Nautique 196 cover poles

[jeclarke]

I'm in the middle of purchasing my first ski boat, a 2001 Ski Nautique 196. The cover for the boat has snaps around the perimeter. There is a pole that rests on the floor between the rear of the engine and the rear bench seat. There is also a homemade PVC pipe that slips over the ski pylon (and makes it taller) to support the front portion of the cover.

What is the standard arrangement for poles on this boat and what is supposed to be there in place of the PVC homemade pylon extension.

thanks,

[j2nh]

PVC pipe is pretty much the standard for the pylon. All three of my 196's have come that way from the dealer. Much nicer than a pole as it won't tip over. You might want to put a PVC cap on the top of it to keep the sharp PVC edges from ripping the cover if it collets rain. You are correct placement on the pole between the engine cover and the rear seat.

Where are the snaps located on the boat? Some are located underneath the rub rail which keeps them out of sight.

Good luck with the new boat!

[jeclarke]

j2nh,
thanks forthe reply about the cover poles.

The snaps are located under the rub rail. Are snaps present on all boats or is this an option. I'm surpised to hear that the snaps wouldn't always be in the same location. I have lots to learn.

[j2nh]

Cover snaps

My 05 196 was my first Nautique to have the snaps under the rub rail. Up until then they had always just used the drawstring and poles. Snaps made it really nice for securing the cover when the boat was on the boat lift.
My understanding was that this was not a factory option and in fact the factory had nothing to do with it. Covers were manufactured by a third party contracted by the distributor, in this case Midwest Correct Craft in Angola IN.
Is your boat a midwest boat?
Somebody correct me if I have this wrong.

[jeclarke]

RE: Cover snaps

My boat was originally sold new by a dealer in Speculator, NY, Lemon Tree marine. I assume it came with the snaps under the rub rail when new.