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48 MAY 2 0 0 7 I T R A I L E R B O AT S . C O M T R A I L E R B O AT S . C O M I M AY 2 0 0 7 49
Got a big crew but still craving performance? NauticStar’s 206 SD’s got
you covered > STORY AND PHOTOS BY FRANK SARGEANT
We tested NauticStar’s latest at Lewis Smith Lake, an emerald sprawl of
remarkably clear water stretching through the rock-ribbed
foothills of northern Alabama. While running alongside to
shoot photos for this story, one of the first things that
struck us about the 206 was how high she rides. The
chines are almost entirely clear of the water’s surface at
full plane; only about the last 3 feet are wet.
HIGH STEPPER
There’s a step in the chine that NauticStar designers say helps
catch air under the hull and improve lift. Although they’re seen in
many brands these days, we’re not totally sold on the effectiveness of
steps in a hull capable of mere deck boat speeds — but for whatever reason,
the 206 does ride unusually high. That means it produces very little
drag, and thus can generate plenty of speed on moderate horsepower. The
hull’s relatively shallow 15 degrees of transom deadrise also helps squeeze performance
from modest powerplants.
And, in fact, our GPS-measured test runs bore this out: Powered by MerCruiser’s basic
4.3L/Alpha package, a carbureted V-6 producing 190 horses, our boat reached 45.1 mph.
And this is no small boat. This 20-footer measures a full 812-feet wide, with much of that width
carried all the way to the bow, and scales 3600 pounds (including the V-6 sterndrive ). Rated to carry
up to 10 passengers, it’s an “all hands on deck” boat. To be sure, you can expect a decline in performance
as you load the boat with more and more guests, but when it’s just you and the dog, you can get your hair
straightened in a full-bore run. And if you really have the need for speed, order your 206 with a
MerCruiser 5.0L MPI, which puts out 260 horses and should deliver speeds approaching or into the 50s.
Acceleration was also good. In just 4.4 seconds from “power up” we were on plane. Elapsed time from
0 to 30 mph was more middle-of-the-pack, and averaged 8.8 seconds. The 19-inch-pitch prop allowed us
to wind the engine to 5000 rpm, 200 over the recommended operating range, but a 21-inch wheel would
cut into its snappy on-plane times.
Our test package fared well on fuel consumption, topping out at 4.5 mpg at 3000 rpm and 24.1 mph.
You’ll probably run the boat more often in the mid-30s, where fuel economy still averages a credible
3.9 mpg. With the 51-gallon tank, range is typical for the class, maxing at 207 miles.
We all know deck boats are roomy and versatile, but let’s face it:
They’re not always the fastest or best-looking rigs on the water.
Some are downright dowdy — but not NauticStar’s sleek new 206
Sport Deck. Looks good, runs well, carries two basketball teams, fishes and
skis — what more can you ask?
ALL HANDS
ON DECK
