Advice requested - which one to buy

[redmondforsale]

I have never owned a Ski Nautique, but always wanted one. I am now ready to buy and am looking to stay around $20K. I have three options right now, a '97 with 470 hours and GT-40 (310hp), a '99 with 350 hours and the PCM-HO (290hp) or a 2001 with 750 hours and the GT-40.

How concerned about the hours on the 2001 should I be? It was purchased two years ago with 730 hours and was not used the last two years very much (10 outings total). I would like to buy the newest possible but wonder about teh hours on the 2001, and I wonder how much difference there is between the '97 and '99.

Thanks for anyone willing to provide an opinion.

[chris196]

RE: Advice requested - which one to buy

I'm sure they would all be fine. I purchased a 98 last year with 655 hours on a GT-40. The boat was very well maintained and runs like a top. If you plan on putting many hours per year, then maybe shy away from the 2001, but if you plan on 50-75, I don't see a problem unless you plan on selling it in a year or two. A GT-40 is supposed be good for 2500 hours with proper maintenance.

I don't trick, but we have friends who do, and they say the 97-99 have a great trick table. Then it was bad from 2000-2003/4 and the current ones are good again. If you're not tricking, not an issue.
Also, the 2001 would have the gauges with all the problems. I'm not an expert on that, just seen lots of chatter about replacing gauges on this site.

I think I would let the condition of the boat determine it for me with a bias to the GT-40, all other things being equal.

[east tx skier]

Those are all the same hull through 2001. The TSC2 started in 2002.

I'd say it's between the 97 and the 2001 for me as I'd rather have the fuel injected GT-40 over the carbureted (IIRC) 290 hp engine in 1999. One thing to consider about the 2001 is whether they have swapped out the digital gauges, which were apparently problematic for that era.

Outside of all that, I wouldn't look so much at hours as I would overall care and maintenance. Sure, all things being equal, go with less hours. But if the 2001 is in better shape, don't give 750 hours another thought. But give it a close look as the owner has mentioned that it has not seen the regularity of use over the last couple of years that you would hope to see.

[redmondforsale]

More Information - Dash Image

Thanks for the replies so far. Here is a picture of the dash board (not the best), it appears to have analog speedo and tach. Does this suggest the problem has been dealt with?

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: More Information - Dash Image

Yes. Those are the replacement gauges.

[chris196]

I wasn't sure when the TSC1 to TSC2 transition was, I just know the serious trick skiers I know said they prefer 1997-1999 nautiques. They said if you're only slaloming, it doesn't make a difference.
Maybe they were also factoring in the gauge issue when recommending 97-99 models.

[SGY]

I favor the 2001. Like Eastie says, it's fuel injected. If the 2001 is in good shape and runs good, that would be my choice. 750 hours is just about right for that year boat. Good luck.

[MARK-S]

750 hours is nothing if engine was cared for.

[DanielC]

The TSC 1 to TSC-2 transistion in a 196 happened in 2002, but the TSC 1 hull was used on the SNOB (Ski Nautique Open Bow) in the year 2002. In 2003, the 206 was introduced, and the TSC-1 hull was done.
The switch fron analog to digital gauges happened in 2000, the same year the classic graphics changed to the big "N". in my opinion, both were bad mistakes with the 2000 boats, your opinions may differ.
My GT-40 in a 1997 ski has 1967 hours on it, and it still runs very strong. Spark Plugs replaced about three times, a new cap, rotor, and plug wires at the end of last year, and a new low pressure fuel pump at 920 hours. normal oil, filter changes, fuel filter changes, and a raw water pump around 1200 hours.
PCM fuel filters, Motorcraft FL1-A oil filter, Valvoline 40 Racing motor oil.
In my opinion, I would avoid the 2001, and stick with the two older boats. You get the easier to read analog gauges, and you know how many hours are on the boat for sure. If the 2001 is the only boat of the three that had perfect pass, that might sway my decision.
I would also rate the GT-40 engine as a very high importance.
Is the PCM HO (290 hp) engine GM. or Ford? I believe PCM HO GM engine was a throttle body injection engine, the GT-40 is a multiport injection design. Multiport much better. The oil filter on the early GM engines was located on the bottom of the block, by the oil pan, and very difficult to change without dumping oil in the bilge. Later GM engines had a remote oil filter on them.

[east tx skier]

From the 1999 brochure, the 290 hp is a carbureted Ford 351 HO. Having owned the Indmar variant of this engine, I can vouch for it as a strong puller. But I'd pick the MPI GT-40 seven days a week and twice on Sunday.

[BSBell]

Get one with a GT-40 motor in it, = amazing!

[redmondforsale]

Thanks!

After much careful thought about all the input here, I decided to stick with the GT-40, but in a 2002 Ski Nautique! I happened upon a site that had an excellent condition 2002 with the GT-40 and an original owner who took very good care of it. The owner will meet me in the middle for delivery which saves a long drive! All and all, I am very happy. I will be ecstatic once I get my hands on it.

Stay tuned, pictures to follow. I really appreciate everyone who took the time to respond, thanks!

Doug 8-)

[M3Fan]

RE: Thanks!

I realize this post is coming in a little late but I'll chime in anyway FWIW. In looking at the TSC1 boats I would never overlook later models, assuming all options/condition were equal. The digital gauge thing doesn't bother me. The dash looks far better and more modern with the 00 and 01 dash pod than the 97-99 TSC1s (which have dash designs that look not unlike the 1988 dash pod) and the gauges being replaced X amount of times doesn't bother me terribly. The 00+ dashpod lit up at night is an awesome sight (see the 2000 brochure for refrence) and the keypads on both sides of the dash sure beat the push-breaker setup in looks and function. Most owners who have replaced their gauges have kept track of their hours or used an auxiliary hour meter of some sort. Remember that the hour meter in ANY TSC 1 BOAT with the GT40 or carb engine can be swapped out- the engine does not store the hours. So the argument that the 97-99 has a better chance of having "correct" hours on the meter is meaningless to me (I've personally experienced mis-reported hours on a potential 97 boat I was looking at). The GT40s ECU was tweeked in 99 to fix idle flair during startup as well as a couple of other little things that I can't recall at this point. The 99+ has the adjustable rudder which I think is a total bonus. The cockpit/dashpod and moulded console around the throttle lever on the 00/01 boats looks great and really updates the cockpit IMO. The keypad setup for accessories on the boat replaces what amounts to a huge nest of wires and crimped connectors on the earlier boats, which I certainly don't miss digging through to find corroded connectors or bad connections to troubleshoot low voltage issues. Just a couple things to think about. Of course, you have to like the "N" graphic as well, unless you get one that has the 97-99 graphics like mine. Personally it's not an issue with me since I love the N stripe.