Fresh meat!

[19'squid]

Hi all! I'm new to the forum and to boating period. First off let me say, I have never owned a boat and been on several a hand full of times. Thats as far as my experience goes with boats.

I have some questions, and being an x motorcycle junkie and motorcycle forum junkie, I thought I would find a boat forum and post away. If you guys and gals are any were near as involved with this forum as my friends on the sport bike website, then I will be a pro at boating in a few years
Thanks in advance for all the replies.


Here are all my questions:

* 1998 Ski Nautique (sp?) open bow 400 hrs with a ford motor gt40, good boat or bad?
* What kind of issues are they known to have?
* What are the pros and cons of this boat? We intend to use it for a family as a ski boat.

* Once I buy the boat what kind of future investments will I need to make? Boaters license for Oregon? plates or numbers for boats?
* What do I need to be leagel boating in the water?

BTW boat comes with nothing but trailer and the boat itself.

* Are boats as easy to service my self as a motorcycle or car?
The seller told me it some times shuts off periodically. As if the fuel pump stops working? Any ideas on what it could be? He also told me that the stereo has a short and periodically shuts off.
Is there some were i could download a full dealer repair manual?

I have never touched a boat motor but have plenty of small repairs on cars and bikes.


Any advice you might see as irrelevant I might find use full so please post up.


TIA,
George aka 19'Squid




(btw the name is a run off from motorcycles. If your a newbee on a bike and can't ride to save your life chances are you resemble a squid with your arms and legs flying everywhere when you wreck. So I thought since I'm a newbee in the boating world I would be the equivalent of a squid.)

[19'squid]

RE: Fresh meat!

One last question. My f150 should pull this fine? It has a V8 so i will assume that is more then enough to pull this boat?

[Quinner]

RE: Fresh meat!

98' is a great year for a Ski Nautique Open Bow (SNOB) as that was the second year of the TSC1 hull, great slalom & footing wake. The Open Bow is also a somewhat rare and sought after model, could be an advantage should you decide to sell at some point. The GT-40 (310hp) is a solid engine although it sounds like there may be some issues with this one. As far as hours on that boat, most consider 50 per season as average, so 400 would be a little low, which is OK, too low sometimes can be a problem. Your truck will tow the boat fine, if no brakes on the trailer you will need to be a bit careful when it comes time to slow down.

As far as required gear, many states vary so I would look up what the requirements are locally, most states require (1) vest on board for each person in the boat, children may be required to have theirs on, 1 throw able floatation device like a cushion or similar, fire extinguisher, battery box and covered terminals, engine compartment blower, bilge pump, horn or whistle, registration with hull ID numbers.

Maintenance can be pretty easy on an inboard with a V-8, including tune-ups, winterizing, etc.

Another great CC site with forums like this one is www.correctcraftfan.com

Good Luck

[19'squid]

RE: Fresh meat!

Thanks quinner. i appreciate it.

[SkiTower]

If you really are that new to boating, I would definitely find a buddy that isn't to show you do's and don't's and courtesy stuff, ramp etiquette, etc. Prefereably someone that owns an inboard. Generally speaking, inboard owners tend to care more about doing stuff right, as opposed to a Bayliner owner who is a nuisiance on the lake (once again, generally speaking). Go hang out at a boat ramp and see who looks like they know what they are doing and who doesn't.

Welcome to the club!

[19'squid]

If you really are that new to boating, I would definitely find a buddy that isn't to show you do's and don't's and courtesy stuff, ramp etiquette, etc. Prefereably someone that owns an inboard. Generally speaking, inboard owners tend to care more about doing stuff right, as opposed to a Bayliner owner who is a nuisiance on the lake (once again, generally speaking). Go hang out at a boat ramp and see who looks like they know what they are doing and who doesn't.

Welcome to the club!

Completely agree. As of right now I don't anyone yet and that's why I'm asking the do's and don't s here. I drive by the boat ramp every day on the way to work and back so I might just stop in one day and have lunch and watch whats going on.

[tski97]

In Oregon you do need a Boaters License. You take the course and test on line for less that $20 and it never needs to be renewed. That is going to hold true for anyone driving your boat so you may want those who will drive while you ski to take the course. Go to the Oregon Marine Boards web site and the course will also give you a list of items you are required to have. Quinner gave you all that i think is on the list however you should make sure.

Were in Oregon are you?

[skijones]

Spend some time with the trailer in a empty school parking lot. Takes a little practice, but once you learn, it's like riding a bike. Better yet, have the significant other learn so they can put the boat in the water and then get the trailer when you are done.

I have a 99 SNOB and other than taking the occasional wave over the bow, have had no problems. Sounds like your engine problem is electrical. I would check all the connections for the fuel pump solinoids as well as the battery cables. Don't forget the ground wires. Wiring on Nautiqes of that age was not the best.

My boat has 600 hrs on it and is as solid as the day it was made. The GT-40 has been know to go over 1500 hrs without major repairs. Keep the oil and fuel filters changed and you should have no problems.

Welcome to the world of Nautiques. Having owned a couple of the competing brands, I would say that you have the best boat for the era. The newer ones are similar build quality to Nautiques, but just not the same.

Just remember, your boat backs to the left!

[19'squid]

In Oregon you do need a Boaters License. You take the course and test on line for less that $20 and it never needs to be renewed. That is going to hold true for anyone driving your boat so you may want those who will drive while you ski to take the course. Go to the Oregon Marine Boards web site and the course will also give you a list of items you are required to have. Quinner gave you all that i think is on the list however you should make sure.

Were in Oregon are you?

Will do that tonight. Thanks. I'm in Portland (Gresham to be exact)

[19'squid]

Spend some time with the trailer in a empty school parking lot. Takes a little practice, but once you learn, it's like riding a bike. Better yet, have the significant other learn so they can put the boat in the water and then get the trailer when you are done.

I have a 99 SNOB and other than taking the occasional wave over the bow, have had no problems. Sounds like your engine problem is electrical. I would check all the connections for the fuel pump solinoids as well as the battery cables. Don't forget the ground wires. Wiring on Nautiqes of that age was not the best.

My boat has 600 hrs on it and is as solid as the day it was made. The GT-40 has been know to go over 1500 hrs without major repairs. Keep the oil and fuel filters changed and you should have no problems.

Welcome to the world of Nautiques. Having owned a couple of the competing brands, I would say that you have the best boat for the era. The newer ones are similar build quality to Nautiques, but just not the same.

Just remember, your boat backs to the left!

Trailer shouldn't be an issue. I drove a semi for a few years and I should be ok. My wife driving it is a different story. getting her to get in anything other then here Bug is difficult more less a tuck with trailer. I will recruit one of my friends to do that until my son turns 16.

What do you mean backs to the left? I aint ever even taken it out yet. I just got the ok from the credit union to pick it up but am getting cold feet until I educate my self on expenses and things I need to have, like the license etc.

[tski97]

I lived in Medford for 8 years. Going to a launch for a day is a great Idea. Many of the lakes around Medford had a Sherriff at the launches most weekends. IF you can go to one and get there feed back on the does and don'ts. Etiquite and courtesy with new boaters is good to learn and know. It will save you a lot of headache and stares if you know what to do. I would also suggest you find a launch that is not busy and go there during the week and practice some. it is much easier with no one around.

[MHayes]

Prefereably someone that owns an inboard. Generally speaking, inboard owners tend to care more about doing stuff right, as opposed to a Bayliner owner who is a nuisiance on the lake (once again, generally speaking).

Seriously, why even say this? And yes I know you said generally speaking, but that is a huge generalization.

[19'squid]

the dock here on Marine drive if pretty big and has a Sheriffs station there so I will ask for help from them. good idea.

[SkiTower]

backs to the left means that in reverse, the boat pulls to the left. You'll learn to use it quickly when in tight quarters. FYI: it takes practice to pilot an inboard in tight spaces. Go practice, and then be careful who you let drive it in those conditions.

SkiTower wrote:
Prefereably someone that owns an inboard. Generally speaking, inboard owners tend to care more about doing stuff right, as opposed to a Bayliner owner who is a nuisiance on the lake (once again, generally speaking).


Seriously, why even say this? And yes I know you said generally speaking, but that is a huge generalization.

the reason to say that is to point him in the general direction of someone who takes it seriously. As you sit at the ramp and on the lake, you notice who knows what they are doing and who doesn't realize there are other people on the lake.

[19'squid]

Boy! u guys are great at responses. I am all kinds of excited about this boating thing. I am just glad I am finding something to enjoy with the whole family and not worry about getting plowed over by a car.
Keep them, advice, coming!