77 Nautique in Canada, looking to buy...

[NewToNautique]

Just wondering about info on what to watch out for such as...

1. History of build quality for this year? Poor quality materials in certain places prone to rotting?
2. What problems have other members seen, so I can look for?

I have maintenance and repair knowledge, so Ill be checking engine and electrical over.

Other inspection points...
3. Transmission?
4. V-Drive seals / bearings
5. Rudder?

Much appreciated. Have tried search, not much luck for a turd this old!

[CradGen2]

RE: 77 Nautique in Canada, looking to buy...

DUDE,

being this is your first post welcome to Nautiques. Plently of people will help you with the above. Airtool, WakeSlayer???

I had just had to comment (taking a break and the office) but your screen name "newtonautique" will be with you forever.

What type of 77 nautique are you looking at? There were several models built that year?

[MyWakeIsBigger]

RE: 77 Nautique in Canada, looking to buy...

A 1977 V-drive?

[CradGen2]

RE: 77 Nautique in Canada, looking to buy...

He's new, he gets a couple get out free jail cards.

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: 77 Nautique in Canada, looking to buy...

While they didn't make a V-Drive boat in 1977, some of you will be surprised to know that they DID build an I/O that year!

[MyWakeIsBigger]

RE: 77 Nautique in Canada, looking to buy...

I aint never seeeen one of them there Correct Craft I/O..

[NewToNautique]

My mistake

That was fast, I am on fastboatscanada.com mostly. Big group of the who's who up here for the lake boats. I also want to get BACK into skiing, have skied for 23 years now, started at 6. My other boat gets most the fun money right now.

Dont know why I was thinking v drive, brain quiff, but never the less, who knows what?

Model? , have only driven by it... no idea. What models they make?

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: My mistake

20' Southwind Bowrider, 20' Southwind Closed Bow, 18' Southwind CB, 20' Caribe I/O, Martinique, American Skier, Mustang, Ski Nautique, and the Ski Tique.

[AirTool]

RE: My mistake

Jeff - You busted 4000 without a milestone post?

Were you not watching your odometer?

[Quinner]

1. History of build quality for this year? Poor quality materials in certain places prone to rotting?
Build quality is not necessarily an issue however depending on the boats use and care the wood stringers could be an issue.

2. What problems have other members seen, so I can look for?
One way to check the stringers is to turn the lag bolts at the motor mounts, see if they bite. Not always a sure fire check but may give you some idea.

3. Transmission?
Check fluid level and if clean, drive boat, see how it shifts

4. bearings
Same as above, listen for any bad sounds

5. Rudder?
Check for play, if it steers hard it could be the steering cable.

[AirTool]

I know you changed your tune....but if you really wanted a 70s (not 77) CC v-drive.....here it is. It has been there a while. If it had the original engine, I'd be more interested.

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forsa...ort=&pagenum=1

[WakeSlayer]

The late 70's Ski Nautiques are super cool boats. i spent a weekend driving a 78 in Florida last winter and loved it. I am quite partial to the old ones. I love them. As Quinner stated, a good starting point is the lags for the motor mounts. Look for cracks in the gel near the transom on the sides, that can be an indicator of bad stringers. So are soft spots in the floor, especially in front of the pylon. A stringer job is 200-300 hours and will cost you a couple thousand. Try and determine if the motor is original. Should be a RH rotation 351W. Put up a couple pics if you can.

[rivercowboy]

I am the proud owner of a 78 ski nautique. I will never get rid of her. A place I look for rot is also around the battery box. If the bilge on these boats get alot of water in them the water will flow forward into the battery box, but doesnt have a way to get all the way out. Few people open the box to see if it is dry, therefor they can rot. They are a blast to drive! Terror turns rule!

They hold there value, take care of it and it will take care of you.

[Dishman]

IO?

While they didn't make a V-Drive boat in 1977, some of you will be surprised to know that they DID build an I/O that year!

That is gross!!!! WTF? what else an outboard fishing boat?