My wife and I are getting close to buying our first boat. We've pretty much decided on a Nautique and will be looking at a really nicely equipped, lightly used 2001 Air Nautique this weekend. My question is, will I be sorry if I get the DD and not a 2000 SAN (not as nicely equipped) which is the other option? <BR> <BR>We mostly wakeboard (intermediate) and would like to do some surfing and then pull the little kids on the tube. <BR> <BR>Would love to hear the opinions...thanks.

There is a strong appeal to buy the Air Nautique for the "simplicity" of a Direct Drive, single trailer, etc. It soon wears off and I think you would soon regret not getting the v-drive while you had the chance.

I'd get the 2000 SAN instead...having the wrap around seating would be nice if you have kids. With the d-drive the kids would be all the way on the other side of the engine cover. With the v-drive they would be more in your "reach"

i would definantly get the v-drive, you will be happier with it in the long run.

My wife and I bought a direct drive this year and although there are some upsides to the v-drive - we're fine with our direct drive. You lose some floor space - but it actually stretches out with usable space having a dd. With a vdrive your seating moves up in the back due to the motor and sundeck so you lose a couple feet of front to back space. <BR> <BR>I see no problem with a SAN as a first boat. My wife and I will enjoy our DD for one more summer and move to a v-drive for our third year on the water.

Demo both boats and see what works out best for your situation, both great boats.

Go vdrive, more social seating, the people up front can actually talk to the people in the back while underway, the rear seat isn't on the floor in the back, tons of storage space in the rear lockers. Unless you are a skier worried about a little wake I see no reason to get a DD, other than saving some money on a 1st boat to see if you are going to be into it or not

Yes, you will be sorry. Get the v-drive.

+1 V-drive

Thanks all...really appreciate the feedback. I need to do a little more homework on the 2000 SAN, but I can tell you that the 2001 Air Nautique is a great deal. I don't know how you boat owners made the decisions you did, but I guess it's a nice problem to have!

I have owned both DD's and V-drives and I am liking my V-drive more and more every time I go out. No stepping over bags, better storage, easier to weight/hide ballast. You also mentioned kids, I would think it is easier to keep track of kids with the seating arrangement of a V-drive. The SAN also has higher gunnels than the DD hulls (or at least for certain years they did). Higher gunnels always made me feel a little better about weighting on one side for wake surfing. Resale on the V-drive will be better too.

I agree I have a DD and will be buying a V-drive for my next boat. If you like to do any other water sports though the DD will give you the ability to have a ski wake. I think the DD is also not that bad for seating when you are stoped and hanging out but while underway the V-drive is way better. If the DD is alot cheaper do not throw it out as a option they are great boats but if you can get a SAN you will never look back.

All you DD's converting to V drives let me know when you're selling your boats!!! I guess I'm the opposite of the norm.

The 2000 SAN is about $2k more in asking price than the 2001 AN and has a few less (arguably insignificant) bells and whistles than the AN.

Get the V-drive IMO.

V-DRIVE FOR SURE!!!

You will get the $2k back out of it if you ever want to sell the boat, and it will be much easier to sell if you ever want to upgrade.

It's not like you can't ski behind a V-drive - that's what they were made for. The pros of a DD are: skiing the course, easier access to the packing gland and impeller, and handling. Everything else is better with a V-drive IMO.

This 99 is in your area and might be worth taking a look at. <BR> <BR><a href="http://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/1355515716.html" target="_blank">http://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/1355515716.html</a>

V-drive no questions asked. <BR> <BR>If you get a DD in two years you'll be selling to get a v-drive... trust me, I know this.

I will agree with the majority of people that say you will be unhappy. I started with an 18 ft Cobalt I/O, and soon found myself wakeboarding/waterskiing more that just cruising around. I then bought a Malibu Sunsetter LXI (direct drive) and even though it had a tower, wedge and all I eventually realized no matter what I did to improve it, I still had DD capabilities and was never going to reach the potential of a V-drive. I bought an 05 X-2 and that boat was more than capable of doing anything I wanted it to behind it. You could wakeboard, ski(disclaimer: I never really tried, but several friends did) and even surf behind it easily. When I get back to the continental US, I will be looking to buy another boat and it WILL be a V-drive, no question. <BR> <BR> <BR>Save yourself some money and trouble in the long run not having to sell and buy another boat 2 years from now... <BR> <BR>Hope this helps.

If you surf... The V-drive is much better and easier to handle...

You will be sorry for sure.

V-drive, V-drive! Both are great boats, but if you Wakeboard, Surf the Super Air is a must... Plus re-sell, like there is that possiblity in this econ would be much better. Years ago Had an X7 MC great boat, but very hard to unload because it was a DD.

I had a supra dd sold it and bought a 01 210 SAN (vdrive) and love it. I would never go back! More seating, more room, and storage that my last boat (DD) had. Go with the vdrive you will not regret it.

I have a 98' Air Nautique DD and it works just fine. BBUUUUTTTTT 3 seasons later i wish i had bought a v-drive instead!!!