WTB 2002 Ski Nautique 196

[4Fun]

All,

I am looking to purchase an early to mid-year 2002 Ski Nautique 196 with the GT-40. Desire Silver Cloud/Black color scheme and tandem trailer. Hours are not a huge concern as long as annual maintenance has been done and verified. Looking for clean a clean boat.

Please let me know if you have such an opportunity and would consider a sale.

Best,

Chris

[swc5150]

There's a 2002 on SIA, but it's an Excal. I'm assuming you want an early one specifically for the GT-40? Great motor, it's just too bad that ecm didn't store engine hours. Assuming the boat you find had the obligatory Teleflex to Faria swap, you'll never really know for sure what the actual hours are. Good luck with the search!

[4Fun]

Thanks swc5150, I saw that one as well. I am looking for the GT-40. I see you have a bit of history with 196s...any thoughts on my logic?

[swc5150]

I'm a huge GT40 fan, but I guess if it were me, I'd pursue a '98 or '99 bubble back. You'd save a few bucks and get a killer boat. If I was going newer, I'd go Excalibur, so I could upgrade to ZO. That's just my humble opinion though.

[BrennanK]

Best of luck with the search. I ski out in Victoria quite often. On lake Aburn.

If it were me I would look at an older TSC1 boat. I would want to avoid the digital gauges; and I really like the lack of the trunk. Much easier getting in and out of the boat. However if you are dead set on a TSC2 hull then 2002 would be your only year with the GT-40.

There are two decent TSC1 boats for sale on the Minneapolis Craigslist, if you're interested. You are more then likely going to have to get a trailer separately. I very rarely see boats of this vintage on a tandem trailer.


Again, good luck. Let us know what you find out.

[swc5150]

I was thinking that about the tandem as well. Pretty rare for a 196. My brother had one under his '07, and was sort of overkill.

[DanielC]

1997 through 2001 all had the TSC1 hull. 1997 through 1999 had the analogue gauges you could actually read in sunlight.

[swc5150]

Just to note, I say I'd look for a '98 to '99 GT-40 for a couple of reasons, one being what Daniel states above. I also don't really care for the 2000 N graphic on the hull, but that's just me nit picking. Nothing wrong with the 97's, however they didn't share the same ecm as the '98 forward GT-40's, and some have an issue of racing when idling down from plane. I don't know exactly how common that is, but it's been the case in each of the 97's I've driven. If the right '97 came along, I would buy it, as I believe one can swap out the ecm to solve this problem. I forget if it was here or CCF where this topic was discussed at length? Anyway, again, good luck!

[BrennanK]

Here is a 2002 I found for sale over on CCF. It isn't all that close to you, but you're going to have a real hard time finding a boat close with such restrictions.

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forsa...ort=&pagenum=1

The colors aren't bad and it has a GT-40.

[4Fun]

Thanks everyone- I appreciate all the input. I love the TSC1 hull and would certainly buy one if I could find the right boat. I do like the 02 TSC2 for the rear locker and it is a nice compromise for my wife who would like a bit of a rear deck to sit on. Really want silver cloud/black color scheme and would take a clean 1998-1999 or 2002 as soon as I could find one.