Wife said I could buy a boat :)

[Ski-me]

Basically, if you want to be in the $40k range = (X14 or 214)

If you want to be in the $15-20k range = (205)

I think the 197 is too small and only has a max capacity of 7 (legally). It's a pretty small front end.

There.....all done!

[SunCoast 83]

Originally Posted by Rockman

Only bad thing about the 197s is dunking the nose...

Agreed. The 197 handles like a Ferrari but that low nose always finds it's way under the water. I really has to get used to that last summer when we got ours. I approach turn backs into our wake (picking up a skier) much different then my old boat.

You would be happy with a 197. Great boat with a decent amount of seating. I also like the 214 and looked at one last year while boat shopping.

The deciding factor for me was the 197's World Record Slalom wake and the fact that it would still fit into my garage. I also prefer direct drive.

It would still be a good tubing tug for the kiddos.

[Shooter McKevin]

I just re-read the original post and noticed a couple things.

1. You were contemplating an X45 but thought it was to big and too much $$
2. You want a good family boat for cruising, skiing, tubing. You didn't specify if you are skiing slalom I don't think? (and if so how aggressively)

... $40K is about the right number for an 06 X2. That boat will likely be high on my list if I decide to upgrade. (assuming I'm ready to give up the slalom wake).

Just throwing out another option that might make sense for you.

For my situation my 190 is the perfect boat. Small lakes, lots of trailering, love to slalom and working on my wakeboarding. Towing mostly very young kids and beginners who can be really intimidated by a big wake. Frequently go out with 4 adults and 4 kids and have just enough space.

[98 Saleen Cobra]

I don't ski slalom or aggresivly. Just recreational use.. Fun to get out on the lake, enjoy the water, tube and maybe some ski-ing. A 190 would be nice too but again that's a pretty small boat. I'm leaning towards the Prostar 214's or something similar..

[JohnE]

Originally Posted by Ski-me

Basically, if you want to be in the $40k range = (X14 or 214)

If you want to be in the $15-20k range = (205)

I think the 197 is too small and only has a max capacity of 7 (legally). It's a pretty small front end.

There.....all done!

There was a time in my life when the 197 was too small. Right now it would be perfect. And that is coming from an X14. I picked up an older 190 for now but will be thinking about the 197 as a future upgrade.

[Kweisner]

Originally Posted by SunCoast 83

Agreed. The 197 handles like a Ferrari but that low nose always finds it's way under the water. I really has to get used to that last summer when we got ours. I approach turn backs into our wake (picking up a skier) much different then my old boat.

You would be happy with a 197. Great boat with a decent amount of seating. I also like the 214 and looked at one last year while boat shopping.

The deciding factor for me was the 197's World Record Slalom wake and the fact that it would still fit into my garage. I also prefer direct drive.

It would still be a good tubing tug for the kiddos.

Ditto on the 197's Ferrari handling and the garage length. For me, that was a big consideration (and I still have to put it in diagonally to get the door shut, but driveway isn't an option where we live). We also manage towing with a Sienna minivan due to relatively light weight. And the 197 looks like it's going 80 miles an hour even sitting still (but not so much when it's hitched to the Sienna)! I wouldn't worry about dousing the nose--just need to be aware and as always, hand never leaves the throttle while under way. Even if it happens, it drains pretty fast.

[gchapman-tt]

This one is still available... 2012 PS 197 WTT w/ 6.0L
http://www.bhmtrilakes.com/pre_owned...R0&veh=2983295

[Thrall]

Originally Posted by 98 Saleen Cobra

I don't ski slalom or aggresivly. Just recreational use.. Fun to get out on the lake, enjoy the water, tube and maybe some ski-ing. A 190 would be nice too but again that's a pretty small boat. I'm leaning towards the Prostar 214's or something similar..

You could get a PS 209 for alot less than a 214. Has lots of room for a DD boat.
Or like Shooter said, X2.
If you don't slalom seriously, and you were already looking at V drives, there's more to choose from for used Vdrives less than 10 yrs old than DD boats, with the X2 being very popular, means lots of used ones on the market.
Has a ton of room for a 20' boat. Seats 2 families of 4 very comfortably. Much more so than the 205/205V hull.