First Time Buyer Questions - Ski Nautique 196

[ponycar]

Hi, I 'm currently looking to buy a 2005 Ski Nautique 196 (Not sure if it is a SE,LE or TE). Boat was used on private lake in North Texas and has roughly 450 hours on it. Took the boat out yesterday with dealer (on consignment) and it ran great except for a slight shake due the prop. Dealer said they can easily have it straightend out. Hull is in great shape with no nicks or scrapes.

I was wondering what specific items I should focus on when evaluating the engine and at what hour intervals I should have items such as fuel filters, plugs, wires ect. changed out (similiar to a car's 30, 60, 90K maintenance schedules). I grew up driving friends Nautiques, although I never encountered the maintenance side of boat ownership.

Also, what is the difference between the three models of the 196?

Thanks for your help.

Scott

[2gofaster]

RE: First Time Buyer Questions - Ski Nautique 196

Scott, I'm assuming your dealing with Phil at Buxton? Good guy and he won't steer you wrong. I bought mine from him. Generally I'd like to see the oil changed at 50 hour intervals, trans fluid at 100 hours, impeller once a year, and fuel filters at 500 hours. The plugs, wires, etc are 1000 hour items on a boat I'd say.

SE has a keyed ignition and no radio standard
LE has keyless ignition and added upsell items such as the stereo
TE was nothing more than an LE with PP installed from the factory

[jmo]

RE: First Time Buyer Questions - Ski Nautique 196

Hi Scott,

Why is the prop causing vibrations? Was the prop damaged? If so just insist on them putting on a new one and make sure the rest of the underwater gear (rudder, tracking fins, shaft) also weren't damaged from whatever incident might have happened.

From a maintenance perspective, oil & filter, impeller should be changed every 50 hours, transmission fluid every 100, etc - just ask to see the service records.

If you look on the boats for sale section on this site you will find several 2008 promo 196 boats that are in mint condition that I think you could get a really good deal on. Check it out...

jmo

[ponycar]

RE: First Time Buyer Questions - Ski Nautique 196

Thanks for the responses.

Shane - You are correct, the boat is located at Buxton. It looks like the guy bought a SE and added the radio and PP himself. I appreciate the info.

JMO - The guy helping me out said there was minor damage (looked scraped from what I could tell, but no noticable bends in the metal). Maintenance records the dealer has are limited due to the owner servicing the boat himself. Hopefully he followed the 50 hour rule. In this circumstance I'm relying on the condition and appearance to derive my assumption that he probably followed the recommended schedule. Thanks for the promo boat tip, I'll take a look at them.

The boat in question is for sale for 23k with no trailer. Given the boat is in really good condition compared to others I looked at would you assume this is a fair price?

Thanks again for your help and I look forward to owning my own Nautique soon!

Scott

[sodbuster88]

RE: First Time Buyer Questions - Ski Nautique 196

Make sure you check your engine. SE comes standard with 5.0 (275 HP); LE and TE comes with 5.7L (330 HP). This is huge as there are a lot of SEs out there that have the 5.7 upgrade....which is a very good thing. Take a good look through the brochures at this link to get a detailed understanding of the options per model:
http://correctcraftfan.com/reference/brochures.asp

[SGY]

RE: First Time Buyer Questions - Ski Nautique 196

Get the prop fixed and drive it again before you buy. The vibration may not be from the prop and I'd want to get that sorted out before purchase.

2005 is a great year for the 196--before TBW and the hydrogate. The price seems fair.

Good luck.

[skiinxs]

RE: First Time Buyer Questions - Ski Nautique 196

That is a good price if it is in good condition. Have him put a different prop on and run it for you again. The ACME's are great props, but they can get tweaked pretty easy. I have seen it where you couldn't see a mark on a prop but it had an ear tweaked and it vibrated.
Dave

[SkiTower]

Re: RE: First Time Buyer Questions - Ski Nautique 196

Get the prop fixed and drive it again before you buy. The vibration may not be from the prop and I'd want to get that sorted out before purchase.

Good luck.

2nd that, no compromise.

[cotton]

Re: RE: First Time Buyer Questions - Ski Nautique 196

Thanks for the responses.

Shane - You are correct, the boat is located at Buxton. It looks like the guy bought a SE and added the radio and PP himself. I appreciate the info.

The boat in question is for sale for 23k with no trailer. Given the boat is in really good condition compared to others I looked at would you assume this is a fair price?

Scott

This question brings up a question I would like answered from someone in the know. The NADA on this boat with single axle trailer is about $22,000.00 (not including upgrades such as Perfect Pass, stereo, larger motor, etc.) but has no addition or deduct (I have seen) considering the boat's hours, as is the case with autos considering mileage. Is there a rule of thumb on hour many hours a boat this age should have and a formula for adding to or deducting from NADA? Thanks in advance!

http://www.nadaguides.com/default.as...0&gc=mr&gtc=MR

[SkiTower]

Re: RE: First Time Buyer Questions - Ski Nautique 196

This question brings up a question I would like answered from someone in the know. The NADA on this boat with single axle trailer is about $22,000.00 (not including upgrades such as Perfect Pass, stereo, larger motor, etc.) but has no addition or deduct (I have seen) considering the boat's hours, as is the case with autos considering mileage. Is there a rule of thumb on hour many hours a boat this age should have and a formula for adding to or deducting from NADA? Thanks in advance!

I believe the rule of thumb is 50 hours a year as normal. Hours are not as important as maintenance and exposure to the elements. A boat kept in the garage is much better than one kept in the water with no covers.

Be careful trusting NADA right now. They are REALLY lowballing boats.

[2gofaster]

RE: Re: RE: First Time Buyer Questions - Ski Nautique 196

Typically, they don't value hours on a boat. I'd say that even 100 hours a year on a Nautique 196 is ok as long as it's taken care of. Also, in the NADA notes, it says to not use the notes if no asterisk behind the moddle name. In this case they don't show that so my guess is that's without the trailer value.