New owner, need LOTS of info!

[jackkloepfer]

Me and the girl just bought a 96 super sport, and we couldn't be more excited for the spring.

Between now and then, I want to educate myself as much as possible about my boat. General maintainence, care,upkeep, and anything that might help me down the road.

My question is, where to start? I don't know all that much about boats, except for how do drive them, pull skiers and not be a total jerk on the water. What I would really like we be one resource, (book or site) that I can learn everything about my new rig and boats in general.

any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

[AirTool]

Re: New owner, need LOTS of info!

My question is, where to start?

You came to the right place. There is already more info in this site than you'll ever need "to start". Use this link and search for a few topics like:

oil change, FCC, fuel pump relays, gt-40, fresh water flush, winterizing, impeller, topless ballast, money shot, calendar, teaching kids to ski, etc.

http://www.planetnautique.com/index....B2&file=search

Use this link to see what was posted while you were away. Always start here on each new visit. Stay logged in by ticking the box when you first sign in. Then you won't have to sign in. On the new posts page, hold down the shift key when you click on a post and it will open in a new window.

http://www.planetnautique.com/index....ch_id=newposts

Do this and you will become an expert. Then, when even an expert needs help, you can post a specific question and get it answered overnight by the PN crowd. You'll quickly recognize the experts. Once you gain experience, you too may post responses to contribute. I've noticed on this site (UNLIKE OTHERS) you don't have to contribute to get helped. These folks help even if it is your first post. (proven by this response.)

Please post some pics.

AirTool

[8122pbrainard]

Re: New owner, need LOTS of info!

My question is, where to start?

You came to the right place. There is already more info in this site than you'll ever need "to start".

AirTool

Jack,
What's the matter with CCfan?? You posted the exact (copy and pasted) question there at 1:00 am on Friday and by Saturday had 14 replies!! We asked if you had something specific and no reply from yourself. We can't make up the questions for you - there are too many!!

Both sites are great but each has a tendency to have their own qualities.

[jackkloepfer]

Re: New owner, need LOTS of info!

My question is, where to start?

You came to the right place. There is already more info in this site than you'll ever need "to start".

AirTool

Jack,
What's the matter with CCfan?? You posted the exact (copy and pasted) question there at 1:00 am on Friday and by Saturday had 14 replies!! We asked if you had something specific and no reply from yourself. We can't make up the questions for you - there are too many!!

Both sites are great but each has a tendency to have their own qualities.

haha, thought someone might catch me on that one!

Nothing wrong with CCfan at all, don't get me wrong! It's just you can never get enough opinions/insight. As for the lack of responses, I'm insanely busy with school right now, but I just wanted to start to build a base of boating resources early to get a jump on my first season as an owner. didn't mean to pi$$ anyone off, I don't want to bite the hand that feeds me sweet, sweet morsels of nautique knowledge!

[AirTool]

Re: New owner, need LOTS of info!

haha, thought someone might catch me on that one!

You tricked me!

You know something? NO SOUP FOR YOU! Come back, one year!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNwbjcuQUv8

[raygunclan]

RE: Re: New owner, need LOTS of info!

Reading is great and will help - but you will learn the most once that boat is in the water!

[MHayes]

RE: Re: New owner, need LOTS of info!

The best start would be to read the owner's manual while you're sitting in the boat.

[Chris4x4Gill2]

RE: Re: New owner, need LOTS of info!

remember to put the plug in!

seriously though its hard to give overall general advise, do you have any specific questions?

[GoBig]

RE: Re: New owner, need LOTS of info!

One piece of advice --- while you're focusing on what to do to maintain your boat, don't forget about your trailer! Lube up the hubs, check lug nut torques, surge brakes, and tire pressure before hauling that mammoth too far. You don't want your day ruined before you even get the boat in the water. Also, once you put your boat in the water, check your trailer's carpet. If it has never been replaced, on a 1996 it could be in really bad shape and could lead to costly gelcoat repairs. My $0.02.

[saceone]

RE: Re: New owner, need LOTS of info!

^^good point!

welcome aboard. have fun$

[jaybird]

RE: Re: New owner, need LOTS of info!

Jack,

You have picked a great boat and we could give your volumes of opinions here, but for now here is my opinion of the top ten things you should know more about. You can pick the ones you don’t already understand and read up in more detail on them. Yes its just my opinion, others will vary. And please don’t think this all sounds condescending, its written from the point you know nothing, which I’m sure that’s not the case so just absorb what you already didn’t know. I have had 5 CC since 1976 and I’m still learning but have never had anyone service my boat except myself. Not yet anyway, knock knock!

1.) Know how and when to winterize your boat. The time is here for most locations.
2.) Never crank and run your boat out of water unless you have a running garden hosed connect to the water intake.
3.) Change the raw water pump impeller and keep a spare. Be sure you know how to properly install. Periodically watch the engine temp when operating. Impellers do fail often.
4.) Install the drain plug before launching and remove when out of the water especially if it rains and is unprotected.
5.) Check your fluids, engine oil, transmission level, check for fuel leaks or the presence of gas fumes. Never operated if you have any fuel leaks and/or odor of fuel until the problem is corrected.
5.) Be legal, registered, have necessary gear onboard, fire extinguisher, paddle, life jackets, throw device, signal device. What is required for your area?
6.) Know your water and stay away from shallows that could have unmarked underwater dangers. It is expensive if you have a hard hit on you underwater gear.
7.) If you feel unusual vibrations when you run your boat have your shaft alignment checked. Frankly if it was mine I would have the alignment checked since it is a new boat to you. Most drive problems come from running with misalignment. Get it within .003” or less. If you have vibrations with a good alignment have your shaft checked for straightness.
8.) Be reasonable when you run your boat, never run it wide open for long periods of time, 3400 RPM’s is about the maximum you should maintain, short spurts of wide open are ok but unlike a car you could run wide open for many miles and the engine is not designed for that. Look over the engines owners’ manual with respect to maximum maintained RPM’s and maximum RPM.
9.) Be aware your boat is a high performance ski boat capable of high-speed maneuvers. You are responsible for the people in your boat, be aware this boat can make sudden course corrections that could sling someone out of there seat if they are unprepared. You have a hold of the wheel but your guest if unprepared may have no knowledge of the boats capability to make quick turns. Don’t be a hotdog.
10.) Have fun and be careful, its a Nautique, you may get hooked.