Ski Nautique With Python Wanted

[DanielC]

In 1999, to 2000, I worked at a Nautique dealer in the area where I lived, mainly around the end of the year, helping them set up for our boat show. I worked for them full time from early 2001, to about the beginning of Spring in 2003. I also was sent on two trips to West Coast Correct Craft, for training.
I have seen three boats with the Python engine in them. Two (classic) Super Airs, and one Ski Nautique. I did drive the Ski, and it was used in one of my teams water ski shows, in 2000.
The point I was trying to make is this. You want a fairly rare engine choice in a boat that has not been made for several years, and you are limiting yourself also with a color choice. Remove the number of boats made with the desirable colors and engine that are not for sale, and there may not be the engine and colors you want available now.

[DanielC]

In 1999, to 2000, I worked at a Nautique dealer in the area where I lived, mainly around the end of the year, helping them set up for our boat show. I worked for them full time from early 2001, to about the beginning of Spring in 2003. I also was sent on two trips to West Coast Correct Craft, for training.

I have seen three boats with the Python engine in them. Two (classic) Super Airs, and one Ski Nautique. I did drive the Ski, and it was used in one of my teams water ski shows, in 2000.

The point I was trying to make is this. You want a fairly rare engine choice in a boat that has not been made for several years, and you are limiting yourself also with a color choice. Remove the number of boats made with the desirable colors and engine that are not for sale, and there may not be the engine and colors you want available now.

Here is a clue to how many boats of each type Correct Craft made during this time frame. The five numbers in the boats serial number are the last digit of the model year of the boat, and then the actual model of the boat.
Example: My 1997 Ski Nautique CTC 70344 J697
The first 7, by the "CTC" is for the 1997 model year
The 0 is the number for the Ski Nautique. A 1 in the second position was for the Ski Nautique Open bow, and later the 206. A 7 was for the Super Air. I do not remember the other numbers right off hand.
That leaves 344 for my actual serial number
The J697 also tells me it was a 1997 model year boat, made in October of 1996.
There is no guarantee that the first 1997 Ski Nautique had "70001" for a serial number. It could of very well started with a higher number.

[WakeSlayer]

James,

There was a guy in MI with a super low hours that got put up for sale every winter for a couple or three years. Have not seen it recently. It was white with a bright blue primary stripe with a 502.
I do think that there are very few of these and that the estimate of 30 per year is probably a good guess. I am not so sure that the Godfather has those numbers. I think many were dealer owned as they were pretty rare and extremely powerful. I would also bet that several are still owned by show teams. They made 11 SuperAir/ Supersports in 99 with a 502. I know of three personally that are owned by myself and friends, one that got sunk in Lake Powell, there was one for sale in ATL two years ago, and then a couple others. I have driven a SNOB with this motor and it is a monster.

Best of luck on finding one. If I were you, I would consider buying Rocco's white one above and putting a new vinyl or painted blue stripe to your liking on it.

[502Python]

I'm not in a hurry, I don't need it, so I have time to wait. I have come across them in the past and they will be there in the future. I've seen the blue one you speak of, love the color, it will be for sale again too. I just can't believe I post a want ad and get lectured that my standards are too high in regards to color. I full well understand what a Python is (and better than most "experts" on here)and how limited they are but if it's not what I want I won't get it, pretty simple. I tend to keep things for awhile so I try to find what I like and keep it.

Wakeslayer, thanks for the helpful post and thanks to others with helpful posts. Wake,the ski with a Python is a monster, nothing like it. I will say that your Python-powered boat is the best looking one I have seen!

As a sidenote, I sent the Godfather an email to see if he had any info but I suspect you are right that he doesn't have the time to dig through all the records to pull that info. Maybe I'll get lucky, we have the same last name.

[bchesley]

Wakeslayer,

My father in law had one of the 11 made in 99. It was purple and black with a black tower. That boat was just insane. He ended up selling it to a guy in Dallas thru our dealer and the guy still has it. I get teary eyed just thinking about it.

[WakeSlayer]

Brad,

Too bad that one isn't still in the family. Cool to know of another, though.

[east tx skier]

Wakeslayer,

My father in law had one of the 11 made in 99. It was purple and black with a black tower. That boat was just insane. He ended up selling it to a guy in Dallas thru our dealer and the guy still has it. I get teary eyed just thinking about it.

When I was first poking around at trading my old MC in on a TSC1 Nautique I came across a white one with red striping at Buxton, a 99 IIRC. Really gorgeous boat and not a common gel pattern. I was a little late though and they just hadn't updated their site.

[TRBenj]

Re: RE: Ski Nautique With Python Wanted

There is a master blue that a guy owns around here, he doesn't want to part with it.

Are you talking about Scott Oxley's boat? Sounds like its exactly what youre looking for. Pretty sure its not for sale, though.

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diari...ls.asp?ID=4099

Ive seen a handful of 502 Ski Nautiques for sale over the last few years. This one sold for cheap and I was very tempted. There was also a beautiful red/black '99 and an all white with red pinstriping '99 that looked spectacular. Ive seen and heard of many more Sports and SAN's with the Python.

Im sure that motor in a Ski Nautique would be a fun ride- but I would suspect the extra weight would hurt the slalom wake. The 250lb weight penalty is pretty significant. Cubes are great, but if youre going to slalom with the boat, a modified 351w would probably be the way to go. One can be built to outperform a Python, no doubt.

[502Python]

RE: Re: RE: Ski Nautique With Python Wanted

Hi Benj, yes I was talking about Scott's boat. I did contact him and he has no intention of parting with it. Benj, as you know, I have the '82 BFN I am modifying now so not sure I want to dig into another mod just yet. My slalom skills probably wouldn't be affected much anyway as I am used to the Sport/Python wake and my skills just aren't that good!

Wakeslayer, as a sidenote, I did talk to Rocco about his white Python, he sold it this past March.