Nautique Air 226 2004 vs Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Nautique Air 226 2004 or the Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008?

For trailering, the Nautique Air 226 2004 has the edge at 39 lbs dry weight versus 299 lbs for the Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008. 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Nautique Air 226 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008 is certified for 1. 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 Air 226 2004 measures 97" wide, compared to 91" for the Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008. 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 Air 226 2004 or the Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008?

The Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008 has the bigger tank at 29 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Nautique Air 226 2004. That 24-gallon difference translates to roughly 72–120 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Nautique Air 226 2004 and Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Nautique Air 226 2004 and the Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008 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 Air 226 2004 vs Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008

Nautique

Nautique Air 226 2004

2004

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Nautique

Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Nautique Air 226 2004 vs Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Nautique Air 226 2004 vs Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Nautique Air 226 2004 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Nautique Air 226 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Nautique Air 226 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeNautique

ModelAir 226

ModelCrossover Nautique 216

Model Year2004

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam96.5 in

Beam91 in. (2.31 m)

Beam - Meters2.46

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Inches96.5

Beam - Inches91

Draft [max] - Detail31 in

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Meters0.61

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inches24

Weight - Detail3900 lbs

Weight - Detail2,990 lbs. (1,357 kg)

Weight - kg1769.01

Weight - kg1356.24

Weight - lbs.39

Weight - lbs.299

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 9.5 in. / w/o Platform 22 ft. 6.5 in

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

Length overall - Meters7.57

Length overall - Meters6.58

Length overall - Inches297.5

Length overall - Inches258.5

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters6.57

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet21

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches6.5

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

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

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal. (109.8 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeInboard

Operational Info

Maximum people12 Passenger

Maximum people1

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,325 lbs. (602 kg)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Nautique Air 226 2004 vs Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Nautique Air 226 2004 or the Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008?

For trailering, the Nautique Air 226 2004 has the edge at 39 lbs dry weight versus 299 lbs for the Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008. 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.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Nautique Air 226 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008 is certified for 1. 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 Air 226 2004 measures 97" wide, compared to 91" for the Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008. 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 Air 226 2004 or the Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008?

The Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008 has the bigger tank at 29 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Nautique Air 226 2004. That 24-gallon difference translates to roughly 72–120 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Nautique Air 226 2004 and Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Nautique Air 226 2004 and the Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008 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 Air 226 2004 full specs ← Nautique Crossover Nautique 216 2008 full specs