Nautique Air 226 2004 vs Nautique Ski Nautique 216 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Nautique Air 226 2004 or the Nautique Ski Nautique 216 2009?

For trailering, the Nautique Ski Nautique 216 2009 has the edge at 2 990 lbs dry weight versus 3 900 lbs for the Nautique Air 226 2004. 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 Ski Nautique 216 2009 has a documented max rating of 409 hp. Engine specifications for the Nautique Air 226 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 Air 226 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Nautique Ski Nautique 216 2009 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 Air 226 2004 measures 97" wide, compared to 91" for the Nautique Ski Nautique 216 2009. 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 Ski Nautique 216 2009?

The Nautique Air 226 2004 has the bigger tank at 50 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Nautique Ski Nautique 216 2009. That 21-gallon difference translates to roughly 63–105 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Nautique Air 226 2004 and Nautique Ski Nautique 216 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Nautique Air 226 2004 and the Nautique Ski Nautique 216 2009 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 Ski Nautique 216 2009

Nautique

Nautique Air 226 2004

2004

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Nautique

Nautique Ski Nautique 216 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Nautique Air 226 2004 vs Nautique Ski Nautique 216 2009: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Nautique Air 226 2004 vs Nautique Ski Nautique 216 2009 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 Ski Nautique 216 2009 tops out at 409 hp. Engine specs for the Nautique Air 226 2004 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Nautique Air 226 2004 carries 50 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Nautique Ski Nautique 216 2009. 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 Air 226 2004 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Nautique Ski Nautique 216 2009 caps at 10. 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 Ski Nautique 216 2009 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

ModelAir 226

ModelSki Nautique 216

Model Year2004

Model Year2009

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.3900

Weight - lbs.2990

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 - Gal50

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Engine makenot available

Engine makePCM® Pro Sport 5.0 l

Engine modelnot available

Engine modelMulti-Port EFI

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeInboard

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower275 hp

Engine maxnot available

Engine max409 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people12 Passenger

Maximum people10

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 Ski Nautique 216 2009 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Nautique Air 226 2004 or the Nautique Ski Nautique 216 2009?

For trailering, the Nautique Ski Nautique 216 2009 has the edge at 2 990 lbs dry weight versus 3 900 lbs for the Nautique Air 226 2004. 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 Ski Nautique 216 2009 has a documented max rating of 409 hp. Engine specifications for the Nautique Air 226 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 Air 226 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Nautique Ski Nautique 216 2009 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 Air 226 2004 measures 97" wide, compared to 91" for the Nautique Ski Nautique 216 2009. 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 Ski Nautique 216 2009?

The Nautique Air 226 2004 has the bigger tank at 50 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Nautique Ski Nautique 216 2009. That 21-gallon difference translates to roughly 63–105 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Nautique Air 226 2004 and Nautique Ski Nautique 216 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Nautique Air 226 2004 and the Nautique Ski Nautique 216 2009 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 Ski Nautique 216 2009 full specs