WTB: 2000-2005 SSN or SAN around $25k

[slc2001]

Hey Guys,
I am looking to upgrade into something a little bigger. I currently own a 1989 Ski Nautique 2001. The boat has been great and I haven't had any issues with it other than size. I am looking for a 2000-2005 SSN or SAN. I want to try and stay right around $25k if possible but if the right deal came up I could spend a little more. I know how well these boats hold their value. I am located in SLC, Utah and will most likely need to have the boat shipped. Below is a list of some of the must haves.

The must haves:
GT-40
V drive
Perfect Pass
Clean interior
Lowish Hours >450
Factory or aftermarket ballast system
Stereo with tower speakers (not a deal breaker)
Tandem axle trailer (preferred)

I have done a bit of looking through the for sale forums and have my eye on a couple boats, but I wanted to post here just in case I am missing something. Thanks for looking.

[Chexi]

If you must have a GT-40, you can cross off years 2003-2005... but you would probably need to do that anyway due to price. You will have a hard time finding accurate hours on 2000-2002 due to the crap Teleflex digital gauges that almost all went bad. I have heard of a few still working. GT-40s do not store hours on the engine computer. This is actually the main reason (IMHO) that 2000-2002 nautiques have a sizeable price drop from 2003 and beyond... it is an uncertainty discount. Fortunately for those of us willing to take the risk, the GT40 is a great engine and can last a long time.

Note, the supply of GT40s ran out mid production year in 2002, so many 2002s have chevy engines. You can get the hours off the engine on these... but they are not GT40s of course.

BTW, I bought mine for $20,500 a couple of years ago. It had the bad Teleflex gauges, which I replaced, no perfect pass (which I bought used and added) and came with an undisclosed, very difficult to diagnose electrical problem. After several weekends ruined due to stalling problems and about $650, I videotaped the problem, showed the video to Tyler Ski N Sport, and they replaced the distributor. Since then, my boat has run flawlessly. So you can find 2000 and 2001 in your range. 2002 bumps up a bit in price due to some minor, but desirable in cabin design changes.

[slc2001]

If you must have a GT-40, you can cross off years 2003-2005... but you would probably need to do that anyway due to price. You will have a hard time finding accurate hours on 2000-2002 due to the crap Teleflex digital gauges that almost all went bad. I have heard of a few still working. GT-40s do not store hours on the engine computer. This is actually the main reason (IMHO) that 2000-2002 nautiques have a sizeable price drop from 2003 and beyond... it is an uncertainty discount. Fortunately for those of us willing to take the risk, the GT40 is a great engine and can last a long time.

Note, the supply of GT40s ran out mid production year in 2002, so many 2002s have chevy engines. You can get the hours off the engine on these... but they are not GT40s of course.

BTW, I bought mine for $20,500 a couple of years ago. It had the bad Teleflex gauges, which I replaced, no perfect pass (which I bought used and added) and came with an undisclosed, very difficult to diagnose electrical problem. After several weekends ruined due to stalling problems and about $650, I videotaped the problem, showed the video to Tyler Ski N Sport, and they replaced the distributor. Since then, my boat has run flawlessly. So you can find 2000 and 2001 in your range. 2002 bumps up a bit in price due to some minor, but desirable in cabin design changes.

Thanks for the reply, great information! I was unaware that the 2003+ boats didn't come with the gt40 motor and that the gt40 motors don't log hours... That doesn't change my mind on the gt40 though. My 2001 has almost 1400hrs and runs like a top. Anything else I should be aware of as I am searching?? Any help is appreciated!

[super01]

I traded mine to Buxton Marine in October. I don't know if they still have it or not, but you would not be disappointed in it.

http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/sh...-many-upgrades

[shag]

Wait a minute. Your 89 has a GT40? Unless it was replaced that is a 351, with PCM power plus transmission.

[slc2001]

I traded mine to Buxton Marine in October. I don't know if they still have it or not, but you would not be disappointed in it.

http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/sh...-many-upgrades

This is exactly what I am looking for. Any contact information for Buxton Marine?

[slc2001]

Wait a minute. Your 89 has a GT40? Unless it was replaced that is a 351, with PCM power plus transmission.

Correct, it is the 351. From what I have read they are similar motors? Correct me if I'm wrong. I am here to learn.

[Chexi]

GT40 is the Ford Windsor 351, but with GT40 heads and Electronic Fuel Injection, bumping the HP from 270 (I think) to 310. So, same basic engine, but more HP with a little more complexity to go wrong. That said, the GT40 is the favorite engine of many many boaters, and is often referred to as "bulletproof." It's not, but they tend to have fewer problems than most other engines, and they are relatively easy to work on and generally inexpensive to fix.

[Chexi]

Buxton is the big Nautique dealer in Dallas. Buxtonmarine.com. They have a 2001 right now, same colors as my 2000. I wouldn't trust the hours though, unless they can confirm them by maintenance records. Buxton did the maintenance, so they might be accurate. I'd want to also see the hours on the perfect pass versus the replaced faria gauges. My very limited experience with Buxton has not been great, but many many others swear by them.

[super01]

You will need to contact them directly to see if they still have it. It's not been on the web site since I traded it, so it may have sold quickly.

One thing I can say is that Buxton has supported me 100%, and I live over 2K miles away from them. I definitly reccomend them to anyone looking for a Nautique!

[slc2001]

Buxton is the big Nautique dealer in Dallas. Buxtonmarine.com. They have a 2001 right now, same colors as my 2000. I wouldn't trust the hours though, unless they can confirm them by maintenance records. Buxton did the maintenance, so they might be accurate. I'd want to also see the hours on the perfect pass versus the replaced faria gauges. My very limited experience with Buxton has not been great, but many many others swear by them.

Ya, this one definitely has my attention.
http://www.buxtonmarine.com/web/boat...wisville-Texas

I will give them a call to see if they can verify the hours. Thanks for all the info!

[beach]

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/3559008735.html

I'd buy that one if it wasn't on the other side of the country. 03 team for 28k.

[slc2001]

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/3559008735.html

I'd buy that one if it wasn't on the other side of the country. 03 team for 28k.

Wow, super clean. Thanks for the link. I will email them!

[Miljack]

That Cali boat is nice, and in '03 the interior is both wider (thinner gunwale/deck top), and deeper (they lowered the floor a few inches in '03), plus the deck/storage area is bigger/longer. The '03 and '05 are desirable years for the "old school" 210 hulls.
The Ford engines are good, and people like the torque curve, but the Excal is also a great engine, and if you don't have a PCM tech nearby, is easy for many general marine techs to work on.

[slc2001]

That Cali boat is nice, and in '03 the interior is both wider (thinner gunwale/deck top), and deeper (they lowered the floor a few inches in '03), plus the deck/storage area is bigger/longer. The '03 and '05 are desirable years for the "old school" 210 hulls.
The Ford engines are good, and people like the torque curve, but the Excal is also a great engine, and if you don't have a PCM tech nearby, is easy for many general marine techs to work on.

Good info on the 03+ boats, thanks. I emailed the seller and I am just waiting to hear back.