautique Air 216 2004 full specs